Choosing The Right Motorcycle Helmet For Your Safety

By Robert Thomson

You love your motorcycle; you travel everywhere with it – but to continue appreciating it means keeping yourself safe. And to keep yourself safe means wearing your helmet. So why is a helmet so safe and how do you pick out the right one, you may ask.

First, let’s look at what a helmet does for you. In a crash, a helmet not only helps protect your brain, but also your life, and well, your face. Combined with other protective gear, rider-education courses, proper licensing and public awareness, the use of helmets is one of the biggest ways to reduce injury. Of course nobody ever hopes they have to use their helmet but they are somewhat like seatbelts. When a crash does happen, not matter whether you are on a short ride or long one, people are grateful they had it on.

Second, a good helmet makes riding a motorcycle more fun, due to the comfort factor. Let’s face it, without a helmet, the wind is noisy, bugs are slamming against your face and getting into your eyes, and the weather wears you down. When wearing a helmet you can cut down on the noise, wind and bugs. Helmets also contribute to comfort from changing weather conditions and reduce rider fatigue.

Different helmets do different things. There are hard hats on construction and heavy-industry heads; football helmets on athletes’ heads, and Kevlar caps on military heads. None are interchangeable. Motorcycle riding helmets are very sophisticated and specialized for the activity. They’ve been developed carefully and scientifically over the years. Four basic components work together to provide protection in the motorcycle helmet: an outer shell; an impact-absorbing liner; the comfort padding; and a good retention system.

A helmet is often only as good as the choices you make in picking it out. The first thing you need to be aware of when picking out the right helmet for you is the fit. There’s more to fitting a helmet than just buying the one that matches your hat size or guessing at “small, medium or large.” Finding your size starts with either trying helmets on or by measuring your head at its largest circumference – usually just above your eyebrows in front, over your eyes and around in back. Try it several times so you know you’ve gotten the largest number. Most helmets are marked and sold as S, M, L or XL, so you may need to contact the manufacturer for size equivalents. Helmet sizes vary among manufacturers and model types.

If you are in a store and trying on helmets, there is a method for this as well. Hold your helmet by the chinstraps with the bottom of the helmet facing you and with the front pointing down. Put your thumbs on the inside of the straps, balancing the helmet with your fingertips. Spread the sides of the helmet apart slightly and slip it down over your head using the chinstraps. The helmet should fit snugly and may even feel a bit too tight until it is in place correctly. Be sure it sits squarely on your head. It shouldn’t be tilted back on your head like a hat. Remember, if your helmet is too large, several things could happen: it will move around and up and down on your head when you least want it to; it can be noisy and let in wind and worst of all, it may come off in a crash!

Once the helmet is on your head, make a few other fit checks before fastening the straps. The cheek pads should touch your cheeks without pressing uncomfortably. There should be no gaps between your temples and the brow pads. If the helmet has a neck roll, it shouldn’t push the helmet away from the back of your neck. On full-face helmets, press on the chin piece and push the helmet or face side to side and up and down with your hands. If it fits right, your skin should move as the helmet is moved. You should feel as if a slight, even pressure is being exerted all over your head. Remember, too, that a helmet loosens up a bit as the comfort liner compresses through use. A new helmet should be as tight as you can comfortably wear it.

Now, with the chinstrap still securely fastened and your head straight, try rolling the helmet forward off your head. You shouldn’t be able to pull it off. If you can, the helmet is too big. Take off the helmet. Does your head feel sore anywhere? Are there any red spots on your forehead? Pressure points can be uncomfortable and can cause a headache after a long ride, so be sure your helmet isn’t causing any. If it is, choose the next largest size or try a different brand of helmet. Human heads are not all the same shape, neither are helmets.

If you are still unsure about the helmet’s fit, wear it around the store for a while to see if it remains comfortable. A helmet is an important investment, no matter what its price. Be sure the one you choose is right for you.

Once you have picked your helmet, you must now care for it so that it remains in good and safe condition. Follow the manufacturer’s care instructions for your helmet. Use only the mildest soap recommended. Avoid any petroleum-based cleaning fluids, especially if you own a polycarbonate helmet. Exposure to strong cleaning agents can cause the helmet to decompose and lose protective value.

Keep your helmet’s face shield clean. If it gets scratched, replace it. A scratched face shield can be difficult to see through. At night, it could dangerously distort your vision and your view of oncoming lights.

Replace your helmet if it was involved in a crash; it probably absorbed some impact shock. Some helmet manufacturers will inspect and, when possible, repair a damaged helmet. If you drop your helmet and think it might be damaged, take advantage of this service.

Since head injuries account for a majority of motorcycle fatalities, protection is vital.
So make your helmet wisely and with much consideration as it could keep you safe and comfortable for years to come.

About The Author
Savin Scalp Helmets is your one stop shop for discount motorcycle helmets of all shapes and sizes. We provide a wide selection of affordable novelty, half or full face, and motorcross helmets. Our brands include Voss, Caliber, Daytona, Hawk, Outlaw, Bell, and Rhodia. Visit us online today at http://www.savinscalphelmets.com/ for more information.

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Topics: Automotive | Comments Off

Tags: Automotive, helmet, motorcycle helmet, motorcycle safety, safety

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