If there’s one thing that we love reiterating with all of our articles about motorcycle helmets, it’s the fact that using them is critical for ensuring one’s safety. Having the right helmet can mean the difference between life and death.
Please note that there’s an emphasis on choosing the right one, though. While wearing any kind of helmet can increase your safety, there’s still a significant difference between the service and function of wearing the proper helmet for your needs and preferences.
Not to mention that it would be great to have the chance to wear something you like (such as a Captain America motorcycle half helmet) and make sure that you’re protected from severe injury.
The challenge, however, is in determining what the “right helmet is.” You need to consider different factors to choose one, and that’s what we’re going to feature in this quick guide.
How to Choose the Right Motorcycle Helmet
Below are the different factors you need to consider when choosing which motorcycle helmet to use and buy.
Type of Motorcycle Helmet
The first thing that you need to familiarize yourself with is the different types of motorcycle helmets available. There is a variety of options to choose from out there.
However, there are three that are considered to be the most popular. These are the full-face helmet, open-face helmet, and modular helmet.
We usually recommend these three for buyers who don’t know what to look for yet. That’s because they tend to prevent the most injury in case of unfortunate events due to their structure. They also come in various sizes and fits, making them versatile choices.
Function
The next thing that you should consider is your riding needs and preferences. For instance, do you ride your motorcycle every day or just occasionally?
If you use your motorcycle for your daily commute, you will probably need something comfortable, lightweight, and versatile. Meanwhile, if you occasionally ride with a group, you might want to prioritize communication features instead.
There are motorcycle helmets that are specifically designed for faster speeds as well.
Material Used
There are various materials that big brands use to create their motorcycle helmets. Aside from their cost difference, you also need to determine how each differs regarding the safety they provide.
For instance, polycarbonate helmets tend to flex when they absorb too much force, but they are less expensive. Meanwhile, those who want to invest in high-performance gear can choose a carbon fiber helmet instead.
True, they are more expensive, but they also distribute energy better upon impact.
Safety Rating
Aside from the materials used to manufacture your helmet, don’t forget to consider your piece’s safety rating as well. The organization responsible for helmet standards will vary according to country or location.
For instance, the United States Department of Transportation is responsible for that in the U.S., while those in the U.K. should refer to the U.N. Economic Commission for Europe.
Fit and Comfort
Don’t forget to account for your motorcycle helmet’s fit and comfort as well. Make sure that you have the correct size. It shouldn’t be too tight or loose.
There are motorcycle helmets that come with added ventilation features that don’t just provide comfort but also prevent visor fogging.
We strongly believe that motorcycle helmets should be safe and comfortable to use. In this way, users are more encouraged to use them regularly, even during the hottest days of summer or the coldest days of winter.
Other Features
Finally, we also acknowledge that advanced features can improve a helmet’s user experience.
For instance, aside from communication and air vents, we also look into helmets with Bluetooth features to play our favorite tracks during a long ride.
We prefer this over earphones since they don’t cover the ears directly. It’s simply safer this way.
After all, playing a little bit of music can keep one energized, especially when riding home after a very long and tiring day at work.
Another feature that we certainly enjoy is visors that adjust to various lighting conditions. There’s nothing more inconvenient than dealing with bright sunlight or reduced visibility during overcast days.
Benefits of wearing proper motorcycle helmet
Riding a bike without wearing a helmet can be dangerous. It is one of the main pieces of equipment that will save you from getting injured during the accidents. Some major benefits of wearing a proper motorcycle helmet includes:
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Protects you from head injuries:
As per research, over 70% of deadly bike mishaps have happened due to head injuries. In this manner it seems great to wear a helmet at whatever point an individual is riding on the streets.
Regardless of whether it is for a brief distance nothing bad can really be said about wearing a helmet since mishaps, particularly on the streets don’t come with a caution or any prior announcement. Aside from death, some injuries which could cripple an individual for life can be prevented just by wearing a head protector or a helmet.
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Protection from harsh weather conditions:
Dust storms, rain and other severe weather conditions make riding a bike much more risky. A protective helmet can keep downpour out of your eyes and off of your face, forestalling poor visibility and an interruption that could make you fail to keep a grip on your motorcycle. Combined with riding gear, helmets offer safety regardless of the weather conditions.
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Reduces wind noise:
A helmet helps in eliminating or reducing wind noises. Wind can be extremely loud when it surges past the ears. This can utter different sounds out and about hard to hear, like emergency and approaching vehicles. Wearing such protective gear over your head can make riding a bike more secure, as a failure to hear sounds on the street can add to an accident. Check out motorcyclehelmethawk.com to pick the best helmet for yourself.
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Clear view:
Apart from safeguarding your face from things like trash, twigs, and bugs while you’re riding, certain bike helmets additionally can shield you from the brightness of the sun. Numerous advanced head protectors come outfitted with visors that are either colored or provide some kind of glare insurance, and this can go far towards keeping your vision clear and forestalling mishaps.
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Style:
Picking a superior helmet is the sign of a superior rider. What’s more? It is viewed as one of the top motivations to wear a helmet. Frequently bike riders wear helmets that match with their motorcycle, which is viewed as actually quite alluring and stylish. Helmets are overall a great choice for people who want to add some style quotient in their rider look. You can pick a different colored helmet to make a contrast with your bike’s color.
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Saves you from penalties:
Numerous nations make it compulsory for bike riders to wear a helmet while riding. Riding without it is considered an offense, and it is fined under the law. If someone commits such an offense over and again, their driving permit might be repossessed and getting it back might be a difficult errand. Therefore, ensure to wear a helmet while traveling on your bike to avoid paying unnecessary penalties.
Getting the Right Helmet
We understand how difficult it is to choose the correct helmet. Even buying guides一like this one by Forbes一can be quite overwhelming given the number of options they feature.
Hence, we recommend starting your search by learning the different factors you should consider first. In this way, you’ll be able to narrow down your options and make a more thoughtful purchase decision.
We hope that by sharing this information with you, we are also helping make the road a safer place for all of us to enjoy. Still can’t decide whether you need a helmet or not?
Here’s an amusing post from Buzzfeed that can probably help convince you.
