Stupefying CO2 in Motorcycle Helmets and the Free Fix

Want to support the channel? Click through this Amazon link for anything: frt9.co/30l4bi
Motorbike riders do dumb stuff. But recent cognition studies suggest it's not our fault!
Support us by shopping motorcycle gear with this link:
frt9.co/aeu0mn
Or anything with this Amazon link:
frt9.co/30l4bi
Bike in the shop? Traveling? Rent your next ride with Riders Share: riders-share.c...

[@nochilljay6369]

I will never get over this channel regularly covering the things that riders don't think about

[@domenik8339]

Or care about.

[@qualeb8164]

@@domenik8339 you say that till you are a red crayon because you just had to have a silent ride

[@asbestosfibers1325]

@Qualeb please don't run with the conclusion of this video like it means something. This isn't an issue, has nothing to do with saturation and would require several minutes with literally no airflow and all of the vents closed on the helmet. This video is a waste of time and if you walk away from it acting like you know some newfound secret it is only going to expose your ignorance to the world. Be careful with your lack of knowledge. It could get you hurt.

[@boo_]

@@asbestosfibers1325 Finally someone talking sense. Thanks.

[@Choo-choo-chookcha]

@@asbestosfibers1325 so you mean F9 are liars?

[@Wintersdark]

Fascinating. I've pulled chin curtains out of every helmet I've had for years specifically because I end up feeling stuffy, like I can't breathe. Always figured it was a weird psychosomatic thing.

[@mostly-harmless]

THIS holy fuck... i can't deal with a stuffy helmet, gimmie that fresh air!

[@AskformeJohnT]

Same here

[@fortinbras47]

My understanding is that this is a real symptom of high CO2 concentrations.

[@cisium1184]

Explains why I prefer my Bell MX-9 to my Shoei RF-SR even on cold days.

[@RapRapKun]

I thought it was just me feeling the same.

[@DevinBidwell]

My father was wearing a full face helmet a couple years ago. While stopped at a red light, he ended up pasing out and he and the bike fell sideways hard enough for him to have to go to the hospital. He has been a little freaked out about motorcycles since then and I hope that this video might shed some light as to why that happened.

[@MyMostBeautifuCinema]

The science looks undeniable, I am sure he’s gain lots of value from watching!

[@Stevits11]

That would be HIGHLY unlikely as the reason.

[@thetonetosser]

Hope you're dad's ok, but very much doubt it was the full face helmet that caused him to black out.

[@Ciupremo]

Low pressure could be also an answer, or a stroke, or ... or ... or .... ecc so many possible causes

[@trailblazer632]

So no one else has sat at a redlight that wont change for any length of time?

[@noggintube]

As a glasses wearer I've never used chin curtains as I need the extra air-flow to stop my glasses fogging - mainly in winter but just got used to never having one fitted. Never realised this could be an issue so I guess without realising it I was doing a good thing. I hope manufacturers spot this and find a way around it.

[@irreverend_]

This is a pain in the arse, I've generally just popped the bottom of the visor up until I'm up to speed, and/or my glasses have equalised to the temperature. A well ventilated helmet helps if you're moving, but warm glasses help more. Anti fog coating isn't as good as you'd like but it does help a bit. EDIT: In truth though I don't usually need my glasses. Night time riding though, they're essential. If you're even a little short-sighted (near sighted), in low light conditions it's REALLY essential to wear your glasses. My car has much brighter headlights than my bike and it's still really difficult to make things out in low light without my glasses

[@ADobbin1]

Same here.

[@pieman12345678987654]

my helmet has vents that give some fresh air. they don't work as good on bikes with windshields.

[@irreverend_]

Additionally, pinlock lenses for your visor, everyone should have those, glasses wearer or not. I remember the first time in cold weather I put my visor fully down after it being open for a while without one, instantly couldn't see a thing. As an inexperienced rider doing about 50mph on a country road (bendy but overall straight, or I wouldn't have been doing 50), that could've turned out far worse than it did. Luckily I braked fairly hard but not too hard, and had enough of an idea of where the sides of the road were before I lost my sight, that I managed to pull over and stop without leaving the road.

[@dieSpinnt]

Greetings from the fire department. This year all fire brigades decided to get rid of these useless respirators. Because motorcycle helmets are much much safer and tighter! Are you guys sure (including the author of the video FortNine) that you lost your brain cells due to lack of oxygen from an oversupply of carbon dioxide? Or did you just drink too much alcohol or did your brain simply rot away by itself because of not using it enough and watching too much KZbin? I can't even imagine how something like this can happen ... that -everyone- so much people support such fictitious nonsense together. But anyone who talks or believes such unscientific nonsense (which even directly contradict regulations for the certification of helmets ... that YOU can EFFING READ ONLINE!) can only have severe "roof damage".

[@jarodjagges599]

I loved how you guys included references at the end. I wish more people did that, but I also wish more people actually found peer reviewed references in the first place...

[@un-Denial]

Except peer reviewed studies funded by pharma proving a brand new technology is safe and effective.

[@jarodjagges599]

@@un-Denial If you look up reputable publishers and you actually know how to interpret scientific data, you won't have that kind of problem. Also, just because it is safe does not mean that the scientists are at fault for how the company and media choose to portray the product.

[@marvindebot3264]

It includes citations at the end or it gets the hose again.

[@TravisTerrell]

Actually check out those citations. Sci-hub has the articles. Not as supportive as he lets on. (I can't say whether he's being intentionally disingenuous, or is just bad at interpreting then, but yeah...)

[@DonReba]

@@un-Denial Conflict of interest is endemic in food sciences, almost all of which are corporate-funded. Still a concern in medical technology but to a much lesser extent, thanks to most of it being state-funded.

[@0neTwo3]

That ending was like dying in a motorcycle crash…. Suddenly, unexpectedly, just over.

[@JeffThePoustman]

Very much like, especially when after a brief moment of blackness a thumbnail for an unwanted next video suddenly shows, and autoplay brings me into it against my will.

[@bacon.cheesecake]

Yeah, it's something I've noticed with multiple of his videos, they don't really end properly, just kinda stop, at least with this one I at least felt like he got all the important info across, there wasn't really more to say.

[@AustinArrowsmith]

Indeed. Not even a "thanks for watching", humorous pan out, or other endings we've come to expect. Was this the hand off to a junior to upload, and he grabbed the unfinished video and submitted it, so he could go to the pub on time on Saturday ? Or was there just an assumption that the fart jokes would carry it over the line? 🤔🤷🏻‍♂️

[@icouldntthinkofagoodname7216]

@@AustinArrowsmith tbh I would prefer it like this. Most of the videos that start thanking subscribers hit like subscribe the bell and everything, is my cue to pressing the close button or finding for the next video to be seen

[@AustinArrowsmith]

@I couldn't think of a good name - I totally agree. Ryan does it slightly differently though. This was different again.

[@Miata822]

Can confirm. I designed vehicle ventilation systems for a career, was amazed at the number of people who could not wrap their heads around the need for fresh air no matter what. Pro Tip: Even on Recirc your (sold in the civilized world) car still brings in just enough fresh air.

[@qwmx]

How? Do people not understand how we stay alive? 😮

[@prophetzarquon1922]

Lack of air circulation makes you stupid; ergo, lack of air circulation makes it harder to explain the risk factors involved in carbon dioxide poisoning.

[@BadRedButton]

Thank you for one more video Ryan! Also consider evaluating effect of drinking coffee at any time of a day and continuously during long trips. And other things that can affect rider's consciousness like food, drinks, heat, chill, poorly ventilated outfit (or overventilated in cold/too hot weather), how rider cannot understand that something is wrong till it's too late.

[@GrandpaJeffrey]

THRESHOLD LIMIT VALUE and TIME WEIGHTED AVERAGE, are terms professionals use to determine the effects of a whole schwack of chemicals including CO2 on the human body. The guidelines in Canada are for indoor workplaces and classrooms because one simply cannot get a breath of fresh air by letting out the clutch and driving into the wind. So in a case like your helmet scenario we do have to consider the CO2 blood saturation level and not just the momentary ambient CO2 level inside the helmet. I agree, if it feels stuffy, it is stuffy, and removing the chin curtain should help, but the difference between a long highway ride and constant stop and go traffic is quite significant. To say it actually deceased cognition because of the momentary high CO2 level in your helmet is unproven, however, because after 3 minutes of breathing a fresh feeling 470PPM while driving, 45 seconds at a stop light at 1300 PPM would not likely cause any side effects at all. But the sensors in our body do recognize the change and we feel stuffy for that moment. I love your videos and think you do a great job! Great job Ryan!

[@0xsergy]

in a long highway traffic jam one cannot simply let out the clutch without breaking the law in canada..but cops tend to overlook safe filtering anyway. Ontop of that in a classroom you're not stuck in a sea of CO2 emitting vehicles, i'd be curious to see what that CO2 meter reads in a proper traffic jam.

[@jakegarrett8109]

One of the last stoplights I remember I was waiting for over 5 minutes... The light just never changed (and there was a truck in front of me and several cars behind me until they just drove around probably to make a U turn ahead)

[@ThePlacehole]

Thanks! It is easy to read something and convince yourself that you understood the topic. It seems it is even easier to trust that someone else knows what they are talking about.

[@TheMedLifeDaily]

I agree, I will admit only checking the referenced article from Microgravity but in that one subjects' cognition is tested after being exposed for 15 minutes and 2,5hrs. Which is most likely not very representative of how long a motorcyclist would be exposed in most scenarios.

[@MrArnand]

I also immediately thought of this lacking in the video. Exposure time is very relevant here. A couple of breaths with high ppm doesn't mean immediate saturation and thus lowering of the cognitive abilities. Especially in a helmet airflow will fluctuate and thus have an impact on exposure to higher levels. I find it a bit of a jump to the conclusion that chinguard are unsafe period. We don't know the factor of airflow through chinvents or the visor itself. That can change by model of helmet.

[@suspiciousben]

Rarely do I find the same quantity (and quality) of content in videos 10x the length. Hats off for not bending to the algorithm and instead just making awesome videos without endless repetition or mindless filler.

[@thomaselliott573]

you probably bend over a lot, especially when this guy is around

[@D3moknight]

This is the best motorcycle channel on KZbin. There are no exceptions. It's funny, informative, well researched, and extremely entertaining every time.

[@Damitsall]

Well researched? As someone who has only worked mildly in air filtration, I wouldn't even know where to start to point out everything wrong with this video. The problem is F9 wants to be this contrarian just to be different. Which leads him over the past couple years to have a lot of bad opinions, tests, and conclusions.

[@themissile3120]

It would be interesting to see more through investigation of levels at different speeds, wind conditions, and helmet / visor types. Also interesting to look at would be brain and body temperature. Even moderate heat can impair cognitive function if not ventilated well - and that's without a helmet and gear insulating it all. Really interesting stuff. Would love to see some ProjectFarm style application testing.

[@Whitejesselink]

I was told but never checked! That shrooms over heat your brain and that's how it works.

[@paladin44]

totally especially when you consider this situation: a high ambient temperature, low wind speed and low travel speed (traffic jam) in non-lane splitting states. i have gotten way way way too hot.

[@dantoland3796]

He did, at the start, everything was fine while moving with the chin curtain, hence why he tested mostly while stationary...

[@RG-500]

In an attempt to make my helmet as quiet as possible, I experimented with methods to seal the bottom of my lid even more than just using the chin curtain. It never occurred to me that there was a dangerous CO2 buildup!!! No more of that… Thanks, FortNine. Keep up the good work.

[@uglypinkeraser]

@@toqtoq3361 I've always assumed the chin curtain was to help keep the warmth in while riding in the cold. It makes a big difference when its cold out, I'll find a piece of tape and make a DIY curtain if its cold out and my helmet doesn't have one.

[@chrisdaniel2759]

@@uglypinkeraserYou’re essentially putting a plastic bag over your head by doing that. Did… you watch the video? Are you wearing your sealed up helmet now? Could explain your response…

[@uglypinkeraser]

@@chrisdaniel2759 The comment I responded to suggested that wind noise was the main purpose for the chin curtain. I was suggesting that it was probably for cold weather riding, as thats the most useful thing I've found them to do. I don't think anybody considered CO2 levels until this video dropped

[@uglypinkeraser]

@@chrisdaniel2759 Also I've ridden enough miles with the chin curtain to not be afraid of it.. Co2 poisoning is honestly nothing compared to frozen nose and face syndrome. Eventually your nose runs and literally freezes onto your face. The chin curtain stops that

[@RG-500]

@@toqtoq3361 Thanks, Toq Toq. No special exhaust here… I’m always wearing custom ear plugs but I was experimenting to reduce wind noise even more. Maybe I’ll give the Alpine plugs a go. Cheers!

[@elickes]

Another entertaining video well produced and informative. Thanks for pointing out the facts and not demanding action. You never said, "WHY CHIN CURTAINS WILL KILL YOU!!!", or "remove your chin curtain if you want to live." You guys simply pointed to the facts and trust grown humans to make their own judgement. Bravo!

[@Just-InTimeRepairs]

Now he should do one with the ole covid face mask, I bet that's much worse.

[@zmuzzy101]

@@Just-InTimeRepairs if you're being serious not facetious plenty of people have actually done the studies for various PPE

[@AzzKicker-bz1cb]

@@zmuzzy101 And with actual PPE they’ll tell you that to have had any effect on protection or prevention of Covid transference, would have required at the minimum a half face respirator with appropriate gas filters and fitment testing(removal of all beards, cause facial hair prevents a complete seal of the mask), then they’d have had to instruct everyone on how to clean and PROPERLY maintain said masks so that cross contamination would be mitigated!!! In other words, it wouldn’t matter what the CO2 concentrations inside a paper mask came to, the paper masks were absolutely useless in protecting or preventing Covid transference between people!!!

[@MarcSherwood]

@@zmuzzy101 Then why have doctors, and nurses, been dropping dead in hospitals from PPE for decades? And painters in painting booths? Oh the horror. /sarcasm - people thinking PPE hurts them deserve to be hurt 🙂

[@BaldKiwi117]

@@Just-InTimeRepairs do you honestly believe that a permeable piece of paper/fabric traps more air than a closed full face helmet? My coworkers and I have been wearing regular masks, n95s, and n100s since the start of covid. If the build-up was as bad as you think then either we would be dead or our patients would die due to mistakes made because of the confusion caused by co2 retention.

[@EldonBeix]

On Labour Day last year I set out on a ride with three friends wearing a new flip up helmet with a chin curtain. Less than five kilometers from our start point I found myself on the ground in excruciating pain with no idea of how I got there. It was determined in hospital that I had a fractured Ankle, a broken back and as it turned out a messed up knee. I spent 9 days in hospital while they ran every test known to man trying to figure out what caused me to black out. Everything came back negative and in fact were it not for the accident injuries I would have been declared an incredibly fit 75 year old male. Upon seeing this video I now believe I was a victim of C02 overload. My new helmet was - as it should be - a snug fit all around and I believe the chin curtain sealed the inside, ergo loss of cognition and failure to respond to visual queues - IE curves in the road. I am fortunate in that I have recovered well and am able to continue with my life pretty much as before, but I no longer ride. I do however thoroughly enjoy working on Motorcycles and have a nice side hustle going to keep me involved.

[@thaik56]

Just removed and I notice the difference right away. I always thought cracking the face shield would be enough, guess I was wrong. Now to better riding. Thanks Ryan!

[@kebabaluba]

That chin curtain is useful in cold weather like here in Scandinavia. I tried to remove it in my helmet, while it made it easier to breathe in slow traffic the cold was painful.

[@VosperCDN]

Maybe a neck gaiter for that, if you're not already using one?

[@kebabaluba]

@@VosperCDN I use that too

[@SpeedyTubaGuy]

Yeah, I only use my chin curtain when it's chilly out, and most of my riding is highway anyway so it is not an issue. The only times I am sitting in traffic are when it is warmer weather usually, plus I have a modular helmet so I flip the whole thing up if it feels stuffy

[@spec8473]

I use a balaclava, works pretty good along with other warm gear and heated grips. I will admit that my bikes get put away once the salt hits the road so all in all I only see truly freezing ambient temperatures for only a few weeks of the year. The heated grips are amazing though, by far one of the biggest improvements for cold comfort.

[@kebabaluba]

@@spec8473 I have battery powered heated gloves to solve cold hand issue. No need to wrench or install anything. Balaclavas and warm underwear goes a long way too. 😃

[@Riddlewizard]

This explains a lot about the way we all behaved during the MSF course... You had to have your visor down before you were allowed to begin, and you'd always be waiting behind someone at some point or another. Add in a hot sunny day... Yeah, this explains some of the stupid things that happened. I always chalked up my sudden inability to make normally rational decisions up to inexperience. Thanks.

[@csn583]

Uh, yeah, it was probably the latter. Or dehydration and heat fatigue. CO2 buildup is real but the other 3 are stronger effects and more likely.

[@brakecleaner]

this just in all msf course students oxygen deprived

[@Riddlewizard]

@@csn583 For me, I doubt dehydration and heat fatigue. 3+ liters daily and I'm used to working hard in the heat. The others, I have no clue. But I do know that the air always felt thin inside my helmet when I was waiting for a while. Inexperience, I'll freely admit could be a factor. But even when nervous, I don't get brain fog.

[@VA-gu1jq]

You’re trying to rationalize something with this new info.. but it was probably just the inexperience. You were learning a new complicated motor skill. There should be some shenanigans.

[@VeriStrawberi]

It's 100% due to inexperience... Obviously.

[@docbaduck]

this is legit Life saving information that he's giving here ! the lives of the riders and of those they potentially hit. thank you Ryan !

[@jessemullins8144]

I’m a respiratory therapist and one of the things I look for when a patient is suspected of having high co2 is a reduction in cognitive function. At that point I would draw a blood sample from the artery and analyze it to determine what kind and how much breathing support they’d need. Thanks for the great content sir. 🤘🏼

[@ThePrabutube]

It's so good to see Ryan.

[@romgl4513]

He's the star, irreplaceable. Until he gets greedy and do too much COcaine.

[@caglaralaca]

Hey Ryan, you mentioned you gonna explain in a longer video 2-3-4 finger usage for braking and why no one should use 4 fingers. I'm kind of a new motorcyclist and before I get some bad habits I want to watch that. As regular road bicycyle commuter, I'm struggling to adapt 2 fingers instead of 4. Oh also... Thanks sooooooooo much for your videos mate. Your channel is pure gold!

[@jettdiff8573]

adjust the bite point on the lever then until it’s comfortable

[@tomaskarnold3870]

CanyonChaser or MC Rider have a nice vids about it

[@Lemmon714_]

I had ridden 1970's cb's for 30 years before getting a Ninja 1000. I always grabbed a handful of front brake with the old bikes. The very first time I stopped on the Ninja, I found out why you only use one finger. Thankfully the windshield was up because I would have went right over the front wheel. Adjust what you use to the bike and what stops you smoothly .

[@ianm432]

Go watch Motojitsu videos on the subject

[@jeltehoekstra2952]

The weird thing is, in the Netherlands to pass the vehicle control exam you have to stop with all 4 fingers. Else you instantly fail. Although that’s what my instructor says🤷‍♀️

[@BladedAngel]

I used to wear Helmets that never came with Chin Curtains (Biltwell Gringo S, Bell Broozer, etc) so I never noticed anything weird, BUT when I finally got my first proper Full Face Scorpion I immediately felt Stuffy. Found this video, removed the Chin Curtain and life is normal again!! It definitely isn't Placebo.

[@Rajvirdee]

You cover aspects the manufacturers such as Shoei and Arai haven’t thought of. Incredible 👍🏼

[@stevegabbert9626]

Or, they have thought of it, know about it, and chose not to tell us.

[@billroberts9182]

My Arai has several vents, which I keep open to reduce moisture on the faceshield. CO2 is a non problem in my estimation especially with helmet vents.

[@parallelfinn]

@@billroberts9182 I think the issue is more air being traps, rather than the amount of airflow coming in. I have an array too and don't feel dizzy or confused or anything, but I think the vast mainly let air in rather than out.

[@dingus153]

I would love to see some Schlieren imaging of the differences in gas exchange between the different conditions a helmet can be in (visor open/closed, with/without chin curtain, vents open/closed ect), I feel like it could be a really interesting way to augment and visualise the tests you did with the air quality meter

[@TravisTerrell]

YES! Why advocate for chin curtain removal without testing it, when you've already got the setup to do it! I wonder if maybe he did test it, but the results didn't support his argument. It would be unusual for somebody scientifically minded to not take the next step and test with the "solution" condition. (Not to mention, blood levels are what _actually_ matter, and I'm seriously doubting these are going to increase much at all during normal riding.)

[@Liberty4Ever]

@@TravisTerrell - Serum O2 and CO2 levels quickly correspond to atmospheric levels. That's why you can't hold your breath for more than a couple of minutes. The human body doesn't have an oxygen reserve, nor a mechanism to scrub CO2 other than respiration.

[@user-yc6ob3xv8f]

I was wondering how features like the topside helmet vents affect the CO2 buildup. Likely the same, since in motion its not really an issue like sitting still

[@offinthehaed]

I've been riding since 1973, never once noticed an issue excessive co² ....I also don't seal my head in side plastic bags.....

[@Canteaus]

The location of the sensor also probably plays a huge role

[@Mojoissimo]

This is really useful - I've often wondered about rebreathing CO2. One of the first things we try to do when assessing a crashed rider at races is to open their visor. Many conscious riders report that it makes a huge difference - they had felt they were suffocating prior to opening the visor (even though most ride without their chin curtains).

[@angrycapsicum6027]

Feels like it makes a big difference opening the visor in Australian summer traffic too.

[@replynotificationsdisabled]

If their visor is still on, they didn't crash hard enough.

[@Whitejesselink]

@@replynotificationsdisabled dude wtf is that supposed to mean.

[@Whitejesselink]

He's probably holding up signs with a score on them after crashes.

[@jackvliet]

​@@replynotificationsdisabled like that guy that was cut in half by a pole but still had his helmet on?

[@thesharpshooterking9963]

i love this channel the production quality is amazing and the care that goes into each video is incredible.

[@paulscott1100]

I can breathe easier knowing Ryan hasn't left us

[@jpizzaj]

I think/hope they were implying he wont be doing 'gear reviews' anymore and someone else may be taking over that since the more popular videos seem to be the science-y ones anyway and he may be able to put more time exclusivly into them.

[@mikepierson7447]

Odd ending but as always, love all of your content.

[@csn583]

Editing "misfire" there at the end. Surprising with how well-produced these typically are.

[@keithquinn5624]

Ya ending was weird, I hope I’m not right about this channel going downhill….

[@Blinkubus]

​@@keithquinn5624 "Right about this channel going downhill"? Out of dozens of videos filled with excellent quality and content, they make one unexpected decision at the end of one video (which may or may not have been intentional) and the channel is dying? Interesting.

[@FortNine]

Well spotted! There was about a minute of this video that had to be trimmed off the end. Erroneous material? Racist diatribe? Boring content? We'll never know. ~RF9

[@WilliamStrealy]

@@FortNine the ending was abrupt, but I still love your content overall ❤️

[@martyk1156]

Years back my first snowmobile helmet with chin curtain and breath deflector I got stuck and just about passed out after 2 min of digging. Somehow realized that it was the helmet and quickly pulled it off. Felt fine after 3 breaths but learned to never exert yourself without going fast enough to force fresh air into your helmet.

[@dave-d]

Been around bikes and bikers most of my life and nobody has spoken about this. I can remember as a kid that I really didn't like full face helmets and used open face for years. Probably an image thing. Then I rode into a hail storm at 70 mph one day! Been full face ever since and always try to get the visor open at stops. Thank you FortNine. Again.

[@corbinroberts949]

Blending my favorite things yet again, science and motorcycles. Thank you Ryan

[@JStoppie]

I almost always flip open my helmet (shuberth C4) when standing still… it became some sort of a habit for extra air instinctively. Although I’m an hvac engineer I never considered the CO2 before. I already thought about an air filter and about additional noise dampening but CO2 is an important issue I missed. Probably because I rather drive than being stationary on my bike… 😅

[@SAB-iq1kp]

Yep doing the same. When i come to a stop a flip it up. Its a habbit.

[@PovilasPanavas]

i hope you noticed that opening helmet doesn't solve the issue as per video. "numbers almost didn't change after opening helmet"

[@SAB-iq1kp]

@@PovilasPanavas flip up helmet. You open the entire chin up and make it a open face.

[@PovilasPanavas]

@@SAB-iq1kp oh, i forgot about flip up helmets :) htanks!

[@HRRRRRDRRRRR]

​@@PovilasPanavas I hope you noticed that he tested a single helmet, and thus it's a flawed experiment. Or is it that you've never worn more than one helmet before (if at all)?

[@noahkreyenhagen8937]

I appreciate that they included the sources in the video. I wish more youtubers did that

[@nhutpham3556]

I love F9's videos, Ryan always brings in the science which resonates well with me. I was wondering how much the results would be different if the sensors didn't block the front vents as much, and maybe with different front vents the results could change? I know we did the portion with the face shield up, but it looks from just a visual that the sensor package is also decreasing that space in front of the mouth and blocking the vents. Granted, there are quite a few helmets that have very little space in front of the mouth, and sometimes even moreso if you put a mic for a communicator in there. And in colder weather many may close their front vents as well. Still, I am going to pay more attention to CO2 because of this video, along with airflow, which is very much a good thing.

[@markbowen3638]

Brilliant, comical and very well investigated. Manufacturers take note. Thanks for keeping us informed!

[@volvogt21]

I knew I was displaying a lack of judgement when I proposed to my wife. But could never work put why. Thanks FortNine.

[@student702]

4 minutes?!? Expeditious indeed! But I have to admit I am satisfied, demonstrating once again it's not the quantity, it's the quality, the organization, and the presentation. Keep up the exemplary work!

[@davidleroth8644]

But is SHE?

[@skeletor6697]

thank you so much for this video, i had no idea what it was causing me to get a headache, thought my helmet was a tad to tight, but now I'm certain it was C02, after removing the chin curtain, i can breath so much better, i have an atlas helmet and breathing in that thing felt so restricted, it's way easier to breath after taking it out. Thanks again

[@peterblacklin9174]

A modular helmet solves the issue if opening the visor is not enough. Great video. I have found that flatulence in a riding suit escapes mostly via the collar, allowing understanding of how much you have saved your fellow humans from olfactory overload. The neck curtain is a benefit at these aromatic times!

[@exsnozer]

This is why I wear two piece. Mostly reinforced kevlar jeans with protection and my trusty Knox urbane pro. If its colder I put on a jacket (doesnt need to be MC jacket anymore due to the knox urbane pro) and some MC pants.

[@jakegarrett8109]

@@exsnozer If you wear a 2 piece because you fart so much, maybe you should go see a doctor... I'm sure you could also get some Kevlar with vent holes and sew that like a patch near the exhaust location too.

[@exsnozer]

@jakegarrett8109 I mean no, that's not actually the reason but I do have ibs and my farts do not smell good and happens more often than the regular person. Although the biggest reason is comfort.

[@josiahbaumgartner7643]

Modulars are not to be open while in motion

[@OhThisFleece]

@@josiahbaumgartner7643 *Most modulars

[@ReDsHorde]

That's why I love my modular helmet. It has its own drawbacks but lifting up the jaw while slowly driving through the city is a godsend

[@johnsanford3596]

The funny thing is, the most important place to "seal" from a noise standpoint is directly above your shoulders and under your ears. You can test this by hunching your shoulders up while riding. It makes a HUGE difference. I always figured the chin curtain was just for keeping the COOOOOLLLLDDD air out.

[@5batmankam]

Bought a chin curtain for my helmet, turns out my beard did a better job of both wind and sound deadening. So, save $5 and grow a beard👍

[@estrheagen4160]

All well and good until you give that advice to women 😅

[@Frank-Thoresen]

@@estrheagen4160 😄

[@ShainAndrews]

@@estrheagen4160 5batmankam is a woman. But hey you rock emojis. Nobody takes either of you seriously anyway.

[@Chronostra]

@@estrheagen4160 grow your hair and tuck it in front?

[@minion236]

isnt the point of the video that the chin curtains restricted airflow? ear plugs do a great job of reducing noise.

[@Reginvalt]

Ryan... a breath of fresh air

[@hazcat640]

GROAN! 👍😁

[@kell7195]

I definitely have felt out of breath sitting in traffic, no lane filtering permitted until full licence (another 2 years fkn Australia), out of breath foggy feeling especially on 40+ degree days, ive never heard anyone mention CO2 before, this is brilliant, the chin curtains getting dumped immediately. Thank you.

[@krazykittyharleygal]

Extraordinarily well thought through, hysterically presented and scientifically expounded. All in the pursuit of bringing to light something that had never occured to anyone, including helmet manufacturers. Brilliant. I couldn't stop laughing for over 10mins from this masterful script.

[@keithbaker2128]

I love your videos, i get excited every time i get a new notification. This one i felt wasn't finished. It seemed to end rather abruptly. It makes me think there was more to this video that was edited out. Other than that, loved it!

[@WhiteVaille]

Thanks so much for pointing out this small but very important detail regarding CO2 and cognition while wearing a helmet!!

[@RandyBarbee]

I often open my modular helmet at stops just because it feels better. Now I know there is a reason for that. Thanks!

[@johnstotler6237]

I had just finished reading a huge article about how we still ignore concussions in sports when I spotted that you had a new video, and that really put this into context.

[@gregoriodia]

love your gardening hobby. More on that? ;-)

[@romgl4513]

Listen to the police band on the radio. And the local news.

[@csn583]

@@romgl4513 For police chatter about something completely legal? Might be a long wait.

[@shahfacekillah]

I bought a chin curtain for my helmet. Used it a couple times but took it out. I found the noise reduction to be minimal, but most of all, the helmet was a pain to get on and off

[@notstevelam]

right? i have a helmet with chin curtain but 100% leave it off because i simply cant even get the helmet on when the curtain is in the way.

[@capofantasma97]

@@toqtoq3361 I lost mine. They sometimes popped out of my ears when I removed my helmet. Passive noise isolation also only gets you so far. I'm interested in trying one intercom system I found that uses earbuds and active noise cancelling with filtering for reducing wind but boosting voices. But the cost and the shipping make it a bit of a costly gamble.

[@STho205]

The only thing it does for me is reduce vacuuming gnats into my face in the spring and fall. I live and ride in the middle of a national forest, surrounded by other national forests.

[@bcinspectorman]

It's an interesting topic and one that had me thinking about while I was having a Sunday ride at 7C with my full face helmet. I think to fully understand how the CO2 levels impact a rider with a full face helmet with visor down, visor up and with air flow ports, if any, on the helmet open and closed you would need more than a measurement of CO2 within the helmet. I found a study's abstract conducted in 2005 that placed a CO2 and O2 measuring device at the upper lip of the rider using an "integral helmet". They concluded (assumed) that, "The oxygen deficiency is generally equal to the CO2 concentration, and could also contribute negatively to a motorcyclist's cognitive abilities." In the abstract no specific levels of CO2 were provided. One way to conduct a the test would be to test the level of CO2 exhaled before putting on the helmet and then after wearing it for 15 minutes while riding with the visor down. Then conduct the same test the next day with the visor up. Bottom line, take regular breaks while you're riding. Remove your helmet and breathe.

[@tiufb]

Thank you, what a difference! I pulled the chin flap out of my Arai Corsair X, and immediately noticed a difference in the air quality.

[@edgaryellow]

With all these air vents open, I can literally feel the air flowing ! But it is true that when stopping, I feel discomfort immediately.. Nice experiments and good results sir, thank you :)

[@peterjones4621]

So the answer is remove the chin curtain, breath high quality air and freeze your face, huh, doesn't seem like the right solution, the helmets need additional air entering the helmet somewhere else OR bad air in the helmet needs better vents to exhaust stale air. As usual, very well done video Ryan, thank you. Sure would like to see more videos but I understand the creative juices need time to give us the most excellent content we're used to. Create on my friend and stay safe.

[@supercurioTube]

Agree, it should be data fed into the design of air vents, and ultimately into regulatory certification bodies as well. A helmet can't be safe if it keeps your Co2 levels too high.

[@dsp4392]

Sold my bike last year and have no plan to ride motorcycles in the future. Still, this is such good content that I still watch.

[@kostas3996]

Well now you solved a great problem that i had ! On every traffic light i feel like i can't breath but i thought it was a psychological effect ! I will remove the curtain immediately!

[@0N3T1tan]

I have legit felt light headed in my helmet before but opening the shield usually gets me back to normal. When I'm riding Ive never noticed anything weird its when I stop and wait for a light or car to pass

[@chrossphyre]

I always look forward to these videos Ryan. Science combined with a sense of humour and an occasionally biting wit - a winning combination!

[@TomoyaOkazaki13]

ive been eyeing a motorcycle for a while now and while doing research i found your channel im not into motorcycles, im just buying one for convenience of travel and communting hooked with your content!

[@sa2-2k14]

Love your videos, insight, non-bullsit & non-biased/entitled knowledge, Ryan. You're a breath of fresh air to the motorcycle industry. I rarely compliment things.

[@greenneck2472]

"Despite my gardening hobby" - this is why this is the best channel on KZbin.

[@DrTranofEvil]

In praise of the chin curtain, it DOES keep your head a little warmer on cold days. 😣

[@caseywoods1700]

Dude just put his balls on the line to benefit us all - he's not the hero we deserved, but the hero we needed. lol

[@thamomentum]

This is why F9 is at the top of my moto channels - This is the bread and butter of your team! incredible (almost investigative journalist like) engineering/science based knowledge transfer! It's awesome

[@Road_Rash]

This is why a modular helmet is handy to have...you can raise the chin guard when you stop & get all the air you need...

[@mickyd3]

This was a really informative video. Thanks for researching these lesser known issues.

[@KristianKumpula]

Too bad I kinda need the chin curtain during winters, which tend to be pretty long around here.

[@BX2ABT]

I recently bought my first full-frame helmet and noticed that my glasses (not my visor) started fogging up whenever standing still. No wonder, because my breath couldn't go anywhere but up. On my ride yesterday I removed the neck curtain half way through and lo and behold, no more fogging up when not in motion. The wind noise was noticeably louder when riding, though, but I'd rather have some extra noise and wear earplugs than fog up my glasses AND my brain.

[@broderp]

I very interesting topic and concern. During summer months, it's easy enough to remove the chin curtain. During the colder months, that will let a lot of air up under the helmet.

[@dwightschrute4506]

Very interesting. Sometimes when I was a kid (well, even now) I’d drop or stall my dirt bike and struggle to get picked up or started, but as soon as I took my helmet off I was able to do it pretty much right away. That explains a lot.

[@ianm432]

The glowing puck got me good.

[@SmallSpoonBrigade]

And here I was, why is that puck being repeatedly tossed.

[@ianm432]

@@SmallSpoonBrigade it's making fun of glowing hockey pucks on NHL broadcasts on fox in the mid late 90s...

[@csn583]

There was a puck?!

[@smurfhell]

Thanks for highlighting the puck for people from the States

[@CulturedDegenerate]

Sounds like my preference for modular helmets is even more well justified now! Can just pull up the chin bar in standstill traffic or long red lights

[@ddacaro]

You are a thoughtful thinker Ryan, thanks for the content and entertainment and applying yourself in a way that benefits many people!

[@Hooner77]

So now I feel really good about buying helmets without chin curtains. Now the crowd who only wear half-helmets or open face ones will say "look were smarter than you". Ryan thanks for the video. Your stride to get to the truth is always top shelf.

[@oliviermagere]

Just learned that the straps of my GoPro holder are doing me a favour! And that flip up helmets are an even better idea than I thought 👍

[@danielvanced5526]

Same thing in homes, I recently got a CO2 meter, it was regularly showing 1200-1500ppm in occupied rooms after a few hours. I have since increased ventilation and I get many fewer headaches and migraines at home by keeping it closer to 600-800ppm peak

[@mt0115]

The low level of oxygen available at certain times might explain the bad decisions some riders make at times… doesn’t explain the idiot moves some riders with open helmets make though..stay safe everyone, great video as usual.😎🍺

[@RobTheSquire]

I didn't know how high the C02 could get in helmets as I always take that curtain off my helmets since they get in the way or come unstuck at some point. And whenever i'm at low speeds or stuck in traffic I tend to open my visor anyways as I get too warm.

[@Raptor6910]

Amazing video, I often wondered what the air quality inside the helmet was like. I never seem to be getting enough fresh air, will try removing the neck thing.

[@CitEnthusiast]

Schuberth warns of excess CO2 buildup in their helmets, it's right in the owner's manual. But if their suggest, to open the face shield, doesn't help, hmm. At least mine is a modular helmet, so i can life the chin bar when stopped. I always push the visor up when stopped, now I will rethink the chin cover. Thanks for once again a thoughtful subject presented very well.

[@CornDogShaun]

Yes Ryan, if you breathe directly into an air sensor, it will register co2 even with the shield open.

[@satanaz]

but not when the chin curtains is removed? were you even paying attention?

[@clemensbader1195]

Hi Ryan, thanks for the info. Did you measure how much more noise enters the helmet when the chin curtain is removed? Because a increased noise level while riding maybe also have a negative impact on concentration and health of the rider.

[@stevesmith866]

really? get over yourself

[@desmondfosterchild841]

@@stevesmith866 play nice

[@wiggenvan]

I don’t see why noise is something you’d write off like that. I’d be curious too. Additionally I’d like to know what the levels are like when the front lower air vents are open while still utilizing a chin cover

[@csn583]

Earplugs are non-negotiable, but filtered earplugs make ALL the difference. Blocking the harsh stuff without equally blocking all auditory information. Etymotics are good. The kind sold for musicians are what you want. A quieter helmet makes it easier to separate good sound from bad noise, but being smothered isn't a good trade.

[@dillogdall1]

@@stevesmith866 Yeah, really, people perform worse at tasks at high noise levels, this is pretty well established in research.

[@siberx4]

I've never ridden with one of these anyways, as they contribute too much to fogging in the frequently-wet BC riding conditions. I guess I was doing myself a favour the whole time!

[@rtg5421]

I have felt this, both while riding and scuba diving, but also thought, nahhh, that cannot happen on a motor! Helps to explain how I fell while making small circles. No longer will I use the neck curtain!

[@rustymustard7798]

I overthink everything by 200% so a 50% reduction just puts me at normal lol.

[@gamerbot101]

I switched to a 3/4 helmet and feel much better and alert while riding. Of course it’s not as safe but it does make a huge difference in comfort, peripheral vision, and better air flow

[@danser_theplayer01]

A 4 minute toutube video just gave everyone an industry-standart health and safety check...

[@jimebbage]

Fort Nine is my Zen Master Guru Sans Pareil, actually delivering deliciousness of Content with staggeringly, Sharp, funny, droll, & caustic, that puts every junk PC Stand Up Comedian To Shame..Delivery leaves me in extreme pleasure..& even Extremer pleasure..& In Broad coarse Viking inspired..He’s a Bloody Genius..Move over Buster Keaton, Eisenstein, D.W. Griffith, et al..This is The Main Man. Love the Showmanship..!

[@quillmaurer6563]

Now I understand why being stopped at a long red light drives me to madness! In my case I pretty much always open the visor when stopped, in cooler weather to prevent fogging and in hot weather for cooling, but I do use the chin curtain, both for warmth this time of year and for noise. Freezing isn't going to make me think clearly either!

[@nikolas7030]

CO2 in helmets sounds stupid, but i crashed my first bike because I was riding in 3° Celsius and thought it would be a good idea to plug the air vents so that it wouldn't get so cold. Turns out you need oxygen to ride a bike. I proceeded to faint and drove straight into a guard rail

[@Hachiro]

Oh dang! I hope you healed up fine, and that the damage wasn't too bad.

[@nikolas7030]

@@Hachiro my shoulder got obliterated and my foot almost got cut off, luckily my suit saved me, doctors told me i would be in pieces if i crashed in a t-shirt and shorts, never ridden without full gear since

[@runninglennart2970]

Sorry but under normal circumstances, theres no way the increased CO2 value should lead to one fainting. That only happens at around 10% (100 000 ppm)CO2. In this video we are talking about around 2 000 ppm. Unless you made your helmet airtight it cant really happen.

[@KF1]

@@runninglennart2970 let the dude tell his story.

[@Myrune1]

My son drives around with all air completely blocked from his helmet. He hates the wind touching his face. I just sent him this video and for now, I'm glad he gave up riding due to his location. I certainly want him to pick it up again, but with a new outlook. Now I know why I've ridden with Modular helmets for well over a decade and pop them open when stopped. (Otherwise I feel like I'm drowning.)

[@DivineMisterAdVentures]

Actually that is the FIRST thing that happens - long before you go stupid or pass out from any lack of oxygen. CO2 does not displace O2 in the blood - but the body does monitor it and signals when it's even slightly too high because you probably have your head in places that could become a problem. Apparently people do die from self-suffocation - if they're really drunk.

[@kimtoy3089]

Some 20 years ago I had a helmet that had mesh in the front part of the chin curtain and fabric on the back. That seem to work very well. I don’t remember the helmet brand, but it seems someone figured it out a long time ago.

[@waterski32off]

I'd love to see a similar video on riding in hot weather with all the protective gear . My unscientific take is that being too hot on a bike inhibits cognition as well . I think our biggest safety tool on a motorcycle is awareness of or surroundings & being too hot demishes that . Please do a video on that to either prove me right or wrong ,cause right now it is just my opinion ,guessing there is a sweet spot somewhere in between riding naked & dressing in full body armour :) As alway your video's are on point & entertaining ,no easy feat . Thank you

[@1further]

Purely anecdotal and apologies but i can't cite my source. An accident on a U.K. Motorway some years ago: The pillion wearing protective gear - head to foot - on a Summers day. Apparently overheated / fainted / fell off / was run over by a following car. :(

[@calfeggs]

one of these days I want to build a flight suit with compressor based liquid cooling using a 12 volt variable speed compressor from Rigid HVAC.

[@thetonetosser]

I've often wondered that too. I only ride for pleasure these days but I always wear leather pants (trousers) and either a fully armoured leather or textile jacket. In a dry heat, I can generally take it up to around 28°c on the move. But once I've stopped or hit traffic, it gets really uncomfortable really quickly. Then I tend to start thinking about how hot I am rather than concentrating on the road conditions etc. So it is a bit of a quandary. In view of this, I've laid down a golden rule that I won't ride if it's gonna be a hot day (like + 28°c). Of course I have the luxury of being able to do that and pick my days. But some riders ride every day in all weather. Back and forth to work etc. I guess the same can be said for extremes of cold. Although we can all rug up and fit the heated grips, wear the heated kit etc.

[@c0dy1287]

I think being aware is right, but also with the heat, if it's hot you have to know your own limits, because when the outside air temperature is in triple digit territory above your internal body temperature having gear on actually helps insulate you from the heat, it feels miserable but I've felt that myself before when I flip up my faceshield and it's actually hotter then I'm like nope. But I've grown up in the desert, if you know yourself and can't handle heat well, gear or not you probably just shouldn't be riding, plus you pick up wicked sunburns so maybe you feel a little more comfortable in the moment but you'll pay later, and much later if you end up with melanoma I guess.

[@nadeem4177]

Hey Ryan, Loved your video! I will probably take off the curtain and use ear plugs instead. Would love to know your -probably unhindered- opinion on the BMW R18 Cheers!

[@FortNine]

I've only spent an hour on one, so my opinion on the R18 isn't worth much! That airplane-worthy boxer is shockingly wide but I think it's fun. Especially since I don't have to pilot it between trees. Looks are subjective, but BMW got the production version within a few illegal mods of the concept, which everyone seemed to find beautiful. The available lean angle is comically small. But as someone who finds scraping pegs comical, I kinda like that too! ~RF9

[@nadeem4177]

Wow! Thank you for replying to me! I agree on the lean angle, the first time I scraped the pegs off-guard scared the little hairs off my toes. Now I involuntarily lift my leg a little when I lean too much, then I hear the peg bouncing. Not sure if thats what I’m supposed to do :) . Thanks again!

[@Matt43]

Great information and testing! I only wear my chin curtains when its really cold but tend to pop the face shield more often... this explains why!

[@Excludos]

Very interesting find. I have one of these in my helmet too, even tho I only use mine for car-racing, in closed cockpits, so air never really circulates to begin with, and the neck curtain has no real value. It's interesting how you never think about these little things, that could have pretty impactful consequences

[@bluecollarbuddha948]

OMG...the puck joke was a near spit-take. Genuine LOL!

[@madzap]

I had to scroll forever to see if anyone else got it. That was the best part!

[@bluecollarbuddha948]

@@madzap Same. I just kept seeing, "Great vid" etc. and I'm thinking, "Uh...hello...comedy gold, anyone?" lol