The human head is the most susceptible part of the human body to sustain a fatal injury. If you want to ride a motorbike we recommend you wear a good quality motorbike helmet. There are varying arguments surrounding the effectiveness of crash helmets in preventing fatal injury during a motorbike crash, however at MotorcycleHelmetCritic.com all we need to know is that our heads can withstand a greater impact with a helmet on than without, so we always wear quality crash helmets.
Motorbike Helmet Laws
Dfferent US states have different laws governing the use of crash helmets. If you are riding in a state where it is legal for you to ride without a helmet, you need to make the decision which you feel is best for your well being – Ride with or without. If you are new to riding, or if there is any doubt in your mind we recommend you wear a motorbike helmet.
Choosing the Right Helmet
If you have made the decision to use a motorcycle helmet in your riding adventures, you have chosen the right path, the path that is most likely to lead to many years of successful, safe and exhilarating riding. Now it is important that you choose the right motorbike helmet for your riding needs.
Purpose of a helmet
You need to consider what main purpose your motorcycle helmet will be fulfilling, naturally head protection, but what type or style of riding will you mostly be doing?
There are two main purposes (categories) we consider – on-road and off-road. On-road broadly includes racing, touring, recreational riding and commuting. Off-road also includes racing, recreational off-road riding and adventure touring.
There are styles which cross between the two, you may be planning an adventure tour which will include on-road and off-road riding like Ewan McGregor & Charley Boorman did on their ‘Long Way Round’ and ‘Long Way Down’ long distance adventure tours. Luckily there are plenty of helmet options available. Selecting which helmet is right for you becomes easier after you have narrowed down your riding purpose.
Helmet Style
There are three main types / styles of helmets which you can consider in your crash helmet choice.
- First is the full face helmet which is designed to offer the most protection of any of the helmets currently available.
- Second is the three quarter helmet or open face which does not provide chin/face protection.
- Thirdly there is the half helmet, also known as a ‘skin lid’ or ‘German helmet’ which sits on the top of your head and offers the least protection of the three motorbike helmet styles.
Some manufactures also offer flip-up, also known as modular helmets which are designed to offer the protection of the full face helmet when the front is flipped down, but can also offer the benefits of the three quarter helmet when the front is flipped up.
Dirt bike helmets off full face protection, but tend to be lighter than road helmets and do not offer visors (shields) as they are designed to be worn with goggles.
Motorbike Helmet Color and Visibility
Another major consideration of the safe motorcycle rider who wishes to enjoy many years of enjoyable riding should be the color of the helmet. The color can have a major impact on how visible you are to other road users. The most visible color is white, as such we recommend you buy a white helmet or an alternative bright colored helmet. The least visible color is probably black, and despite its natural appeal to many riders the black helmet should be avoided by the safety conscious motorbike helmet user.
Motorbike Helmet Comfort and Fit
The motorbike helmet you choose should fit snugly on your head, not too tight so that it is difficult to get on/off or uncomfortable, but tight enough so that when you shake your head the helmet moves with your head as one and does not wobble around. The helmet should feel ‘snug’ on your head without tightening the safety strap; the strap should be seen as an additional measure to prevent the helmet from flying off your head in an accident.
Video: How to fit a helmet properly
Motorbike Helmet Airflow
Airflow is an important consideration in full face helmets, especially if you expect to do any riding in hot conditions. You should ensure a helmet that you are considering has sufficient vents for letting air in the helmet and exhaust vents for letting it back out. Vents should be designed to circulate air around the helmet, to both cool your head and help prevent the motorbike helmets visor from fogging up.
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Motorbike Helmet Care
After you have purchased a helmet which suits your riding needs you should take correct care of it so that it lasts a long time and more importantly so that it protects you during an accident. You should always check the ‘care’ instructions for the specific helmet you purchase.
Most helmets are designed to absorb energy during impact, this absorption of energy protects you by preventing energy from being transferred to your head. However in absorbing the energy the inside of the helmet will likely be permanently damaged. You should always be very careful with your helmet, never drop it as this impact can damage the interior of the helmet while the exterior appears undamaged. It is for this reason that you should not purchase second hand as you cannot determine whether the safety protection that the motorbike helmet was designed with is still offered