Full Face Helmet vs. Flip Up?

Full Face Helmet vs. Flip Up?

by Jen
(New Jersey)

I'm a beginner rider and I'm looking to purchase my first helmet. I was wondering if anyone has any advice or preference between a full face helmet and the flip up modified helmet.

Comments for
Full Face Helmet vs. Flip Up?

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Jul 21, 2010

Full Face
by: Anonymous

Full face definitely. ! imagine your face sliding over asphalt if you go down. Skin grafts are painful and very expensive. Don't worry about image, coolness, wind in your face, freedom, and all that. Best wishes. Cathy, RN ER

Sep 22, 2009

Flip-Up Here
by: Anonymous

I like the HJC ISmax & only $200.

Jul 31, 2009

A Good Review Article on Flip-Ups
by: Zeynep

I was leaning towards the new flip-up (modular) helmets but I was unsure how they compared to full face ones in protection. I found this review (link below) useful and decided that I should go with the good old full face ones, there seem to be significant differences in their protection levels.

Flip Face Helmet Comparison

As for open face I would highly recommend against it. There is no amount of head protection that's too much.

Jun 14, 2009

Full-Face Only!
by: Jacee

I would not even consider anything but a full-face helmet. Yes, it can be claustrophobic - at first. It was for me. But it is so much better protection - from bugs, rocks, and weather. You just have to look at the rock chips on my visor to know that it was a wise decision to have a full-face.

In a crash (heaven forbid!) a flip-up will do just that - flip-up. I don't want my face too up-close-and-personal with asphalt! And an open helmet - well, they're not called "brain buckets" for nothing.

My husband and I have two helmets. We each have a Shoei to match our respective bikes (his is black/silver, mine is red/black/silver) and then we have matching blue/silver/white Scorpion helmets that match our touring bike. The Scorpions have a great feature that we really like: the visor is clear but there's an inner half-visor, that pushing a lever on the left-hand side, drops down inside the clear visor that is tinted like sunglasses. Very handy for light differences during a ride.

Truly, a full-face helmet is the safest and you will get used to having your head/face completely enclosed. To me, it feels safer, kind of like wearing a seat belt in a car. Yes, it feels good to feel the wind in your face and hair, but I'm more about safety. Rocks and bugs hurt and helmets CAN safe your brains, should that horrible "c word" ruin a ride.

Jun 14, 2009

Full Face vs. Flip Up
by: ell in VT

I've been riding for 2 years, about 5000 miles total. I like both and even an open face, DOT is a must, for different days, roads, seasons. Full face for colder, wetter days. But try as many brands and styles for weight, comfort (I was almost stifled by the suffocating feeling of a bad full face fit though it was the right size), fitting over glasses is essential if you need them. The 3/4 with shield has a lesser advantage safety wise but it is lighter, and the shield keeps bugs and rain off my face at speed. The open face is nice in slow rides in good weather where there's not stuff hitting my face. Any helmet must fit well, feel good so it does not distract you and the DOT standard is a minimum worth observing, SNELL is a bit more demanding standard. Try them all on at the stores that offer choices, walk around with it on and feel in on your head...get one you love, it's worth the money if its just right!

peace ~ ell

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