How to Pick a Motorcycle Helmet
With no seatbelts, airbags, or crumple zones, a motorcycle lacks the basic safety features you’d find in a car. So when you consider that the only thing standing between your head and the road or other hard objects is your helmet, it’s easy to see why it’s important to put some thought into what helmet you buy. Helmets come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, and they’re made of a multitude of different materials. We here at Crossroad Powersports designed this brief guide to help our customers figure out what type of helmet is best suited for their needs. If you’re new to motorcycle riding and are looking for your first bike, stop by our dealership and showroom in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, near Philadelphia.
Different Types of Helmet
Of all the factors that contribute to a helmet’s performance, shape might be the deciding factor for which helmets will protect you and which ones won’t. There are three basic helmet shapes, and each one has its own strengths and weaknesses. A half helmet only covers the top of the head and is held in place by a chin strap. This type of helmet is often preferred by those riding in warm weather climates because riders prefer the open face which provides lots of ventilation. The problem with this type of helmet is that it doesn’t protect the chin, face, or jaw, and hitting your chin during a crash can be deadly. The next type of helmet is a three quarters helmet. With a three quarters helmet, protection extends farther down the back of the head, almost to the neck, and wraps forward around the ears. This style of helmet also features an open face and chin, but because of the more protective shape, it also is more likely to stay in place during a crash. Finally, a full face helmet covers the entire head, offering 360 degrees of protection. This is the most protective helmet, and it’s the helmet you’ll probably want to have in a wreck. But the enclosed design can feel stifling on the hottest days.
Crash Test Ratings
When choosing a helmet, make sure you get one with some level of crash test rating. These ratings are issued by agencies that rigorously test the helmets under a number of different circumstances to give a complete picture of the helmet’s performance. Some of the most common testing agencies include DOT, SHARP, AUS, and Snell. DOT is generally considered the baseline crash test rating that you want to have no a helmet. But if you want to take it a step further, look for a Snell-approved helmet. Snell is a private not-for-profit agency that conducts extremely strict tests and only gives its stamp of approval to the best helmets.
Fit & Ride Comfort
As you start to zero in on a specific helmet, it’s important to actually wear the helmets for a little while to get a sense for which one will work best for you. An ill-fitting helmet won’t perform well under bad conditions. The helmet shouldn’t be difficult to put on, but it should fit snugly and it shouldn’t wobble or tilt when you move your head.
You probably won’t get a true idea as to whether or not a helmet is the right helmet for you until you take a ride with it. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the easiest thing to do because most stores won’t let you simply walk out of the store with one of their helmets. If possible, try multiple helmets at the store, choose the one that feels the best, and then keep the sales receipt. That way, if it doesn’t work out, you can return it to the store and exchange it for a new one. As you ride, you’ll be looking to see if the helmet cuts off your field of vision, if it moves around as your ride, and if it is too hot to wear for long periods of time.
Choosing a new helmet is an important job and it’s one worth putting some thought into. Make sure to take your time, do some research, and be willing to return your helmet if it’s not up to the task. If you’re still in the market for your first bike, stop by Crossroad Powersports. We have the latest models from many top brands, and we can help you find the bike of your dreams. Located in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, We’re just a short drive to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Wilmington, Delaware, and Camden, New Jersey.