Open Vs. Closed face helmet???

Definitive · 10-24-2012, 12:13 PM

Hey guys,

Other than saftey/comfort reasons, is there any reason to get a full face helmet? i.e. some tracks wont let you on with open face? Drag racing requires closed face?

Anything like that I should be looking at before deciding?

Thanks,
D

bigjae1976 · 10-24-2012, 12:38 PM

None that I know of.

A closed face is good in case you do a face plant into the steering wheel.

Car54 · 10-24-2012, 01:03 PM

If you're a television automobile journalist an open face is applicable. If you want a cheap and easy autox helmet go open face.

I can't see another reason to go open faced ONLY. I'd have it as a second helmet maybe...but never as a primary.

...but you have an airbag car...great but maybe you want to ride with your instructor with a full caged track car with harnesses.

...what also I don't get is why people have their shield up with no glasses. Crap flies in the car all the time...something small in your eyes can cause a lot of problems at speed/in traffic.

GTM_Challenge · 10-24-2012, 02:21 PM

I feel like certain organizations don't allow open face helmets on track. I like the added protection of full face - ive had things fly into the cabin before while on track (rubber, rocks, etc) and prefer the extra safety I have.

dcgolfdr · 10-24-2012, 02:29 PM

Closed, because it looks cooler, get a mirrored visor and keep it down, looks even better. Also, as others have said, closed will protect you better from all the shit that flies around.

Porschefile · 10-24-2012, 03:42 PM

Closed for sure. There are clubs that don't allow open, and closed protects your face from the steering wheel as well as potential debris.

IrishCoffee · 10-24-2012, 04:16 PM

I had a piece of rubber hit me in the eye with my face shield up. Luckily I was riding shotgun because it hurt and screwed up my vision for a few minutes.

Now I always keep the shield down or at most slightly cracked for ventialtion. I've heard that leaving your face shield up is dangerous because the airbag can grab it and whip your head back. Not sure how true it is but just another consideration.

I'd prefer the full face just for debris on track days. An open face helmet is probably fine for just autox though.

bigjae1976 · 10-24-2012, 04:46 PM

Yeah, you get more stuff flung at you as you run with more cars with slicks and r-comps. My visor always fogs so I wear army issued ballistic oakley's underneath.

Estoril Blue · 10-24-2012, 05:35 PM

In an Instructor seminar last Spring - I saw a brief presentation about running helmets with visors in cars with airbags. The concern was in an impact - the airbag catching the edge of an open visor and violently rotating the helmet backward (rotating bottom-to-top) as the airbag inflates. This was apparently driven by real-world incidents.

The guidance/recommendation was to have the visor open no more than two fingers (index and middle) wide.

Just thought I mention it because it had never occurred to me.

midlifecrisis · 10-24-2012, 07:03 PM

Here in NJ, the law will soon mandate closed face helmets. It actually already does but there is a temporary exemption in one case I know of. I've heard about the face shield issue with airbag deployment and this is a concern. Some of us wonder whether closed face with visor removed might be the best answer for HPDE.

In the end, there's always going to be some risk. I use a closed face myself, but I do leave the visor open. Maybe not ideal.

Richbot · 10-24-2012, 07:07 PM

If you have to run with windows open, closed face is the only choice IMO. I run an open cockpit car now and have had stuff work its way to my eyeballs even with the visor closed.

Car54 · 10-24-2012, 09:19 PM

Great thread and never heard about the airbag and face shield.

signes · 10-26-2012, 03:26 PM

As others have said, closed face mostly for debris and also to add lower face protection in the event of a crash / airbag deployment. I have both and tried the open face during the last track day but had a couple scares with rocks coming in and will stick with the full face from now on.

M3PO · 10-26-2012, 06:57 PM

GIdriver · 10-26-2012, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M3PO

^WTF?!?!?!? Closed for sure.

arter · 10-26-2012, 10:07 PM

Wow, he had the presence of mind to put his hand up to cover his eyes...

bigjae1976 · 10-26-2012, 10:14 PM

I would have screamed like a little girl! That's f'ing crazy!

MStar · 10-26-2012, 10:20 PM

Deer on a race track..who would have thunk it

Definitive · 10-26-2012, 10:57 PM

Thanks for all the great advise and experience guys. Closed it is.

And wow, good thing there are no deer out at Willow Springs. Heh.

D

Definitive · 10-27-2012, 12:54 AM

Went with this guy!

http://www.hjc-motorsports.com/ar10ii.htm

D

GIdriver · 10-27-2012, 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Definitive

Went with this guy!

http://www.hjc-motorsports.com/ar10ii.htm

D

Me too! I love it!

Car54 · 10-27-2012, 09:24 AM

Solid choice! I love the soft padding in the AR10

10-24-2012, 12:13 PM	#1
Definitive definitivecars.com Drives: 2011 E90 M3 - AW/FR Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: So Cal Posts: 3,411 iTrader: (3) Garage List 2011 E90 M3 [3.75] 2009 (Lease up Sept ... [0.00] 2007 (Lease up 6/19 ... [0.00] 2007 (Lease up Octo ... [0.00]	Open Vs. Closed face helmet??? Hey guys, Other than saftey/comfort reasons, is there any reason to get a full face helmet? i.e. some tracks wont let you on with open face? Drag racing requires closed face? Anything like that I should be looking at before deciding? Thanks, D __________________ CCC - Camarillo Cars & Coffee - Weekly Ventura County Meet - 8pm - Coffee Bean on Arniell
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10-24-2012, 12:38 PM	#2
bigjae1976 Brigadier General Drives: 04 330Ci, 11 E90 M3 Individual Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 4,047 iTrader: (8)	None that I know of. A closed face is good in case you do a face plant into the steering wheel. __________________

10-24-2012, 01:03 PM	#3
Car54 Captain Drives: 1999 Z3 Mcoupe \| 2008 M3/4 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Lutz, FL Posts: 825 iTrader: (1)	If you're a television automobile journalist an open face is applicable. If you want a cheap and easy autox helmet go open face. I can't see another reason to go open faced ONLY. I'd have it as a second helmet maybe...but never as a primary. ...but you have an airbag car...great but maybe you want to ride with your instructor with a full caged track car with harnesses. ...what also I don't get is why people have their shield up with no glasses. Crap flies in the car all the time...something small in your eyes can cause a lot of problems at speed/in traffic. __________________ Craig Brickner BMW CCA/PBOC/Chin Motorsports DE Instructor Click to Join: BMWCCA # 366493

10-24-2012, 02:21 PM	#4
GTM_Challenge BimmerPost Supporting Vendor Drives: E92 M3,X5M,F30 335 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Chicago Posts: 2,175 iTrader: (6)	I feel like certain organizations don't allow open face helmets on track. I like the added protection of full face - ive had things fly into the cabin before while on track (rubber, rocks, etc) and prefer the extra safety I have. __________________ GT Motoring - Challenge USA - Rays / Volk Dealer - BBS Distributor - Eisenmann Dealer - Willans Dealer - Willans Harnesses

10-24-2012, 03:42 PM	#6
Porschefile Major Drives: E92 M3 DCT, E46, Formula Mazda Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Tennessee Posts: 1,049 iTrader: (5)	Closed for sure. There are clubs that don't allow open, and closed protects your face from the steering wheel as well as potential debris. __________________ #18 Formula Mazda, Southeast Division SCCA

10-24-2012, 02:29 PM	#5
dcgolfdr Wheelsucker Drives: Fast rice cooker Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 710 iTrader: (8)	Closed, because it looks cooler, get a mirrored visor and keep it down, looks even better. Also, as others have said, closed will protect you better from all the shit that flies around.

10-24-2012, 04:16 PM	#7
IrishCoffee Second Lieutenant Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: May 2011 Location: San Diego Posts: 270 iTrader: (0)	I had a piece of rubber hit me in the eye with my face shield up. Luckily I was riding shotgun because it hurt and screwed up my vision for a few minutes. Now I always keep the shield down or at most slightly cracked for ventialtion. I've heard that leaving your face shield up is dangerous because the airbag can grab it and whip your head back. Not sure how true it is but just another consideration. I'd prefer the full face just for debris on track days. An open face helmet is probably fine for just autox though.

10-24-2012, 04:46 PM	#8
bigjae1976 Brigadier General Drives: 04 330Ci, 11 E90 M3 Individual Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 4,047 iTrader: (8)	Yeah, you get more stuff flung at you as you run with more cars with slicks and r-comps. My visor always fogs so I wear army issued ballistic oakley's underneath. __________________

10-24-2012, 05:35 PM	#9
Estoril Blue Private First Class Drives: 2006 M3 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 114 iTrader: (0)	In an Instructor seminar last Spring - I saw a brief presentation about running helmets with visors in cars with airbags. The concern was in an impact - the airbag catching the edge of an open visor and violently rotating the helmet backward (rotating bottom-to-top) as the airbag inflates. This was apparently driven by real-world incidents. The guidance/recommendation was to have the visor open no more than two fingers (index and middle) wide. Just thought I mention it because it had never occurred to me. __________________

10-24-2012, 07:03 PM	#10
midlifecrisis Lieutenant Drives: 2008 E90 M3 - IB/ExBB Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New Jersey Posts: 547 iTrader: (0)	Here in NJ, the law will soon mandate closed face helmets. It actually already does but there is a temporary exemption in one case I know of. I've heard about the face shield issue with airbag deployment and this is a concern. Some of us wonder whether closed face with visor removed might be the best answer for HPDE. In the end, there's always going to be some risk. I use a closed face myself, but I do leave the visor open. Maybe not ideal. __________________ 2008 E90 M3 2000 328i sedan (UUC suspension - still the favorite) 2012 Mini Cooper (wife's) 1991 325iX (sold - gone but not forgotten!) 2011 X3 (Performance Center delivery done May '11)

10-24-2012, 07:07 PM	#11
Richbot Major Drives: Jerez Black E90 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: STL Posts: 1,487 iTrader: (1)	If you have to run with windows open, closed face is the only choice IMO. I run an open cockpit car now and have had stuff work its way to my eyeballs even with the visor closed. __________________

10-24-2012, 09:19 PM	#12
Car54 Captain Drives: 1999 Z3 Mcoupe \| 2008 M3/4 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Lutz, FL Posts: 825 iTrader: (1)	Great thread and never heard about the airbag and face shield. __________________ Craig Brickner BMW CCA/PBOC/Chin Motorsports DE Instructor Click to Join: BMWCCA # 366493

10-26-2012, 03:26 PM	#13
signes Brigadier General Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Spinnin at 8k Posts: 3,196 iTrader: (3)	As others have said, closed face mostly for debris and also to add lower face protection in the event of a crash / airbag deployment. I have both and tried the open face during the last track day but had a couple scares with rocks coming in and will stick with the full face from now on. __________________ 08 E90 \| Jet Black / Black \| 6MT Mods: RAC RG63 w/ Pirelli Corsa 255F/285R \| Akrapovic Evo Exhaust \| OEM Blacklines Winter Setup: OEM 18s w/ Nokian Hakkapeliita R 245/40-18

10-26-2012, 06:57 PM	#14
M3PO Colonel Drives: '08 IB E92 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: OC Posts: 2,179 iTrader: (6)	__________________ 2008 IB E92 M3\| BBS \| KW \| Arkym \| Platte Forme A.G. \| Active Autowerke \| K&N \| Fabspeed \| Dinan \| Evolve-R

10-26-2012, 10:07 PM	#16
arter collecting toys Drives: M3 MCB Join Date: May 2008 Location: rochester, ny Posts: 562 iTrader: (0)	Wow, he had the presence of mind to put his hand up to cover his eyes... __________________ 2011 e92 M3 Monte Carlo Blue ESS 535 2010 Honda FIT 2006 SLK 55 AMG

10-26-2012, 10:14 PM	#17
bigjae1976 Brigadier General Drives: 04 330Ci, 11 E90 M3 Individual Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 4,047 iTrader: (8)	I would have screamed like a little girl! That's f'ing crazy! __________________

10-26-2012, 10:20 PM	#18
MStar Banned Drives: e92 M3 Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Here and there Posts: 290 iTrader: (0)	Deer on a race track..who would have thunk it

10-26-2012, 10:57 PM	#19
Definitive definitivecars.com Drives: 2011 E90 M3 - AW/FR Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: So Cal Posts: 3,411 iTrader: (3) Garage List 2011 E90 M3 [3.75] 2009 (Lease up Sept ... [0.00] 2007 (Lease up 6/19 ... [0.00] 2007 (Lease up Octo ... [0.00]	Thanks for all the great advise and experience guys. Closed it is. And wow, good thing there are no deer out at Willow Springs. Heh. D __________________ CCC - Camarillo Cars & Coffee - Weekly Ventura County Meet - 8pm - Coffee Bean on Arniell

10-27-2012, 12:54 AM	#20
Definitive definitivecars.com Drives: 2011 E90 M3 - AW/FR Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: So Cal Posts: 3,411 iTrader: (3) Garage List 2011 E90 M3 [3.75] 2009 (Lease up Sept ... [0.00] 2007 (Lease up 6/19 ... [0.00] 2007 (Lease up Octo ... [0.00]	Went with this guy! http://www.hjc-motorsports.com/ar10ii.htm D __________________ CCC - Camarillo Cars & Coffee - Weekly Ventura County Meet - 8pm - Coffee Bean on Arniell

10-27-2012, 09:24 AM	#22
Car54 Captain Drives: 1999 Z3 Mcoupe \| 2008 M3/4 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Lutz, FL Posts: 825 iTrader: (1)	Solid choice! I love the soft padding in the AR10 __________________ Craig Brickner BMW CCA/PBOC/Chin Motorsports DE Instructor Click to Join: BMWCCA # 366493

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