Selecting the Best Motorcycle Helmet
Picking the right motorcycle helmet can be quite difficult, considering that there are many excellent helmets with various interesting features you can get today. This is the simple guide to help you select the best motorcycle helmet you won’t regret buying.
Choosing the Motorcycle Helmet Best Fitted to Your Head
The first thing you need to consider when choosing the best motorcycle helmet is the size of the helmet. You need to ensure that the size fits best for your head, not too tight and not too loose. Please note that various helmet brands might have the same size, but their size might differ from one helmet to the next. So, different brands of helmet might have the L size that differ from each other. The same L size might be bigger or smaller, depending on the helmet brand.
Before picking the motorcycle helmet, it’s best for you to try it first. Also, you need to measure your head size and match it with the helmet size description when you are buying online. Remember, no matter how cool or stylish the motorcycle helmet is, it won’t be best for you to wear it if you don’t have the correct size. Also, by wearing the right helmet size, you can ensure better protection for your head, because it will provide a secure grip on your head when you wear it.
Style and Design
Another aspect of the motorcycle helmet you need to look for before deciding to buy one is the style and design. Motorcycle helmets come in various styles and designs, and each motorcycle helmet brand will have their own signature style and design that makes them unique.
Also, depending on the motorcycle type you are riding, you can pick the helmet that will match with it. Here are some additional tips to choose the helmet style and design:
- Match it with your motorcycle style. It’s best for you to pick the motorcycle helmet that matches with your motorcycle style, such as the model, color, and other aspects. This way, you will look good when wearing the motorcycle helmet, as it will match with your motorcycle design in the best way. Don’t pick the motorcycle helmet that will look out of place for your motorcycle style or design.
- Pick the different styles for different occasions. You don’t need to stick with one helmet to use. So, it’s best for you to have different helmet styles for different occasions. For instance, it’s best for you to wear a sporty full-face helmet for sporting Meanwhile, you might wear a regular or standard helmet for your everyday ride.
- Consider the safety vs. style aspect. A stylish helmet won’t guarantee its safety. So, it’s important for you to consider the safety aspects of the helmet. You can’t pick the helmet just because it’s cool. Be sure to check its safety aspects, whether you can wear it while keeping your head protected throughout your ride.
Safety Standards
Motorcycle helmets released by popular brands will always follow the safety standards in their distribution area. For instance, the helmets sold in the United States will have the safety standards that follow the US safety standards. It’s the same with other countries or distribution areas. However, please note that there are still many helmets in circulation that don’t follow the safety standards of a specific region, such as the helmets sold by unofficial manufacturers and unofficial distributors, which include fake or copycat helmets.
Regarding the fake or copycat helmets, these are the helmets that are the replica of popular helmet brands. These replica helmets get sold at much cheaper prices than the official brands, and they might not follow the regular safety standards in their distribution area. So, be aware of these fake helmets and avoid them at all costs.
Here are some safety standards you can expect to get from official helmet brands:
- AS/NZS 1698:2006. This is the safety standard for motorcycle helmets sold in the Australian and New Zealand regions. This helmet type has the characteristic of the hard outer shell as the standard protective feature for the head.
- UN ECE 22-05. This is the safety standard for motorcycle helmets sold in the European region. The standard characteristics for this helmet type are that it is lightweight, covers more head area, and gives less stress to the neck area.
- DOT. It is the helmet type that has the safety standards of the Department of Transportation (DOT) in the United States. So, you will find the motorcycle helmets that follow the DOT certification when you buy them from the US.
- Snell. Snell is the safety certification for motorcycle helmets that certifies the capability of the helmet to withstand a severe shock during an accident. It has an excellent shock-absorbing feature you can rely on during a heavy crash.
- BSI. The BSI helmets are the helmets that have been through the testing for protection against heavy objects falling to your head, such as bricks, rocks, or hammers. Motorcycle helmets with this certification will protect your head when you need to deal with heavy objects falling to your head during the accident.
- E1. The E1 is the certification for motorcycle helmets in Germany. So, helmets sold in Germany will have this certification. There are also E2, E3, and E4, which are the certification for France, Italy, and the Netherlands region.
Selecting the Motorcycle Helmet Types
There are various types of motorcycle helmets you can find on the market today. Each type will provide you with certain advantages and disadvantages when you wear them. For instance, there are some motorcycle helmet types that will look cool when you wear them, and there are also motorcycle helmet types that give more focus toward protecting your head. Here are some motorcycle helmet types you can find today:
- Full-face. The full-face helmet is the type of helmet that will give you the maximum protection for your head, including your chin area. Upon impact, the full-face helmet can protect the entire area of the head better than any other types of helmets. However, full-face helmets might not provide you with the best style.
- Half-face. The half-face helmet is the type of helmet that has a similar design to the full-face helmet. However, it won’t provide any protection around the chin area. It means that with the half-face helmet, you will not get the full protection for your motorcycle ride if you experience any crash when you wear it. However, half-face helmets offer better style designs that will make you look more stylish with it.
- Modular. Modular helmet is the helmet type that offers ease and convenience when you wear it. With the modular helmet, you can remove the parts you don’t want to include in your helmet according to your preferences. For instance, you can remove the chin protector area if you want more style, and you can re-insert the chin protector area if you want more protection during your ride. There are other parts you can remove and re-attach on the helmet.
- Open face. The open face helmet gives you enough protection around the upper, back, and ear areas of your head. However, it won’t provide any adequate protection for your facial or chin areas. However, this helmet type is best to wear during hot temperatures, as it will provide you with the best air circulation and comfort when you wear the helmet.
- Dual sport. The dual sport helmet can provide you with the best protection during off-road and on-the-road riding. It has the face shield to protect your eye areas during impact, but you can also add goggles to the helmet for maximum protection against dust when you ride off-road. This helmet is best for you to wear during any motorcycle sport events you might take part in.
Some Additional Features
Motorcycle helmets might also come with additional features not available in the regular helmets. These additional features will provide you with a better riding experience, and these features will also provide you with more convenience and comfort when you wear the helmet. Here are some additional features to consider when picking a motorcycle helmet:
- Air vents. The air vents feature can help you feel the cool breeze around your head while riding the motorcycle, so the hot temperature won’t be too uncomfortable for you. This is the feature you will need if you want to keep the good air flow when motorcycling during the hot summer.
- Sun visor. Riding a motorcycle when the sun is at its strongest might make it difficult for you to see the road. Thus, you will need the sun visor feature on your helmet to prevent the sunlight from disturbing your ride.
- Communications. There are also helmets that include the communication gear inside, allowing you to listen to music or communicate with others while wearing the helmet. This is an excellent feature to have when you are riding motorcycles with your friends.
Conclusion
Follow these tips to select the best motorcycle helmet. There are plenty of motorcycle helmets from different brands you can find on the market today. It’s best for you to consider various aspects as explained in this guide before deciding to purchase them, so that you can put your investment into the right helmet.
