hi guys, i'm looking at getting a full face helmet for once i get my bike up and running. been looking at the hjc's. Just wondering what the best material would be? i see they have polycarbonate and fiberglass. the fiberglass seem to be more expensive, but i would have though polycarbonate would be stronger... any input would be great. thanks!
Helmet material Question
- Thread starter mdavies
- Start date
MNBikerPup
Newbie Rider into all motorcycles.
Weight is another thing to consider as well. Do material research and how each material performs and then compare that to the type riding you plan on doing the most of. If you are doing more in town 30-50mph, look at materials for that. (also consider in town driving=more bike separation crashes) Or are you riding more highway/track (more slide type crashes with possible bike separation). But, ultimately, needs to stay on head, protect face and eyes. 
And cost is a factor as well.
And cost is a factor as well.MNBikerPup
Newbie Rider into all motorcycles.
Another thing to look at is a modular helmet. Benefits of the full face with the convenience of an open face helmet.
Our local Honda shop has a poly helmet and a composite helmet on display side by side. Both were "road tested to destruction".
Both seemed to protect from abrasion well. But the poly helmet split where the main impact was. Both sides of the split were fairly flexible, i.e. you could move the gap open with thumb pressure.
The composite helmet had a spot of granulated resin where the main impact was, but it was still covered with a web of fibers several layers thick. and the area next to the "hole" was still firm.
The owner said the two impacts were with the same rider at approximately the same speed. So the impacts should have been similar. Obviously the rider survived both impacts if he was still working there. But I am putting my money on the composite in case of a second impact near the first.
You pays your money, and you takes your chances. ; )
Both seemed to protect from abrasion well. But the poly helmet split where the main impact was. Both sides of the split were fairly flexible, i.e. you could move the gap open with thumb pressure.
The composite helmet had a spot of granulated resin where the main impact was, but it was still covered with a web of fibers several layers thick. and the area next to the "hole" was still firm.
The owner said the two impacts were with the same rider at approximately the same speed. So the impacts should have been similar. Obviously the rider survived both impacts if he was still working there. But I am putting my money on the composite in case of a second impact near the first.
You pays your money, and you takes your chances. ; )
Many years ago when I was racing in Ireland polycarbonate helmets were banned because they tended to split on impact. One racer was killed when his helmet split in a crash. That was th main reason they were banned. Whether poly helmets have improved or not I don't know but given the choice I'll take a glass helmet over a poly.
