Discussion
Not helmet but I learned long ago not to have too much open.
Riding along one hot day, jacket partly open to get some air and the biggest flying stag beetle went straight inside my jacket/shirt and was crawling around my waist, nearly crashed in my panic to stop and rip my clothes open to get it out.
Given the amount of 'roadkill' that appears on my visor especially at this time of year, I'm not going open-face.
Riding along one hot day, jacket partly open to get some air and the biggest flying stag beetle went straight inside my jacket/shirt and was crawling around my waist, nearly crashed in my panic to stop and rip my clothes open to get it out.
Given the amount of 'roadkill' that appears on my visor especially at this time of year, I'm not going open-face.
I'm mid thirties and had never been stung before...but since getting a bike 3 years ago I've now had two instances of a wasp hitting my neck and finding its way down into my jacket.
First one just got me once, second one stung my neck and shoulder several times, absolute b
ds 
I guess I should be thankful I didn't turn out to be allergic - not a great time to find out the contrary!
First one just got me once, second one stung my neck and shoulder several times, absolute b
ds I guess I should be thankful I didn't turn out to be allergic - not a great time to find out the contrary!
It's not just open faced helmets. A couple of years ago I had a wasp walking around the inside of my visor in a full face helmet. I flipped open the visor hoping the wind blast would blow him away, but he was a stubborn bugger. I had to stop and whip the helmet off.
Quite recently I was stung on the neck while riding the bike. Happily zipping along and there was a sudden intense pain in my neck which then hurt like hell for the rest of the day!
Quite recently I was stung on the neck while riding the bike. Happily zipping along and there was a sudden intense pain in my neck which then hurt like hell for the rest of the day!
catso said:
Not helmet but I learned long ago not to have too much open.
Riding along one hot day, jacket partly open to get some air and the biggest flying stag beetle went straight inside my jacket/shirt and was crawling around my waist, nearly crashed in my panic to stop and rip my clothes open to get it out.
Christ almighty, I would have crashed for sure. Did you see it coming?Riding along one hot day, jacket partly open to get some air and the biggest flying stag beetle went straight inside my jacket/shirt and was crawling around my waist, nearly crashed in my panic to stop and rip my clothes open to get it out.
Me riding along… then ouch and ouch and ouch again. At this point I figured out I was being stung by a wasp, but I was riding at speed and needed to pull over. I punched my stomach in the hope of killing the wasp, but all I did was hurt myself and aggravate the wasp, so it stung me a few more times. I finally pulled over, opened my jacket and pulled my t-shirt up, and away flew a fine uninjured wasp.
I've had a wasp inside my lid - just managed to open the visor in time & he flew out.
A pheasant once flew about 3 inches in front of my head whilst I was doing 60. I shudder to think what would have happened if there was an actual impact....
The most painful was accidentally kicking a squirrel in the head at about 30. It hit my shin & caused a fair old bruise.
Most annoying: may bug splatter in the centre of your visor, when you're barely a mile into a Sunday blast.
A pheasant once flew about 3 inches in front of my head whilst I was doing 60. I shudder to think what would have happened if there was an actual impact....
The most painful was accidentally kicking a squirrel in the head at about 30. It hit my shin & caused a fair old bruise.
Most annoying: may bug splatter in the centre of your visor, when you're barely a mile into a Sunday blast.
I've been stung once on the neck and had a wasp in my (full face, visor closed) helmet, but the winner so far has been a bumble bee which somehow got inside my leathers, under my t-shirt, and under my bra 
Just felt it scrabbling around, freaked out, pulled over and froze while trying to unzip and free it without being stung ! Not sure who was more shocked - it or me...
Just felt it scrabbling around, freaked out, pulled over and froze while trying to unzip and free it without being stung ! Not sure who was more shocked - it or me...
Biker 1 said:
Most annoying: may bug splatter in the centre of your visor, when you're barely a mile into a Sunday blast.
Taking this off-topic to things on your visor....the worst thing I've hit is a dragonfly, never known anything spread so far, I could barely see!Luckily I've never had anything get in a sting me but I do tend to ride "closed up", may crack the visor or unzip my jacket a small amount but wouldn't ever ride at speed with them open. Habit, not logic.
stang65 said:
Biker 1 said:
Most annoying: may bug splatter in the centre of your visor, when you're barely a mile into a Sunday blast.
Taking this off-topic to things on your visor....the worst thing I've hit is a dragonfly, never known anything spread so far, I could barely see!Luckily I've never had anything get in a sting me but I do tend to ride "closed up", may crack the visor or unzip my jacket a small amount but wouldn't ever ride at speed with them open. Habit, not logic.
Apart from the pigeon that flew out the hedge directly in front of me, the downwards dodge i did essentially caused me to headbutt the poor thing
I've had a big bumblebee, I saw it coming towards me at speed and assumed it hit me or whatever. Jacket was unzipped half-way. 20 mins later I stopped for a photo at White Cliffs of Ashleam, and felt this burning sensation on my belly. Thought I might be on fire so panicked taking my jacket off, the burning continued, Mr. Bee had been there the whole time, got under my thermals and decided to pop me.
On a vaguely similar note my old boss came to work and showed us his chest (as you do) which had massive scratch marks all over it.
Turns out he was riding home after the late shift the night before and hit an owl. He stopped as it was quite a whack and noticed the dead owl was completely perfect and not mangled. He thought he'd take it home to show his kids (not sure why) so tucked it down the front of his jacket to ride home.
Long story short it wasn't dead, he'd knocked it out and it woke up halfway home. As you'd expect it was a bit grumpy and wanted out of his jacket
Turns out he was riding home after the late shift the night before and hit an owl. He stopped as it was quite a whack and noticed the dead owl was completely perfect and not mangled. He thought he'd take it home to show his kids (not sure why) so tucked it down the front of his jacket to ride home.
Long story short it wasn't dead, he'd knocked it out and it woke up halfway home. As you'd expect it was a bit grumpy and wanted out of his jacket
srob said:
On a vaguely similar note my old boss came to work and showed us his chest (as you do) which had massive scratch marks all over it.
Turns out he was riding home after the late shift the night before and hit an owl. He stopped as it was quite a whack and noticed the dead owl was completely perfect and not mangled. He thought he'd take it home to show his kids (not sure why) so tucked it down the front of his jacket to ride home.
Long story short it wasn't dead, he'd knocked it out and it woke up halfway home. As you'd expect it was a bit grumpy and wanted out of his jacket
Turns out he was riding home after the late shift the night before and hit an owl. He stopped as it was quite a whack and noticed the dead owl was completely perfect and not mangled. He thought he'd take it home to show his kids (not sure why) so tucked it down the front of his jacket to ride home.
Long story short it wasn't dead, he'd knocked it out and it woke up halfway home. As you'd expect it was a bit grumpy and wanted out of his jacket
Forums | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff