Has anybody done a face plant in a modular helmet?
#31
02-15-2010 | 09:38 PM
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 7,476
Likes: 3
From: Republic of Texas
If FF was my only choice --I would ride with just a cap on. I hate FF helmets. Can't scratch nose , wipe eyes, or adjust glasses in a FF without contorting my arms. I enjoy my modular year around. I have confidence that my modular will remain intact if I should need it. I can't give anything more then opinion because I haven't been down since teenage years.
#32
02-15-2010 | 10:12 PM
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,383
Likes: 0
From: Texas City, TX
About three months ago I was riding with a group. We had just finished going over Ortega Canyon and were on our way to Idyllwild. For those unfamiliar with Southern California we're in twisty mountain roads. The gentleman riding directly in front of me was wearing a Sy-Max II modular. As we started into the corners he made the mistake of waving to some on-coming riders. I say mistake because instead of looking where he was going he ended up being surprised by the next curve and didn't quite make it. He tried to recover but went off on to the dirt shoulder and down the side of a small hill at about 50mph. The bike went one way and he went the other. He was on a Road King. The bike did about 5-6 pinwheels in mid-air and landed standing straight up in the deep sand. He went rolling and flipping over and over down the hill quite violently. When he finally came to a rest he managed to ram his head directly into a boulder that was about two feet in diameter. It was amazing to see all this unfold before my very eyes. Watching a 800 pound bike do mid-air flips was pretty scary. Anyway, I stopped as soon as I could and ran down to see him. The contact between the helmet and the boulder went from about his right ear to the front of his face. The whole helmet was all scratched up and beat up from all the flying around he did before even hitting the boulder. The chin guard part of the helmet did not open and the helmet was intact. My friend was even conscious and had no visible damage to his face or head when the paramedics got there. The helmet wasn't even cracked but it was scratched up as bad as the helmet in the picture that Monstead posted. All he ended up having was a damaged knee. So after seeing that I have more faith in the modular than I did before. I've always worn an Arai RX-7 Corsair which I consider one of the best and lightest in the world. I'm thinking about buying a Sy-Max now because it's kinda handy to be able to open up the front like you can on a modular.
PS: I'm glad your friend wasn't hurt any worse that he was! Also, you said the bike did multiple flips in mid-air and landed upright in deep sand. That sounds like the bike might have come out in a repairable condition. How did it fair?
Last edited by Intrepid175; 02-15-2010 at 10:15 PM.
#33
02-15-2010 | 10:21 PM
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 969
Likes: 2
From: Canmore, AB
To answer your original question: yes, hubby went down wearing a 1/2 helmet. He broke his jaw, 6 teeth damaged and chin needed stitches. In the interest of full disclosure I'll add he was wearing his bike helmet and was roller blading at the time. He blades full out and fast, wears a bell to warn everyone he passes. Toe caught and he went down hard and fast, face plant.
When we totaled our previous Ultra in Oct '08, we both had ff helmets which were written off. My HJC imploded, both were scraped raw but we survived, with a Grade 3 concussion and full amnesia of the crash, but live and bik'n again. He stayed with the Arai Profile and I went to a Shoei.
When we totaled our previous Ultra in Oct '08, we both had ff helmets which were written off. My HJC imploded, both were scraped raw but we survived, with a Grade 3 concussion and full amnesia of the crash, but live and bik'n again. He stayed with the Arai Profile and I went to a Shoei.
#35
02-16-2010 | 02:26 PM
I got my Vemar modular because it was ECE and DoT rated. No plastic clips with this one! I figure if it is approved for racing applications, it should be sufficient for the street...
Helmets certified to the ECE 22.05 standard are approved for competition events by AMA, CCS, FIM, Formula-USA and WERA and are chosen by nearly every professional motorcycle racers competing in world championship road racing, motocross and off road events, including the ultimate sport of Moto GP. Helmets that are certified to both DOT and ECE 22.05 offer the highest level of realistic protection with the added benefit of light weight for day-long comfort and rider performance.
Helmets certified to the ECE 22.05 standard are approved for competition events by AMA, CCS, FIM, Formula-USA and WERA and are chosen by nearly every professional motorcycle racers competing in world championship road racing, motocross and off road events, including the ultimate sport of Moto GP. Helmets that are certified to both DOT and ECE 22.05 offer the highest level of realistic protection with the added benefit of light weight for day-long comfort and rider performance.
#36
02-16-2010 | 02:50 PM
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,878
Likes: 15
From: The Desert SouthWest
Captain,
The thing to remember is that the modular might not be quite as "safe" in a face plant as a regular FF is, but it will definitely save you from that initial impact which is sometimes very violent. I've been down twice and the helmet saved me both times, so i don't skimp on helmets. Once I had a FF on and the other time an RJ Plantinum. Didn't have any facial injuries with the 3/4 thank heavens but obviously there is some risk with a 3/4 when it comes to facial injuries - just depends on the type of impact you have.
The thing to remember is that the modular might not be quite as "safe" in a face plant as a regular FF is, but it will definitely save you from that initial impact which is sometimes very violent. I've been down twice and the helmet saved me both times, so i don't skimp on helmets. Once I had a FF on and the other time an RJ Plantinum. Didn't have any facial injuries with the 3/4 thank heavens but obviously there is some risk with a 3/4 when it comes to facial injuries - just depends on the type of impact you have.
#37
02-16-2010 | 03:52 PM
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,968
Likes: 34
From: Lockport Township, IL
My wife did a face plant with a 3/4 helmet.
A FF helmet would have prevented all this damage. She now wears only a FF helmet and she wears it every time she rides. I still wear no helmet, but then I ain't as smart as her I suppose.
A FF helmet would have prevented all this damage. She now wears only a FF helmet and she wears it every time she rides. I still wear no helmet, but then I ain't as smart as her I suppose.
#38
02-16-2010 | 05:53 PM
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 647
Likes: 4
From: Snohomish WA
I have a modular helmet the way I look at it if you crash hard enough to open up the the flip up you are f@#* up anyway. I like being able to raise it up to talk to someone or drink and you don't feel so claustrophobic. I use it only 20 % time in cold or bad weather 80% of the time I wear a 1/2 helmet. Chances are if i go down it will be with my 1/2 helmet but I like living on the edge you see more on the edge.
#39
02-17-2010 | 02:41 AM
Road Captain
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 568
Likes: 2
From: Republic of Texas
Thanks for posting this story. First, it answers the OP's question about as well as any response so far and second, makes me feel a bit better considering that I wear a Sy-Max II, too!
PS: I'm glad your friend wasn't hurt any worse that he was! Also, you said the bike did multiple flips in mid-air and landed upright in deep sand. That sounds like the bike might have come out in a repairable condition. How did it fair?
PS: I'm glad your friend wasn't hurt any worse that he was! Also, you said the bike did multiple flips in mid-air and landed upright in deep sand. That sounds like the bike might have come out in a repairable condition. How did it fair?
