Are Open Face Motorcycle Helmets Safe (The Benefits & Risks)

According to research, over 80% of the people who die from motorcycle accidents would have survived if they had been wearing a helmet. Wearing a helmet is one of the best ways to protect yourself while riding a motorcycle. Does your open-faced helmet offer as much protection as a full-faced helmet?

In this article, we answer the question: are open-face motorcycle helmets safe? We explore what an open-face helmet is, how safe it is, and how to pick a motorcycle helmet. By the end, you will have a better understanding of whether or not an open-face helmet is the right choice for you.

What This Article Covers:

What Is an Open Face Motorcycle Helmet?

An open-face motorcycle helmet doesn’t entirely cover your face. This leaves the rider's face exposed to the elements. Open-face helmets typically have a sun visor to protect your eyes from the sun.

Most riders choose to wear sunglasses or goggles with an open-face helmet to protect their eyes from debris.

What Are the Benefits of Open-Face Helmets?

Open-face helmets come with a plethora of benefits, including:

Less Claustrophobic

Open-face helmets don’t cover the entire face, which can make them feel less claustrophobic than full-face helmets. Claustrophobia can make your ride more stressful and uncomfortable. This can lead to tension that may impact your focus and increase your risk of an accident.

If you have claustrophobia, you may feel anxious or even panicked when wearing a full-face helmet.

Better Visibility and Peripheral Vision

Peripheral vision is the area of your vision that’s outside of your direct line of sight. Open-face helmets offer you better peripheral vision than full-face helmets. This is because open-face helmets don’t have a large visor that can obstruct your view. Therefore, riders can see more of their surroundings, which can be helpful when riding in traffic or looking for hazards on the road.

More Ventilated

open face motorcycle helmet is safe

These helmets also offer better ventilation than full-face helmets. This is because of the open space in the front of the helmet that lets in a large volume of air. The increased airflow can help to keep the rider's head cool, even on hot days.

Some helmets have additional vents that can be opened or closed, depending on the rider's needs. These vents help to regulate the amount of airflow and keep the rider's head cool.

The airflow in open-face helmets also makes them ideal for rainy weather since the rider's face is less likely to get foggy.

Comfortable

The best open-face helmets such as LS2 OF562 Airflow-L Helmet - White from Moto1 are also incredibly comfortable. This is because they’re lightweight and have padding that conforms to the shape of your head. The padding absorbs shocks and protects your head in the event of an accident. They’re also made to the highest motorcycle helmet standards.

They Make Communication Easier

When researching motorcycle helmets, you often look for important information such as why motorcycle helmets expire or why are motorcycle helmets so expensive. But do you take time to consider if it’s possible to communicate, especially when riding with friends?

Open-face helmets don’t have a face shield that covers the mouth. This means riders can communicate more easily with each other. If you love riding in groups, an open-face helmet may be the best choice for you.

Wide Angle of Sight

“Angle of sight” is a term that refers to the field of view that a rider has. Open-face helmets have a wide angle of sight, which means that riders have more visibility. This is important for spotting potential hazards on the road.

How Safe Are Open-Face Helmets?

Now that we have some background information about open-face helmets, let's dive into the main question at hand. Are open-face helmets safe?

The answer to this question is, unfortunately, not as black and white as we would like it to be. While there are many benefits of wearing open-face helmets, there are some dangers that come with them.

To understand the full scope of this question, let’s quickly analyze the Hurt Report, a 400-page study considered to be the most comprehensive study of motorcycle accidents ever conducted in the United States.

which open face motorcycle helmet is safe

Chin Bar

According to the report, the left chin bar absorbs 19.4% of helmet damage during an accident, while the right one absorbs 15.2%. This means that in total, the chin bar absorbs 34.6% of the damage.

While this may seem like a small number, it’s important to remember that the chin bar is only a small part of the helmet. The rest of the helmet, including the visor, sides, and back, absorb the remaining two-thirds of the damage.

Here’s the bad news - open-face helmets don't have a chin bar. This means that they don’t offer the same level of protection as full-face helmets.

In fact, according to the Hurt Report, riders who wore open-face helmets were more likely to suffer facial injuries in an accident than those wearing full-face helmets.

But don't forget there’s still 65.4% of the helmet left to protect you. Therefore, it doesn't mean that you’re automatically going to suffer from a facial injury if you wear an open-face helmet.

There are many factors that contribute to the safety of a motorcycle helmet, including the type of material, the thickness of the foam, and the design of the helmet. Also, most modern open-face helmets come with face shields that can be lowered all the way to the chin, providing an extra layer of protection in lighter impacts.

Data Considerations

Even though this data is from the United States, it provides a good general idea of the dangers of open-face helmets. In New Zealand, tens of people die while thousands are injured in motorcycle accidents every year.

Data from the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) shows that young drivers and motorcycle riders make up a third of all deaths on New Zealand roads. This means you need to be extra careful when choosing a helmet. Whether it's an open-faced or full-faced helmet, make sure it meets the safety standards.

which open face motorcycle helmets are safe

Foreign Particles

While ventilation is important for keeping cool while riding, it also allows more air particles to enter the helmet. These particles can include things like dust, dirt, and even insects. They can become trapped between the helmet and your face, which can cause irritation or even injury.

Additionally, if you're riding in an area with a lot of pollen or other airborne particles, they can enter your eyes and mouth, causing allergies or respiratory problems.

Modern open-face helmets are designed with vents that allow air to flow in and out while keeping most particles out. However, the chin area is still left exposed. If you're riding in an area with a lot of dust or other particles in the air, it's important to wear a face mask or scarf to protect your lungs and eyes.

Does This Mean Open Face Helmets Are Unsafe?

No, open-face helmets are not necessarily unsafe. It’s only that they offer less protection than full-face helmets. If you choose to wear an open-face helmet, be sure to take extra precautions to protect your eyes, face, and lungs.

Also, it’s worth noting that thanks to modern technology, some open-face helmets now come equipped with revolutionary safety features that offer the rider extra protection. These include:

EQRS: Emergency Quick Release System that allows the helmet to be removed quickly in the event of an accident
Facial Contour System: A series of pads that conform to the rider's face, providing a snug fit and extra protection
ABS Shells: These are made from a lightweight yet strong material that helps to protect the rider's head in the event of a crash.
Polystyrene shock-absorbing lining: Polystyrene is a material that is designed to absorb impact, helping to protect the rider's head in the event of a crash.

These safety features are just a few of the many now available on modern open-face helmets. When choosing a helmet, be sure to consider all of the safety features that are available and choose one that offers the level of protection that you feel comfortable with.

is openface motorcycle helmet safe

Are MIPS Open-Face Helmets Safe?

Are MIPS bike helmets safer? This is a question that’s still being debated by experts. Some argue that the MIPS system offers an extra layer of protection in the event of a crash, while others argue that the system hasn’t been proven to be effective.

MIPS (Multi-directional Impact Protection System) is a system that’s designed to reduce the amount of rotational force exerted on the head and neck in the event of a crash.

The system works by placing a low-friction layer between the helmet and the head, which allows the helmet to rotate on impact. This reduces the amount of rotational force exerted on the brain and, as a result, can help to reduce the risk of serious injury.

There’s still much debate surrounding the MIPS system and whether or not it’s effective. However, since you want to err on the side of caution, it might be worth considering a helmet that is equipped with the MIPS system.

Final Thoughts

When shopping for an open-face helmet, consider all of the safety features outlined in this article. Choose a helmet that offers the level of protection that you feel comfortable with and always ride safely.

Remember, even the safest helmet can’t protect you if you don’t ride safely. Follow all traffic laws, wear proper protective gear, and never ride under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

By following these simple guidelines, you ensure you have a safe and enjoyable riding experience.

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Are Open Face Motorcycle Helmets Safe