Is wearing a full face helmet on a cruising bike really, really lame?

I was considering buying a full faced helmet even though I'll be riding a cruising bike.

In a true bikers opinion, is that considered stupid? It's just that I'm still new and if I get in an accident or make a bad move, I don't want to shred my face up.

As a person that has put well over 100,000 miles on bikes and has been riding over 30 years, I do not believe a full-face helmet is lame- unless you are gong to wear that helmet and then not bother wearing pants that cover your legs and boots that cover your ankles.

While I don't wear a full-face helmet unless I'm riding dirt, I do know that my half helmet will do me absolutely no good if I actually go sliding off the side of my bike. It's the jaw area that gets hit if you are going to land on your head. (Fell off more than a few dirt bikes. It's called eating dirt for a reason). No half-helmet is SNELL approved. SNELL is a higher standard. But if your 'full-face' helmet is a flip-up, it is actually a 3/4 helmet, since the flip-top can come off the helmet on impact. A true full-face helmet is solid in front.

So- if you are going for safety- don't be a weinee. Your legs,and feet will be hit by debris. Keep them covered. I've fallen or thrown myself off a road bike or two. I landed on my arms, legs, or butt- never once on my head. I may go without my helmet, but my boots, jeans, and gloves are on- all the time.

Unfortunately, there is not going to be one "true bikers opinion" there are many different schools of thought on this one. In this biker's opinion, it is not at all lame. The number one rule of helmets is protection and that which you have more of will give you more protection. I mean I wear a full face on a cruiser and am not bothered by it at all. The way I see it is this: I have to wear a helmet regardless, and even if it wasn't required, I still would. I mean, shorties and 3/4 styles have their own benefit, but in the instance that I go flying into the back of a car in front of me, I would much rather the helmet hit first than my mouth or chin! Also - GO BY WHAT YOU want as far as protection - not what others think or say.

When I started riding I wore a full face helmet all the time. After about the first year of riding I tried riding without and I enjoyed riding much more without the helmet. I ride a cruiser bike but I don't wear a helmet because I care what others think, I don't wear one because I find the riding experience more enjoyable. If you feel better riding with a full face, do it. Don't base a decision on whether others will think it is lame or cool. Motorcyclist really don't care what others think in the first place. If we did, we'd have paid attention to all those that say they're death machines and a lot of bikers out there wouldn't be riding at all. Ride your own ride.

I am very glad to hear the opinions stated here. As a person that is coming from a long racing career into the cruiser world I too felt that I was somehow "breaking the rules" buy wearing a full face on my Harley. While I am not the kind of person to give a good sh*t what anyone else thinks, I do still feel a bit odd when I do a group ride and I'm the only rider out of a couple hundred wearing a full face. Although the cruiser riders here are supportive of wearing one you have to admit we are definitely a minority. Still trying to figure that one out.

I wear one. Im not riding a bike to have an image or because I give a darn what anyone else thinks. In my opinion its dumb not to take advantage of as much protection as you can, but thats my opinion and all are entitled to do asa the wish. Wear your full face helmet and tell anyone who doesnt like it to worry about their own head and you wil lworry about yours.

One of the greatest things about motorcycles and the people who ride them: it's all what we want (unless you live in a lid law state).
You can ride what you like, you can wear what you like.
More people suggest a full-face than ever before. For all kinds of bikes.
I usually go without. I usually wear a short one when I do wear one.
I still have a full-face (never threw it out).

Lame is what someone else might think.
Me worry about someone else's opinion?
Not likely.

I see quite a few great answers here already, and I agree with them. I'm not really answering it again, I just wanted to tell you that you're too old to even freakin worry about what anyone else considers "lame"

Lame is what you'd be if you smacked your head on the sidewalk without a good helmet. Screw anyone else's opinion. In high school, everyone thought I was "lame" because I didn't smoke or drink or do anything. I didn't even GO to parties. Now they all wish they'd had my discipline.

A "true biker" is a myth. People who try to dress in the idiot "biker uniform" (you know what I mean) are just fitting into a group, just like Goth kids. Followers, all of them.

Lead.

no its not lame it sure beats getting a wasp hitting you going 55 miles per hour ,they can just about blind you if they hit right,i know i got a scar on my cheek from this happening,nothing lame about being safe,something as small as a fly can put your eye out if it hits right,i wear a full face mask,and still got both eyes,good luck.

Nope, wearing a full face helmet on any bike is not lame...

Not having a chin, nose...teeth... that is lame. Go to rotten.com and check out some of the after photos of bike crash victims that were not wearing a full face helmet...then you will see what lame is.

What is lame..is a guy in leather pants, wearing a leather jacket, leather gloves...and a pope looking beanie type helmet that barely covers the back of his head. OR..a guy with shorts..tank top..flip flops..and a full face helmet. Pretty much both guys look like idiots to me...one is protected from the neck down..the other from the neck up...and if either of them hit the ground they are in for a rough few months.

AS the wife of a 23 year cycle rider I can tell you that his bod and Face that I love are here because he wore all equipment nec. to keep him alive. No matter how good a rider you are-and he is-I still cringe at the wheelies I know he can do-but doesn't-its the other guy in the SUV that can kill you. Ask your question to the jeans and tennis I saw sticking out from a blanket the other day on a CA fwy (DOA)....stay with safe

Nope wear what you want when you want. It's YOUR RIDE! I always wear a full face. Bought it because of a rain storm. Rain came up under the mask and beat my lower face and jaw just almost to a pulp before I could get home and out of the weather. Full face keeps me covered and have never had the problem again!

What's it matter what kind of bike you ride as to the helmet you wear? It don't matter what people think, it's about what you prefer. I wear a full face every time. Yes i have a cruisier. Also it don't matter how long you've been riding accidents happen. be prepared
RIDE SAFE...

When you get behind a truck and get stones in your face, full face sure would seem nice. When you go through a cloud of bugs and eat them a full face sure would seem nice.

Too answer your question NO IT IS NOT LAME TO WEAR A FULL FACE. Smart but not lame.

NO!

I bought my bike with matching full face helmet (Kawasaki Vulcan 500).

===
When it comes to safety, who gives a crap what other think? They won't be there when you are laying in hospital saying "Yeah, but you looked cooled".


Good luck...

I wear one and don't think its lame at all. If I take a digger and I do on occasion I don't want my jaw being subjected to road rash or my teeth knocked out. It all depends on how much you value your face lame or not.

Yeah, it's lame, but a huge part of riding, is doing what you want to do.
ride what you want to ride
if that is what you want to do, then that is what you should do !!
RIDE SAFE

No. Its not considered stupid.
Ride your own ride.

No helmet is lame. Put a mohawk on it. Screw what other humans think.

No....it's not really, really lame.

& if you don't get in an accident..

why would you want to eat bugs..need more protein?

get the full face..

In hot weather, it can be a pain, but lame? ...no.