TRF Forums

Well actually it's ONLY legal to ride with flip up part in the non locked down position if the manufacturer has sated it is....

Some are designed to have the lower front section flipped all the way back over the helmet, some allow the face bar with visor to flip up to the top of the helmet...these are NOT in general supported by the manufacturer to be in a safe configuration to ride with in the up position...

All started off when the police Mcy riders were told not to ride with them open for insurance liability issues firstly and safety issues later...with some riders complaining of neck strain when riding at speed due to the wind drag...and buffeting...well doughhh...

If your manufacturer states it's legal to use in the UK in the open position or with the race bar removed then it should be ok...but carry the instructions with you as police will probably stop you....if the face bar is raised up...

PS my own opinion of seeing the resulting injuries to riders with open face helmets hitting the road at speed is...... Only buy a full face helmet...the face part is designed to protect your face... An open face helmet is NOT... think about it...

Warning following actions will result in injury and or fatality. Do NOT try it...

Just think about what it would be like if you did...

Put a large orange in your hand and scrape it along a brick wall...

Then try the same thing but put your fingers between the orange and the wall and try to scrape through to the orange...

Put the orange in an old helmet and scrape that against the wall.. Note the difference in pain, blood, stinging etc...

Put a large orange in your hand...run forwards and the jump/leap/dive forwards allowing your outstretched hand with the orange in to take the force of your fall..try and get the orange to hit the road surface first....and scrape along the road for the 7-10 inches you will slide...

Then if you feel up to it put the orange in your mouth, tie your hands behind your back and run forwards again..diving/leaping forwards so your face hits the road surface this time...

No...don't want to do that? Well just think of doing it at 15-30-50-60 mph...

So why would anyone really want to wear an open face helmet..

cannot argue with any of that you

great post Andy

Certainly scared the bejesus out of me!!

I am off to get a full enclosure to protect my body from the dangers on the Trail - eg a 4x4

One of the guys on my India trip was ROSPA instructor but only ever used an open face lid. Harley rider!
I watched him fall off in front of me and saw the desperation in trying to keep his face off the ground - scary but he got away with it this time.

Why do a lot of Harley riders wear jeans and a vest and tiny helmets - you can still fall of them.



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Probably the same reason that trail riders don't wear one piece leathers after all they still ride on Tarmac

So is there scope to improve popular full face helmets for trail riding?


More to the point if the TRF represent trailriding then surely manufacturers should be seeking our input on product design?


There's a lot of badly designed kit out there

I've always liked an open-faced lid for trail riding so I can smile at other road users, have a slightly better field of view etc. I appreciate it wouldn't protect me as well in a fall. I was also happy to wear it marshalling enduros for good vision though I had to avoid getting too badly roosted by turning my head. Despite falls I have been lucky to date. I have bought the CRF & my intention has been to get an enduro helmet as I was likely to ride a bit quicker in competition events & the protection would be welcome.

A few Dorset guys use flip fronts, but they usually have more sumptuous linings to get wet & soggy with sweat so haven't appealed to me. Of course, deck them on the ground in the open-faced/trail riding position & you may as well have a trials lid like mine.

Anyway, I won't have to now as I broke my hip riding my push bike to work the other day. When it mends I'll looking after it to avoid a hip replacement for as long as possible by buying a quad & using the lanes to find firewood- in my open-faced helmet, or perhaps a flat cap.

Wet and muddy leathers [FACE SCREAMING IN FEAR]


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All those squashed orange scenarios are missing one important point- our arms are not strapped to the handlebars.
Low speed off`s I would expect a certain degree of "break-falling".
And let`s talk about cyclists, horse-riders who have lost their face?
Yesterday riding from Keswick to Ambleside the cyclists were cruising more than 50mph downhill. They all had open face.
Everyone`s choice- Full face= less enjoyment of riding but safer. Open face= more freedom=more enjoyment but more risk of injury.

What about the poor Oranges harmed in these experiments