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| Ozian | | Set |  |  | | Reg. Date | : | 25/01/2013 | | Posts | : | 187 | | Location | : | Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
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| | Posted : 16 Dec 2013 - 11:41 Post title : Open face helmets | | | Up to now I've always worn full face helmets, but with another Queensland summer upon us I've found that I've been thinking about trying out an open face for a change. I picked one up today (M2R) and went for a little ride. I gotta say I really like it. The wind, the reduced constriction, it felt more free. I'm going to give the open face a go for a while for shorter non-highway runs and commuting and stick to my Shoei full face for longer runs.
Now, I know all the safety benefits of a full face over an open face, so I'm not looking for lectures here (I've been riding bikes for over 30 years since I was 11), but I'm wondering who else enjoys open face helmets despite the increased safety risk?
| Cheers,
Ian
2011 Blue/white stripe 1600, short TORS + tune, Meerkat cross-over, Thunderbike fork caps, Hagon Nitros, tail tidy
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| intimidator32 | | Chaac | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 12/05/2012 | | Posts | : | 913 | | Location | : | lexington, ky, United States |
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| | Posted : 16 Dec 2013 - 11:52 Post title : Re: Open face helmets (Re: Ozian) | | | Ian, I'm an open face rider myself, i've tried all different brands of full face helmets and they all make me feel disconnected from the environment. I also like to wear a half helmet from time to time. Stats in my state last year were 74 motorcycle deaths and 42 where not wearing helmets at all i suspect that most of the 42 were harley riders, i've never seen a triumph rider around here without a helmet.
| currently on a slow Harley but will have another Triumph eventually 
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| Ozian | | Set | | | | Reg. Date | : | 25/01/2013 | | Posts | : | 187 | | Location | : | Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
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| | Posted : 16 Dec 2013 - 12:18 Post title : Re: Open face helmets (Re: intimidator32) | | | No helmet is not an option as helmets are mandatory here in Oz (and in my native Canada), not that I'd ever ride without one. Do you ever wear a shield? I am going to pick one up to see how it is too. I guess one can never have too many options, right!! 
| Cheers,
Ian
2011 Blue/white stripe 1600, short TORS + tune, Meerkat cross-over, Thunderbike fork caps, Hagon Nitros, tail tidy
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| woody | | Chaac | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 10/07/2010 | | Posts | : | 874 | | Location | : | goulburn, nsw, Australia |
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| | Posted : 16 Dec 2013 - 12:45 Post title : Re: Open face helmets (Re: Ozian) | | | I have just started wearing an open face as well and enjoy the difference. Only problem is the first longer ride I did coincided with a flying ant hatching in the afternoon and I got absolutely smashed by them. I have just bought a Shark Raw open face but have yet to use it as it is a gift that the boss won't let me use until my birthday. 
| Woody
Do not take life too seriously. You will never get out of it alive.
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| Birdy1234 | | Set | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 20/04/2013 | | Posts | : | 143 | | Location | : | Cologne, NRW, Germany |
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| | Posted : 16 Dec 2013 - 16:21 Post title : Re: Open face helmets (Re: Ozian) | | | Hi Ian.
I can recommend the Arai X-Trend open helmet with a large screen. It's very comfy to ride even at high speed.
No helmet is not an option. For me a 'no go' are those "brain caps" which can be seen on HD Riders from time to time. 
Best
Elmar
| Go out riding - Enjoy life!
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| xmoor | | Set | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 15/12/2011 | | Posts | : | 82 | | Location | : | Instow, North Devon, United Kingdom |
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| | Posted : 16 Dec 2013 - 17:17 Post title : Re: Open face helmets (Re: Birdy1234) | | | have a look at the scorpion exo 100 , it comes with a choice of a tinted or clear inner visor. I find it very comfortable, visor is only just about nose level but fits close to face, so even at speeds of about 75-80 mph its bearable
| RIDE IT....DONT HIDE IT !
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| MotorMac | | Jupiter | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 29/08/2010 | | Posts | : | 1,790 | | Location | : | Nor Cal, United States |
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| | Posted : 16 Dec 2013 - 19:08 Post title : Re: Open face helmets (Re: Ozian) | | | Put a post here about the convertible Airoh Link It has a removable chin piece that converts it from a 3/4 to full face bucket (that I'll probably never use). Has sun shield, clear shield and has been great on long trips.
Normally, I use a half helmet but would prefer none for short errands around town. Increased safety risk riding without a helmet? I'd argue that prevention trumps protection. Was an EMT for many years, saw plenty of kamikazes for whom a helmet was about as helpful as a tinfoil hat.
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| Smitty | | Chaac | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 01/10/2012 | | Posts | : | 996 | | Location | : | Hawkesbury, NSW, Australia |
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| | Posted : 16 Dec 2013 - 19:09 Post title : Re: Open face helmets (Re: xmoor) | | | I wear and prefer an open face, but i'm a bit over getting caught in bad weather.
like Woody, I picked up a Shark Raw the other day, it has a quick and easy removable chin guard and goggles.
Only been on one short ride so far, so I'll need to test it on the open road at speed before making a final assessment.
Link
| Cheers Smitty
2013 Matt Graphite Storm, Foran Razorbacks, Hagon shocks & springs.
I don't get angry, I get even 
| | Post edited by Smitty on 16 Dec 2013 - 19:13 |
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| fab | | Thor | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 12/10/2009 | | Posts | : | 2,515 | | Location | : | wyong, nsw, Australia |
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| | Posted : 16 Dec 2013 - 20:50 Post title : Re: Open face helmets (Re: Smitty) | | | I ride with a open face shoei great helmet, but in the pissing down rain its not much fun.
where did you blokes get the shark raw from? and how much are they .
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Remember, soft cocks hang around all life long, hard ones come and go
ahh f**k im deep
| | Post edited by fab on 16 Dec 2013 - 20:54 |
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| Alegas | | Set | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 12/05/2012 | | Posts | : | 124 | | Location | : | New Jersey, United States |
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| | Posted : 16 Dec 2013 - 21:23 Post title : Re: Open face helmets (Re: Ozian) | | | We had a scorching summer in the North East, and I couldn't take my full face helmet anymore. Got a Bell custom and really enjoyed the feel of it. Needed a while to get the right eye protection though. Most shades are not very effective at keeping the wind out of your eyes at speed. Settled on a pair of small over the helmet goggles. After the initial "raccoon eyes" it broke in quite nicely.
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| rabbi | | Chaac | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 28/02/2012 | | Posts | : | 926 | | Location | : | Geelong, Victoria, Australia |
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| | Posted : 16 Dec 2013 - 21:33 Post title : Re: Open face helmets (Re: fab) | | | I ride with a open face love the feeling of space and cloth mask with safety glasses, but the rain and bugs do sting now and then, toughen up eh princess.
I bought a Bell revolver but it gave me headaches, the Shark Raw looks good and at $369 is not bad value.
Link
| "Thinking is the hardest work there is, which is probably why so few people engage in it"
Henry Ford
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| tamboritha | | Set | | | | Reg. Date | : | 26/08/2011 | | Posts | : | 365 | | Location | : | morwell, vic, Australia |
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| | Posted : 16 Dec 2013 - 21:42 Post title : Re: Open face helmets (Re: Ozian) | | |
Ozian wrote:
Up to now I've always worn full face helmets, but with another Queensland summer upon us I've found that I've been thinking about trying out an open face for a change. I picked one up today (M2R) and went for a little ride. I gotta say I really like it. The wind, the reduced constriction, it felt more free. I'm going to give the open face a go for a while for shorter non-highway runs and commuting and stick to my Shoei full face for longer runs.
Now, I know all the safety benefits of a full face over an open face, so I'm not looking for lectures here (I've been riding bikes for over 30 years since I was 11), but I'm wondering who else enjoys open face helmets despite the increased safety risk? |
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ive owned two Lazer helmets now and ive found them very comfortable and with the short pull down visor that just covers the nose it is great when sitting behind truck that is sending up the usual shit off the road...Had a problem with the usual insects and stull getting between the helmet but i bought a lightweight balaclava that sits skin tight ,tuck the bottom pice under the chin,so that the face is still exposed and now i have no problems with those irritating crawly things annoying the shit out of ya..As far as comparing full face with open face in an accident if we all worried about those things we shouldnt be riding at all
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| Ozian | | Set | | | | Reg. Date | : | 25/01/2013 | | Posts | : | 187 | | Location | : | Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
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| | Posted : 16 Dec 2013 - 22:01 Post title : Re: Open face helmets (Re: Alegas) | | | I've got a pair of Wiley X Gravity glasses that have a light removable foam seal and they work great, even at highway speeds. Prior to that I had Oakley Gascans which worked well, but not as good as my new Gravity glasses. Check them out at Link
| Cheers,
Ian
2011 Blue/white stripe 1600, short TORS + tune, Meerkat cross-over, Thunderbike fork caps, Hagon Nitros, tail tidy
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| peteronkarra | | Chaac | | | | Reg. Date | : | 01/04/2012 | | Posts | : | 829 | | Location | : | Karragarra Island, Queensland, Australia |
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| | Posted : 16 Dec 2013 - 22:13 Post title : Re: Open face helmets (Re: Ozian) | | | Wear open face most of the time, much better peripheral vision in traffic. full face for longer rides in winter and rain.
Recently got a bell rogue.
I find it a good thing, light, fits well, fairly quiet, very little lift at speed.
Plenty of squashed bugs on the muzzle after Nimbin, so that bit works.
I think it looks a bit odd but thats personal opinion.
I looked at the Raw but didnt like the way the face guard was attached to the goggles.
I prefer sunnies or clear safety glasses at night.
Pete
| I sometimes wonder what I"ll do when I grow up.... but not very often 
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| Dougl | | Chaac | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 13/07/2012 | | Posts | : | 544 | | Location | : | Reno, Nevada, United States |
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| | Posted : 17 Dec 2013 - 02:25 Post title : Re: Open face helmets (Re: peteronkarra) | | | Only wear a full helmet when it's cold.
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| MickeyBoy | | Chaac | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 18/09/2010 | | Posts | : | 553 | | Location | : | WiNe CoUnTrY TeMeCuLa, Socialist State of Kalifornia, United States |
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| | Posted : 17 Dec 2013 - 03:36 Post title : Re: Open face helmets (Re: Dougl) | | | I don't own a full face. I wear my helmet and a fleece lined bandanna I got from www.facebook.com/coolbandanaz.
| | Post edited by MickeyBoy on 17 Dec 2013 - 03:36 |
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| Smitty | | Chaac | | | | Reg. Date | : | 01/10/2012 | | Posts | : | 996 | | Location | : | Hawkesbury, NSW, Australia |
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| | Posted : 17 Dec 2013 - 04:35 Post title : Re: Open face helmets (Re: fab) | | | fab wrote:
I ride with a open face shoei great helmet, but in the pissing down rain its not much fun.
where did you blokes get the shark raw from? and how much are they . |
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The Raw was only released in Australia last week.... I had a gift voucher for BikeBiz at Granville, so picked mine up there. Also got a bit of a discount, but they retail at $369. Trooper Lou and MCAS have them, so I reckon you will get them just about anywhere...
| Cheers Smitty
2013 Matt Graphite Storm, Foran Razorbacks, Hagon shocks & springs.
I don't get angry, I get even
| | Post edited by Smitty on 17 Dec 2013 - 04:37 |
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| fab | | Thor | | | | Reg. Date | : | 12/10/2009 | | Posts | : | 2,515 | | Location | : | wyong, nsw, Australia |
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| | Posted : 17 Dec 2013 - 05:48 Post title : Re: Open face helmets (Re: Smitty) | | |
Smitty wrote:
fab wrote:
I ride with a open face shoei great helmet, but in the pissing down rain its not much fun.
where did you blokes get the shark raw from? and how much are they . |
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The Raw was only released in Australia last week.... I had a gift voucher for BikeBiz at Granville, so picked mine up there. Also got a bit of a discount, but they retail at $369. Trooper Lou and MCAS have them, so I reckon you will get them just about anywhere... |
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Remember, soft cocks hang around all life long, hard ones come and go
ahh f**k im deep
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| RatDog | | Chaac | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 09/12/2012 | | Posts | : | 516 | | Location | : | Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, United States |
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| | Posted : 17 Dec 2013 - 13:02 Post title : Re: Open face helmets (Re: Ozian) | | | Used to have a Nolan N100 modular full face. Upgraded to the N43e when I purchased my Storm about a year ago.
Whereas the chinbar on the N100 flips up, the ECE rated N43e chinbar is remove-able so the helmet easily converts from a full face to a 3/4. It also has an internal sun shade and the clear face shield is optically correct all around which is great generally and increases peripheral vision. I usually where clear goggles and ride with the face shield up or open one detent. At the same time having full protection is great when the bad weather hits. I have removed the chinbar on a few occasions, but usually leave it in - as people seem to be able to see my lips and hear what I have to say even with it in - which was never the case with older Shoei full face helmets I owned or even the N100.
| Paul
2012 Triumph Thunderbird Storm ABS (stealthy and fastest matte black!)
Previous Bikes:
2001 Suzuki Bandit GSF1200S
1981 Yamaha SECA XJ-750
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| BlueNose | | Thor | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 29/09/2009 | | Posts | : | 2,478 | | Location | : | United Kingdom |
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| | Posted : 17 Dec 2013 - 14:03 Post title : Re: Open face helmets (Re: RatDog) | | | I prefer open face but not practical every day in the UK climate but can recommend Davida...
Link
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| Linkdog | | Thor | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 10/02/2011 | | Posts | : | 2,923 | | Location | : | Groveland, FL., United States |
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| | Posted : 17 Dec 2013 - 14:44 Post title : Re: Open face helmets (Re: BlueNose) | | | I use an open face ( HJC ) if you do not have a wind screen I suggest you remove the visor or the wind will try to suck it off your head.
| Never drink from a cow with one udder! 2010 1600 Blue&White ( of course ) Long TORS and HP filter.
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| Alegas | | Set | | | | Reg. Date | : | 12/05/2012 | | Posts | : | 124 | | Location | : | New Jersey, United States |
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| | Posted : 17 Dec 2013 - 15:30 Post title : Re: Open face helmets (Re: BlueNose) | | |
BlueNose wrote:
I prefer open face but not practical every day in the UK climate but can recommend Davida...
Link
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Davida helmets are great, but pricey and not really available in US.
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| edbob | | Chaac | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 04/04/2012 | | Posts | : | 931 | | Location | : | United States |
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| | Posted : 17 Dec 2013 - 17:24 Post title : Re: Open face helmets (Re: Alegas) | | | I have a Davida classic "pudding bowl" with the union jack. Beautiful helmet. Very unsafe however - no EPS, only cork.
| "You will ride eternal shiny and chrome"
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| Thatch | | Thor | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 24/06/2009 | | Posts | : | 3,655 | | Location | : | Savannah, GA, United States |
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| | Posted : 17 Dec 2013 - 19:19 Post title : Re: Open face helmets (Re: Alegas) | | | I'll put in a plug for Davida. I absolutely love my speedster. Leather lining and low profile. By far my favorite helmet out of the 6 I own currently (full face and open alike)
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| Leethal | | Zeus | | | | Reg. Date | : | 24/01/2011 | | Posts | : | 6,407 | | Location | : | Australia |
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| | Posted : 18 Dec 2013 - 06:19 Post title : Re: Open face helmets (Re: Thatch) | | | I sometimes use a plain old open around the local area, I was out on a ride today on a country road minding my own business and got whacked with a rock on my shoulder from a B-Double going the other way, immediately thought about this thread and "what if" I got hit in the face while wearing the open.
Yeah I know it wouldn't improve my looks , but hell that bloody rock left a good bruise through my jacket.
| Experience is something you get just after you needed it
1600,Foran Razorbacks, Meerkat bypass, Dyno tune, real headlight,plenty of chrome,switchblade pegs, Hagon Nitro shocks & Ikon progressive fork springs etc. Scorpion Western Low handlebars. PH adjustable fork caps.
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| Thatch | | Thor | | | | Reg. Date | : | 24/06/2009 | | Posts | : | 3,655 | | Location | : | Savannah, GA, United States |
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| | Posted : 18 Dec 2013 - 07:47 Post title : Re: Open face helmets (Re: Leethal) | | | Been hit many times. It hurts, it goes away.... or it kills you, I suppose is the other extreme. There are so many 'what ifs' with a motorcycle that I just armor to a reasonable level, always have a jacket, always have gloves, always have boots and always have a helmet (99% of the time it's an open face even on long tours) and leave the rest up to God/fate/luck. Does that leave me open to the 'what ifs'? Yup, but throwing a leg over a bike in the first place is the most dangerous part of that process so I don't sweat if that small bit of exposed 'me' is going to be the thing that puts me under. I'll stop riding once that fear overtakes me.
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| slotter32 | | Set | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 11/12/2011 | | Posts | : | 196 | | Location | : | Australia |
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| | Posted : 18 Dec 2013 - 20:45 Post title : Re: Open face helmets (Re: Thatch) | | | I'd like to try a Davida helmet but unfortunately they are not legal in Australia. Another great looking helmet are TORC open face but again they are not legal here. Bell do a great looking open face but the fit for me anyway is far from comfortable. I might give the M2R a go but like 90% of legal open face helmets in Australia it's a choice between black, matt black, gloss black or dark grey bordering on matt black.
| Mods: Chrome wheels, chrome forks, chrome water manifold, chrome switch blocks, front axle covers, Speedmaster tank badges, chrome pulley, chrome swing arm covers, chrome lower belt guide, chrome upper and lower fork yokes, deuce risers, kuryakan iso grips, chrome fork nut and centre bearing caps
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| TedBuck | | Set | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 24/10/2013 | | Posts | : | 40 | | Location | : | Port Colborne, Ontario, Canada |
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| | Posted : 18 Dec 2013 - 21:25 Post title : Re: Open face helmets (Re: slotter32) | | | I use an HJC IS-2 which is an open face with a retractable visor. Works very well if you have to wear glasses as I do.
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| BlueNose | | Thor | | | | Reg. Date | : | 29/09/2009 | | Posts | : | 2,478 | | Location | : | United Kingdom |
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| | Posted : 18 Dec 2013 - 21:41 Post title : Re: Open face helmets (Re: Thatch) | | |
Thatch wrote:
Been hit many times. It hurts, it goes away.... or it kills you, I suppose is the other extreme. There are so many 'what ifs' with a motorcycle that I just armor to a reasonable level, always have a jacket, always have gloves, always have boots and always have a helmet (99% of the time it's an open face even on long tours) and leave the rest up to God/fate/luck. Does that leave me open to the 'what ifs'? Yup, but throwing a leg over a bike in the first place is the most dangerous part of that process so I don't sweat if that small bit of exposed 'me' is going to be the thing that puts me under. I'll stop riding once that fear overtakes me. |
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That's about the top and bottom of it!
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| tigerbrew | | Set | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 08/11/2011 | | Posts | : | 100 | | Location | : | Bridlington, East Yorkshire, United Kingdom |
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| | Posted : 18 Dec 2013 - 22:23 Post title : Re: Open face helmets (Re: BlueNose) | | | Different shit.
Different day.
| That that is, is. That that is not, is not. Is not that so?.
Four Wheels Move The Body, Two Wheels Move The Soul.
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