Motorbike helmets, which are best?

Question

is there any any advantage to full face motorbike helmets over flip front ones? i'm in the market and because i wear glasses i would prefer a flip front, but is there any reason i should go for a fixed full face helmet instead? also any recommended brands/models would be helpful!

Answer 1

I have both a full face helmet and a flip top one.

I find the flip top one is very easy to put on and take off. I wear glasses sometimes (contacts the rest of the time) and it is easier to put the glasses on while wearing it (although I know people that wear glasses and a full helmet and don't find it a problem). In fact I don't even have to take the glasses off to put it on. I just life the front, slide it onto the back of my head and fasten the strap. I can then pull the front down when I am on my bike.

I never drive the bike with the top lifted up though as it can fall down partly and obscure your view.

The main disadvantage is that I find that the peripheral  vision is not as good as on my full helmet. I wore a full face helmet after a year wearing my flip front one and I noticed a difference the first time I came to a junction.

My Flip top one is a Caberg and cost me approximately £150. My full face one is an Arai Helmet and cost about £70.

I bought the flip top one first and the other as a spare helmet. If I had to choose I would be torn as the flip top is easier to put on and take off, you can lift it up to talk to people and mine has a really handy internal tinted visor I can put down if it is sunny. However, the full face one is safer as the peripheral vision is better and I think that if I came off the bike and landed on my face it would offer better protection.

Answer 2

http://home1.gte.net/res0ak9f/helmet.jpg

That chart shows the clear advantages of a full face helmet.

Get something SNELL and DOT approved. Preferably the SNELL foundation. DOT rarely checks their helmets.

I have a Scorpion EXO1000, anything scorpion is great, as well as HJC, Arai, Suomy, AGV, and Shoei.

Answer 3

You should have no problem with a full face helmet and glasses.  I have no problems with my glasses in my Shoei RF-1000.

But the best helmet is the one that FITS the best, and making sure your glasses are secure and comfortable inside it should be one of the deciding factors in your purchase.

Answer 4

Here's the best deal on a helmet. Get the full face, either a flip up or fixed...

You don't need a $400.00 helmet on a 125 motorcycle. If a vehicle hits you....Your worst nightmare, will be the chin strap, I have seen it pull a friends head right off his body....True story.

Answer 5

i suggest a full face sports lid the correct fit is important as well as brand the correct size will keep the helmet on if you fall (yes they do fall off sometimes)also will prevent movement at speed go to a dealership try them on and choose your price range iv bought a Marashin lid for £80 and it has the same rating as a Shoei for £400 and it looks better aslo get a screen thats scratch resistent and non misting. replacement screens are about £30 for clear .smoked &.tinted

why a gilera i ask  yamaha suzuki honda and hyosung(suzuki engine makers) all have better reputations and parts supply is easier

Answer 6

If you like your jawline? You get what you pay for m8. And two hole in a coconut is just daft....you need somewhere for the glasses to hang...dafty

Answer 7

worth getting quality helmet, ARAI etc, end of the day youve only got one head

Answer 8

I work in the helmet industry, but I won't mention brand names. Full face helmets will always give you better protection than flip-front, purely because they are a solid unit.  I also wear glasses, and don't have any problem with them in a full-face helmet because I buy one which fits properly and doesn't interfere with the fit of my glasses. It can be done, quite easily, but may need some perseverance.  You don't have to spend silly money to buy good protection though. Above about £200 you are paying for brand name to a certain extent, and quality of finish. All helmets sold in the UK (I'm assuming you're in the UK, where the rules are slightly different from the USA, which Americans seem to be completely unable to understand - to be fair their standards are a bit better operated than ours) must provide a minimum standard of protection; generally a £200 helmet will protect you at least as well as, if not better than, a £50 one, but both are legally acceptable. Always buy the best helmet you can afford, but potentially more important is the fit - buy one that fits you properly, and is comfortable. If the sales assistant in the shop you go to cannot help you, go somewhere else. You can buy another helmet, you can't buy another head.

Answer 9

Cut two peep holes in an empty coconut shell

Answer 10

In a crash, a full-face helmet will protect your face much better. If you want evidence, there are 0 flip-up helmets that are DOT certified. There is not much difference between a $100 helmet and a $400 helmet, possibly more comfortable depending on the person, but not much else besides graphics. Any major brand will work, I use HJC.

Answer 11

I always buy a system helmet (the flip-up ones). the big advantage is in the summer when it's warm and you're driving in a city or town or just slowly cruising you can flip it up. Also when you have to ask directions or want to talk to the biker next to you you don't have to yell that loud.

If you buy a flip-up go for one wich you can open with one hand like a Caberg or a ROOF

Answer 12

I think a flip helmet because, u wear glasses and it would'nt be a nusence as much as the full face helmet .

Answer 13

By 'flip front' I assume you meant open face rather than BMW - type lift up front helmets.

As above, open face helmets offer so little protection in a crash, I shudder every time I see someone wearing one.

Glasses are no problem under a full face lid.