Before you hop online to purchase your new helmet here a few things you may want to consider.
1. Safety Rating
Make sure the helmet you are considering has been DOT approved to ensure it will protect you in case of a collision. It doesn’t matter how cool a helmet looks if it doesn’t protect you during an accident.
2. Fit
Proper fit is extremely important. Your helmet should fit snuggly without being uncomfortable. An ill-fitting helmet does not protect your valuable gray matter during an accident properly.
3. Comfort
You may think this is similar to fit, but comfort has nothing to do with safety. A helmet can fit perfectly from a protection standpoint but still be uncomfortable to the rider. If a rider is uncomfortable in the helmet, they may choose to ride without protection. Also when you purchase a new helmet it should be fairly snug to allow a little room for break-in.
4. Style
No, we aren’t talking about whether you want decals of dragons or polk-a-dots. We’re talking about the helmet construction style. Depending on your style preference you can choose from one of four main styles… Full Face, Open Face, Modular, or Shorty Helmets.
Full Face
A popular style with sportbike riders, it offers the best protection with a one piece outer shell that has a full coverage face shield and fixed chin-bar.
3/4 Open Face
A popular style with the touring and cafe riders, these provide full coverage on the top and back of the head with the absence of face coverage. This design provides additional airflow but has absolutely no protection for your grill.
Modular
A combination of the Full-Face and 3/4 designs. Most modular helmets have a full chin-bar that can be can be raised above line of sight or removed completely. This allows the rider the option of the protection of a Full Face, or the comfort of a 3/4 Open Face. This design is gaining popularity with adventure riders and daily commuters .
1/2 Shorty
If you prefer to ride without a helmet, but your state law requires it, the Shorty design may be just the ticket, to keep you from getting a ticket. Offering minimal coverage while still meeting DOT requirements the shorty style is really popular with the hardcore cruiser crowd.
5. Price
It’s often said “You get what you pay for” meaning the quality is usually reflected in the cost. When purchasing a helmet, safety should always be the main concern. All DOT certified helmets are required to pass the same testing and should provide similar levels of protection. In my humble opinion you should purchase the best helmet you can afford since the comfort levels increase with the cost.
What kind of helmet do you wear?
If you have any questions about the different helmet styles we offer please let us know. We’ll be happy to answer them.
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