Thumper Club Forum
Club House => Chatter => Topic started by: mthee on January 29, 2017, 10:37:33 AM
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To try out an open face. And being subjected to sneaky advertising like this, it's hard to resist;
(http://i1305.photobucket.com/albums/s556/gs500ey/430001_20pp_A4_Davida_Catalogue_apr_14_12_zpsiocin5oc.jpg) (http://s1305.photobucket.com/user/gs500ey/media/430001_20pp_A4_Davida_Catalogue_apr_14_12_zpsiocin5oc.jpg.html)
See what I mean? Using a BSA thumper - unfair! ;)
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Wait a few months. Goggles, bike that's happy at B-road speeds, smelling the flowers etc. it all works for me, but you want to be picking bugs out of your teeth, not hail stones.
Andy
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Yeah, I keep thinking of getting an open face every summer but have never got around to it, wind in your hair, flies in your teeth & wasps up your nose! Davida helmets are very nice but expensive, and you'll need to budget for some goggles too......maybe this year.
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My brother wears an open face for about 10 months of the year,He flat refuses to wear a full face,I have an open lid but have turned chicken,I just hate the big bugs especially at night ,I had a mizamadore split my cheek once and that was it for me,I now wear a Bell Bullit (carbon)and it is almost as good as an open lid,The peripheral vision is awesome and you can only just see the chin bar when you are wearing it.For my head shape it is very comfortable, But the only downside is the wind noise (and the price :o)
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I converted to open face a few years ago, and now rarely wear a full face, even at this time of year. Cheap safety glasses from Screwfix do the job. Goggles are a pain in the ........ ;)
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I've always used open face helmets apart for a very brief trial with full face which I found impossibly claustrophobic.
I stuck with Davidas and Mark 8s for years but they're useless when it's raining especially if you wear glasses. I remember once on the way down to Portsmouth on the M3 / M27 in torrential rain when the elastic stretched and the goggles slipped off and I rode the last few miles virtually blind.
Now I use an open face with integral visor (http://www.ghostbikes.com/products/helmets-open-face-helmets/3392-nitro-x512-v-open-face-motorcycle-helmet.html (http://www.ghostbikes.com/products/helmets-open-face-helmets/3392-nitro-x512-v-open-face-motorcycle-helmet.html)) which to me is the best of both worlds.
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Thought about this for an all-in-one;
https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/content_prod/225184
But I think the versatility of one with the 3 press studs to take various visors, is what I'll go for. This one comes in 2 shell sizes, has a drop down sun visor and removable peak;
https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/content_prod/227824
Definitely doing it this year - come on, SteveC#222!
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Last year I posted on here a similar question as the Arai Signet full face was getting slack, smelly and past it after 50K miles and 9 years. :(
Went and tried a Davida at an approved stockist and found the "fitting" a bit 'off', with my head being caught in a vice and with instructions to roll the helmet on and off the head; I then tried to put the glasses on! :-[ Forget it! :( Not designed for glasses or Screwfix safety specs, just ruddy 'designer' goggles that don't work and cost a fortune.
Nobody else local had anything I had read about, but I was offered an HJC Polycarbonate job, with ratchet visor and inbuilt sun visor for £90-00. Tried it on and it fitted well, adjusted the strap, poked the glasses in and they wouldn't slide in! :( But, put the glasses on and then put the lid on nae bother, the padding has a wee cut out for the arms to fit in.
So paid the cash, chucked the "stinker" in the shop skip after giving it a good batter and rode off. A wee touch of misting around the bottom of the visor as it comes down to the chin, so a single click up and the problem was solved. Nice and quiet and very light on the bonce, with excellent all round "supervision"! ;) Did about 4,000km wearing it this year and even just before Xmas, when it was parky, it was a pleasure to wear. You can see and hear so much more, whilst wind roar is reduced, didn't need the plugs or twists of cotton wool. The in-built sun-visor certainly works for me and is better than the duct tape or insulating tape trick across the top of the visor, when riding into low sunlight.
The links are for the 2017 models, that are a wee bit different from mine, but I am pleased that I reverted. Obviously, if you are into track days etc you need a Gold ACU sticker etc.
HJC_open_face_2017_polycarbonate_model (http://www.hjc-helmets.uk.com/open-face/81-is-33-ii.html#/models-niro)
HJC_open_face_2017_kevlar/fibreglass_model (http://www.hjc-helmets.uk.com/open-face/30-fg-jet.html#/models-dukas)
I have also heard that Shark open face are comfortable, but find that they don't fit my head.
Thanks to all those who offered suggestions and I hope this helps.
My regards, Bill
P.S. I have since been told that the only way to get a Davida to fit is to go to the factory or have a fitting at one of the shows, where the factory boys are taking the measurements. ;)
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Thanks for the suggestions. Can anyone say which of these visor types is preferable?
(http://i1305.photobucket.com/albums/s556/gs500ey/shopping%202_zpswmo9a0sj.jpg) (http://s1305.photobucket.com/user/gs500ey/media/shopping%202_zpswmo9a0sj.jpg.html)
(http://i1305.photobucket.com/albums/s556/gs500ey/shopping%201_zpsrosfczze.jpg) (http://s1305.photobucket.com/user/gs500ey/media/shopping%201_zpsrosfczze.jpg.html)
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Morning chaps, I have a davida and personally don't av any problem popping on my heed, must be said tho that I do av a bit of a peanut bonce :D......however after my accident there is now no way I will ever be wearing an open face helmet again. At the time (luckily) I was wearing my arai corsair full face lid, which ultimately saved my bacon and at the very least saved me from serious brain injury. (so the medical people tell me) it's not like I was hooning along at 120plus and riding like a deek, I was doing approximately 50mph when something "let go in my engine" which sent me wide into the path of the Audi Q5 I hit head on, which was also doing approximately 50mph so impact speed of approximately 100 mph.....ouch. :( :( If I'd av had my Davida on I wouldn't av a face or at least half a face left. I realise the ODDS are it won't happen, certainly not to you.....but it does happen and it happened to me. So whichever helmet you wear make sure it's of the VERY BEST quality. I will.
Cheers, Michael
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And yet I was reading a medical paper that suggested that full face helmets have resulted in asphyxiation post accident, and that heavier helmets can cause brain stem injury due to higher momentum in accident situations. Generally full face with be the heavier I suspect.
I recall some additional work on helmets with soft chin bars so that the face was protected from abrasion injury without some of the problems caused by chin bars digging in and twisting the head/helmet.
I wear both types - buts its hard to know which is best.
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Yes like I say Richard, WHICHEVER type you wear, open or full face and I'm certainly NOT stamping my feet and waving my banner telling everyone they shud wear full face. It's your/ones choice. Just please make sure it's of decent quality :) :)....cheers, Michael
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Thanks for the suggestions. Can anyone say which of these visor types is preferable?
I would never go for the bubble type as you can't lift them out of the way if they steam up.
Personal opinion of course......
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Ian and Bill, can you confirm that your main visors retract fully, i.e., past the opening? I'm beginning to see the practicality in having it integral, rather than as an add-on.
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i use bob heath flip up type, (like in bottom photo) just ordered a new one about £30, i find the ones with a half visor give a lot of turbulence and make my eyes water and my beard blow up into my eyes !
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Cheers Spooky. How far does yours flip-up and how stable is it at speed?
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it goes right up, good at speeds up to 80, but over 60 ish if you look over your shoulder it sometimes feels like it will go up by itself, but depends what bike you are on due to varying handlebar heights, in traffic or at lower speed when it is up a gentle `nod` gets it down again easily so you can keep your hands on the bars if you need to,
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LOL Spooky! That's exactly what happens to me with my clip on half visor. I have to wear my safety specs with it :D
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Quick poser (not me!) Everything else being equal, would you go for a white polycarbonate or a black fibreglass composite?
I've always had white helmets as they always stand out more to me. On my meanderings, I've heard this referred to as primary protection. The better shell material is then secondary protection.
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Ian and Bill, can you confirm that your main visors retract fully, i.e., past the opening? I'm beginning to see the practicality in having it integral, rather than as an add-on.
Yes indeed. Although the Nitro is quite cheap, it does seem well made.
I've had a couple now (the first actually had a gold ACU sticker) and found them comfortable, relatively quiet and giving excellent visibility.
But as has been said, fit is vey important and we all have differently shaped heads....
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Aye methee,
Photos taken, just need to transfer from the camera and then post. Probably 3 posts to allow all images to view.
My regards, Bill
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Aye methee,
First of 3 posts of images of HJC open face visor.
My regards, Bill
[attachment deleted by admin]
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Aye methee,
Post number 2.
[attachment deleted by admin]
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Aye methee,
Post 3, final image, with sun visor down.
My regards, Bill
[attachment deleted by admin]
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Very many thanks for your input, Bill. You have a good looking, functional lid. I'm pretty sure I'll be getting similar (perhaps the same) once I can try a few on. I must say, in 34 years of biking, I've never had an open face and am really looking forward to experiencing the unrestricted element they undoubtedly offer.
I've been hinting one might be warmly received this valentine's, but have so far been met with, "That's not a romantic gift." Got my thinking cap on and some work to do!
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Morning Matt, the simple answer to that one is you buy her indoors one for Valentine's Day, she buys you one for Valentine's Day, that way you'll av his n hers matching helmets.....how much more roman ice does the good lady need??😍😍😍😏
Cheers, Michael
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You sly old fox, Michael - this could work, but I might have to sweeten the pot with a new pair of heels for her!
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Oh, look - a mechanism to allow add-on visors to be flipped up;
(http://i1305.photobucket.com/albums/s556/gs500ey/visorflip_zps2upa216p.jpg) (http://s1305.photobucket.com/user/gs500ey/media/visorflip_zps2upa216p.jpg.html)
(http://i1305.photobucket.com/albums/s556/gs500ey/mechanism_zps7za5uyur.jpg) (http://s1305.photobucket.com/user/gs500ey/media/mechanism_zps7za5uyur.jpg.html)
http://www.urbanrider.co.uk/motorcycle/helmets/visors/3-snap-visor-flip-mechanism-clear.html
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Flip-up-Clear-Lens-Shield-Visor-Base-Attachment-for-Open-Face-Helmet-3-snaps/162218362477?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D20140122125356%26meid%3D8021c57c380e48e59c4ee37981fddf25%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D122310000429
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/UV-Flip-Up-Bubble-Visor-For-Open-Face-Scooter-Motorcycl-Retro-Helmet-9-Color-/271166584146
I like the description on this item; "High quality made in Taiwan (Not in China)" :)
I know, I know - not enough toys as a kid...
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How about the Ironman look? I'm pretty sure he'd ride an XBR and mine is red.
(http://i1305.photobucket.com/albums/s556/gs500ey/s-l1600_zpsidxirjok.jpg) (http://s1305.photobucket.com/user/gs500ey/media/s-l1600_zpsidxirjok.jpg.html)
Yes, it's an actual helmet, possibly not road legal, but who's gonna notice?!
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Masei-610-Red-White-Iron-Atomic-Man-Open-Face-Shoei-Motorbike-Motorcycle-Helmets/142149589186?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D20140122125356%26meid%3D493818285bec4ba880796528fe30b30a%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D142149589179
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Iron man! Phah!
You want THIS!!
(https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/35/11/0a/35110a31a3044d37ad79f5be1ad9f1de.jpg)
Genuine helmet ..at a price...http://www.graf-x.co.uk/product/ultimate-predator-helmet/ - not sure if it's road legal though.
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Perfect! Just need the C90 to go with it!
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Afternoon gentleman....I went to a bike show back in October (I think) there was a guy there who made up the predator helmets. The quality of the work was absolutely outstanding, he said they were road legal but then again he was trying To sell them at the time.....but they had to be seen to be believed. Brilliant, I wouldn't want one but brilliant non the less👽👽👽👽🏍🏍
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New helmet arrived yesterday, Nolan N40 with removable chinbar, allowing me to hopefully get the best of both worlds.
(http://i1305.photobucket.com/albums/s556/gs500ey/nolan_n40-full_classic-plus-ncom_metal-white_zpsvchgmbpz.jpg) (http://s1305.photobucket.com/user/gs500ey/media/nolan_n40-full_classic-plus-ncom_metal-white_zpsvchgmbpz.jpg.html)
Great fit and appears well made, with the chin bar locating solidly, but HUGE! Despite being manufactured in 2 shell sizes, it was larger than my current Caberg which is only made in 1. Being a medium, I thought I'd be in the smaller of the 2, but maybe not.
So, back it goes in exchange for an all-out open face Bell, made in 5 shell sizes! Fibreglass too, so better protection. I'll probably get a bubble visor with the flip-up mount and see how I go.
URL=http://s1305.photobucket.com/user/gs500ey/media/bell_custom-500_vintage-white_detail1_zpsgg0esv8a.jpg.html](http://i1305.photobucket.com/albums/s556/gs500ey/bell_custom-500_vintage-white_detail1_zpsgg0esv8a.jpg)[/URL]
I've been having a look around for prescription sunglasses for motorcyclists and wondered if anyone has frame recommendations. I guess wraparounds would be best to reduce wind ingress?
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I've just received a pair of Voltx yellow tint safety glasses which are +1.5 bifocals. Paid about £14 including postage from eBay. I trialed a mates pair recently, and really liked them. The yellow tint makes everything very clear and bright. :)
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i went to buy a new helmet earlier this week, having had a bell rt years ago i tried one of the new open face helmets, horrible ! they have a very hard part that presses on my forehead and doesnt feel like it would ever soften, the shoei was very nice but £300 so i ended up with a Stealth NT200, perfect fit, very comfy and works well i torrential rain, priced anywhere between £45 and £60 (mine was £50)
not from this company but same hat,,,,, http://www.rpamx.co.uk/stealth-helmet-nt200-open-face-poly-silver.html
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I've just received a pair of Voltx yellow tint safety glasses which are +1.5 bifocals. Paid about £14 including postage from eBay. I trialed a mates pair recently, and really liked them. The yellow tint makes everything very clear and bright. :)
Top rating on Amazon for these. Wish I wasn't short sighted, it'd be a lot cheaper!
https://www.amazon.co.uk/voltX-CONSTRUCTOR-BIFOCAL-Reading-certified/dp/B004GE5EFW
i went to buy a new helmet earlier this week, having had a bell rt years ago i tried one of the new open face helmets, horrible ! they have a very hard part that presses on my forehead and doesnt feel like it would ever soften
Was this Bell's Custom 500? If so, it's strange that your RT, it's predecessor, was comfy. My understanding is that Bell have tried to get as low a profile as possible, so maybe the shape and/or padding has changed significantly to allow that? Unless you've changed your head shape since then? :o
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It was a Bell `Riot` with visor, new maybe ?
just off to check my head.....
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Does my head look big in this?!
Nolan N40 without chinguard
(http://i1305.photobucket.com/albums/s556/gs500ey/IMG_20170222_154314_zpsajo1daif.jpg) (http://s1305.photobucket.com/user/gs500ey/media/IMG_20170222_154314_zpsajo1daif.jpg.html)
Bell Custom 500
(http://i1305.photobucket.com/albums/s556/gs500ey/IMG_20170302_163739_zpsbdgysr5y.jpg) (http://s1305.photobucket.com/user/gs500ey/media/IMG_20170302_163739_zpsbdgysr5y.jpg.html)
I've asked the missus, but she's such a wind up merchant, she can't be trusted :-\
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Never mind your head Matt.......that's a damn fine looking....light shade you've got there in your lounge ;) ;)
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i would say yes....sorry !! i tried a nolan and it looked daft, but then if it is comfortable does fashion come into it ( suppose it must do cos i didn`t get one }
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Thanks, guys, I thought as much. I'd have the Bell if it didn't mean peals of laughter and merciless pee taking by the missus every time I go out!
The search goes on. I must say the 3 stud Bell is really the classic open style I'm looking for as I did actually forget I was wearing it briefly (the missus had popped out with the dog)
Here's one to try, advertised as the smallest shell on the market;
http://the-cafe-racer.com/motorcycle-helmets/dmd-vintage-helmet-solid-white#.WLlCoYCnxSB
They even have a shop ( bit hipsterish though ::)) along the coast in Hove.
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I wouldn't be too bothered. I usually wear Rossco500s castoffs ;)
Those DMD helmets do look nice though.
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Will probably be a while before I can get to Hove for a look. Meanwhile, I'm giving the current lot with their fast, free returns a last go;
https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/content_prod/226413
Kevlar fibreglass composite :P in 3 shell sizes
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Am full-face now, but was Spectra openface with Bob Heath flip up bubble visor. Spectra variously badged as Kangol, Top Tek, Cromwell, HISL, deoending who owned the company. Made in Scotland for a while!
Spectra v desirable with car racers...
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Just for pottering about in last year i went for the open face option ,i purchased a Givi HPS XO1D Tourer. Wear it on steady runs out and love it, it's like not wearing a helmet at all compared to a full face one 8)
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Whilst waiting for my latest order to arrive, I discovered the Laser Monaco. It's a flip front with a Transitions photochromic visor - cooowell or will I look like a complete knob with this on, on an XBR?
Are the flip fronts a good compromise between open and full face helmets?
(http://i1305.photobucket.com/albums/s556/gs500ey/LMLE035010S0D_Main-lazer-monaco-window-pure-glass-helmet-white-2_zpsmefhgewc.jpg) (http://s1305.photobucket.com/user/gs500ey/media/LMLE035010S0D_Main-lazer-monaco-window-pure-glass-helmet-white-2_zpsmefhgewc.jpg.html)
(http://i1305.photobucket.com/albums/s556/gs500ey/LMLE035010S0D_Main-lazer-monaco-window-pure-glass-helmet-white-1_zpsdt5j7zxv.jpg) (http://s1305.photobucket.com/user/gs500ey/media/LMLE035010S0D_Main-lazer-monaco-window-pure-glass-helmet-white-1_zpsdt5j7zxv.jpg.html)
https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/content_prod/233089
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I wear a flip front sometimes and whilst its handier to get on and off, and to not have to remove completely in some fuel stations, it shouldn't really be ridden in the open configuration so probably not.
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Unless it is a ROOF boxer 8) which is not only cool but can be ridden both open or closed. I love mine so much I bought a spare and one for my wife - too good an offer to refuse.
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(http://i1305.photobucket.com/albums/s556/gs500ey/roof_boxer_mono-white_zpshulcbkvb.jpg) (http://s1305.photobucket.com/user/gs500ey/media/roof_boxer_mono-white_zpshulcbkvb.jpg.html)
(http://i1305.photobucket.com/albums/s556/gs500ey/Roof_Boxer_V8_Mono-White-Open_rear_quarter_208283_zpsqi0hmspz.jpg) (http://s1305.photobucket.com/user/gs500ey/media/Roof_Boxer_V8_Mono-White-Open_rear_quarter_208283_zpsqi0hmspz.jpg.html)
Yes, cool design, but perhaps a tad too aggressive for the XBR, even given my revised riding under coach SteveC#222 ;D
Couldn't be worse than the Held open face I tried on today - the worst yet for mushroom head!
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Mine kept snapping the plastic tabs that held it closed. Didn't have those red bits though, so maybe they did something after all the warranty claims.
Andy
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A friend of mine has a Roof, But his has a button in the top of the chin piece and no wings on the side,They are a small shell and didn't look big on me when I tried one on, But the one with the wings /ears which I tried was impossible to get the flip bit down and locked...I have a nose and chin like Bruce Forsythe :-[ and it was very claustrophobic ???
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I still have one of the early ROOFs knocking about here. When I wanted a proper open face lid, I just removed the visor and chin piece completely and used it for a few years like that ;)
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Finally! My search is over....
(http://i1305.photobucket.com/albums/s556/gs500ey/IMG_20170310_121207_zpsicq39ac2.jpg) (http://w://s1305.photobucket.com/user/gs500ey/media/IMG_20170310_121207_zpsicq39ac2.jpg.html)
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It's the colour that does it for you Matt..... very fetching 👍👍🤘
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Is pink the new matt black? Discuss ;)
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A 5 star sharp rating for Tim! Having found my helmet, I have colour-matched the bike, naturally. Henceforth known as an XBoohR500 ;D