03-16-2015, 06:30 PM
Last edit by: IB Advertising
Considering whether or not to wear a full face helmet? There is a lot of different variations from full face to no helmet. Choose the Proper Protective Equipment (PPE) that makes you feel comfortable. Some factors to consider:
Read the full discussion below to find out what forum members are wearing.
Read the full discussion below to find out what forum members are wearing.
Real Harley owners dont wear full face helmets?
#312
09-05-2011 | 09:28 AM
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 862
Likes: 3
From: East Tennessee
FF= be as safe as possible
Sup guys. I recently bought a '10 Iron 883 and have put about 250 miles on this summer. Its my first bike and my first time ever on a motorcycle. I took all my safety classes and got my license so Ive been taking the necessary steps to become a responsible owner. Ive done a few mods, including drag bars, new seat, pegs etc. The bike looks wicked and people can't believe its a harley and I get tons of compliments.
I wear an Icon SSR full face helmet thats flat black to match the bike. Someone told me today "real harley owners dont wear full face helmets". Im new to the whole culture but I understand it. Ive seen guys wearing vanity helmets that are not DOT approved and they do look cool but I dont want to risk my safety. I already feel weird enough driving without my leather jacket, but its been a constant 90 degrees and humid and I just cant do it.
So my question is, do I look douchey riding around with a full face helmet and gloves and nothing else? Am I the butt of all jokes when other motorcycle guys drive by?
I wear an Icon SSR full face helmet thats flat black to match the bike. Someone told me today "real harley owners dont wear full face helmets". Im new to the whole culture but I understand it. Ive seen guys wearing vanity helmets that are not DOT approved and they do look cool but I dont want to risk my safety. I already feel weird enough driving without my leather jacket, but its been a constant 90 degrees and humid and I just cant do it.
So my question is, do I look douchey riding around with a full face helmet and gloves and nothing else? Am I the butt of all jokes when other motorcycle guys drive by?
#314
09-06-2011 | 01:48 AM
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,766
Likes: 16
From: Roseville, CA
An interesting read that contains some info on DOT vs. Snell. I think it originally came out in 2008, influencing the adjustment of Snell in 2010:
http://www.westcoastweasels.com/arch...he_Lid_Off.pdf
or
http://www.americanrider.com/output.cfm?id=1022077
There's more, these are just two examples. I'm comfortable with a DOT rated lid for street riding but everyone has to make their own decisions.
http://www.westcoastweasels.com/arch...he_Lid_Off.pdf
or
http://www.americanrider.com/output.cfm?id=1022077
There's more, these are just two examples. I'm comfortable with a DOT rated lid for street riding but everyone has to make their own decisions.
#316
09-06-2011 | 09:04 AM
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 862
Likes: 3
From: East Tennessee
#317
09-06-2011 | 10:04 AM
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 4,007
Likes: 125
From: Manassas, VA
The article is called "Blowing The Lid Off". If you search around, you might find a copy. I just tried a quick Google and it didn't turn up in the first page, but there's a lot of discussion about it on various forums. Reading the article made me stop and think because I've always assumed Snell was best. Basically, it accuses Snell of being too hard for the typical street accident and transfers too much energy to the skull. Here's another article that touches on that:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/27/au...er=rss&emc=rss
I think the second link alludes to Snell being too tough. I guess it's main point being that any helmet with a sticker is better than none. I have one of each. A Snell Arai, a couple DOT 3/4, and a beenie. I were the 3/4 helmets most of the time. I'm not scared of the Snell helmet, I just don't prefer a FF at this time.
#318
09-06-2011 | 10:14 AM
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,095
Likes: 11
From: Central Illinois
The first link is supposed to go to a copy of the Motorcyclists magazine article. It appears that soon after it's posted, it gets taken down because of copyright complaints. Arai and Shoei were a little dismayed by the article and threatened to pull advertising. I'm not mad at them for that. It's all about the money.
The article is called "Blowing The Lid Off". If you search around, you might find a copy. I just tried a quick Google and it didn't turn up in the first page, but there's a lot of discussion about it on various forums. Reading the article made me stop and think because I've always assumed Snell was best. Basically, it accuses Snell of being too hard for the typical street accident and transfers too much energy to the skull. Here's another article that touches on that:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/27/au...er=rss&emc=rss
I think the second link alludes to Snell being too tough. I guess it's main point being that any helmet with a sticker is better than none. I have one of each. A Snell Arai, a couple DOT 3/4, and a beenie. I were the 3/4 helmets most of the time. I'm not scared of the Snell helmet, I just don't prefer a FF at this time.
The article is called "Blowing The Lid Off". If you search around, you might find a copy. I just tried a quick Google and it didn't turn up in the first page, but there's a lot of discussion about it on various forums. Reading the article made me stop and think because I've always assumed Snell was best. Basically, it accuses Snell of being too hard for the typical street accident and transfers too much energy to the skull. Here's another article that touches on that:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/27/au...er=rss&emc=rss
I think the second link alludes to Snell being too tough. I guess it's main point being that any helmet with a sticker is better than none. I have one of each. A Snell Arai, a couple DOT 3/4, and a beenie. I were the 3/4 helmets most of the time. I'm not scared of the Snell helmet, I just don't prefer a FF at this time.
It rang my bell a bit, bu I wasn't concussed at all, I didn't even have a headache after.
#319
09-06-2011 | 10:37 AM
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,766
Likes: 16
From: Roseville, CA
The first link is supposed to go to a copy of the Motorcyclists magazine article. It appears that soon after it's posted, it gets taken down because of copyright complaints. Arai and Shoei were a little dismayed by the article and threatened to pull advertising. I'm not mad at them for that. It's all about the money.
The article is called "Blowing The Lid Off". If you search around, you might find a copy. I just tried a quick Google and it didn't turn up in the first page, but there's a lot of discussion about it on various forums. Reading the article made me stop and think because I've always assumed Snell was best. Basically, it accuses Snell of being too hard for the typical street accident and transfers too much energy to the skull. Here's another article that touches on that:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/27/au...er=rss&emc=rss
I think the second link alludes to Snell being too tough. I guess it's main point being that any helmet with a sticker is better than none. I have one of each. A Snell Arai, a couple DOT 3/4, and a beenie. I were the 3/4 helmets most of the time. I'm not scared of the Snell helmet, I just don't prefer a FF at this time.
The article is called "Blowing The Lid Off". If you search around, you might find a copy. I just tried a quick Google and it didn't turn up in the first page, but there's a lot of discussion about it on various forums. Reading the article made me stop and think because I've always assumed Snell was best. Basically, it accuses Snell of being too hard for the typical street accident and transfers too much energy to the skull. Here's another article that touches on that:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/27/au...er=rss&emc=rss
I think the second link alludes to Snell being too tough. I guess it's main point being that any helmet with a sticker is better than none. I have one of each. A Snell Arai, a couple DOT 3/4, and a beenie. I were the 3/4 helmets most of the time. I'm not scared of the Snell helmet, I just don't prefer a FF at this time.
#320
09-06-2011 | 10:58 AM
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,871
From: Bedford UK
There was a very comprehensive article published on this subject several years ago. The essence of it is that some helmet standards (such as Snell) require a strength in the helmet that is so high that the energy levels the rest of a rider's body is likely to suffer will kill him.
Younger riders can endure greater levels of injury than older riders. As we get older, having a high spec helmet is pointless, as we are less able to survive serious injuries to the rest of our bodies.
I suppose a high spec helmet will ensure we can be identified in the morgue, so it is not all gloomy news....
Younger riders can endure greater levels of injury than older riders. As we get older, having a high spec helmet is pointless, as we are less able to survive serious injuries to the rest of our bodies.
I suppose a high spec helmet will ensure we can be identified in the morgue, so it is not all gloomy news....