Shorty helmets, a few questions

[mgdavis]

Our State Troopers in Washington wear a full modular helmet.

[Randy]

I think its weird how they got that diagram. I wonder how you crash and hit your visor first. I am not saying you cant do it, I am saying it would be a weird accident.

its also kinda weird how people turning right crash on their chins, but people turning left crash on the tops of their heads. I wonder if that has anything to do with the time zone difference.

[Lion_Lady]

I think its weird how they got that diagram. I wonder how you crash and hit your visor first.

The diagram doesn't say "first impact" it simply accounts for ALL impacts. If you hit chin first and slide, your head will tilt down, scraping your visor.

P

[Kibagari]

I certainly can't argue with the logic presented by the postings in this thread; I however wonder about other factors that always go unmentioned. For instance; when I started wearing a 3/4 helmet I immediately noticed that my ability to hear noises near me was drastically reduced. On several occasions I was suddenly passed by a vehicle that I never heard. I have also found that wearing a full-face helmet severely limits my field of view. Those two issues represent to me that certain factors affecting safety are compromised by helmets that block your ears and interfere with your eyesight.

Now please don't misunderstand; I'm not trying to convince myself or anyone else that they should not wear a helmet. It just seems to me that the current choices available in helmets are at best a compromise; ie, in order to improve the protection offered by these designs you must accept that there is a reduction of the input of two of our most important senses. I don't think anyone can make a convincing case for not wearing protective headgear; I'd just like to see some more innovative designs come to the marketplace.

As a sidebar; why do all the motorcycle mounted police forces wear shorty helmets?

JR

JR, I do believe that there are full-face helmet manufacturers that are working on designs that are a bit "smarter". I believe there's an Italian helmet maker that has designed a helmet that gives you the ability to see directly behind you (due to a channel with a few mirrors in the helmet that as I remember pass above your skull).

So there are designs out there like you're looking for. Unfortunately, sound will always be an issue- but that's why motorcycles have mirrors and why we, as human beings, have eyes. Plus, if you get a helmet that allows you to see behind you, it'll help you be more aware of your surroundings.

Personally, I'll take less noise over a busted up face any day. But that's just me.

EDIT: Found the link for what I was talking about. Enjoy. http://www.reevu.com/index.asp

[Fast Eddy B]

The evidence presented here shows that full-face helmets protect the rider better than any other kind of helmet.

We all choose our level of acceptable risk, use this information to choose yours, just don't expect anyone here to justify your choice, whether it's for a 1000cc sportbike, or a shorty helmet.

[jonnythan]

I think that if you have to ask for external validation for wearing a shortie helmet, you shouldn't be wearing one.

[slimcolo]

I wear a shorty for hot weather. My reasoning is that the heat has more potential to cause harm than decreased protection. We all know the up side of wearing a helmet but many don't know the downsides. (increased fatigue,decreased hearing/vision, heat and dehydration) Unfortunatly the most protection isn't always the best choice. Most Police wear a shorty because in their line of work the decision was made to have ears open, thus compromising safety in other areas. (crash prevention over survivability)

If you do get a shorty at least get one of the Police style ones instead of the "barely legal" skull caps. Best for almost all riding is still full face. A good compromise are mods (flipups) They offer more protection than a 3/4 but slightly less than a full face. The perfect all round helmet is yet to be made.

FULMER HELMETS XL,XXL,XXXL, sizes of AF-M and SN-M made from Nov 2001 thru Apr 2006 are under recall.

Fulmer Helmet Customer Service 1-800-489-2300 8-4:30CST

[Lion_Lady]

I wear a shorty for hot weather. My reasoning is that the heat has more potential to cause harm than decreased protection. We all know the up side of wearing a helmet but many don't know the downsides. (increased fatigue,decreased hearing/vision, heat and dehydration)

Okay. Where is any data to back these up? Anything? If they're all just your impression, thats fine. But don't go and make a statement like this that implies that there is any statistical proof.

Trying to figure out how a full face helmet 'increases fatigue.'

Sorry, but decreased vision is an impression that you get once you put on a full face helmet. Yeah, you can see the edges of the opening, but only when you LOOK there. And some helmets have bigger openings than others.

hmmm, 'heat and dehydration' - another one I'm trying to figure out. I'll give you that it can be a bit warm inside a full face helmet... when sitting still or stuck in traffic. BUT when you're moving, a full face will actually REDUCE dehydration, because it prevents the wind from pulling moisture off you as quickly.

P

[olebiker]

I know this won't be popular but I wear a half helmet (shortie) because I like it best. I would not try and convince anyone else to wear one. I tried on a full face today and I just can't stand the things. I have worn one in the winter when I had no choice (Frostbite is nasty) but when it is hot I feel like I just can't breathe. I am willing to accept the risk that I incur by A: riding B: riding without a fullface

[flynrider]

hmmm, 'heat and dehydration' - another one I'm trying to figure out. I'll give you that it can be a bit warm inside a full face helmet... when sitting still or stuck in traffic. BUT when you're moving, a full face will actually REDUCE dehydration, because it prevents the wind from pulling moisture off you as quickly.
P

It depends. I've been riding in the desert southwest for a few decades now and when it's really hot out, the full face can really exacerbate the problems. Wearing a full face helmet in the desert on a 100+ degree day will prevent sweat from evaporating around your head (which is one of the bodies major heat radiators). You end up with a very hot, very wet head. Your head will keep sweating profusely, but you lose the cooling effect.

Heat exhaustion is a very real concern around here. I think I posted here a few months back about a sportbike rider that I came across that was about to pass out on the side of the road. He was soaking wet from head to toe, but his helmet and leathers weren't allowing any of it to evaporate.

That said, I've never worn anything but a full face. If my head starts getting too hot, I just pull over, fill the helmet with water from a hose or drinking fountain, then pop it on my head. That and keeping the visor cracked a bit will usually suffice.