01-06-2019, 03:25 AM
Back in the day a 3/4 was all we had. We quickly learned what it felt like to take a large bug, sand, and or small pebbles in the face at speed, and started using flat shields on our helmets. My riding buddy crashed one night wearing a 3/4 with flat shield in cold weather. Apparently the cold made the flat shield somewhat brittle, and it shattered, leaving some significant cuts on his face. The full face really did not start appearing until the early to mid 70s. I had one of the first full face, a Bell Tourstar. Unfortunately for me, full face always felt like wearing a bucket on my head. That combined with hot Texas weather was not something I was comfortable with. That said, I did want better protection than a 3/4.
That lead me to explore modular helmets. My first was a HJC CL Max. It was very comfortable, easy to put on my glasses, easy to open when I stopped for gas, and nice to open at stop lights to get air on my face. I then discovered that the latching system for the HJC chin bar back then was plastic...not good. More research, and I found the top rated modulars to be Schuberth and Shoei.
My current helmet is a Shoei Neotech II. All stainless steel chin bar latching system, integral sun visor, anti fog Pin Lock shield insert, and very comfortable. It also has a stainless steel micro ratchet chin strap, that can be secured and released with one hand, even when wearing gloves. The interior lining is removable, washable, and replaceable. I did have to tailor the fit with the next thinner size cheek pads, but no big deal there. Price was a bit steep, but comparable to the Schuberth, and some other premium full face brands. When it comes to protecting my head, I am getting the best I can afford, in something I will wear every time I ride.
Modulars might not be everyones cup of tea, and the level of protection is a little bit better in a regular full face, but it is what fits all my parameters. Then too, as it has been said many times, the best piece of gear has no value unless you are comfortable with it, and always wear it.
Although my Shoei Neotech II has some compromises between a 3/4 and a regular full face, my personal preference is added face protection.
That lead me to explore modular helmets. My first was a HJC CL Max. It was very comfortable, easy to put on my glasses, easy to open when I stopped for gas, and nice to open at stop lights to get air on my face. I then discovered that the latching system for the HJC chin bar back then was plastic...not good. More research, and I found the top rated modulars to be Schuberth and Shoei.
My current helmet is a Shoei Neotech II. All stainless steel chin bar latching system, integral sun visor, anti fog Pin Lock shield insert, and very comfortable. It also has a stainless steel micro ratchet chin strap, that can be secured and released with one hand, even when wearing gloves. The interior lining is removable, washable, and replaceable. I did have to tailor the fit with the next thinner size cheek pads, but no big deal there. Price was a bit steep, but comparable to the Schuberth, and some other premium full face brands. When it comes to protecting my head, I am getting the best I can afford, in something I will wear every time I ride.
Modulars might not be everyones cup of tea, and the level of protection is a little bit better in a regular full face, but it is what fits all my parameters. Then too, as it has been said many times, the best piece of gear has no value unless you are comfortable with it, and always wear it.
Although my Shoei Neotech II has some compromises between a 3/4 and a regular full face, my personal preference is added face protection.