Are Open Face Motorcycle Helmets Safe? (with Proof)
They absolutely are NOT!
And when someone who loves to wear an open face hears this, they almost get offended for some reason!
Let me explain to you with logic and proofs why the Open Face helmet design is inferior to especially the Full-Face helmet.
First, you must agree, that at some point in your life, you are GOING to get into an accident or at least a minor fall. And when that happens, do you think you’ll be safe if your face, which is the most common thing that hits the ground, is half exposed? 🤔
Here are some statistics of what are the impact zones on a helmet if they’re wearing one, or on the head, if they aren’t wearing any. 😅 Most importantly, if they are wearing a half helmet or open face helmet, which is the main focus of this discussion so we’ll focus on them only.
Also check: Bell Bullitt vs Torc T1
As you’ve seen in the picture above, it mentions that more than half of the impact of the fall will be on your face or front area of the head, which is what is exposed in the open face helmet design. Which is the main reason they’re a failure and should be avoided and replaced with a full-face helmet to save your precious “face”.
The name says it all really, “open face” helmet.
If your face is open, what else is there to save? Would you like to have a deformed face for the rest of your life? That is if you survive! Why are you doing this to yourself? Get a full-face helmet and protect it for your spouse to kiss and for your kids to recognize their mommy or daddy.
Besides, if some other part of your body gets damaged, you’ll probably survive. But if your face or the head gets the same amount of damage, it’s most likely that you’ll be missed! 😇
Up to 50% of severe head injuries are fatal. Among people who survive these injuries, about 20% suffer severe disabilities.
https://www.health.harvard.edu/a_to_z/head-injury-in-adults-a-to-z
Let me also share a graph with you from MSF (Motorcycle Safety Foundation) in which they have something to share with you about how a Full Gear looks like, vs. how a Fool’s Gear looks like.
Also check: Biltwell Gringo vs Lane Splitter
As you’ve also noticed, that they’re recommending nothing less than a Full Face helmet, and they probably have more knowledge and statistics to support their claim than you and I do, so we should listen to their advice and just starting wearing a full face from now on.
And if you feel strange that why I am using such tone in this article, it’s because I am trying to prove to those who say that there’s no difference whether you wear a full face or an open face helmet, or that there’s no issue in using an open face all the time, and they keep on going…
If you were just looking for some information about the subject of whether an open face helmet is safe to ride in or not, I hope you’ve found what you were looking for. And hopefully, you are now convinced that the way to go is to get a full face and wear that as your regular helmet wherever you want to take your motorcycle.
FAQs
Here are some of the questions that came in my mind that someone would ask me if I was telling them all of this face to face.
Is there a way to ride safely with an open face?
I personally haven’t come across any way to ride safely while wearing an open face motorcycle helmet.
But, if you come across some way, please feel free to write a blog about it and link it to my post. I will get notified, and I’ll leave a comment on what I think about it.
Is there a way to ride safely with an open face?
I personally haven’t come across any way to ride safely while wearing an open face motorcycle helmet. But, if you come across some way, please feel free to write a blog about it and link it to my post.
I will get notified, and I’ll leave a comment on what I think about it. What should I do with my open-face helmet?
You could sell it if you want. But, I’d personally use it on a bicycle if I were you and would not let it go to waste. No, I am not joking.
I’d use it on my bicycle, not a motorcycle, even if I am going just for groceries. And you may agree that these open face helmets would look more suitable for people who ride bicycles, don’t you think?
Should I buy an open face helmet?
If you were considering buying an open face soon and now are wondering if you should go for it or not?
I’d say stop, don’t buy an open-face, get a full-face helmet, and wear that on all of your motorcycle journeys and travels.
Because this is what I would do, and currently do, and will probably always do as long as I am alive. I do not want my stupidity to be the cause of my deformed face or even a fatal head injury.
Should I always wear a full face helmet?
Yes, always! Why take chances? Be prepared, always.
Can I get both open face and a full face helmet?
If you also ride a bicycle, yes, I’d say get both and use the open face on the bicycle and the other one on your motorcycle rides.
But, If you do not own a bicycle, I’d just get a better quality full-face helmet that has proper ventilation, instead of buying an open face as well.
