How to Choose the Right Motorcycle Helmet

Being one of the protective equipment that is a legal requirement in the US, a helmet is undoubtedly one of the most important motorcycle gear. A motorcycle helmet protects your head and that of your passengers for every ride you take.

Wearing the right motorcycle helmet greatly reduces the risk of traumatic injury or death in the event of an accident. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), motorcycle helmets are 37% effective in preventing deaths for riders. A good helmet can also offer advanced features such as Bluetooth communication, aerodynamic stability, and internal visors. Here are a few things to consider when choosing a motorcycle helmet.

Safety ratings

Safety is non-negotiable when it comes to motorcycle helmets. Ensure your helmet has the DOT (Department of Transportation) or ECE (Economic Commission for Europe) symbols on the outside. These show that it meets the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) N0. 218 and has undergone rigorous testing to offer adequate protection in various impact scenarios. It's also important to look at all safety features that come with a helmet, including padding, the material used in the shell, and the inner lining.

Beware of fake labels. Sometimes, a helmet will say it complies with DOT or ECE, but it doesn't. The compliance label should not be a sticker and shouldn't be easy to remove.

Type of the helmet

There are several different categories of helmets, each with distinct features corresponding to various types of riding and motorcycle types. Here are the six major types of motorcycle helmets.

• Full-face helmets: As the name suggests, a full-face helmet provides coverage on all sides and is often the safest option for riders. They are usually equipped with a face shield that protects from wind, sun, and bugs and eliminates the need to wear bulky sunglasses with your motorcycle helmet.
• Open-face helmets: Open-face helmets, or ¾ helmets, cover the peak, back, and side of your head. However, they leave your face uncovered, which is why they are mostly preferred for scooter riders. Open-face helmets are usually the least safe in terms of coverage, but they still offer some head protection in a collision.
• Modular helmets: Modular motorcycle helmets are a hybrid between a full-face and open-face helmet. They feature a hinge system on the chin bar that allows them to be flipped up or completely behind the helmet to give you an open-face helmet feel. A modular helmet can offer features similar to a full-face helmet, including great ventilation to keep you cool, an internal tinted visor for eye protection, and Bluetooth connection capabilities.
• Half helmets: Also known as brain-buckets, half helmets cover and protect the top of a rider's head, excluding ears, face, and chin. They also don't have face shields to protect faces and eyes from debris. Although they lack serious protection, half helmets are lighter and offer more airflow than any other helmet.
• Dual sport (ADV) helmets: Dual sport helmets are an interesting class that combines the functionality and safety of a full-face helmet with the design and off-road prowess of a dirt bike helmet. These helmets come with a huge FOV for improved off-road vision, a huge mouth intake for better cooling, and a visor to reduce the sun's glare. Dual sport helmets are designed for awe-inspiring touring and adventure riding.
• Off-road or motocross helmets: Off-road or motocross helmets are generally angular, with pointy sides, a prominent chin bar, and a large peak. The helmet shape and the peak are designed to deflect branches and debris away from the face or over the top of your head while riding off-road. Dedicated off-road helmets require you to wear goggles since they don't have a visor, which can add an extra layer of complexity and cost.

Shape and size

A properly fitting helmet is pivotal for optimal protection in an accident. Therefore, determining your head shape is another essential step in finding the right motorcycle helmet. Each helmet brand has a slightly different shape, and every rider has a differently shaped head.

Helmets come in different shape styles, but the three common ones are:

• Long oval: This head shape is longer front to back than side to side.
• Intermediate oval: This is the most popular head shape and is slightly longer from front to back than abreast. The shape is measured from the forehead to the largest area at the back of the skull.
• Round oval: In a round oval head shape, the measurements from front to back are closer in proportion to side-to-side measurements.

Use a mirror or have someone else look down on your head from the top. Remember to focus on the shape of your head, not your face shape.

In addition, you need to determine your head size. Use cloth tape to measure your head size. Begin just above your eyebrows and circle the tape around the thickest point in the rear of your head. Cross-reference the measurement with a helmet size chart provided by the manufacturer to determine the correct helmet size.

Ensure a snug fit without being too tight. Your helmet should rest level on your head, covering the forehead without hindering your vision. You can use the chinstrap to secure the helmet in place; it should be tight but not uncomfortable. Wear the helmet indoors for 20-30 minutes to ensure no pinch or pressure points exist.

Weight of the helmet

The weight of a motorcycle helmet can vary depending on the material used. Fiber helmets are the most resistant, multi-fiber helmets are both resistant and light, and polycarbonate helmets generally offer a good quality-to-price ratio.

You should closely examine the helmet weight as it's essential for your comfort. A motorcycle helmet that is too heavy might be uncomfortable on long road trips since it puts pressure on the neck. On the other hand, a helmet that is too light might be unbalanced, with the weight either too far back or too far forward. Generally, an adult motorcycle helmet should weigh between 1.2 and 1.4 kg.

Helmet ventilation

Helmet ventilation systems are essential for getting rid of condensation. If the ventilation systems are of poor quality, it will be difficult to clear the fog in cold or rainy weather, and you might also get too hot in summer.

However, a properly ventilated motorcycle helmet is noisier, so it's all about looking for the right match. A full-face helmet comes with a chin guard, so it's less noisy than open-face and modular helmets.

Keep in mind that most motorcycle helmets are equipped with a standard Pinlock screen. This flexible plastic lens is placed against the visor to absorb moisture and provide effective anti-fog protection.

Style and field of vision

Beyond safety, your motorcycle helmet is a style statement. Therefore, pick a design and color that reflects your personality.

Your motorcycle helmet should also give you the widest possible field of vision while on the road. Opt for a helmet with high-visibility features like reflective strips or bright colors to enhance your visibility while on the road.

Cost

Motorcycle helmets vary in price but do not fall into the allure of thinking that more expensive lids are essentially safer than cheaper models. While it's true that most expensive helmets generally have high safety ratings, it's not impossible to find more affordable models with top-notch safety features.

When you buy a more expensive motorcycle helmet, you typically pay for aesthetics, fashion, and additional extras rather than better safety. However, you don't have to break the bank if the helmet meets the safety standards and properly fits your head.

Wrapping it up

Choosing the right motorcycle helmet is an individual decision that requires balancing comfort, style, and safety. Therefore, take your time to explore different options, try on various models, and consult with an expert. Remember that your helmet isn't just motorcycle gear; it's your trusted companion on every ride, and it ensures you stay safe while enjoying the freedom of the open road.

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