Buying a Motorcycle Helmet
Check out promotional photos for motorcycle companies from the mid-1900s compared to photos from today. Notice anything different? You may find that at some point, the people riding the bikes in the pictures started wearing helmets. States began passing laws requiring helmets, and riders began valuing these safety accessories more and more. If you’re looking to buy a helmet, the following guide can make the shopping process easier!
Type of Motorcycle Helmet
Firstly, make sure you’re getting the right type of helmet for motorcycle riding. Certain helmets won’t be able to provide you with the protection you need. You should absolutely stay away from half helmets. Not only do they do a poor job of protecting your head in a crash, but they provide zero protection for your face. Three-quarter helmets do a better job of protecting you, as they provide more coverage on the lower part of your head and the back of your neck.
However, your best bet is getting a full-face helmet. These include protection for at least all of your head, jaw, and mouth. Many include face shields to provide additional protection to your nose and eyes, but some don’t, so you’ll have to look into getting goggles. Either way, these are the helmets that not only provide you with the right coverage but they’re also built with more padding and more durable materials to provide you with better protection overall.
Comfort and Fit
The next important issue to consider is making sure the helmet fits properly. A helmet that is too big won’t provide you with the right amount of protection when it matters most. It will slip around fairly easily and might even slip off your head altogether, even if you have it strapped on.
Figuring out if a helmet is too small on the other hand can be a little trickier. Keep in mind that a helmet should feel snug, but if it’s too small, it can be noticeably uncomfortable, or even painful. Sometimes it’ll be obvious when you need a bigger size, but if you find you have a headache after you ride around for a while, it could be an indicator that your helmet is too small and applying too much pressure to your head.
Crash Resistance
You’re also going to want to make sure that any helmet you’re considering has been crash test certified. This will indicate if the materials and construction of the helmet will hold up in the event of an accident. But don’t trust just any certification. Make sure it’s from a reputable testing agency. The most common include both government-funded agencies, like the Department of Transportation (DOT), and private industries, like Snell.
Here at Windy City Motorcycle Company, we know how exciting it is to be able to hit the open road on your bike, but we want to make sure you know how to best protect yourself. If you have the right helmet but still need the right bike, then stop by our dealership. We are based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Chicago, Illinois; and Detroit, Michigan.