Open Face Helmet Guide

Riding a motorcycle without a helmet is against the law in many states, and with good reason. Safety statistics gathered over the last forty years establish that helmets save lives and prevent injuries. For a long time the open face helmet was the only helmet available, in the old days they were even made from cork. Modern helmets of any type are made from composite or molded plastic lined with expanded polystyrene. There are several types that are popular, and for various reasons. The full-face helmet covers the entire head except for the eyes, and covers them with a clear or tinted shield. Off road helmets are usually also full-face, but the chin bar is designed to deflect branches and dirt instead of providing crash protection. The old stand-by open face helmets leave the chin out in the weather, and this is both its charm and shortfall.

Anyone who has done a lot of riding in traffic knows that, when wearing full-face helmet, the drivers of the other vehicles around you cannot see the rider's face. This doesn't seem like a problem at first, but drivers do a lot more communication with their facial expressions than one would at first assume. Locked in the full-face helmet, the rider has no way of communicating his intentions to others in traffic without gesturing, which means releasing the hand grip to do so. Obviously this reduces his safety in traffic until he has restored his grip on the handlebars. In an open face motorcycle helmet the rider is able to frown, smile, and gesture with his eyes without giving up any of his control of the bike, which is especially important in traffic. Open-face motorcycle helmets are not usually covered with racer graphics, but they have no benefit to one's riding ability.

The full-face helmet does offer protection to the chin and lower face in the event of an accident, but this is seldom a problem in routine street riding. Full-face helmets were originally designed for racing and are the only type so used today. Because they were not outrageously expensive they became very popular with sport riders. Most of those who ride for utility or travel will be found in the much more convenient open faced helmet, smiling at pretty girls and young children and not the least bit threatening in appearance.

The purchase of open faced helmets should take several things into account. First, and most important, the helmet must meet D.O.T. certification standards. If it does there will be a sticker on it that says so. This is important as it is the rider's only guarantee of quality and safety. Second, the type of face shield must be considered. A flip up shield can be very convenient, but can also break easily and shouldn't be put up while riding. A rigid shield attached via the three or five snaps universal to all open face helmets is very practical and inexpensive. Third, the rider must try the helmet on. Many helmets made in Asia conform in shape to the Asian skull, which is much rounder than the European. This can lead to discomfort, poor protection, and hesitancy to wear it. Whether choosing and open face helmet or not, the important thing is to wear it every time you ride, your life could be on the line.