| Author |
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Spatten1
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 20, 2009 - 09:02 am: | 
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I'm with Jaime and Jeremy.
I actually looked around for a Euro spec Arai or Shoei a couple of years ago, but it was much easier to just get a Suomy or AGV here in the US. |
Ft_bstrd
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 20, 2009 - 09:14 am: |
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Ft_bstrd: Snell helmets have a known weakness: They transmit more than the recommended amount of impact force to your skull in the majority of accidents. That doesn't stop you from buying them. That MIGHT be fixed in the 2010 standard, but that ain't here yet.
I agree, but as of right now, the modular helmets would probably fail the new test as well. The chinbar mechanisms simply don't pass.
I can't see SNELL changing it's guidelines to the extent that a modular helmet with a chinbar that fails after one impact will pass. |
Gentleman_jon
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 20, 2009 - 11:03 am: |
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Let's face it, either you are wearing a puddin' basin, or you are trying to look gay.
If it was good enough for Mike Hailwood, it's good enough for me
Ducati Elite, Cambridge Mass. 1959 GJ up.
Am I right, oh my brothers? |
Spatten1
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 20, 2009 - 11:14 am: |
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Ahh, the old chin strap!
After all, if the strap went under your chin it would choke you in a crash. |
Edgydrifter
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 20, 2009 - 11:56 am: |
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Ft, allow me to play devil's advocate for a moment and pose you a question. Snell certifies open-faced helmets, too. Would you say that a Snell-approved open face is safer than a DOT-only modular or full-face? |
Ft_bstrd
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 20, 2009 - 12:43 pm: |
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I would expect a modular helmet to be marginally safer than an open face helmet. Modular helmets don't pass full face standards.
The question is why would modular helmet manufacturers who's helmets would pass the full face standards NOT submit their helmets for certification?
Most buyers who would purshase a modular helmet would NEVER purchase and use an open face helmet.
The illusion is that because a modular helmet LOOKS like a full face helmet it must be as safe as a full face helmet.
A failed certification would crush the illusion. Certify it as an open face and most people wouldn't buy it. |
Scott_in_nh
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 20, 2009 - 12:49 pm: |
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SNELL does not certify open face helmets - they are DOT only. |
Ft_bstrd
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 20, 2009 - 12:55 pm: |
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I didn't think so. |
Edgydrifter
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 20, 2009 - 01:35 pm: |
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They absolutely do. Go to the Snell Memorial Foundation website (http://www.smf.org/) and you can look up all the helmets certified under each of their standards. The M2005 list has plenty of open-face helmets on it.
Also, they explicitly state that modular helmets are considered full-face and would be tested accordingly (though helmets with fully-detachable chinbars like the Schuberth J1 or the Airoh TR1 are considered open-faced). This suggests that Ft_B is correct--manufacturers probably aren't sending in their modulars to Snell because they suspect the helmets won't pass the full-face tests. |
Ft_bstrd
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 20, 2009 - 01:46 pm: |
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I wish they would pass. They are very convenient. I have nothing against modular helmets themselves.
I just don't want folks to have the misguided impression that they are AS SAFE as full face.
They aren't. |
Scott_in_nh
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 20, 2009 - 01:53 pm: |
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I stand corrected!
I should have checked their site before posting, but have never personally seen an open faced helmet advertised with a SNELL rating.
Maybe it is because I would not buy one that I only casually read their specs....
I would be interested in a SNELL rated modular helmet, but I also do believe that the current SNELL standards are too stiff.
My next helmet will either meet the Euro standard or be the new SNELL 2010. |
Jaimec
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 20, 2009 - 03:34 pm: |
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Personally, I think the current Snell certification is nothing more than a marketing gimmick anyway. As revealed in the Motorcyclist article posted earlier, you are far safer wearing a DOT or ECE helmet.
The Snell certification simply justifies a helmet manufacturer jacking up the price of their helmet on the market.
The odds of you bouncing on your face TWICE with the exact same impact on the exact same spot are slim to none. It's like riding thinking you're going to be hit be a meteor. Can it happen? Sure! Will it happen? You've got a better chance of getting Jessica Biel pregnant before that happens. |
Jaimec
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 20, 2009 - 08:22 pm: |
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Scott: I have a couple of Shoei open face helmets with Snell certification. I don't wear them anymore but use them sometimes when I'm teaching since it's easier for the students to hear me.
Then again, that's another reason why I have the modular helmet... I just open up the front to talk to the class, then lock it back down again before riding the demo.
Arai also makes open face helmets. They're very popular amongst the touring bike crowd. |
Spatten1
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 20, 2009 - 08:51 pm: |
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Cops use 'em too. |
Ft_bstrd
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 20, 2009 - 11:04 pm: |
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Open face helmets aren't bad.
Modular helmets aren't bad.
Open face and modular face helmets offer markedly less protection than full face helmets.
My face is ugly, but it's all I got. |
Buellinachinashop
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 20, 2009 - 11:07 pm: |
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"My face is ugly, but it's all I got."
Your thumbs know a 360 controller pretty good.
(Message edited by buellinachinashop on January 20, 2009) |
Ft_bstrd
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 20, 2009 - 11:10 pm: |
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Why don't you play with us any more? Did I tea bag you one too many times? |
Buellinachinashop
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 20, 2009 - 11:31 pm: |
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Your balls are too salty. |
Ft_bstrd
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 21, 2009 - 12:11 am: |
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Now I'm a 71 Foot Bastard. |
Jaimec
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 21, 2009 - 08:28 am: |
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"Cops use 'em too"
Around here, cops wear SHORTY helmets. |
Diablobrian
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 21, 2009 - 09:05 am: |
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The prevailing thought behind cops wearing open face and/or shorty helmets has everything
to do with interacting with the public and nothing to do with the relative safety of their gear.
Most people do not want to be confronted along side the road by an armed "faceless" cop
in a full face helmet. Some departments have opted for modular helmets, but in general
the motor officers do not want to have to remove their helmet for each traffic stop.
If motor officers are the paradigm of safety I need to buy more polyester short sleeve
shirts and driving or roping gloves to ride in (along with the half helmet) because the
gear I wear now MUST be sadly deficient: Sidi boots, Firstgear leather (or armored mesh
gear, Dainese or tourmaster gloves, Arai or KBC full face helmet. I'm risking my neck
every time I ride! (After all that full face helmet will break your neck in a crash!
you're better off not wearing one at all )
Note: my tongue was planted firmly in cheek for that last bit. |
Jaimec
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 21, 2009 - 10:20 am: |
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If the single biggest safety issue is "being seen in traffic" then the safest thing you can do is:
1) Get a white or silver Harley Road King (or similar looking touring cruiser)
2) Dress in black boots, dark blue slacks, and three-quarter length leather riding jacket.
3) White or sky blue shorty helmet
4) Sunglasses
I guarantee not only will cars see you, they'll do everything they can to get out of your way!
Bright colors and loud pipes completely unnecessary. |
Edgydrifter
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 21, 2009 - 11:47 am: |
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This is so true. When I used to sport my white helmet and black Cortech suit, everyone got out of my way. In the rearview, all drivers saw was headlight-black shoulders-white helmet. I guess that's close enough to "cop" for most folks at first glance. My last two helmets have been black, and far fewer cars clear a path for me since I've been wearing them. |
Jaimec
| | Posted on Thursday, January 22, 2009 - 07:38 am: |
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Just took my FIRST ride with my new Nolan N103 last night. Only ice was at the bottom of my driveway, once I got past that it was smooth sailing.
It is definitely a closer fit than either my old Nolan N100e or my Schuberth C2; it fits more like my old Arai actually. Best part is even in 22* temperatures, the face shield was completely fog-free even though it was tightly shut. The jawpiece mechanism is way easier to use than either of my previous modular helmets. I always ride with ear plugs so it is difficult to judge how much quieter it might be but it seemed to be VERY quiet.
Since I was riding at night, I didn't have the opportunity to test the sunshield. It might take me awhile to get used to it; the lever isn't as easy to find as the one on the Schuberth; especially with heavy gloves on. I'm sure that with use it'll get easier.
In short, I love this helmet. Now I can't wait for the weather to warm up so I can start pushing the bike a little harder! |
B00stzx3
| | Posted on Thursday, January 22, 2009 - 11:15 am: |
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Everyone should wear full face. I've seen road rash, can't imagine what it would like on your jaw/chin instead of a calf or shoulder. If the Harley/Cruiser types are so against it, maybe they can get some of those mohawks or hair or some badass graphics. Gravel, dumb drivers and oil can be ANYWHERE. Almost like why flying sucks. You get in an accident on the ground, your still on the ground. |
Rubberdown
| | Posted on Thursday, January 22, 2009 - 11:34 am: |
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Every adult should wear whatever they want. |
Cityxslicker
| | Posted on Thursday, January 22, 2009 - 01:20 pm: |
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Have you seen the new Alien Abduction Helmets ?.... |
B00stzx3
| | Posted on Thursday, January 22, 2009 - 01:46 pm: |
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Rubberdown, your right. They should be able to wear whatever, or nothing at all. There decision. It would just be heartbreaking to their family and friends when there face/eyes/chin/ears are smeared across the pavement. But to each their own. |
Ft_bstrd
| | Posted on Thursday, January 22, 2009 - 04:49 pm: |
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I believe riders should have the option not to wear anything.
I believe riders wearing no helmets should be required to fore go any government assistance required for their support as a result of their free choice.
With free choice comes responsibility.
You turn yourself into a drooling vegetable because you refused to wear a helmet? You get no disability/social security/medicade/medicare, etc. |
B00stzx3
| | Posted on Thursday, January 22, 2009 - 05:02 pm: |
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+1 |
