Sandblasted face

[PeteSC]

I hauled my DR650 to Florida, for use as local transportation around town, and to the Airshow in Lakeland.
  When I went to Lakeland, I wanted to be able to stuff all my gear into my small, hard, lockable hard box when I parked int he parking lot.  I didn't want to be hauling it, or have a helmet locked outside in case it rained.   With all the raingear, jacket, gloves, and tools in the box, only my old open face helmet would fit, so I wore it on the 40 some  mile ride to Lakeland.

    I forgot about how 'sandy' the roads were!   My face was totally 'sandblasted', no matter how fast or slow I was going!
   Any other vehicle threw up an invisible spray of sand.  Actually painful at times.
  I can't see how the cruiser guys ride around without any faceshields down there.

  I use my old helmet at times to run around town, here, when there's no traffic, or the trip is real short.
   Don't think I'll take that helmet to FL again!

[Red01]

Well, you could wear a bandana and look like you're about to rob the stage coach, or wear one of these:

[PeteSC]

Couldn't wear a bandana.    The cruiser guys would think I was wearing a 'doo-rag' that slipped down over my face, due to the extreme acceleration of my Bandit.

    If I'm gonna rob convenience stores, I'll use my Michael Jackson mask.
     

   I ordered a half shield that I'll leave on that helmet......

[sloper10]

Pete, did you notice all the people riding without helmets?  Each and every time that I go to FL, and that is often, I am amazed at the number of riders, on all types of bikes, wearing tees, shorts and sunglasses.  Driving from Lakeland to Orlando on I-4 to catch my flight (bumped to first class, thank you Delta) I probably saw fifty riders without lids....I approve of the right to make a choice but gosh almighty that is dumb

[PeteSC]

Yeah, Lynn.
   Maybe it's a cheap way to 'defoliate'............
  (Or whatever they call abrading away old skin....)
    With the sand, bugs, and gravel flying up from the wheels of trucks....I'm not riding in shorts and sunglasses!

  (I know I'm macho......ain't gotta prove it!)

[sloper10]

Amen Brother....

[DragonRider]

With the sand, bugs, and gravel flying up from the wheels of trucks

And we got some massive bugs down here. a few weeks ago going to Jennings on I-75 I hit this small living "airplane" over my jacket armor in my upper chest just below my chin guard. Splattered up inside my helmet, tasted like tobasco, got all over my glasses. I had to stop to clean up. when I was cleaning the big fella of my jacket there was damage to the leather under the bug.

[sloper10]

Strange things live in those swamps....insect, reptile and mammal....The wife says that she will do me harm if I ever travel highway 471, between 50 and 98, at night,  with her in the car.....

[Maniac]

And we got some massive bugs down here. a few weeks ago going to Jennings on I-75 I hit this small living "airplane" over my jacket armor in my upper chest just below my chin guard. Splattered up inside my helmet, tasted like tobasco, got all over my glasses. I had to stop to clean up. when I was cleaning the big fella of my jacket there was damage to the leather under the bug.

I caught one of those in the shoulder while heading towards 95 on 40, darned near knocked the wind right out of me. I actually had a slight bruise, made one helluva mess too. What was so odd is that I saw the darned thing coming at me out of the corner of my eye, but since I was passing there wasn't much I could do about it.

It seems like 90% of the riders in florida, regardless of age or bike, ride without protection of any type. A lot of sport bikers have a helmet though... of course, it's usually on the helmet lock while they lane split and wheelie down 50 or I-4.