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I am a fairly new rider (rode MX as a kid), first street bike this summer(took MSF). I live in a no-helmet law state (Iowa) and rode the first thousand miles or so on my new bike, without one.

I have since purchased a half-helmet and have been riding with it for around 1000 miles, and am ready to purchase a full face in the next few days.

I am concerned about the reduced awareweness of my surroundings wearing a bowl on my head, but the more research I do about helmets and crash statistics, it seems that wearing anything else, or nothing as I have done is very foolish.

I know there are varied opinions on this subject, but was hoping for some input from others who have faced this issue, or similiar..... ie, having the option of wearing one, owning different styles that you may wear at different times, perspective on a full face while riding compared to others.

Thanks for ANY advice or input!

I had a 3/4 helmaet my first year. An HJC CL21M. I recently purchased a HJC CLMAX, full face that flips up. I love it. I waited due to finances and trying to find one that comfortably fits with my glasses.

After reasearch, opinions from the many posters here that are instructors, and my own feelings after wearing both, you won't find me in the open-face helmet much any more.

Also, (justan opinion) I am more comfortable with the aerodynamics of the full face. And you can't beat the protection of not having a bug hit you in the mush at 60+MPH.

I wear a full face and have for a couple years. I find there is NO reduction in visibility or awareness that I have ever perceived. They are a little more time consuming to put on as I wear glasses, which is their only drawback. I would recommend getting an insert that does not fog up. They stick to the inside of the shield and cost about $20. If I am just running to the local store a few blocks away I bought a half helmet because of the glasses issue. This is the helmet I wear.

http://www.revzilla.com/product/sparx-c ... tro-helmet

I love my full face! I have the HJC CL-Max as well. I've worn a Shoei too for a whiloe that someone gave me. I never felt like my visibility was diminished. It doesn't seem that any of my peripheral is cut off at all, which is all that really matters unless you have eyes in your ears .

I appreciate the input. I have read a lot of good things about the new Bell Star, and the fit seems right in a store, plust it has the new 2010 Snell rating and I found a deal.

Statistically, 30% of motorcycle head injuries are to the jaw area so if you're not wearing a full face, you're at 70% of protection.

When I think of how often I have to stop and clean bugs off of my face shield, I know that I really don't want them hitting my face or mouth.

I guess that I always wore a full-face helmet I really can't tell about visibility differences, but given the higher amount of protection of a full face offers - and that wearing one doesn't bother me, I just pretend the other options aren't there...

RhadamYgg

I wore a 3/4 helmet my first nine months of riding. I don't miss any visibility with the full face, and I'd feel naked and unprotected if I wore the 3/4 helmet now. Hearing, yeah, the fullface probably diminishes that some. I do a lot of head checks and mirror checks to maintain awareness of what's behind me.

Do you always drive with every window open in your car?

Wearing a fullface helmet with earplugs in is about the same as being in a car with the windows up. Wear a fullface.

having only ever worn full face helmets for road riding, I could not contemplate riding with anything else.