The Danger of Flip-up Helmets - real account

http://motorcycleinfo.calsci.com/Green.html

In spring of '04 a friend of mine set out on a CC50 - coast to coast in 50 hours, Jacksonville to San Diego. On the first day of his trip he had a crash. He woke up four days later in the hospital with no memory of crashing. He's still not sure what happened - the police report shed no light on the subject.
He was in the hospital for over a month, with a concussion, a broken eye socket, five broken ribs and a badly damaged hand.He's substantially recovered now. He was wearing a flip-open helmet (picture below) which seems substantially unharmed, especially in view of the beating his head took. This case is one reason I recommend avoiding these helmets.
This being America, while he was in his hospital bed still confused from the concussion, his "wife" served him divorce papers.

Here's his Honda ST1300 before:

 
Before - all fit out for Iron Butt events
Mast with Otter Box on top containing V-1, Other side is C/B Ant. Ron Smith Aux. Fuel Tank.On saddle bag is 12" Red LED which is turn signal/running light. Forward of saddle bag is mount for one gallon jug of water.Just under PIAA 910 is a 6" Amber turn signal/running light.


 
Instruments for Iron Butt events
On top of shelf is Garmin 2610 GPS. Directly below is the V-1 indicator.To the left is the control head for the radio wrapped in "Tank Slapper" material.On the left handle bar is the control for the Cruise Control. The Yellow & Red s/w are for future use.Switch box controls PIAA 910 & 1400, V-1, Heated Seat, Volt Meter & socket.The black box on top controls Gate Opener, Garage Door, and two for heated clothing.

Here's his Honda ST1300 after:

Although the helmet shows little sign of a major impact, my friend was in a coma for three days, and required multiple surgeries to repair his eye sockets and get his eyes to stay in his head. He was also mentally confused for a couple of weeks. The helmet is a Nolan flip-open helmet. Normally, one expects a helmet to protect your head in a crash; in this case it seems my friend's head protected the helmet. I believe the hinge mechanism hit his temple, causing the eye socket damage and severe concussion. For this reason, I believe flip-open helmets are dangerous and should be avoided.