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 353 Rep 3,833 Posts Drives: Elsa - 2015 F80 M3 - YMB/SS Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: So Cal iTrader: (3) Garage List 2011 E90 M3 [6.66] 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
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10-24-2012, 12:38 PM	#2
bigjae1976 Major General 1570 Rep 8,075 Posts Drives: 11 E90 M3 Individual Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (22) Garage List 2004 BMW M3 [4.50] 2011 BMW E90 M3 [5.25] 2013 BMW 328i [5.00]	None that I know of. A closed face is good in case you do a face plant into the steering wheel. __________________ 2018 F30 320iX Melbourne Red 2011 E90 M3 Monte Carlo Blue 2004 E46 M3 Imola Red 2000 E36/7 Z3 Steel Blue
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10-24-2012, 01:03 PM	#3
Car54 Captain 36 Rep 927 Posts Drives: 2014 M-Sport Wagon - EBII Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Lutz, FL 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 Click to Join: BMWCCA # 366493
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10-24-2012, 02:21 PM	#4
GTM_Challenge 270 Rep 2,946 Posts Drives: E46 M3, E90 M3 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Nashville iTrader: (7)	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.
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10-24-2012, 02:29 PM	#5
dcgolfdr Wheelsucker 199 Rep 1,280 Posts Drives: Truck Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Arlington, VA iTrader: (16)	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.
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10-24-2012, 03:42 PM	#6
Porschefile Major 59 Rep 1,250 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Tennessee iTrader: (7)	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.
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10-24-2012, 04:16 PM	#7
IrishCoffee Lieutenant 79 Rep 446 Posts Drives: 2020 M4 Join Date: May 2011 Location: Orange County 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.
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10-24-2012, 04:46 PM	#8
bigjae1976 Major General 1570 Rep 8,075 Posts Drives: 11 E90 M3 Individual Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (22) Garage List 2004 BMW M3 [4.50] 2011 BMW E90 M3 [5.25] 2013 BMW 328i [5.00]	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. __________________ 2018 F30 320iX Melbourne Red 2011 E90 M3 Monte Carlo Blue 2004 E46 M3 Imola Red 2000 E36/7 Z3 Steel Blue
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10-24-2012, 05:35 PM	#9
Estoril Blue First Lieutenant 74 Rep 386 Posts Drives: 2006 M3 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Maryland 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.
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10-24-2012, 07:03 PM	#10
midlifecrisis Major 804 Rep 1,208 Posts Drives: 2017 X5 35d, 2019 230i X Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New Jersey 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. __________________ 2017 X5 35d (Performance Center delivery March 2017) 2019 230i X-drive 2022 M3 base 2000 328i sedan (UUC suspension - still the favorite), 2006 M3 slick top - Alpine White/Cinnamon SOLD! 2008 E90 M3 SOLD! 1991 325iX (both great), 2019 Miata RF - various others not as memorable but gone.
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10-24-2012, 07:07 PM	#11
Richbot Major General 2759 Rep 5,484 Posts Drives: Jerez Black E90 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: STL iTrader: (5)	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. __________________
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10-24-2012, 09:19 PM	#12
Car54 Captain 36 Rep 927 Posts Drives: 2014 M-Sport Wagon - EBII Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Lutz, FL iTrader: (1)	Great thread and never heard about the airbag and face shield. __________________ Craig Brickner Click to Join: BMWCCA # 366493
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10-26-2012, 03:26 PM	#13
signes Brigadier General 199 Rep 4,318 Posts Drives: 991 GT3 RS Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Living at (almost...) 9k iTrader: (5)	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. __________________ GT3 RS \| Desperately seeking the next great M car...
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10-26-2012, 06:57 PM	#14
M3PO Colonel 84 Rep 2,792 Posts Drives: '08 IB E92 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: OC iTrader: (7)	__________________ 2008 IB E92 M3\| BBS \| KW \| Arkym \| Platte Forme A.G. \| Active Autowerke \| K&N \| Fabspeed \| Dinan \| Evolve-R
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10-26-2012, 10:07 PM	#16
arter collecting toys 41 Rep 810 Posts Drives: M3 MCB Join Date: May 2008 Location: rochester, ny iTrader: (1)	Wow, he had the presence of mind to put his hand up to cover his eyes... __________________ 2011 e92 M3 Monte Carlo Blue ESS 535 - gone but not forgotten 2015 cayman GTS - new toy 2006 SLK 55 AMG sold
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10-26-2012, 10:14 PM	#17
bigjae1976 Major General 1570 Rep 8,075 Posts Drives: 11 E90 M3 Individual Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (22) Garage List 2004 BMW M3 [4.50] 2011 BMW E90 M3 [5.25] 2013 BMW 328i [5.00]	I would have screamed like a little girl! That's f'ing crazy! __________________ 2018 F30 320iX Melbourne Red 2011 E90 M3 Monte Carlo Blue 2004 E46 M3 Imola Red 2000 E36/7 Z3 Steel Blue
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10-26-2012, 10:20 PM	#18
MStar Banned 6 Rep 290 Posts Drives: e92 M3 Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Here and there iTrader: (0)	Deer on a race track..who would have thunk it
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10-26-2012, 10:57 PM	#19
Definitive definitivecars.com 353 Rep 3,833 Posts Drives: Elsa - 2015 F80 M3 - YMB/SS Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: So Cal iTrader: (3) Garage List 2011 E90 M3 [6.66] 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
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10-27-2012, 12:54 AM	#20
Definitive definitivecars.com 353 Rep 3,833 Posts Drives: Elsa - 2015 F80 M3 - YMB/SS Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: So Cal iTrader: (3) Garage List 2011 E90 M3 [6.66] 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
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10-27-2012, 09:24 AM	#22
Car54 Captain 36 Rep 927 Posts Drives: 2014 M-Sport Wagon - EBII Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Lutz, FL iTrader: (1)	Solid choice! I love the soft padding in the AR10 __________________ Craig Brickner Click to Join: BMWCCA # 366493
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