Open face shield necessary or not?

[Motörhead]

Sometimes it takes a long ride to find something out and I haven't done so yet on the GL1200. With the standard size windshield up to just below eye level is a flip shield on an open face needed or will goggles/sunglasses do after hours on the road? This is my open face.

 

[bunsteve]

When my 750 got mad and threw me off (40 years ago!) I was wearing an open face helmet with a flat face shield. If I had not had a face shield, the front two inches of my face would have been on the roadway. I never tell anyone they have to wear good protection - it's your head. I still won't ride without a good helmet, even though the one I have now isn't the most comfortable. YMMV.

 

[pidjones]

For comfort (and legal in Tennessee), the DOT 3/4 with impact-rated sunglasses or goggles should do fine. For safety, I go with full or modular. I may have a weak chin, but I'd rather not loose it.

 

[Motörhead]

Thanks all for the input. TBH this is my first full dresser, in the past I've worn a full face and have wondered about the sense of having less obstruction with a 3/4 or even half helmet. The pictured helmet was a race collectable project and have worn it just a few times going around the block, to the store, etc

 

[kerryb]

I wear a 3/4 helmet w/o the faceshield until I get on the 65mph and up roads. Windshield is cut down to nose level on all my bikes. I have found the honda fairing to be better (lower turbulence) than the vetter with similar windshield.

 

[mark quade]

Have ridden 20 plus years or 40,000 miles, 30,000 of these on cross country interstate, with a half helmet on my '86 GW1200 which had an aftermarket windshield shield on it when I bought it back about 1992. With my set up I am looking mostly all the time thru an area about 2 inches below top of my windshield. I have a zip on flex plastic pad area on helmet lower part for reducing wind noise level a bit and warming my ears in cool weather. Love the non obstruction viewing and situation awareness the half helmet provides, but I do agree , it's not as safe as a full helmet with face mask. Maybe should upgrade my half to something safer.

 

[joedrum]

Hmmm I where full face helmet ..I will protect my head completely ...lol I also modded in a bigger ram air type deal ...for when face is totally in use ..head first then maybe other stuff ..but always for me protect the head completely ..