06-19-2014, 06:26 AM
I had a friend who took a sweeper pretty fast in Death Valley and hit some gravel. Her bike slid but she kept it upright and rode it thru the desert off the asphalt, only to hit a big rock hidden by a desert plant as she was decelerating. She flew over the handlebars and did a faceplant. She had a 3/4 helmet on and the lower part of her face was injured pretty badly, broke her jaw in several places, sprained her neck, road (or dirt) rash on arms, etc. I believe if she had been wearing a full-face helmet she wouldn't have broken her jaw. She would have still had the other injuries but they were relatively minor compared to the jaw. Ouch.
I've been wearing a flip-face Shoei for many years and I really, really love it. I started out with a 3/4 helmet but soon figured out a full-face is the way to go for safety and comfort. I see people out riding with a pair of sunglasses and a do-rag for face and head protection and I just cringe. Not just because of the "what if" factor, but also because of all the big bugs, rocks, you name it that comes flying at you when you're on the road. I've heard many hard things hitting the helmet and visor as I ride, and I'm always thankful I'm wearing the helmet I have.
I've been wearing a flip-face Shoei for many years and I really, really love it. I started out with a 3/4 helmet but soon figured out a full-face is the way to go for safety and comfort. I see people out riding with a pair of sunglasses and a do-rag for face and head protection and I just cringe. Not just because of the "what if" factor, but also because of all the big bugs, rocks, you name it that comes flying at you when you're on the road. I've heard many hard things hitting the helmet and visor as I ride, and I'm always thankful I'm wearing the helmet I have.