FULL FACE MOTORCYCLE HELMETS
Of the three primary kinds of street helmets, FULL-FACE HELMETS
The two other primary street helmets are:
♦ Open face (also called 3/4 helmets, since they cover 3/4 of your head) and
♦ 1/2 helmets, aptly named, since 1/2 your head is protected (and 1/2 is not).
MODULAR HELMETS
Another variation of the full-face motorcycle helmet is the modular or “flip up” helmet style that offers some of the benefits of full-face protection and open-face convenience.
FULL-FACE HELMET PROTECTION
The chin section is the prominent feature that distinguishes a full-face helmet from the open-face helmet, which, as I recall, was the prevalent style, prior to the 1970’s.
Various full-face helmets may come with built-in ventilation, which can be opened or closed to allow air to circulate inside the helmet. As well, they may have removable inner pads that can be washed.
And, of course, they have flip-up visors (not to be confused with flip-up helmets) that can replaced as they get worn.
Personally, I’m a life-time advocate for full-face helmets. Not only did the top-rear section of one save my head from getting split open like a watermelon a few decades ago in my first major motorbike crash, but the chin section of that same helmet also kept my face from getting sheered off by the asphalt.
Finally, regardless of what helmet you select, be sure to get one that fits correctly. Here is an article on How To Fit A Motorcycle Helmet.
