Modular helmets, safe? Only for nerds?

Red695

Red695

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I recently picked up a modular helmet after trying out friend of mines and I have been getting flack from a couple people about them not being as safe as a full face helmet. I was wondering what everyones thoughts, experiences and or opinions were on them. Thanks :)
 
Of course they are not as safe as a full face helmet.

Is the extra convenience of the modular helmet worth the added risk of less protection? Only you can answer that question. Like most motorcycle safety discussions it all comes down to risk vs reward...

Red695 said:
I recently picked up a modular helmet after trying out friend of mines and I have been getting flack from a couple people about them not being as safe as a full face helmet. I was wondering what everyones thoughts, experiences and or opinions were on them. Thanks :)
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ddusseld said:
Of course they are not as safe as a full face helmet.

Is the extra convenience of the modular helmet worth the added risk of less protection? Only you can answer that question. Like most motorcycle safety discussions it all comes down to risk vs reward...
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If they pass the same testing as normal full face helmets, how are they any less safe?

Are you just guessing?
 
I guess I am kind of concerned about how less safe they are. I can't find any reports of the lower part ripping off in an accident or anything which is what some argue will happen in an accident of certain magnitude.
 
mmmnaked said:
If they pass the same testing as normal full face helmets, how are they any less safe?

Are you just guessing?
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I believe a Modular helmet cannot pass the snell test.
 
ddusseld said:
Of course they are not as safe as a full face helmet.
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This statement is generally correct, but it highly depends on the actual helmet in question. I can argue that my DOT and ECE approved modular helmet is safer than many full face ones. The best full face helmet should, at least in principle, be a little safer than the best modular one, but there is no hard data to show by how much.

ddusseld said:
Is the extra convenience of the modular helmet worth the added risk of less protection? Only you can answer that question. Like most motorcycle safety discussions it all comes down to risk vs reward...
Click to expand...

Safety is always a question of trade-off, but added convenience can sometimes directly translate to added safety. In my case, for example, the fact that I can blow my nose without taking the helmet off is adding to my safety.

mmmnaked said:
If they pass the same testing as normal full face helmets, how are they any less safe?
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They don't. Snell tests only full face helmets. There is a lot of controversy with regards to correlation between helmet testing and real life safety. The fact that one helmet has Snell sticker while the other one has only DOT does not prove anything except that each satisfied that particular testing standard.

mmmnaked said:
Are you just guessing?
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In the absence of hard data it is mostly guessing, although it's based on some pretty solid logic. A hinge, no matter how strong, will always be easier to break than a solid piece. I've seen too many really pathetic modular helmet joints to discard that factor as marginal. However, the chin bar coming off opens ones head to impact only partially.

All in all, the jury is still out and will be until some hew Hurt comes up with a proper report. I have chosen modular a while ago and don't plan on going back to full face.
 
Red695 said:
I guess I am kind of concerned about how less safe they are. I can't find any reports of the lower part ripping off in an accident or anything which is what some argue will happen in an accident of certain magnitude.
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you might be able to find your helmet on here if you're lucky (European lines): http://sharp.direct.gov.uk/testhelm...l=&sharp-type=3&sharp-rating=1&discontinued=1

some modular helmets fared well, some didn't. I did think it was common knowledge that modular helmets were less safe than full-faced, but maybe I was wrong in assuming that
 
Red695 said:
I guess I am kind of concerned about how less safe they are. I can't find any reports of the lower part ripping off in an accident or anything which is what some argue will happen in an accident of certain magnitude.
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If you are worried about your chin bar opening 'in an accident of a certain magnitude', then I think you are worried about the wrong thing.

I have a HJC CL-MAX and I don't worry about it coming open in an accident because if the accident was that severe then I probably will die on impact anyways.

This goes along the same lines as to why I use SS bolts for my fairing windshield. The bike will be junked if it gets too damaged anyways and I just hope I survive the accident to rant about it.
 
vadasz1 said:
If you are worried about your chin bar opening 'in an accident of a certain magnitude', then I think you are worried about the wrong thing.

I have a HJC CL-MAX and I don't worry about it coming open in an accident because if the accident was that severe then I probably will die on impact anyways.

This goes along the same lines as to why I use SS bolts for my fairing windshield. The bike will be junked if it gets too damaged anyways and I just hope I survive the accident to rant about it.
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Yeah, good point. I won't be needing my chin when I'm dead.
 
mmmnaked said:
http://www.zeus-helmets.co.uk/zeus-3000.html

SNELL tested and certified. Don't know if its true that they're the "first" or if they're the only, but whatever.... it's an example.
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Pretty much...haven't seen a modular EVER with SNELL rating on it

RED695...modular with a DOT stamp= OK for street/highway use. A helmet with DOT+SNELL stamp = for racing....or if you're paranoid steet use as well.
 
I have one of each (full face, modular, halfy) and vary them depending on the kind of riding i'm planning on doing that day and on the weather. I wear the full face whenever i am planning on highway riding since it's obviously the safest and most wind resistent. I wear the modular for street riding in cool-warm (under 20c) weather, and the halfy on really warm or hot days if i'm just street cruising. I ride a cruiser style bike so really any of the three styles suit it, whereas i guess people on sports bikes are pretty much stuck to full faced all the time. I've never seen a ss rider with a halfy yet. lol
 
A modular is possibly not as safe as a regular full face, but neither are as safe as driving a ****ing GMC suburban.

Put's it into perspective don't it?
 
mmmnaked said:
If they pass the same testing as normal full face helmets, how are they any less safe?

Are you just guessing?
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There aren't a whole lot of modular helmets that will pass the Snell chin bar test. My Schuberth, a quality, well engineered modular, certainly doesn't.
 
mikbusa said:
A modular is possibly not as safe as a regular full face, but neither are as safe as driving a ****ing GMC suburban.

Put's it into perspective don't it?
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Omfg I get enough flack about even having a motorcycle let alone not the most safe gear. When I got a jeep I heard about it even, you know because they will roll when you corner and all :rolleyes:
 
Red695 said:
I recently picked up a modular helmet after trying out friend of mines and I have been getting flack from a couple people about them not being as safe as a full face helmet. I was wondering what everyones thoughts, experiences and or opinions were on them. Thanks :)
Click to expand...

I spilled on the DVP and as scary as the incident was, nothing came off or open. Or even loose. I get it a lot that I look like a douche bag with the modular but after doing few long rides in hot weather I realized how convenient it is to just get some air quick or have a sip of a drink on the go.
 
DOT is what the helmet needs to pass... after that it's open season...

MikBusa said it best... you want safety, drive a suburban...
 
Beannie owner and modular owner here. No illusions. The plastic front chin bar is not designed to take any sort of an impact. I don't think it's safe to assume having a modular helmet will provide the same protection as a full face so, you have to decide what's important to you.

I have to say, I see more folks on touring rigs, baggers and cruisers wearing true full face helmets. Nothing wrong with that. I'll stick to the beannie on the Sporty and modular on the Buell.
 
I wear a modular but can't see it as being as safe as a full face. All legit helmets meet a code but I think the one piece ones exceed the minimums by a greater margin.

That said I know of people that put next to no miles on their bikes because they insist on wearing boiler plate armour in 40C weather. Everyone has to do their own risk assessment.

I don't understand the references to a modular being cooler. Unless the jaw piece is flipped up the modular is going to be about the same as a one piece with a moveable visor. IMO One should never ride with the front flipped up. If you faceplant I see the potential of serious neck damage if the chin bar catches something.

I like the ability to take a sip, show my face at the border without removing my lid, change glasses etc. My trade off.
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