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  #1  
Old 31 Jul 2011
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Open face helmet and Goggles
Hi

Looking at getting an open face and some goggles for a forthcoming trip to North Africa . Those of you folks that use this combination what makes do you recommend ( helmet and goggles ) and do you find having a peak an advantage or disadvantage ? By the way I'll be riding a DL650 and hoping to do some light off roading when I get there as well as some normal mile munching on european motorways on the way.

Thanks for any advice


Neil
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Old 1 Aug 2011
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Why get an open face helmet? I've done that, and regretted it. Anytime you hit rain, a dust storm, locust swarm, etc. you've basically got to stop unless you've got a higher pain threshold than me.

I ride with a dual-sport style helmet (with visor) and some good sunglasses. 95% of the time the visor is up and I rely solely on the sunglasses, but when it rains, etc. the visor goes down and I keep going.
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Old 1 Aug 2011
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I wear nothing else, even in winter a face mask is better than dealing with a letter box on your head.

They are much of a muchness really. MX goggles have better vision but the foam that goes round your face can be thin (only designed to be worn for an hour), while old style aviation goggles are really comfortable but can be a bit restrictive. You might also want to aquire some cheap safety glasses, the sort they give out on factory tours, with lawnmowers etc. They weigh nothing but when everything else is steaming up they stay clear. You will of course need a scarf/buff thing for the dust. The helmets are just about fit. I like a peak, but neither of my current helmets have one, it's not a big deal compared to fit.

Enjoy it, nothing like open face motorcycling to refresh the soul.

Andy
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Old 7 Aug 2011
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suprisingly you get less turbulance noise with an open face helmet

they can be much lighter too

if you want the chin protection then you could always opt for a mx lid, still light
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Old 7 Aug 2011
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Quote:
Originally Posted by motoreiter View Post
Why get an open face helmet?
Claustrophobia? I have both an open and a full face. I really have to force myself to wear the full face - I can't stand the feeling of being enclosed.
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Old 7 Aug 2011
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Why not try an HJC is Mulri?

you then have the option of using whatever configuration best suits your current conditions. For me the peak is essential, far better than sunglasses ( I use reactalight specs).
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Old 8 Aug 2011
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Originally Posted by motoreiter View Post
Why get an open face helmet? I've done that, and regretted it. Anytime you hit rain, a dust storm, locust swarm, etc. you've basically got to stop unless you've got a higher pain threshold than me.

I ride with a dual-sport style helmet (with visor) and some good sunglasses. 95% of the time the visor is up and I rely solely on the sunglasses, but when it rains, etc. the visor goes down and I keep going.
Hi,
I second this, I find full face road helmets too warm and constricting when its sunny, flips are a pain in the tits, chin bar down same as above, chin bar up, wind catches at anything over 50 mph and I can feel the extra weight of it up high. MX style lid's are the business, great visiuals and peek for those sunny days also works at stopping bushes hitting you in the face, better venting than most helmets, ant if you can get one with a built in visor, all the better
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Old 8 Aug 2011
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Dual Sport Helmet
I really like these "Dual Sport" models. Best of both worlds.

SHOEI North America | Hornet-DS
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Old 8 Aug 2011
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Originally Posted by bclarke View Post
Claustrophobia? I have both an open and a full face. I really have to force myself to wear the full face - I can't stand the feeling of being enclosed.
Not sure what you mean by open face, do you mean something with no chin protection? If so, I prefer to ride with chin protection, but to each his own.

If you mean a helmet with chin protection but no visor, like an MX helmet, you can get the same effect by just keeping the visor up. Sure, a bit more turbulence but it is worth it to me so I can ride in the rain, dust, behind sand-filled trucks, etc.
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Old 8 Aug 2011
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Claustrophobia - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Old 10 Aug 2011
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Like Threewheelbonnie I wear an open face all year at home and when touring, I fully recognise the potental dangers and drawbacks but prefer it over a fullface so that is my choice. The only advantages I can give are lighter weight and when travelling it allows locals to see your face which is a great ice breaker. If you prefer wearing one then do so, I have a Davida helmet with a peak and halcyon goggles, both are good quality and I would recommend either.
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Old 12 Aug 2011
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helmet
If I travelled of road I use a light MX helmet but since you are on a DL650 I will recommand a full face flip up with sun visor integretaed inside the helmet ,like th Nolan N103 . To mee open face helmet are just good on moped but as soon as go over 5o miles/H I like a max of protection , the flip up let you ride in town like an open face or talk to people with ease and the sun visor let you ride with your visor up but still with some eye protection.Gogle are great but for a long trip if staying on road they are not the most confortable , if you do decide to use them bring extra lense as they do brake or scratch.
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Old 12 Aug 2011
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you can get mx helmets for a good price but I think you would be hard to beat one of these for the ultimate ;

F4 Helmet Gear'd - Klim Snowmobile / Motorcycle Technical Riding Gear





I am currently looking into one of these its a lot cheaper but i have contacted the company and asked them to offer it in HI VIS Yellow, i work on the motorway and Hi Vis helemts stand out so well.

The only thing is I can't find the weight of the helmet anywhere ???

this worries me I was all set for a flip front helmet once until I picked it up !!! there is no way i want to come off the bike with so much extra weight on my neck, thats just asking for trouble.

SPADA Motorcycle Helmets and Clothing |Full Faced|STING
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Old 6 Sep 2011
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open
Bit late on thread but anyhow, I'm just about to set off on a three monther covering eastern europe, turkey then India. Have chosen this time to go for open face lid, purchased a nice little trials jobbie, with peak its super light and tough construction. Bought some tinted ski goggles with strap that fit under the helmet no probs and some MX goggles with speed straps for when things get severe, they stay strapped around the back of the lid when not in use. I now have a preference for this set up over full face have to say, again I use yellow tint safety specs all the time even with full face, hate visors.

Good luck, hope you find comfort with the open option.
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Old 10 Oct 2011
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Having spent some time working in hospitals in the past, I'd never consider an open face helmet ! If you want to see the mess that results in landing on your chin, pop into any orthopedic ward and there's generally one in ther throughout the summer !

I've a couple of MX style helmets (BMW and Airai TX 3) and that's proven excellent in the summer heat - plenty to choose from on the market ! If you are looking at flip fronts, check out the helmet tests on the Sharp web site (SHARP Helmets - THE HELMET SAFETY SCHEME) - some don't actually stay shut very often ! One of my riding mates had a cheap chinese lid, and that rated as stopping shut 23% of the time on impact. I'm also told that some helmets the look like flip fronts are in fact rated open face, and the "flip" is rated as a "wind guard" or "accessory".

Iain
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