Motorcycle helmet-full face helmet vs. half helmet?

I'm going to Florida on the back of my husband's harley, it's a touring bike. This is only my 2nd time riding and I need some helmet advice. I already have a half helmet, which is what he wears, but I don't feel comfortable with it because I don't think it offers enough protection. He is trying to convince me that I don't want a full face because he says that they are too bulky and will make my face and head sweat and itch. I don't care about the sweating or itching I just want my head and face to be protected! I'm wanting to get a harley helmet. Any advice on which is better-full face or half? Thanks.

Here's something I don't see addressed by you or the other answers: The full face will be a God-send in the event of rain, dust, large insects or road debris. When 'Hubby' is getting pelted in the face, you will be cozy and protected, and have a 'clean' face. Also, if HD does not offer a flip-up(modular?) version of the full-face, you should seriously consider a brand that does, because they are the "bees-knees," as Jack Black would say.

full face helmets do have some ventilation, they are much safer, especially if you like your face and chin. i personally prefer a full face

if you want to feel safer go with a full face but he is right about sweating and itching it can get pretty bad at times depending on the weather.....you can by full face helmets that can swivel the face part up so then you are left with a half face for when you start itching etc...hope this helped

Full - face gives better protection especially to your jaw-line ( lower mandible ) .
:0)

Personally, I use a full face helmet. If you get one with decent vents on it, it isn't too sweaty. I won't lie, it will be hotter than the 1/2 helmet, but I agree, I don't think they provide enough protection. As a kind of compromise, you might look at a modular helmet. Give you most of the protection of a full face helmet, but the ability to flip the front up. I don't know if Harley makes a modular.

There's a big variety out there. The best one is the one you will wear.
I have not seen a full-face helmet, modular or otherwise, at an HD dealer. That does not mean they can't get you one.
There are other options that may make you comfortable.
I wear a 3/4, not much more than your 1/2.
An alternative would be to get a 3/4 or a full (head, not face) and add a faceshield. That's what the snaps on top are for. Look for one that has good venting, it will help with the sweat and itching.

My wife has her own HD helmet. There are only 2 differences between it and a brand name one. #1, it has the plastic Harley Davidson logo, and #2, it cost more. Protection is the same.

I am a long time rider,and i wear a full helmet.it has the new ventilation system and built in com
so we can talk back and forth.or she can listen
to FM OR CD music.we try and put on at least
500 miles first day.
Try on the helmets till you find one that fits and
feels good.shake your head a little to see how it reacts.THE new ones coming out are made
from carbon fiber.( very little weight))
I wish you and you husband A safe RIDE and
enjoy DAYTON.i WON.T MAKE IT THIS YEAR.

I have changed to a full face and I ride a Goldwing. Believe me if you was to go down and not have a full face you are putting you face out in the open. I got the one that the shield can be cracked open for more air if you need it or also you can flip up the whole front I just love it and feel a lot safer. Mine is a HJC CL MAX about 200.00 any where I have found. Protect your face we only have one. I hope I helped and Good luck. Hope the best for you both keep safe out there.

Let me tell you a story -

My first cousin (in-law) was a chopper rider in Southern California in 1960's. He had more than his fair share of traffic accidents, and most of those were single vehicle accidents (self-inflicted). This guy was a self-employed general contractor, and as such pretty level-headed in the ways of the World - except (it seems) when it came to riding motorcycles. In this, he seemed to leave a lot of common sense behind.

When he would tell his stories of his trials and tribulations (accidents) on his chopper, at times he seemed to almost be bragging (that he survived "ok"). And he was one of these: "Helmets are dangerous" and "loud pipes save lives" advocates.

I have always ridden with either a full-coverage (full-face) helmet or nowadays "flip-up" helmet as a motorcyclist. And at one point (when I was a very new rider) listening to these stories of his, I told him: "Boy, I would sure hate to be in one of those accidents like that with only a half, skull-cap type helmet. I mean, what happens if you land on your face or chin?"

And he said: "Oh well, I _ALWAYS_ turn my head (so that the impact always hit the side of the half helmet."鈥︹€?.

To which I said to my first cousin (who is 20 years older): "I don't think I'm good enough to 'guarantee" I would or could 'always' turn my head in time." And even if I could, that's NOT the alignment of my neck that I want when the impact distributes itself to my neck.

Wear a full-coverage helmet! Or at the very LEAST a "flip-up" style of helmet - even though they are only rated as an open face, there is still "something" between the end of your chin and the surface of the road.

Just my 2cents worth..... :-)

for a long ride a full face might be more practical cause of the element , road if u hit face down, wind burn and rain, but might consider ear plugs if the bike is loud cause some helmets seem to hold that exhaust thumpin echo inside. can be irritating after awhile,so earplugs help. ride-on!

Full face is the way to go. I have been using full face helmets since 1974. Never any regret. I have switched to a flip front helmet. Now I do not need to remove glasses to put on or remove helmet. We have been wearing the Arrow Mono Convertibles since 2002. Great helmet. Another reason to wear a flip front full face is the ease of drinking water or your favorite traveling beverage while you are on the bike. We have speakers and microphone in each helmet so we can talk and listen to music or the CB. As mentioned by others, full face is the way to go in cold or rainy weather. As to a Harley helmet, Harley does not make the helmets they sell. Buy what fits is more important.
Good Luck and Happy Traveling
PS, many good helmets have removable pads so a thicker or thinner pad can be used.

A half helmet isn't a helmet, it is a motorcycle hat. Why even bother?

Sorry but I don't have much desire to have my nose sanded off on the pavement or to plant my lower jaw on someone's bumper. Saw someone plant his unprotected face on a rock once, left behind lots of teeth....no thanks.

You get plenty of air with the face-shield up, and full face is quieter so after a long ride your ears aren't buzzing as much. Let you husband be another Harley idiot, sounds like you have alot more sense.

full faced

Last I knew (2005) HJC made Harley helmets. in November I borrowed a HJC modular from my son, and took my Harley 3/4 with me,because it had my head phones and mike. I ride an ultra. I Liked the modular so much I went to the yamaha shop and bought one. You can raise the shield for a little air or the whole front for more air,or for putting it on;it really helps. the vents work real well too. it has a washable silk liner that helps with the ithing. I bought it from the Jap shop for 169.95 with a plastic bar and sheild on the front, the same helmet cost 249.95 at the HD dealer. its on sale now at the jap shop for 89.95

I've been up and down on scooters for 45 years and busted three helmets in the process, but here's a quick scenario that will let you decide if everyone else's advice has any merit.

Simply face a brick wall while standing about two feet away from it. Next, have a couple of your big hairy friends grasp the back of your head and smash your face into the wall three or four times as hard as they can, then give you two or three hard whacks on the top, both sides, and the back of your head with a baseball bat. Now, would you prefer to be wearing no helmet, a half helmet, a 3/4 helmet, or a full-face helmet during this not-so-fun experience?

If you're a pillion (rider behind the driver), you don't have to have a major crash to do some pretty nasty damage to your nose during a hard braking experience. The back of my helmet is dinged all to hell from a passenger's helmet whacking mine when shutting 'er down to avoid some moron cager.

Remember Evel Kinevel who had broken every bone in his body (except his head) at least once while doing hundreds of daredevil motorcycle stunts over many years - and just recently passed away from old age - way too cool.

Check out the new "modular" helmets, hon; the good ones with dual-cam action are as strong as a one-piece full-face, but give you the option of filpping up the chin piece and face shield flush with the helmet top for better visibility and cooler comfort with low-speed riding. Unless you want to pay two prices for an official "Harley" helmet, get any good helmet at a much better price and let your creative juices flow by decorating it with any of the zillions of Harley decals available.

I've been on dirt knobby 20 years, only wear half-face, and
still have all my teeth. I'd wear the full face if in your position
if only to stop your old man from a kiss or nose rub impulse.

There is a full face helmet that doesn't itch or make you sweat and I have one. Its the best I ever had by BELL.

It has a slider on the chin on the outside of the helmet you can flip open to let air in and keep you cool and also a slider above the eyes on the top of the helmet to also let air in to keep you cool. I love it...It also has a shaded visor or tinted visor you can snap on and off for the sun...and since you are not the driver get the dark visor...you'll love it.

I have seen what happens if someone crashes with a half helmet and its pretty gruesome...however the chances of someone falling on their chin are not high..but the risk is there.

A lot of folks focus on helmets and jacket but they forget about the other half of their body (I was guilty of that too at one time) and forget good pants. I finally got some good motorcycle pants with ce armor in them so if I do take a spill now..I have full face helmet, jacket with ce armor, good gloves, high top boots, and pants with ce armor...I'd say if you get all that and pray before (and during, lol ) you ride...your as protected as you can get.

feeling more protected will help you to relax and enjoy the ride better. i also wear a half helmet, but sometimes in rain or cold weather, i wear a full face. enjoy your ride.

you be better off with a full cuz it is more protective and u can be safer but if u chose the half then get it by i suggest a full face

I had a friend who had a crash with a half helmet. They had to pick his sunglasses out of his face in hospital. He nearly lost his sight. Major scares (he was ugly anyway)

Speaks for itself really

as far as safety goes the full face is your best protection and just about all have ventilation to help keep you cool in hot weather I did wear a half helmet until I went down on my Sportster in a turn after that I switched to a full face and don't regret it at all it works so much better in all riding conditions especially in the cold

I've owned and used most styles of helmets, as has my wife. Each has good and bad points. A full coverage helmet IS hotter to wear, it is also heavier, and it can tend to catch the wind and cause your head to "wobble" (for lack of a better word) which will give you a very sore neck on a long ride. Riding with the face shield up is not helpful. It will constantly be hitting the back of your husbands helmet as you guys hit a bump etc, and it catches the wind even more. Plus, if you do not get and EXZACT fit, it will give you a headache as well. A 3/4 helmet with face shield works better, it's not as heavy and witht the face shield down it still gives plenty of protection from road debris and bugs. A 1/2 helmet is lighter, but some people feel that it exposes their lower jaw etc to impact with the road. ( I dissagree, most impact will be on the upper area of the helmet) and it does not have a face shield so GOOD eyewear is a must. Beanie type helmets are almost worthless, but better than no helmet in a crash. Other advantages to 3/4 helmets are that you can install an intercom in them with the boom type mic that comes down in fron of your mouth. A full coverage also alows this, but requires a smaller mic to fit inside the helmet. I find that one helmet does not cover all the bases. We have a matched set of nice full coverage helmets, the kind that the whole front part is hinged and will open fully for ease of putting on and off, as well as having a hinged face plate. We have a set of "Chatter box" type headsets that hook to a unit worn on my belt so we can talk while riding. They work very well for cold weather riding. We have a set of 3/4 helmets with hinged face shields, and the intercom system for my HD Ultra are installed in them. They both plug directly into the bike and we can talk, listen to the am/fm/cd and or the CB radio or any combinations we want. We also have a set of half helmets we wear when riding with our club, they do not have intercoms. But our bike does have 4 great stereo speakers and an auto feature that turns the music or cb radio up or down according to the road or wind noise. And, when I ride alone, Our state allows for an adult to choose not to wear a helmet, and honestly, unless I'm getting on the highway, I don't wear one. I know, but it's my choice.
Hope this helps
Ride safe

My Caberg Justissimo is a modular and can convert to a 3/4.
2 helmets at the price of 1, and more luggage space

You said you are more comfortable in a full face, so wear a full face. it's you who is wearing it not him. And if your worried about your face itching or whatever. get a "convertible" where the face lifts up.

I think you already answered your question.

If you don't feel comfortable with a half helmet then get a full face and don't worry about what other people think.