Selecting the Right Motorcycle Helmet

When you’re operating or riding a motorcycle it’s extremely important to have the right safety equipment. A motorbike helmet is the single most important item of safety equipment, but it will only provide adequate protection if it’s the right type and fits properly. How often have you seen a kid riding a motorcycle wearing an adult-sized helmet? If a calamity were to occur, the helmet would offer very little, if any, protection to the child’s skull.

It is of vital importance to try on any motorcycle helmet to make sure it fits right. If you’re buying online or from a catalog, make sure you’re able to return it if it turns out not to fit correctly. You need to bear in mind that each manufacturer sizes their helmets differently. If you now have a size large helmet, that doesn’t mean another manufacturer’s size large will fit you necessarily. It’s worth measuring the circumference of your head and asking for the helmet dimensions, if purchasing online. And very important: never buy a used motorcycle helmet – it may have been in an accident and may no longer offer adequate protection.

Helmets should be tried on with any other accessories you will be wearing while riding. Many women, for instance, like to ride bikes with their hair in a ponytail but may try a helmet for size with their hair straight. And if you wear prescription glasses or contact lenses, it’s important to wear them while trying on motorcycle helmets.

A motorbike helmet needs to fit very securely. Make sure it surrounds the whole of your head. Chin straps are adjustable but try them to make sure they go tight enough to fit around your face. It’s also a good idea to try on the same brand of helmet one size larger and one size smaller to make doubly sure you really have the optimal fit. Some helmets offer extra comfort by means of air vents, which can be easily slid open or closed to allow more air to circulate while riding.

Helmets are available in a range of materials. The safest and highest quality is found in helmets made from organic fibreglass and layers of carbon fibers. This combination of materials makes for a very powerful shock-absorbent shell. It’s also important that the liner features a three layer system, for additional shock absorption.

If you ride your bike regularly for any length of time, you might want to choose a helmet that allows you to change the visor without hassle. This can be very useful if you ride during both night and day time. The visors should also be fog resistant and offer impact resistance.

While a quality helmet that offers decent protection will never be a cheap option, it could well be one of the best investments you ever made. Statistically, riders who have accidents while wearing a motorcycle helmet have more than a third less chance of suffering head injury. A well-fitting helmet is a pleasure to wear – you can even have it custom painted to match your motorbike colors.