Modern Vespa

I have upgraded to a GTS250 and went on my "first real ride" yesterday. I was cruisin at about 45-55 mph for a beautiful hour long ride. The bike was awesome. My joe rocket jacket was awesome. The scenery was awesome BUT...

...I found that my open face MOMO Essenziale helmet felt really uncomfortable for "high speeds". I felt like it was pulling me off the bike because of the wind getting cought in it like a parashut (sp?) I felt like I constantly had to strain my neck muscles to keep my head from flying off my neck from the force of the wind! I tried all sorts of different positions but nothing helped.

HAS ANYONE ELSE FOUND THIS TO BE TRUE?

I allready ordered a full face helmut because I don't like eating bugs either but I was amazed at how many other motorcycle riders have half or open face helmuts. I thought "WTF am I the only one who finds this so uncomfortable?"

I have both FF and 3/4 face helmets & find I prefer the 3/4 for better visibility.

Just to clear things up, helmuts are for dogs, helmets are for people.


Dave

I have found the 3/4th (have a black copter helmet as my 3/4th) makes my eyes water at the higher speeds as well as the neck strain. I picked up the Shoei Multitec (modular ff) last year and it's been great, especially at higher speeds. Also a windscreen may be helpful.

Your head's not so aerodynamic without a smooth surface on the front. I switched to a Nolan 102 modular recently. Made a huge difference. The wind used to whip my head around, now it slices through the wind. It's also a big plus when it's below 60 deg. (not to mention bug deflection)

There are some nice designs hitting the market right now. That new Givi looks promising.

And parashut is the stuff that falls on the newspaper in a bird cage.

That's the one I have. Not only does it impede my field of vision, I feel claustrophobic in it.

I've never understood this...not as a lone reason anyway. Maybe it's just the ones I've used, but none have reduced visibility by any great amount. My Givi doesn't seem to reduce my visibility at all.

Now claustrophobia I can understand. There are some that just make me feel trapped, and others that feel as nice as a 3/4. The key is to try on as many as you can. There will be a few out there that feel good to you.

I don't feel that claustrophobia in mine and feel my vision is spot on with the Multitech - it did take a few rides to get used to it after the 3/4th but now it's nothing and is a helmet that I wear most often.

Thanks I don't feel so alone...now. Helmut was my grandfathers name can't help it sometimes.

I went from an open face to a modular HJC after taking a few cicadas and stones in the face at 40 MPH. I don't think I would be happy with a non-modular FF -- its nice to be able to tip it up and get some water down ya at a long light on a hot day.

My wife finds the FF very claustrophobic and compensates by tipping the face shield up about a half an inch at stops and lower speeds. Maybe not the safest thing, but if it keeps the helmet on her head, I'm happy with it.

I'm probably going to make a habit out of using the Shoei FF whenever I take the scooter onto busier streets. For the most part, the scooter is purely a recreational vehicle that I ride in the early mornings on lightly traveled rural streets/roads, and most within 5 - 10 miles of home. It's usually back in the garage before the morning rush hour traffic starts.

I didn't mention that the FF Shoei is a little bit harder to put on & the visor opening a bit harder to get the glasses back onto my face.

After bad-mouthing the Nolan (with an attached chin curtain) forever, I finally tried on the chin curtain that came with my Shoei
Instant claustrophobia both times

So I'm thinking that, to help with claustrophobia, you should make sure the full-face doesn't skim too close to your chin
This may make it noisier, but you can always wear ear plugs
(But my Shoei RF-1000s have been very quiet)

And I really favor having the chin bar--it has saved my face twice
(see arrows & old helmet below)

The Momo you have I myself would call a 1/2 helmet rather than an open face one... If you use an older style real 3/4 open face that's well made(such as a Shoei Platinum R or an Arai) instead of these really awful new faddish pilot lids, you'll find that the shell of the better 3/4's comes down fully to the side of your chin, while its 5-snap removable visor protects your face down to the bottom of of it!

What you get then is great wide open visualness along with full face protection from bugs and rain. (I've used them for long interstate rides quite comfortably!) You do also get a bit more air, but never enough to pull up at the helmet.
(-That 'pulling up' is actually the mark of a 1/2 size helmet!)

IME a well made 3/4 is even quieter than most FF ones because it can fit closer to your head than a FF can, thus eliminating that echoing booming sound you get from the FF's over-sized bowl! But it has to be an older style, solidly made 3/4 open face; the newer 3/4 Nolans for instance I've found have a lot of wind noise and plastic rattling!

As an almost 30 year rider of motorbikes, my best suggestion on helmets is never buy one only for for its looks! Faddish ones may look sharp for a while, but if they don't do the job very well you'll sooner or later become real unhappy with them! My open face 3/4 Shoei probably costs as much (or more) than many FF lids, but it does what I want and provides me with a comfortable ride along with fairly good protection... 8)

Chazlee,

Have you had a spill that tested out the protection of that face visor on your 3/4? Did it work OK?

I liked that style too, but I went with a modular because I wasn't sure about the protection that visor type would give in a face impact situation.

I'll probably go with a 3/4 Shoei next time, Chazzlee. But I have to say that my present 3/4 (which sold for about $99 IIRC) looked like the best compromise between safety and comfort. It's plain white, and could hardly be called good looking.

I made the switch and won't ride without my FF. The only visibility loss is about 5% on the sides but no big deal, I just crank my neck a little farther. It only took about 1 week to make the conversion from 3/4 to FF.

My own belief is that the FF would have to give you more protection than a 3/4 in a serious accident, no matter how well made the 3/4 is. (Although I wouldn't say the same for a FF modular flip-up, as their chin bars are rather flimsy IMO!)
However I have heard (and also have personal knowledge of from a friend) that the removable 5-snap visors on a 3/4 will generally stay in place and help to prevent facial damage in a less serious get-off... And of course there's complete wind and rain protection there too, and they really are quieter! 8)

I have to admit tho that I use a (good!) 3/4 as a compromise... I started riding with them when they were the main style riders used, got used to them, and now cannot stand the claustrophobia and extra heat I feel when putting on a FF! So it's like everything else with riding; one must choose between how much risk one is willing to take, and how much personal comfort one wants...

+1

I left the heat issue out since the climate here along the Gulf Coast is so brutal compared to the rest of the country. It goes without saying that even with the 3/4 helmet I generally use, my hair is as wet as when I get out of the shower. I would wear one of those head cloths except that the helmet could not accommodate the added volume.

Good info so far guys.. thanks. Its too bad most bike shops only cary ONE brand of helmets which makes it very hard to try several types on to see how they feel. I am waiting for a HJC to arrive in the mail. I am sure, like most things I order it not fit correctly and I will have to return it but I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I seriously have not rode since my last ride because the wind cought my helmet so badly. I also went out and bought a full windshield for my GTS. I plan on spending tomorrow figuring out how to install it.

I have an Uncle Helmut

I don't have a huge helmet budget, but I really like my Gmax GM68 FF. I have a problem with claustrophobia but it fits me really comfortably and has great visibility. It also has a lot of vents and keep me much cooler than the HJC helmets I have tried. In additon, it has led lights in the back for night time. It is also very cute, an important prerequisite for me

I like the look of the "speed racer" looking 3/4 helmets, but I keep thinking, I am too young to risk facial scars...

I completely agree and have made the exact same comment last nite!!!
I even used the word parachute!!!

I love my full face!! I used to have a Momo (fighter I think) and found the same. all that wind on my eyes and nose I couldn't breathe and my eyes were always dry and now in spring with all the polen and the hayfever, no thanks!

plus that aerodynamics, you are so right!
the round full face is so comfortable. the air flows right past you and you're not pulled backwards. your face is comfortable, clean and eyes are normal moist, you can breathe normally as well. you feel very protected from the elements too, let's not mention the rain and all your make up below nose area melts off!

I love my Shoei Raid II, what a good helmet. I really feel very comfortable in it, such a good ride. which reminds me, must clean my visor today!

thanks for the tip on the Shoei Raid II. I'm still waiting for my HJC to arrive. If it doesn't fit. I will try that one. Its too bad you have to mostly catalog order since shops (in NY anyway) only seem to carry one brand!