Modular is what I wear in Texas and it gets to 104º and more every summer. Last year I tried a half helmet and it has spoiled me. So don't try one.

 

I have to agree with a half helmet during really hot weather, but only for around town. This guy has done a fair bit of research and found some good options - here is the article he wrote http://bluetoothmotorcyclehelmet.org/open-face-motorcycle-options-best-choose/

I wear a half helmet sometimes, but have a Nolan with flip up for country rides. I really don't like full face, I know I shouldn't.

LB

 

I'd recommend one that's white. Those are a lot cooler than the black ones.

 

I have to agree with the white colour, it is amazing the difference it can make.

Actually I am thinking of getting a Hi-Vis Dayglow helmet next. Had a mate who wore one a few years back, first I thought it looked a bit dorky. But now, as I get older, I realize that it is not a bad choice after all. Makes a big statement with the other riders.

LB

 

To the best of my recollection, the Hurt study found that 70% of head injures are to the facial area.
When I lived in Phoenix, I wore a full face helmet with top and mouth vents, works pretty good. You can open the shield at stop lights for some air.

Above about 110 degrees nothing works. Kinda like a chill factor in reverse.

 

SamiFast, That's what I heard too, so either modular or full. This way something always protects my face when I'm in move. I'm a beginner, so I want the best protection I can afford. But I heard the heat exhaustion is bad too.

 

I don't trust a modular the way I do a 'real' full face helmet so.....

Heat exhaustion will sneak up on you so watch out for that.

 

I'm still amazed at how fast I got real thirsty riding the first 80 degree day we had here. Mesh jacket felt great but man I wanted a cold one quick.

When I was taking the rider course I got heat dizzy just standing around on that training tarmac all day in late July. Any breeze at all was nice but there weren't enough beverages to keep up. I'd like to blame that for failing the test the first time but it sure didn't help.

 

Drink plenty, and before you feel thirsty.

 

I went today to Cycle Gear and found the AGV K3 SV. Feels good, even with my glasses on.
What you guys think?

 

When I bought my flip-up helmet I thought I've made the deal of my life. Unfortunately I didn't. If it's hot outside I used to open my visor up one click, and it worked fine. On this one if I do like that, after 20mph my visor starts vibrating and with the speed it gets worse.

I would recommend you ride with the helmet you want to buy if there is a possibility. I think if you insist they will let you.

 

Yeah, I forgot to mention my helmets are all white too. If in a pinch and the one I liked didn't come in white(it happens) then what most call silver(gray) would be my next choice just because of the difference in heat while wearing them. I've had silver and it's not nearly as bad heat wise over black. Black just plain gets hot.

 

Actually there way an episode in mythbusters they measured the temperarure in two identical cars a black and a white one.

It came out that the temp in the interior of the cars were pretty muvh the same. So white or black helmet, no big diference in temperature.

 

Yes, when you think about all the insulation inside the helmet, it's no surprise that the interior temp would be about the same no matter the color.

But, sit a white helmet and a black one out in the sun. White shell warm, black Hot. A person would think a white helmet would resist 'heat aging' better.
I think I just made up a new term, Heat Aging. :biggrin:

 

I rode through Vegas last September at about 110ºF and had no trouble but I wear a white 3/4 helmet.

 

If I don't forget, I'll do an experiment and measure the temperature inside white and black helmets. There is a laser thermometer at work.

 

It will need to be the same brand and model helmet sitting on the same surface. Just the color difference. Anything else is inconclusive.

 

Good idea. That should be interesting.

 

"Gt-air" is all if have to say

 

In brutal heat I make sure to wet my hair (what's left) and make sure all vents on the helmet are open. Works surprisingly well but, shall we say, it amplifies helmet hair by a factor of 10.

 

Dods, if you do that check the temp inside the helmet as well as the outside. Please, I'm really curious. 1/2 or 3/4 silver is what I normally wear.

 

White helmet makes sense to deflect the light instead of absorbing it. I would choose those slightly larger on the inside so more space for air to circulate.

 

I should have time to test it today. It is supposed to be 71 and sunny.

 

I don't think you'll see any difference until you get into the 90º area but I could be wrong.

 

I can see that the difference inside two cars would not be as great. Most of the heat energy put into the car would be through the glass.

In a helmet that would be a different story, I think.

Love to hear how it comes out.

I am no helmet expert, but I can tell you that a windshield screws up the ventilation on a helmet. But in the open air on a sunny day, a full face can almost feel cooler than no helmet. Less sunburn at any rate...

 

I am measuring the inside of the lining with a laser thermometer. After 1 minute, they are already 1.5 degrees different. (Black is hotter than white) I'll leave them sit for a while and retest.

 

There is about 1 degree difference inside the helmets after sitting in the sun for 15 minutes.

The black one is almost 50 degrees hotter on the outside of the shell, however.

 

Interesting. A 1º difference is nothing. But the felt heat from the outside must be playing head games with people. I'd like to see what it would be like on a 90º sunny day though.

 

Hotter temperatures may make a bigger difference. The styrofoam inner shell seems to insulate the inside pretty well. The white helmet shell stayed the same as the outside temperature, about 70 degrees, while the black helmet got to 120 degrees pretty quickly.