Sunday 7 August 2016

Picking The Best Motorcycle Helmet For You

Welcome to one of life's greatest adventures. Whether you ride a sportbike or a cruiser as a pleasure seeker or commuter, riding on two wheels is a phenomenal experience designed to give you years of enjoyment and satisfaction.
Before you fight traffic with cars or plan that weekend excursion on backcountry roads you'll need to invest in some very important equipment - namely riding gear. Body protection is a must when riding your sportbike or cruiser and nothing could be more important than a helmet. You likely did some research before deciding on a sportbike or cruiser so you're going to want to do the same before grabbing any 'ole helmet.
You'll notice a sportbike helmet looks much different from a dirt bike or motocross helmet. Helmets designed for sportbikes and cruisers are more round without the extended chin protection needed for dirt bike riding. Plus, you have a variety of choices depending on your preference:
  • Full Face
  • Dual Sport
  • Half Shell / Open Face
  • Modular
 
Let's go through a few points to help narrow down to your ideal helmet.

What will the helmet be used for? 

1. Are you a beginner?
If you're new to sportbikes or cruisers, a high-end, high-priced helmet loaded with features may not be the best purchase. Getting your feet off the ground and adapting to the bike is important in order to decide whether riding on two wheels is the hobby and transportation method for you.

2. Do you plan to ride a lot or commute to work?
If riding is your everyday transportation or you take weekly road trips, higher end helmets may prove to be more comfortable and offer better dynamics and reduced wind noise.

3. Are you riding with a group?
Many bikers join riding groups and if you haven't already done so eventually you'll pal around with others and find group riding enhances the overall experience. One key element to group riding is communication and you'll want a helmet with built in communication provisions.
What features do you want?
1. Helmet weight
Helmets typically range in weight from 1400 to 1800 grams. The key to weight is a properly fitting helmet so the weight is distributed evenly around your head and shoulders. If the center of gravity is off a lighter helmet can feel heavier and strain your neck. Modular helmets often weigh more than a Full Face because of the apparatus installed to flip up the visor.
2. Helmet construction
What the helmet is made of influences a number of factors including weight, comfort and safety rating. Polycarbonate, Fiberglass composite and Carbon Fiber compose most helmets.
3. Optional features
Today's helmets offer numerous technological advances. Features like integrated sunshade, wind reduction measures and communication provisions all serve to enhance the riding experience. 
What type of bike do you ride?
Adventure Touring
Riders on these bikes typically prefer Modular helmets which allow you to raise the face shield and some incorporate elements to raise the entire front of the helmet.
Cruiser
Cruiser riders generally enjoy the breezy style in the Half Shell helmet. This is a minimalist helmet for the casual rider.
Old School/Cafe Bike
These riders hearken back to yesteryear for the old days of motorcycle riding using an Open Face helmet. It offers more protection than a half-shell and provides a big nostalgia factor.
Sportbike
A full face helmet is the norm for sportbikers. Full face helmets offer elite all-around protection with a solid chin bar and flip-up shield. These are the safest helmets.
Helmet Safety Ratings
  1. DOT - The United States Department of Transportation sets a minimum standard level of protection for helmets.
  2. ECE22.02 - The U.N. Economic Commission for Europe sets a standard level of protection for helmets in Europe.
  3. Snell2010 - A non-profit in the United States founded after the death of Pete Snell, a sports car racer who died from head injuries.
You can find myriad of articles debating the merits of Snell's stringent standards over the government's guidelines and whether or not a helmet with Snell certification is better than DOT or ECE. The bottom line is every helmet MotoSport sells meets or exceeds the standards set by DOT. We also carry helmets certified by ECE as well as helmets manufactured to meet Snell Standards.

2 comments:

  1. Its very informative, interactive and quality content. I wish you all good luck for your coming blogs and posts. Keep sharing! bluetooth full face helmet

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks so much for this information. I have to let you know I concur on several of the points you make here and others may require some further review, but I can see your viewpoint, you can read more: Shoei Motorcycle Helmets

    ReplyDelete