Face protection

[robhume]

Not sure if this is the right place for this, if not sorry.

 

I was wondering what face protection is worn when driving on the road with an

aero screen.

A full face would probably be best but are there any other suggestions, eg flying helmet with goggles

or an open face helmet with pull down visor.

[Kingster]

In always wear a full face helmet - even if I just pop out for two mins.

But being a life long biker, I’m used to it and in fact on the one or two occasions I’ve tried without (using goggles instead) - I just hate not wearing one!

 

The majority of us up here in my area tend prefer an aeroscreen, but it’s about 50/50 split for wearing a lid. 
 

The ones who don’t like lids tend to wear beanie hats and always use eye protection - usually proper goggles. 

[robhume]

Thanks Chris, I'm more concerned with a stone burying itself in my head, so tending towards

a helmet of some sort.

I wear glasses, so maybe an open face with a pull down visor might be a good compromise.

[CraigHew]

It basically comes down to what you're comfortable with wearing, clearly there's a safety aspect, as even getting an insect in the forehead at speed can feel like a sniper's bullet.

 

I cant get away with driving mine with a helmet, although i rode a Ducati for years previously.

 

I think on track its different as you dont need to be listening out for usual road sounds, sirens, horns etc etc so a helmet would be easier for me.

 

Eye protection however is a must...

 

Edit: i wear specs so my eye protection is a pair of decent ski goggles to accommodate my glasses underneath.

[SXRORY]

Do not forget ears if your not wearing a lid. Tinnitus is a real thing. After years of misspent youth mine are not the best. I found out quickly the car gave me ear problems.

So when I'm sans lid in the summer it's foam ear plugs and Howard eight slimline ear defenders. I must look like an absolute plum but it's all good fun.

 

Whether I put the helmet on just depend on how fast I'll be going and traffic. The more there is, more chance of a helmet.

 

[Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman)]

Years of an aeroscreened XE powered Westfield, on Jenvey SF’s and with a straight cut gearbox seriously b*****red up my hearing. I did always wear a helmet, but it was only when I started wearing ear plugs under the helmet that I stopped the deterioration.

[BenD]

i always wear ear plugs. after being in engineering for a fair few years there the fist things that i do when i get to work. so my advice as above if your wearing a helmet put some ear plugs in. and dont skimp on the quality. no point spending 400 quid on a lid to to protect your head if your going to be deaf for the sake of a few quid on a decent set of plugs

[robhume]

Good point, hadn't thought about earplugs and wasn't a problem doing a hill climb or sprint but then they don't last very long.

So I will need to take earplugs into account.

 

Thanks for the advice

 

[Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman)]

In the pre earplug days, I used to wonder why I never enjoyed runs longer than thirty or forty minutes, that much. I’d get home with mild to raging head aches, verging on full-on migraines in the worst cases, that would take an hour or two to pass.
 

It stopped the moment I started using ear plugs.

[Rossins]

If you don’t fancy wearing a lid. I sometimes (in the summer) wear a paint ball mask - this gives good eye & face protection and always ear plugs. 

[Tim Reid]

Sorry to go slightly off topic but there is a captive group here... What ear plugs are recommended?

 

Anything such as the generic yellow foam plugs or custom moulded fancy things?

[Matt_S]

There’s these if you want to go all fancy.

 

https://www.censdigital.com/product/product-category/proflex-passive/

 

There more comfortable than standard earplugs which can ache after a while. 

[BigSkyBrad]

Thirty years motorcycling, I've worn earplugs from the very start. On the odd occasion I've nipped to the shop without them is deafening, and long trips with quality ones properly inserted can still cause a ringing. When we bought the Westfield, it became quickly apparent on the drive home that earplugs will be worn on every drive - if it's not the exhaust, it's the wind noise, and with the hood on it seems to make the noises boom inside.

About ten years ago missus had a set of custom-fit earplugs made because her lug holes are too small for compression earplugs, and swears by their comfort.

 

As an aside, I've never worn a wedding ring in daily life, after seeing too many graphic pictures of ring fingers ripped off in safety briefings and videos when I was in the Airforce. (google 'ring finger de-gloving' - but not while you're eating!). Something to think about when you're spannering or using power-tools on your car.

[Si.Dalziel]

I decided to go full lid when I changed mid build to an aeroscreen. I also have a built in Bluetooth system. 
 

I haven’t driven much yet but at motorway speeds it was quiet enough in the lid, so not sure if I need plugs yet. I had no problems hearing the sat nav anyway.

[Paul T]

I don’t have an aeroscreen but even with a windscreen you will not do your hearing any favours in cars like ours, esp on long runs
 

I use these for shooting, they are really good and can wear all day, too quiet for driving though IMO

 

Decibullz - Custom Molded Earplugs, 31dB https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01N129AQ8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_hQPREbWDMWD7E

 

In the Westy I use these:

Hear Pro Plugs

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/162627146587
 

Really comfy again, cheap and easy to pop in your pocket when stopping