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From: mazlack@ernie.Berkeley.EDU (Lawrence J. Mazlack)
Newsgroups: net.cycle
Subject: Re: re Re Helmet Law Survey Results
Message-ID: <15226@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU>
Date: Wed, 13-Aug-86 16:34:57 EDT
Article-I.D.: ucbvax.15226
Posted: Wed Aug 13 16:34:57 1986
Date-Received: Fri, 15-Aug-86 06:03:02 EDT
References: <491@water.UUCP> <15153@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU> <3538@amdahl.UUCP>
Sender: usenet@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU
Reply-To: mazlack@ernie.Berkeley.EDU.UUCP (Lawrence J. Mazlack)
Organization: University of California, Berkeley
Lines: 38

>> I am a touring rider ( > 15K miles/year), 80% of it at high speed,
>> half of it in Europe at 90-100 mph (I ship the bike back and forth
>> every year).  I currently run a bike with a cafe fairing (BMW100CS)
>> which does not protect the face.  I rarely have had a larger fairing - mostly
>> because they slow you down and dangerously affect high-speed handling.
>> AND, I never have used a full face helmet on the bike (I have one for
>> sports car
>> racing). (All of my helmets are Snell 85 rated).  I have also ridden for
>> over 20 years - I like to be able to talk, to feel the wind, to be able
>> to see, and to control my temperature.
>
>I too am a touring rider (10 - 12K miles/year) also with a cafe fairing.
>(BMW R100S).  I agree about fairings although I usually keep my speed in
>the 70 - 85 mph range in the U.S. and a bit faster in Canada.
>My question is how you carry on a conversation at 90 - 100?

Well, no, I don't get to chat much when running 90-100, altho I do below
65 or so. (Things like directions, plans, "isn't that pretty," etc.) 
Toward the top end, I spend most of my time watching the road.
However, I can communicate enough for simple needs (eat, etc.).
But, it is also nice to be able to chat while tooling around the city - 
it wouldn't appear to be too wonderful to try talking at 20-40 with
a full face - lifted visor or not.

>Also, don't you find that a large grass hopper in the face at 80+
>dangerously affects high-speed handling?  I've occasionally been hit
>by things big enough to try to knock me off my bike... and then I thank
>my lucky stars I am wearing a full face helmet!

Yeah, big hoppers are no fun. I guess that I am willing to make the trade.
Bigger stuff, like junk and birds have yet to hit me in the face (after 
+250K miles) - I think that what happens is that I see 'em coming and I
move my head enough to avoid them.  It could also be that the air stream
of the cafe' fairing pushes them over me (you and I have the same fairing).
In any case, I always use goggles or a full or partial bubble, so my eyes
are protected.

...Larry  mazlack@ernie.berkeley.edu