First 3/4 Helmet

[emptysea]

Where's the dang photo and report?!?

[metallyguitarded_imp]

Where's the dang photo and report?!?

Ah, there's the MTC I know and love. Tracking info indicates delivery today!

[hb9400_imp]

I have a model of all 4 styles, full face, modular, 3/4 and 1/2 helmets. I'm amazed which ones I'm willing to wear based upon which bike I decide to ride. All 4 have the sun visor option which I'm hooked on.

[HikerToo_imp]

I feel best when I wear my full face Shoei, on real hot days I may wear my 3/4 Shoei J-Cruise, I sold my modular and kept the full face, figured if I was in an accident, I wanted the best protection, not something almost as good. and I saw a few pictures, maybe on this forum, of people who's faces were damaged in motorcycle wrecks...ouch.

[Novice_imp]

I bounced a full face off the trunk of a mercedes...not one of my finest moments...and walked away. If I'm going to wear a helmet it's going to be a full face. And on the CB with no wind protection, for me, it's almost a necessity.

[metallyguitarded_imp]

I guess I'll see how I feel while wearing the 3/4 helmet. I've always worn full face ones. I'm looking forward to trying it out and am aware of the increased risk to my mug, jaw and teeth should I face plant. I wouldn't consider riding with a 3/4 helmet reckless. I suppose "recklessness" falls upon a broad continuum. I look at the guys in half helmets, t-shirts, shorts and sandals riding down the road, and inside I shake my head in disbelief and judgment. I, myself, usually wear a full face helmet, leather jacket, gloves and riding boots but I also usually wear jeans. And not even Kevlar-lined ones. I wouldn't be surprised if there are riders who see me and shake their heads in judgment, thinking to themselves, "If he goes down, he'll be enjoying weeks of skin grafts after they scrub the denim out of his skin." I suppose we could all wear full face helmets, full leathers, armored boots and gloves, along with hi-viz inflatable vests. Even then, there would undoubtedly be motorists passing in cars, shaking their heads and thinking to themselves, "Look at that guy. He thinks he's safe because of all that stuff."

We're all aware of the risks associated with the decisions we make when it comes to motorcycling. Being the different people that we are, we have different tolerances for the amount of risk we're willing to take, be it for vanity, for comfort, or any of the other many reasons we crazy bunch do what we do. I don't mind and actually appreciate learning about new gear that makes doing what we love safer. You can't fault a man who has the available information then makes an informed decision. Even if it's a decision you wouldn't make yourself. Even if it's a decision he later comes to regret.

[Novice_imp]

I agree completely.

[metallyguitarded_imp]

The Biltwell came in yesterday as expected along with the shield. My first impression was that it's very light weight. It slipped easily onto my head and I'm able to put it on and take it off while leaving my eyeglasses on. That's really nice. There's plenty of room for my ears and overall the comfort is good. I feel a slight amount of pressure on my forehead and am hoping that with more use and break-in, that will diminish.

The shield is a very dark smoke. I really like the look. The center snap and one of the snaps on the side feel very secure. The remaining snap, however, doesn't seem to make a good purchase onto the helmet. I snapped the opposite end onto the helmet to see if it was the helmet or the shield that was the issue. It appears to be the shield. They're inexpensive but I decided to ride with it and see how it held up.

I wore the helmet with the shield on this morning's commute. As expected, it's much louder than a full-face helmet but not horribly loud. Ear plugs would likely be a must for long rides. The shield felt secure even on the highway so I won't be buying another shield other than possibly a clear one for riding in the dark. I was behind a large truck moving dirt for a little bit and felt the slight stinging of my face being sandblasted where it was exposed below the shield. Not painful but noticeable. I'll be staying a good distance from those trucks in the future. Also as expected, there is plenty of air flow, even with the shield.

I could still feel the slight pressure on my forehead while riding but did not feel the helmet lifting at all. Overall, it's comfortable. It did, however, leave a slight imprint in a beautiful quilted pattern on my forehead that went away after about 15 minutes. I'm hoping that also becomes less pronounced with break-in. I didn't feel as vulnerable as I thought I might. I think I'll be wearing this helmet a lot.

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[the Ferret]

I wore my 3/4 on todays ride. Hadn't worn it but once since last year. I too was reminded of all the great features of the helmet, light weight, felt really easy to turn my head and check for lane changes, easy on and off with my glasses on. My shield comes down a bit further than yours on my HJC and pivots up so at lights I will flip it up, or flip it up to walk into pay for gas, or even ride with it flipped up, and the only wind I felt was air pushing on the beard on my chin. I don't think mine is any noisier than a modular. I love my 3/4 helmet.

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[metallyguitarded_imp]

And, it suits you! Looking good.