Your Motorcycle Helmet is the only Motorcycle accessory that can save your life. How does yours rate? |
||
Find motorcycle helmet advice targeted for the way YOU ride as well as resources for online helmet shopping. HOP-Links In my opinion, the most important motorcycle accessory is the motorcycle helmet. I know some readers don't like helmets or helmet laws, and that's your freedom of choice.
In a hurry? You can use the HOP-Links above to jump directly to the section that focuses on YOUR favorite style of riding. Sport bike riders have some of the most colorful and varied choices in motorcycle helmets. Your sport is technical, on the edge and fast. With high speed comes increased risk (just ask your insurance agent ;-). Maximum protection is essential. You don't just want a fast bike, you want a motorcycle helmet that looks fast too. The best choice here is a full face helmet for a couple of reasons. You get the increased protection of the chinbar and cool tinted face shields are available to customize the look. Consider the ventilation system on a full face helmet. High quality helmets have close fitting shields and snug padding around the bottom to minimize wind noise. The tradeoff to that is that it promotes fogging. Manufacturers attempt to avoid this by installing breath deflectors at the top of the chin bar. The best ventilation systems incorporate air ducts in the styrofoam safety liner to pull hot air away from your scalp. If you can, get a face shield system that has a handy tool free design. Most of the mid to high end helmets have this feature. Examples: High End: Shoei RF1000 - Legendary for quality and fit. This Duhamel replica is an example of just how extreme some of the graphics can get at this price point. Expect to pay $350 - $450 for an RF1000, but there are even more expensive lids out there.
Mid Range: HJC CL-15 - Extremely popular, lightweight and the BEST shield change mechanism make this one of the best street helmet values on the market in my opinion. Expect to pay $150-$300 for a helmet in this range.
Entry Level: M2R MR8 - There are plenty of fine quality and good looking helmets if you're on a budget. Consider the M2R MR8 for example. For $60 retail you get a DOT certified helmet with high quality graphics.
The first things you'll give up at this price point are tool free shields, and removable, washable comfort liners. You can still get Snell certification, but you'll have to pay slightly over $100 in most cases. Read more on safety certifications below.
For touring duty you need above all long lasting comfort in your motorcycle helmet. A full face design is not necessary, especially if you're sitting comfortably behind the screen of a Honda Gold Wing or Harley Electra Glide. Besides, that chinbar will be in the way when you get ready for a drink of your favorite beverage that's probably sitting in your cup holder. :D An open face helmet works great for touring and they are available in Snell certified models. The open face design makes it easier to install speakers and microphones for communication and entertainment. I might go either way in choosing a motorcycle helmet for commuting. If you're a hardcore commuter you'll be out in all kinds of weather and in that case a full face helmet is in order. The open face would make it practical to take in that cup of coffee on the way to work though. Daily wear demands comfort and no nonsense design in either case. There is an alternative to both the full face and open face motorcycle helmets. The modular or flip-up helmet combines the safety of a full face helmet and the convenience of an open face. Modular helmets are not eligible for Snell certification, so no matter what you pay you'll be getting DOT certification only. Examples: Modular: HJC Symax - HJC always comes to mind when I think of touring helmets. The Symax is their version of a flip-up lid. It's in the mid price range at about $200 - $250.
Open Face: HJC AC-3 - A classic design in an open face helmet.
There's definitely nothing wrong with wearing any of the previously discussed motorcycle helmet designs while riding your cruiser or custom styled bike. As a matter of fact I do it all the time. I don't however, claim to exhibit the most cutting edge style either. :0 For cruising, most of you will be looking for a minimal lid, just enough to get by the sharp eye of Mr. State Trooper. A lot of cruisers will resort to wearing a novelty or beanie helmets, but please don't. My brain is worth more than $20 to me, is yours? Cruiser helmets give up protection for the ears and cheeks and represent the minimum protection in a motorcycle helmet. Some do come with a zip off neck curtain to cut down on wind noise and help keep your ears warm. Example: The smallest, lowest profile helmet to meet DOT certifications that I know of is the Skid Lid by Biker's Choice.
Distinctive styling and single purpose design sets dirt bike helmets apart from the rest. Instead of having a face shield, these lids usually have a place for goggle straps. Almost all have a baseball cap type visor. Colors and graphics are almost unlimited in Motocross helmets. Look for replicas of your favorite racer's helmet, but expect to pay more for the trick look. Examples: High End: - Arai MXC-Pro features a removable chin guard. At about $330, this convenience may not be worth the price to some racers.
Mid Range: - Get great bang for the buck in the mid range in dirt bike helmets. The best example I know of is the M2R Revelation X. It's the lightest Snell certified off road motorcycle helmet on the market at 1275 grams. The Rev X has been revved up for 2004 and is now called the Revelation X2.
The "X2" won't be easily mistaken with the new rear fin.
Motorcycle Helmet Facts The following information applies to all motorcycle helmet styles Construction: A motorcycle helmet consists of four primary parts: 1. The outer shell 2. A shock-absorbing liner 3. A comfort liner of soft foam and fabric 4. A chin strap or other retention system Helmet shells are primarily manufactured in one of two materials: fiberglass or injection molded plastic. Helmet manufacturers are constantly working to develop less expensive, stronger, and lighter materials for helmet shell construction. The injection molded plastic helmet generally is the lightest and least expensive available today. It may also have a shorter life expectancy. Its chemical composition can be changed if it is painted or decals are applied to its surface. Damage can occur if it is stored near gasoline, cleaning fluids, or exhaust fumes. The user should read carefully any and all information supplied with these helmets. Fiberglass helmets can be more expensive than injected molded helmets, especially if the fiberglass layers are hand laminated. Fiberglass helmets delaminate on impact to absorb shock. You can paint them or apply decals without damage. However, because they are built to absorb shock, they can also break or crack if severely impacted in an accident, a fall or even if dropped sharply onto a hard surface.
Standards: Your motorcycle helmet should comply with the standards from one or more of these agencies:
Each organization has established rigid procedures to evaluate:
Department of Transportation (DOT) Since 1980 all adult-sized helmets must meet the DOT standard. Snell Memorial Foundation The use of the Snell certification is voluntary. Snell has been testing helmets since the 1950's. Does your helmet have to be Snell Certified to be really safe? No. Take this perspective: There is a much larger difference between a novelty helmet and a DOT certified helmet than there is between a DOT certified helmet and a Snell Certified helmet. Visit the Snell website to get more information. American National Standards Institute (ANSI) The ANSI requirement is a voluntary standard developed by a committee or representatives from consumer groups, helmet manufacturers, testing organizations and the military.
Getting the Right Size Your motorcycle helmet fit is critical to the comfort and enjoyment of your helmet. It also plays a critical role in the performance of your helmet in the event of a collision.
If you enjoyed this motorcycle helmet article, be sure you read all the motorcycle accessories articles at Motorcycle-Accessories-WiseGuy.com!
More Resources:
Related M-A-W Articles:
To
learn more about motorcycle accessories, make sure you don't miss
the next *FREE* issue of BrainBuckets
Etc. News!
Link.::.Contact
Us |Copyright © 2003-2006|
Privacy.::.Subscribe
|
The
helmet liner is made of expanded polystyrene foam (or "Styrofoam").
This is an important part of the motorcycle helmet, as this polystyrene
liner is non-resilient and evenly spreads the impact in an accident.
The more impact energy that can be absorbed by the liner, the less
there is of that shock energy to reach the head and do damage.