Helmets and visibility
Discussion
I've noticed a few remarks on the subject of full face/open face that visibility is better with an open face.
With my full face on I can barely see the helmet itself other than the forehead section which isn't an issue. I can see the chinpiece if I look straight down but I can only just see the sides of the visor opening and they are way outside my spectacle frames.
Does an open face really give better vision or is the idea that you can move your head more easily?
With my full face on I can barely see the helmet itself other than the forehead section which isn't an issue. I can see the chinpiece if I look straight down but I can only just see the sides of the visor opening and they are way outside my spectacle frames.
Does an open face really give better vision or is the idea that you can move your head more easily?
Depends on helmets; there is quite a difference between old school race derived full face and new touring helmets. Most manufacturers do a range and some have the aperture optimised for a racing crouch, others for a more upright riding position. If you try the latest competition helmet on an adventure bike for instance you would notice the difference.
Saying that, most full face these days have huge visor areas compared to 30 years ago.
I think the opinion that you can see more in an open face is founded in the 70s and 80s helmets when the aperture was more like a car racing helmet than a modern bike helmet. Look at some of these retro designs that are coming back or look at the original helmets they are copying - the aperture is quite narrow.
Saying that, most full face these days have huge visor areas compared to 30 years ago.
I think the opinion that you can see more in an open face is founded in the 70s and 80s helmets when the aperture was more like a car racing helmet than a modern bike helmet. Look at some of these retro designs that are coming back or look at the original helmets they are copying - the aperture is quite narrow.
I don't wear a t helmet AT All on my C1, and I can't honestly say that peripheral vision is better than my old Arai.
Naturally, vision in the vertical axis is hugely better without helmet, but this is of no practical benefit when riding.
I suspect it's more of a psychological effect than anything.
Naturally, vision in the vertical axis is hugely better without helmet, but this is of no practical benefit when riding.
I suspect it's more of a psychological effect than anything.
anonymous said:
[redacted]
Jesus! Glad to see that the Bell's stand up to a beating. I must admit though, going back to the OP's subject, that the visibility out of the Bell is not as good (on the road) as that from my Arai Axxess, particularly side-to-side / peripheral vision. Seeing as the Bell weighs a 1/3 less than the Arai however, I just have to turn my head a bit more 
Do you have a beard, a GS with daylight running lights attached to every nook and cranny, a strong lust for animal porn and branded clothing you didn't get on a sale?
If yes to the above get a flip front helmet, if your normal buy a f
king lid and look where you want to go.
If yes to the above get a flip front helmet, if your normal buy a f
king lid and look where you want to go. Edited by moanthebairns on Friday 25th May 09:36
moanthebairns said:
Do you have a beard, a GS with daylight running lights attached to every nook and cranny, a strong lust for animal porn and branded clothing you didn't get on a sale?
If yes to the above get a flip front helmet, if your normal buy a fking lid and look where you want to go.
None of the above, but I do like a flip front...If yes to the above get a flip front helmet, if your normal buy a f
king lid and look where you want to go. Edited by moanthebairns on Friday 25th May 09:36
I guess having had a Triumph Explorer previously, it’s “almost” a GS, so it probably counts! Full face are definitely quieter/lighter, but I like the convenience of the flip front for commuting and touring. I can’t say I’ve noticed a massive difference in visibility, but I guess that’s more down to the brand of helmet (I’ve a Shoei/Schuberth shaped head).
moanthebairns said:
Do you have a beard, a GS with daylight running lights attached to every nook and cranny, a strong lust for animal porn and branded clothing you didn't get on a sale?
If yes to the above get a flip front helmet, if your normal buy a fking lid and look where you want to go.
Made me laugh more than it ought to... If yes to the above get a flip front helmet, if your normal buy a f
king lid and look where you want to go. 
Despite being a Harley rider, I go with full lids for two reasons: number one is that I just feel more comfortable in one from both a bug-splat and safety perspective. Number two is the bigger one though, when I was younger I was walking with my mum and we saw a biker wearing a pisspot lid have a fairly fast off and slide down the road, when we got to him other people were rolling him onto his back which revealed eyebrows, two swollen red lumps and then just gore from there down to his jawline, which was roughly at nipple level. That cemented the need for a full face lid in my mind. Fully appreciate that some prefer open lids - we make our own choices over what is acceptable risk (same for gear/no gear or filtering etc,) but for me, I'm not exactly pretty to start with so I need all the help I can to keep this face as a solid 3/10 !
Here's an odd thing. I was convinced that my little old pisspot (only really worn when I'm on the Matchless) is quieter than my Arai Quantum ST Pro (albeit the Matchless is not very fast). Anyway, last night on the way home I discovered that the Arai is significantly quieter with the visor *UP* than with it down.
Wassat all about?
Wassat all about?
Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff