Choosing a Motorcycle Helmet
You can't feel much more free than you do when riding a motorcycle, but that freedom comes at a price. Should anything happen while you ride, you won't have much standing between you and serious injury. For this reason, your helmet will be the most important piece of gear you ever purchase for motorcycle riding. There are many different types of helmet available, but most aren't suited for motorcycle riding. Even among motorcycle-specific helmets, some are much more valuable than others. So how do you find the perfect helmet? At Interstate Cycles, we ride ourselves and we know how important it is to find the right helmet. We assembled this short guide to help you find the helmet that will save you should something awful happen. If you need more advice, stop by our location in Lake City, Florida.
Types of Helmets
There are many types of helmets out there, but what makes motorcycle helmets different than a bike or hockey helmet is that they're designed to take much, much bigger impacts. Thicker shells, denser inner foam, and a closer fit all allow motorcycle helmets to keep your head safe in a crash. The world of motorcycle helmets is mostly divided by fit. Half helmets are the smallest and offer the least protection. They sit on top of your head like a derby hat and provide no protection for the face, but their openness and comfort make them a favorite of veteran riders confident in their riding skills. Three quarter helmets are the next step up, and they offer protection that extends further down the neck and around the ears without covering the face at all. These helmets fit much more tightly than half helmets but still leave the face vulnerable in a crash. The last category is full face helmets, which, as the name suggests, cover the entire head and face. These helmets offer excellent protection and also make extra goggles or glasses unnecessary thanks to their face shields.
Crash Testing
Once you decide on a style of helmet, next you should start looking at crash test ratings. There are a number of different agencies that will provide crash test ratings, and they're almost all signified by acronyms such as DOT, AUS, and SHARP. One of the most rigorous crash test rating systems out there is called Snell. While DOT is the industry standard, Snell takes testing even farther. You could practically back over a Snell helmet with a truck without causing damage. Make sure to familiarize yourself with crash test ratings so you can find a helmet that's ideally suited for touring, commuting, cruising, or whatever other type of riding you prefer.
Fit
Almost as important as crash test rating is your helmet's fit. A poorly fitted helmet can slip off in a crash leaving you exposed. A helmet shouldn't slide around or move without you doing it intentionally. On the other hand, it also shouldn't pinch too much, and you should be able to put it on without grimacing in pain. It should be snug, but not painfully so.
Road Performance and Comfort
You can try a helmet out, but you'll really get an idea for whether or not it's the right helmet for you when you ride with it. A helmet shouldn't restrict your field of vision, and it definitely shouldn't slip down over your eyes when you ride. Helmets can get stuffy, but you should be able to breath while you wear it. If you notice that your head pours with sweat as soon as you put your helmet on, and it's sweat that you can't keep out of your eyes, you'll want to try a different helmet. You'll be more likely to wear a comfortable helmet, and the more you wear your helmet, the safer you'll be.
If you're still in the market for a new or used motorcycle, stop by Interstate Cycles. We have a wide selection of bikes from brands like Honda® and Yamaha. Located in Lake City, Florida, we are known to customers in Gainesville, Tallahassee, Alachua, Valdosta, Jacksonville, and Sanderson, Florida for our great customer service and knowledgeable staff. Not only can we help you find a great bike, we can direct you to our favorite motorcycle helmets and riding gear!