Modular vs. 3/4

[HazelwoodK12]

Hello all!

Next season will be my wife's first time EVER riding on a motorcycle. I have yet to get her to actually try on any helmets, so once that happens this question may be invalid, but for now I'll ask it anyway.

I have been looking at modular helmets, because my assumption is that a modular would be safer than a 3/4 (specifically looking at the Arai XC). A full face is out of the question at this point, because my wife would feel far to trapped to enjoy anything going on outside of her helmet.

Personally I look at a modular helmet (when compared to a full face), and get the feeling that the chin bar would simply pop right off in a crash, and if that were the case then would the Arai XC be just as safe, but let my wife not feel trapped?... this is completely based on opinion, my bias for full face, and not on any actual facts.

After some more research, I found that DOT does not even test chin bar strength on modular helmets, and SNELL has started checking, and gives a -P or -NP for protective, or not protective. But even in these cases, the protective is still not as good as a full face.

So at this point, I'm still assuming that a modular would be safer than a 3/4, but wanted to see if any of you have found any good information for either side of the argument?

End game, I want to gear up my wife, as safely as possible, while still allowing her to not feel trapped.

I do not feel I have thoroughly researched this topic yet, so if you find contradicting information to anything I said above, I would LOVE to see! Thanks in advance for any insight you may have.

 

[sinchome]

Steve:

I'm sure you've seen all of the various videos about motorcycle helmet safety on YouTube.  And I'm the last one to be qualified to answer your question.

But I rode for years with a 3/4 helmet thinking that was fine (want to feel the breeze, see better, etc., etc.), until I saw a series of photos of what a helmet looks like after a crash.  And its your chin that takes the brunt of things.  I switched to a modular immediately and will never go back to anything less.  Your question about checking the moving portion is a good one.  I probably should be wearing a full-face, but I can't get by the hassle of dealing with my glasses!

But if the option is 3/4 or modular..... I vote modular.

I'm sure that others in the club will weigh in on this, as its a great question!

[HazelwoodK12]

Wouldn't happen to remember where you saw those pics would you John? I've been looking for just that, but perhaps I'm using the wrong key words...

[sinchome]

Steve:

If you check out Google images..... 'motorcycle helmet after crash'.... you'll see a bunch of examples.  All of them show the shield severely scraped as well as the chin portion.  The shield on a 3/4 helmet would just break away under the impact, thus the benefit of modular or full-face.
I will e-mail you several image examples.

[HazelwoodK12]

Thanks john, that's just what I was looking for!

[Tom R1200 GSA]

Steve ....  I have personally witnessed events where there has been significant helmet damage and the riders have walked away.  All were wearing full gear and modular helmets.  The flip helmet works great and if you wear glasses they are a blessing.

[HazelwoodK12]

Thanks Tom, that's exactly the type on input I was looking for.

To add to your first hand info Tom, I have done some more research on the topic. I am sure that I will be purchasing either a modular, or a full face depending on what my wife finds more comfortable, but I did uncover some interesting facts.

While it's pretty easy to prove that modular helmets are safer than 3/4, modular helmet chin bars are not tested against the DOT or SNELL full face standards. So while you are getting a helmet that meets the requirements, you are basically getting a helmet that has been tested the same as a 3/4, but with some bonus protection. Again this is not to say that they aren't very safe, just something interesting I found. Thought I would pass that along.

[Butch]

I have been riding since 2008 and have two helmets a Shoei full face and a Nolan flip up.  I have to say I like both but for different reasons.  I rode to Oregon and then to Hyder Alaska using the Shoei, this trip took about four weeks.
The Shoei was good because:  Full face great protection both from a crash but really good at fending off those big brown bugs.  Noise was very reduced.  I used a tinted face shield the whole time. The more I used the helmet the fit seemed better. The rain stayed out.
Down side, was I had to figure a good way to get my glasses on. My ears, not happy taking the helmet on and off. I had to carry a spare clear face shield in my gear "never used it on the trip".

The Nolan was good because: Has the flip up chin guard.  Has in internal drop down sun protector. The helmet is comfortable and I can get my glasses on easily. I can flip up the chin guard and drink my Gatoraid without having to remove the helmet Down side: this helmet is noisy compared to the Shoei. I have to use ear plugs in order to stay comfortable.  Do not leave your helmet on with the chin guard up and go into your bank.  The guard really does not like it one bit.

I like both helmets.  Each has its function.  I stopped in a cafe in a small town two summers ago and a fellow asked me about my helmet, it was the Shoei.  He wanted to know how much I paid for it. I shared that with him and he was taken back a little with the price.   His wife and child were sitting at a nearby table.  I told him to buy the best helmet he could afford with the most protection, think about the family. If your wearing a minimum coverage cheap helmet and you go down it is too late to get a better helmet before touch down.

 Now that I have had the opportunity to use both a full face and a flip up type. For my next Helmet I am leaning again to a full face. 
So many cool helmets to pick.