Who would wear a flip front helmet?

Who would wear a flip front helmet?

Author
Discussion

julian64

Original Poster:

14,317 posts

253 months

Monday 3rd August 2015
quotequote all
Why are there so many people who want to wear a flip front helmet?

I just don't understand.

You'd never ride alone with the flip up, and you don't look any less of an idiot, or rude, walking into a shop with the flip up as you would walking in with a full face on, stig style.

The flip is going to be heavier than a normal full face, and less 'wind in your face' than an open face.

It doesn't have as good visibility as either a full or open face, and won't serve you as well in an accident as the design had to be compromised for the gizmology.

So, can someone explain the actual benefit?

Spanna

3,732 posts

175 months

Monday 3rd August 2015
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People like different things for different reasons. I usually wear a piss pot, it's not as safe as other types but I enjoy the wider field of vision and wind in my face.

I think a flip front is ideal for long travelling or commuting. Flip it up when stopped or filtering to get some air, flip it down when on the move.

Super Slo Mo

5,368 posts

197 months

Monday 3rd August 2015
quotequote all
Obviously, so you can walk into Morrisons to get a bottle of milk without removing your helmet smile.




Ah, hang on......




In all seriousness, I can see the benefit when touring, stopping for a drink of water saves removing the thing, and they're a bit easier for glasses wearers.
Also same applies when filling with fuel.

Jonjo91

1,833 posts

157 months

Monday 3rd August 2015
quotequote all
Saves any faff at fuel stations.
Nice to get a lot of fresh air if stopped at lights for a few moments.
Easier to grab a swig of water.

Each to their own

julian64

Original Poster:

14,317 posts

253 months

Monday 3rd August 2015
quotequote all
I'm surprised at the 'flip it up when travelling to get some air'

Firstly wouldn't it be like throwing a paracute behind you with the cord tied around your neck?

Secondly if you ever hit the ground with the flip up, wouldn't the lever action just be passed straight to your neck? It would be like two potatoes connected by a cocktail stick thrown at the ground.



Mainly I just hate flip opens as they all seem to be worn by overweight born agains on RG1200's with 'polite' vests on, but I'm trying to look for sensible reasons.

crofty1984

15,830 posts

203 months

Monday 3rd August 2015
quotequote all
julian64 said:
I'm surprised at the 'flip it up when travelling to get some air'

Firstly wouldn't it be like throwing a paracute behind you with the cord tied around your neck?
Yes Julian, it's exactly like that. You're so clever.

bogie

16,342 posts

271 months

Monday 3rd August 2015
quotequote all
I wear a Shark Evoline 3 most of the time. Around town you can wear it like a jet helmet or with the visor up completely. Out of town at speed its a full face. Its easier to put on/off if you wear glasses, and theres more room in the chin bar = less misting up for glasses wearers too. Its homologated to wear with the chin bar down or not (few of the other flip ups are) On a hot day its really nice to get some air

Mostly the original flip up designs are useful for motorcyclists that need to talk to people often; police, paramedics, delivery riders

Downside is extra weight, its 1700g ish compared to 1300g for my other helmet. Not that noticable as im used to it, but could be for those that wear carbon lids all the time....its all relative to what you are used to

Ive never been asked to take it off at services, but as per the Morrisons thread, that does not seem to be guaranteed anymore ...I never use Morrisons anyway wink

VEA

4,785 posts

200 months

Monday 3rd August 2015
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My old man only uses flip up ones. Mainly for the reasons suggested above. He does a lot of touring in groups and it makes communicating when pulled over at the side of the road a lot easier. He also finds them easier to put on and take off.
When flipped up he's only ever moving slowly if at all so no wind resistance issues.

If there was a safety concern with regards to the flip mechanism... they wouldn't be allowed.

Reardy Mister

13,757 posts

221 months

Monday 3rd August 2015
quotequote all
Pretty good for stty, hot slow commuting. Lets your face get some air, can drop the dark goggles bit and still see in the sun. I rate them. Hard to find a comfy fit though. I bougfht a very nice x-lite unit, nice colour, good features etc L was just to small, XL was just too large. Pain in the arse as it was really practical.

They are noisier though at speed, I reckon.

Yoda400

386 posts

107 months

Monday 3rd August 2015
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My first helmet was a flip up. I don't think it makes me a bad person. I'm over it now and won't relapse.

keebz91

241 posts

141 months

Monday 3rd August 2015
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julian64 said:
Firstly wouldn't it be like throwing a paracute behind you with the cord tied around your neck?
No

julian64 said:
Secondly if you ever hit the ground with the flip up, wouldn't the lever action just be passed straight to your neck? It would be like two potatoes connected by a cocktail stick thrown at the ground.
No

julian64 said:
Mainly I just hate flip opens as they all seem to be worn by overweight born agains on RG1200's with 'polite' vests on, but I'm trying to look for sensible reasons.
I have a Shoei Neotec, I'm 24, 6'1 13 stone (you can decide if I'm overweight) and I ride an XR without any Hi-Viz clothing.
You have plenty of sensible reasons above.

dukeboy749r

2,539 posts

209 months

Monday 3rd August 2015
quotequote all
Spanna said:
I think a flip front is ideal for long travelling or commuting. Flip it up when stopped or filtering to get some air, flip it down when on the move.
This.

although I haven't had or even tried one, so may revise opinion thereafter...

Prof Prolapse

16,160 posts

189 months

Monday 3rd August 2015
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I met a fella who used to own one so he could smoke around town when giving tuition.

Pretty sure he has cancer now.

So it must work a treat.

spareparts

6,777 posts

226 months

Monday 3rd August 2015
quotequote all
  • I wear one for commuting as it's easy to put on/off when wearing glasses.
  • Visor built in - perfect for my West-East commute in the morning into the sun, and my East-WEst commute home into the sun.
  • Flip up convenient when getting petrol.
  • Good for touring when at border crossings.
  • Great built in intercom system.
  • Very quiet.
(I have a Schuberth C3 Pro with SRC)

black-k1

11,889 posts

228 months

Monday 3rd August 2015
quotequote all
I wear a flip front, don’t ride a GS and don’t wear High-Vis clothing. (I do have a BMW, I am middle aged and a little overweight though!)

When I bough my Schuberth C3 it was the quietest helmet you could get, (very important to me), and included an integral sun visor. Choice made!!

However, even if a full face could offer both of the above, I’d still go for a flip front (assuming I could get a quiet one). It makes communicating with people (in petrol stations, when arriving/leaving home/work etc.) so much easier. Riding with the front up at town speeds makes hot day commuting considerably less uncomfortable and makes taking a drink from a water bottle while sat at the lights very easy.

Corpulent Tosser

5,459 posts

244 months

Monday 3rd August 2015
quotequote all
keebz91 said:
julian64 said:
Mainly I just hate flip opens as they all seem to be worn by overweight born agains on RG1200's with 'polite' vests on, but I'm trying to look for sensible reasons.
I have a Shoei Neotec, I'm 24, 6'1 13 stone (you can decide if I'm overweight) and I ride an XR without any Hi-Viz clothing.
You have plenty of sensible reasons above.
I get the impression he is looking for sensible reasons to hate them, rather than sensible reasons for wearing them.

Rubin215

3,985 posts

155 months

Monday 3rd August 2015
quotequote all
I wore one for years as a bike instructor.

Nice and easy to communicate with students, simple to adjust the boom-mike if it's in the wrong place, less hassle at fuel stops etc.

I used Shoei Multi-tecs and didn't find them to be significantly heavier and all day comfy when teaching..
Great build quality, perfect fit (for me), nice solid chin-bar and locking mechanism.

Ballon

1,172 posts

218 months

Monday 3rd August 2015
quotequote all
scratchchin I have two flip front helmets and probably meet most of the other criteria also (6'2" 15st and old)grumpy

I don't have a BMW though I do have a KTM so it probably counts as the same.

After several decades of riding I've found them most suited to my needs, commuting and touring. The Shoei Neotec is probably the most comfortable helmet I've owned, if slightly noisier than a full face. The Shark Evoline which I mainly use for commuting is very versatile as someone else has mentioned, full face, open face + sun visor.

Never owned a vest!!


RemyMartin

6,759 posts

204 months

Monday 3rd August 2015
quotequote all

julian64 said:
Why are there so many people who want to wear a flip front helmet?

I just don't understand.

You'd never ride alone with the flip up, and you don't look any less of an idiot, or rude, walking into a shop with the flip up as you would walking in with a full face on, stig style.

The flip is going to be heavier than a normal full face, and less 'wind in your face' than an open face.

It doesn't have as good visibility as either a full or open face, and won't serve you as well in an accident as the design had to be compromised for the gizmology.

So, can someone explain the actual benefit?
Ill take anyones opinion on this with a pinch of salt, when said opinion comes from a biker who doubts the existance of countersteering.

ETA its clear this is based on a load of false preconceptions and being opinionated against the riders who wear them.

Edited by RemyMartin on Monday 3rd August 12:37

Prizam

2,335 posts

140 months

Monday 3rd August 2015
quotequote all
Young ish slim GS rider here...

Considered one, but only because you don't seem to get the full face ones with all the audio / BT / Radio etc... built in.

I got an ebay special and adapted my current "Lid" for £30. probably splash out and get a nicer helmet for the winter. i wont discount a flip up though.

Its the "Polite" hi viz, CCTV waring, tragic wastes of skin that give the GS and flip up's a bad name. Not the other way round.