Enough! I have got to speak out here. But let me say up front, this is NOT an anti-helmet rant, it is a simple call for honesty.
I just finished reading a new book by Fred Rau, Motorcycle Touring Bible, and near the end he discusses helmets. In the discussion, Rau repeats the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) mantra that I've heard so many times before, "Truth: A multitude of scientific tests have proven that a quality motorcycle helmet not only doesn't reduce your peripheral vision . . ."
Stop right there! That claim is blatantly false. I don't care what 10,000 "scientific tests" say, I know that when I put on my helmet--any full-face helmet I've ever owned--I can look straight ahead and see, off to the sides, the edges of the view area. If I can see the helmet to my left and right, isn't it pretty dang obvious that I would see more of whatever is outside the helmet if the helmet were not there BLOCKING MY VIEW.
And that's with looking straight forward. When I'm riding and I turn my head to check the lane next to me, I also roll my eyes in that direction. With the helmet on I then see even more of the inside of my helmet, and that's just that much more of the road that I can't see.
It varies by riding position. It's not an issue on my CB750, but on my Concours, with a slight forward reach to the bars, I can just turn my head and see everything clearly if I'm not wearing a helmet. To get that same range of view when wearing a helmet, I have to let go of the grip and rotate my upper body in that direction in order to get a clear view.
Don't try to tell me the helmet does not impair my vision! It does!
I am not suggesting that you not wear a helmet. All I want here is honesty. I want the MSF to quit saying "helmets do not reduce your peripheral vision" and say something honest, such as "helmets do reduce your peripheral vision a small amount but the degree of protection you gain in the bargain is worth it."
Here's the bottom line. I don't care how many times you tell me something, if I can see beyond a shadow of a doubt that what you're telling me, again and again, is false, I'm not going to "change my mind" and believe something I know is false. I'm going to question why you're lying to me and wonder what else you might be lying about. Is that truly what the MSF wants?
Comments
It certainly brings into question the MSF's credibility.
Ken, I just tried on my full face helmets from Sparx, HJC, Vega and SHOEI, and found that all four provided absolutely *no* interference with my peripheral vision. Perhaps specific details about the helmets you've had trouble with would be useful.
Also, at the extreme limits of looking left or right without moving my head, although the interior of the helmet is almost visible (on the extreme margin of my field of vision), when looking left or ride (e.g., prior to changing lanes) I generally rotate my entire head -- not only does this ensure a 100% unobstructed view of the road, but the movement also catches the eye of nearby drivers, giving them a heads-up (in addition to my turn-signal) that I'm about to change lanes.
How about a link to the "research" cited by the MSF so we can read for ourselves and decide whether the research accurately reflects our personal experiences?
Mark, thanks for the feedback. And I'm glad you don't suffer the same issues I do.
One thing I think may come into play is the range of an individual's peripheral vision. I've known for many years that my peripheral vision is broader than many people's. Maybe mine is really extreme. But that comes back to rewording to say that "helmets *may* reduce your peripheral vision a small amount . . ." I'm just objecting to the blanket statement that they categorically do not block your vision.
I'll look for the MSF info but I'm not sure I'll find it. I just know that in the BRC and ERC courses I've taken, the MSF-trained instructors have made the categorical statement, and that's what they're told to say. As did Fred Rau in Motorcycle Touring Bible.
Oh, also, I've worn Bieffe helmets for a long time, though my current one is an HJC.
The range of vision probably varies by the size of the visor, right?
Patty--I'm not sure about size of visor so much, unless that means at the same time, the size of the opening in the helmet. Then, absolutely. So for that oval to be wider would solve the peripheral vision issue. What I wonder is whether there are structural issues with the strength of the shell if the oval is widened beyond a certain point.
Hallelujah - I'll say a big amen to that, brother Ken.
bull shit on your bull shit
You've just got to love courageous, outspoken people who aren't afraid to sign their name. Unlike Anonymous, above.
I just got a ticket from a motorcycle cop for running stop sign. I stopped way before and his view was blocked from cars and the helmet.I took pics after wards and the cop started to harrass me saying he was going to get me for something else. I am disabled and was on my way to get a psa test. I can see the stop sign from my house. The pictures show cars in his view and yhey are the same color as my car,I got a pic of him too.
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