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Photo by Marc Gibaud,
Clouds on Tres Cerros and
Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia



 
 
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Old 14 Mar 2008
mollydog's Avatar
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Warthog View Post
Always had full face, but then always had motorcycles. Closest I've cometo an open face is a Moto-X lid...
Now I also have a Ural side car, I'm thinking perhaps the safety shortcoming s of an open face may not be as relevant.
Discuss!
Seriously though. For overlanding, on a Ural that will rarely head north of 55mph, would you still recommend fullface?
Otherwise which open face gets your vote? Function over form for me, please...
So far seen Arai Freeway, Schuberth J1 (mortgage needed!), A Nolan, Dianese, and HJC...
I would go with the Flip-Up option. Modern flip ups are much improved over early ones from Schuburth, BMW or Nolan. I owned and tested a Nolan N100 years ago. The latest one is much better. (stronger, quieter, more comfortable, better shield and more)
I have a new Shoei Multitec flip up helmet. I rate it B+. My Full face is an Arai RR3 / RX-7. (best they made in 2004) Cost $700.
Not only is the Multitec far quieter than earlier flip ups, its stronger and safer than some other ones, like HJC. It IS expensive.

Even though you have a hack, I think full face protection is still needed.
If you go through your plastic shield even at 15 mph, it will hurt and do alot of damage. You could still be thrown off the hack and land face first on the road or into a car or whatever.
Touring with the flip up has a lot of convenient features I like. Cool air in slow going in hot weather, ability to converse easily without removing helmet. Great for fuel stops, tolls, police or asking directions. Save a ton of time every day not constantly having to remove it.
My new Shoei is quiet for a flip up. Actually nearly as quiet, or perhaps AS quiet as my RX-7 Arai.
Friends have the latest Nolan's and they too get great reviews, and are about 30% cheaper than Shoei. (or more)
I would never wear a regular open face helmet. I just don't feel comfortable riding. Nor do I ride without a helmet. (many US states and many other countries do not require a helmet. I always wear mine ..... with ear plugs of course.
Ear plugs make you a calmer rider. Studies have shown blood pressure and heart rate both drop with ear plugs in. Stress levels go down. Very important if doing very long days on the bike. Fatigue is lessened by a significant margin that you can literally feel. You ride smarter and see and hear more, not as distracted.
Racers run faster lap times using plugs. No current racers run without them.
(in major pro classes) All that said, one caveat about flip-ups: They will not be as safe in a crash as a full face helmet. They are not SNELL rated (NO flip up is). (SNELL is a private, independent helmet testing and rating group, been around since the 70's, very well known)

I have talked to the SNELL guys in Sacramento, California who say it is only because of the flip up hardware that they will not pass the rigorous testing.
Fact is, 90% of crashed flip ups would do fine. Its that rare 10% where you could have a problem with the chin bar coming off. Most times you are fine. Having hung out with the SNELL guy for a day (doing an interview) I feel confident my Shoei will do the job. Shoei put new work and thought into this lastest Multitec helmet. I hope it will hold up.




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