You have spent a lot of time already doing your research into finding the right motorbike helmet along with other important gear. However, you now still need to look at some motorbike helmets in person; this is the most important protective gear for every rider. Since this will protect your head from injury in the event of an accident, the importance of wearing a good motorbike helmet cannot be stressed enough.
It’s shocking that people will spend thousands on their motorbike, yet cheap out on a helmet in an attempt to save money. A good quality helmet is more than worth the price, so remember that as you shop.
What you shouldn’t do is buy a helmet just because you like the way it looks. You need a motorbike helmet which protects your head while you ride – safety should always be the first thing on your mind.
– Size Does Matter
Bigger doesn’t always mean better when it comes to choosing the right motorbike helmet . Your helmet should fit snugly and be comfortable to wear. When trying on helmets put them on and tighten the chinstraps. Next, try moving the helmet . If it shifts around on your head easily, then it’s not the right size. Having a good fit means a safer helmet , so take your time and try on lots of helmets before deciding on the right size.
– Safety First
The back of the helmet should feature a DOT and ideally a SNELL sticker as well. These safety certifications let you know that this helmet has been safety-tested. The SNELL sticker denotes rigorous standardized testing – DOT certification goes on the honor system, so look for both stickers.
– Type of Helmet
There are several different types of motorbike helmet , some offering more protection than others. There are full face helmets , motocross helmets , shorty helmets and open face helmets . The safest of all is the full face helmet ; some riders do prefer open face or shorty helmets , but keep in mind that these will not protect your face if you get into an accident.
– Anti-Scratch and Anti-Fog
There is an ever increasing number of helmet makers who are producing helmets with visors that feature scratch resistance and anti-fogging features. You should definitely seek out a helmet which includes these or consider purchasing an after market visor which does. Anti-fogging is a great safety feature – after all, the last thing you need while on the road is reduced vision because your visor is fogging up! There are also anti-fog sprays and anti-fog film which you can place in your visor.
– Ventilation
Every helmet should have adequate ventilation so that you don’t have to ride while dripping with sweat. There is a trade off between ventilation and noise levels while you ride, however – the more vents, the louder things will be. Aerodynamic helmets will be quieter though and there are even helmets where you can open and close the vents as needed. Earplugs are also an option if you need less noise but more ventilation in your motorbike helmet .
– Straps
Good chinstraps help to make a proper fit. Make sure that your chinstraps are easy to adjust and can be locked to your rear trunk for easy helmet storage.
– Inner Liner
Your helmet’s inner lining should be comfortable the first time you try it on. Remember that the lining will become more comfortable with wear, but you’re better off riding in comfort the very first time you wear your new motorbike helmet .
– Design
Not that looking cool isn’t important, but safety should always come first in considering motorbike helmets . The choice of design is entirely up to you – only you can say for sure what looks good on you and more importantly, feels good. Some of the brands to look for are Scorpion, Joe Rocket, AGV, Icon and Shoei, all of which provide you with the protection you need and are available in a range of style to suit every rider regardless of his or her tastes.
