daewoo wrote: [quote quote=sinclair1969]I wonder about the relative merits of open face versus motocross helmets. I wear glasses, and I find it uncomfortable to wear them with a fully closed helmet. The closed helmet covers all of the face of course, and will prevent accidents to the jaw in the case something struck that part of the face during a collision. I also believe that Thai Index helmets in the highest price range should be satisfactory. But since I joined this forum I became aware that one can get helmets for 18k and more here in Thailand, well that is half the price of a new small motorbike such as Honda Wave - very expensive. My question is, what would the advantages be of purchasing such a costly item - is it really that much better than the Index 1200 baht helmets? And what about Shoei helmets, I have seen them on sale in here in Bangkok, are they considered very good?
In My Humble Opinion...
I use a motorcross style helmet when riding a motorcross style bike, and a full face helmet on a road bike...
The MX style helmet allows good air-flow at speed, but having goggles on in traffic is very hot... unless your glasses have impact abosrbing lenses, you should only wear them under goggles or a visor... a rock will smash the lens, and you will have glass in your eye... also, I find that the wind catches under the peak of a MX helmet, and you need to either ride with your head tilting down, or try to hold your head against the wind... either way you get a very sore neck... the chin bar on the MX Helmet should work OK in an impact... much better than an open face if that is your next option...
Maybe what you need are prescription sunglasses in a plastic frame... that might make them comfortable enough under a full face helmet...
The big unknown about Index Helmets is that they are not tested to any international standard, so you can never know if they are as good as a $80 helmet in Australia... If you could know, I would be satisfied that they would be pretty safe...
Importantly, you should only keep a helmet for 5 years because the foam inside starts to fail, even without being worn, and many of the Shoei -etc helmets on sale in Thailand are actually old stock, nearing or past their shelf life, so make sure you check the manufacturing date...
Cheers,
Daewoo
I wear a Shoei full face that I purchased in Singapore. Similar to "Feejer", I wear the Shoei because I liked the fit. Of course, it is also a very high end helmet. I would never "mail order" a helmet or have one purchased for me unless I could first try the fit. I also wear prescription glasses and have not had any kind of comfort problem. The only thing I dislike is the nuisance of having to take off my glasses each time I put on or remove the full face helmet. I have, on rare occasions, experienced a problem with my glasses fogging up under the helmet. Fortunately, my eyesight isn't that bad so I am able to ride without the glasses if necessary. I always order my prescription glasses with shatterproof lenses.
Around town I wear a quality open face helmet. In the past I wore one all the time. I also like the feel of the openness and the fact that people can see your face. In remote areas and villages there is no better ground breaker than a visible smiling face. Sometimes I feel like an "alien" hiding behind my full face, but there is no arguing that it is a safer and quieter helmet.
I also read the info on the testing standards a couple years ago when originally discussed here. There was also a documentary on TV showing these tests and stating the same opinions. I must say it makes sense to me. :geek1:
