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| ![]() Recreational biking on 'lifestyle' bikes like Harleys, Triumphs and Bullets is really growing in popularity in India. Along with these bikes also comes a pre-defined 'image' for the people riding them. You gotta admit, this looks pretty bad-ass: ![]() A small but significant part of this 'image' is the use of open-face helmets: ![]() But there's a problem. And it's a growing problem. Bikers are putting looks and comfort ahead of functionality and safety. Common sense would tell you that open-face helmets are not as safe as full-face helmets; but without knowing the specific figures it's easy for bikers to say that they're willing to take that additional risk. Research has shown the exact distribution of impact zones on helmets during bike crashes: ![]() For a more detailed break-up, see the original image. Can you see where the highest impact zone is? It's the chin area, and with 34.6% of all impacts, it is a whopping 16% more than the second highest impact zone! The figures themselves answer the question of exactly how much safer full-face helmets are, when compared to open-face helmets: ![]() And make that figure 44.5% more OUCH! if your open-face helmet does not have a visor: ![]() image Here's another true story from a bicycle rider (via VintageBMX forums): Quote:
A Quick Reminder About Helmets: • Helmets reduce the risk of head injury by 69% in a crash. • Helmets are estimated to reduce the likelihood of death in a motorcycle crash by 37%. • Traumatic brain injury is a leading cause of motorcycle crash death. • Even when not fatal, debilitating head injuries can mean a lifetime of costly rehabilitation and severe trauma for those involved. • Treating severe traumatic brain injuries costs 13 times more than non-brain injuries. • Un-helmeted riders are 40% more likely to die from a head injury than someone wearing a helmet. - Source Useful Helmet Threads: • 1 • 2 • 3 • 4 cya R Last edited by Rehaan : 24th January 2014 at 12:46. Reason: Adding 4th useful thread | |
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Team-BHP Support ![]() ![]() Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay
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| ![]() Oh and one more thing. These helmets aren't really too different from each other: ![]() source ![]() source Adding in this real-life experience from BHPian frozen Heat: Quote:
cya R Last edited by Rehaan : 20th January 2014 at 20:56. | |
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BHPian ![]() Join Date: May 2005 Location: Vasco-Goa
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BANNED Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Bengaluru
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| ![]() Thanks for bringing the Chin aspect. I watched a show just last week on motorcycle safety and was surprised to hear that Chin suffers injuries for the major part of accidents. The govt should mandate use of Chin protecting helmets plus a neck strap indicator ![]() |
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| ![]() I have been trying to convince my father to buy a modular helmet since the last the 3 months who is currently using a open face helmet without a visor. This should be a good read for him to convince himself to buy one. Last edited by Akhilash95 : 14th January 2014 at 13:41. |
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Distinguished - BHPian ![]() ![]() Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bengaluru
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| ![]() Totally agree with you Rehaan . FFH offer the maximum protection . Along with added protection they give good insulation against wind and chill. Now a days Modular Helmets or semi full face helmets are a fad. Example Vega boolean, studds ninja etc. While they look good and have a optional functionailty of flipping over when you need that wind in your face feeling, they score pretty bad on impacts. So if one is going for a modular helmet then the top quality ones from reputed brands must be bought. Best is a FFH. Next best is a Modular from a top quality brand |
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BHPian ![]() Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Bangalore
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Last edited by Akhilash95 : 14th January 2014 at 13:48. | |
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Senior - BHPian ![]() | ![]() Good thread and I'd also like to add that while we are advocating the use of helmets, it's imperative and critical that the helmet is properly secured with the strap. A properly secured helmet ensures that on impact it does not get flung off and remains on the rider's head, thereby serving the sole purpose it was made or worn for. A helmet should also be discarded when it has been subjected to any impact (even dropping it from a low height such as waist level) as it suffers structural damage which might not be evident to the naked eye. Helmets carry the one impact rule so please avoid using such helmets even for the neighborhood grocery shopping ride. |
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BHPian ![]() Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Hyderabad
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Not that you are doing this but in general.. anyone and I mean anyone who gives excuses like it will break my spectacles or that it feels claustrophobic or that it's not easy to hear the traffic horns or that impedes your vision and rides around without a full face helmet is...is.. well I can't even begin to describe their stupidity. Whenever I see someone riding without a helmet especially those 'heros' trying to cut through traffic, I keep telling them in my mind, wait till you get your face plastered on the tarmac and lets see how you ride after that! I have had a collegue of mine who suffered horrible chin fractures to the extent that he needed reconstructive surgery. Needless to say, the way his toungue was injured made him a mime so to speak. ![]() Anybody wearing an open face helmet assuming it will protect your brain from injury, all I'll say is - What good is your brain if you don't have a face to put on it? Last edited by Cyrus_the_virus : 14th January 2014 at 14:23. | |
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| ![]() Thanks for a really useful and informative thread! I would like to add my thoughts to your thread. There is a compromise available: the flip-up or modular helmet. It offers the convenience of an open face helmet but better protection than it. I wouldn't go so far as to say that it is as safe a proper full face helmet but with the chin guard closed, it's definitely much safer than an open face helmet. A poor quality flip-up helmet would not have a strong hinge and lock mechanism and could break open in a crash, so don't skimp on buying a good quality helmet! EDIT1: Other beat me to mentioning the modular helmet so my info above is redundant! EDIT2: The impact injury diagram also reminds me to say that to make sure that your helmet sits firmly on your head and doesn't easily move up and down over your chin. Buying a loose fitting helmet is inviting injury in a crash! Last edited by Motard_Blr : 14th January 2014 at 15:19. |
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Team-BHP Support ![]() ![]() Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay
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Another issue is that the helmet testing isn't done according to these impact areas. So even if a modular helmet meets the needs for certification, it's unclear how safe they actually are. See below:
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Wearing a helmet but not clipping it on tight is like pulling a seat-belt across your chest but not clicking it in! The first thing that will happen on an impact is that your helmet will fly off. Unforunately I've seen this happen right before my eyes, and the biker was going at just 40-60 km/h. His helmet flew off, and he hit his head and suffered brain injuries. He succumbed to them a few days later in hospital. cya R Last edited by Rehaan : 14th January 2014 at 15:26. | ||||
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Senior - BHPian ![]() Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Pune
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Another couple of related links: http://www.smf.org/home, http://msf-usa.org/downloads/helmet_CSI.pdf Of particular interest is this link: http://www.smf.org/helmetfaq#aWhyReplace Cheers, Vikram Last edited by comfortablynumb : 14th January 2014 at 15:38. |
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Distinguished - BHPian ![]() ![]() Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Ranchi
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| ![]() Rehaan, this thread is an eye opener. And probably has busted a lot of myths when it comes to full face/ open face helmets. I have been using an open face helmet but the statistical data on the chin area is really high...so high that it simply cannot be ignored. Thanks for the valuable information. Regards, Saket |
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Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Pune
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For me, I will never trust any helmet other than full face. Have tested the safety of the chin guard first hand ![]() That's why the new Yamaha helmets or Fastrack helmets launched in much fanfare fail to impress, because they are open face ones with colourful top. | |
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Distinguished - BHPian ![]() ![]() Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bengaluru
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Good quality modular helmets come from brands like Bull, Shark, Nolan etc .They are engineered to high quality. The local ones like vega, studds don't even make the cut! But FFH anyday for the complete protection it offers. FFH or modular - No use if you don't buckle up the helmet. Buckling up is not sufficient. One has to ensure that the strap is fastened tightly across your chin and not dangling below the chin like a swing! | |
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