Helmets prevent deaths. That’s how easy it is. The chance of a brain injury is reduced by 69 percent and the risk of death is decreased by 37 percent, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. No matter where you’re riding or what kind of motorcycle you have, it’s always preferable to wear a helmet.
But selecting a helmet can be more difficult than it seems. There are numerous motorcycle helmet designs to pick from. Find the appropriate safety equipment and accessories for your new vehicle using this guide.
Understanding the Various Styles of Motorcycle Helmets
You may have noticed that helmets come in a variety of forms and sizes if you’ve looked through the helmet area at your neighborhood motorcycle shop. The average price of a helmet is between $150 and $500, but you can easily buy one for around $50, and the most costly ones can cost up to $4,000 or more.
So how can you make a decision without jeopardizing your safety?
Let’s start by going through all the various motorcycle helmet types and their applications. The following categories of helmets are the most common: full-face, modular, open face, half, off-road, and dual sport.
Full-Face
When it comes to safety and protection, nothing compares to a full-face helmet. Your entire head and face are covered by the helmet, with the neck receiving the most protection. If you want to travel from point A to point B unhurt, this is the best option. A chin bar is included in full-face designs for enhanced protection. Be sure to shield your chin because it has a tendency to take a lot of punishment from impacts.
Depending on your preferred riding style, pick a full-face helmet. You’ll likely be sitting forward on the bike if you love racing at high speeds, so you might want a taller chin bar with a tilted visor. If you prefer to sit straight on the bike when traveling or exploring, choose a lower chin strap and a visor that faces more directly forward. To make sure the helmet fits comfortably, try sitting in different positions while wearing it.
A full-face helmet offers the most protection and is equipped with everything you need to feel comfortable while driving. On hot days, they typically include vents on the sides to keep the air moving, which reduces fog and perspiration. If riding involves placing your head in an oven, you probably won’t want to do it. To stay warm during the winter, you can also close the side vents. After all, the majority of our body heat is lost through our skulls. Choose a helmet with a visor that has a variety of tints for better vision on sunny days.
Full-face helmets are undoubtedly the way to go if you’re looking for a tech-savvy helmet. The majority of vehicles include cutting-edge technology like Bluetooth speakers, wireless connection, and other nifty extras for a better trip.
Face Open (3/4)
The open face helmet, as its name suggests, provides only minimal face protection. The face is uncovered while the top and sides of the head are covered by the helmet. The term comes from the fact that it covers about 34 of your face. The bottom half of your face is at risk because open face helmets lack a chin bar. It comes with a flip-up visor that provides some sun and wind protection, but it won’t be much use if you are involved in an accident. Additionally, the helmet doesn’t cover the bottom of your face, making you susceptible to flying insects, gravel, and other objects.
Casual riders, tourists, and parade goers all favor this style. When wearing an open face helmet, you shouldn’t drive more than 30 MPH. Because it allows them to feel the wind on their faces, some riders favor this riding technique, but take caution when accelerating to top speeds.
Because the 3/4 style is lighter than the full-face variant, some people prefer it. The weight of the helmet should drop by a few ounces, if not a full pound, without the chin bar, but the risk of damage usually outweighs the weight savings.
Modular (Flip-Up) (Flip-Up)
Full-face and 3/4 helmet features are combined in the modular, or flip-up, design. It completely encircles your head and face, just like a full-face helmet does. But you can convert it to an open face helmet by flipping up the chin bar and visor using the supplied hinge. The goal of it is to provide you with the best of both worlds. Many riders appreciate the additional coverage and the convenience of being able to swiftly flip up the chin bar to have a drink or have a conversation with their passenger.
Modular helmets aren’t as safe as their full-face equivalents, it’s crucial to remember that. Because of the hinge’s greater weight, your neck is under more strain. The helmet is less secure than it would be if the chin bar and visor were joined together. During a collision, the visor could unintentionally flip up, endangering your face.
Half (1/2)
Half- or 12-style helmets are a step down from 3/4-style helmets. In light of the fact that they expose the majority of your face and neck, they don’t provide as much protection. Your head is covered by the helmet on top and on the sides, usually down to the eyebrows and just below the ears. Proceed at your own risk because this degree of security is thought to be the bare minimum.
Some half-helmets are nothing more than a piece of metal or plastic. It’s never a bad idea to bring your own eyewear, but it’s not quite the same as riding with a complete face. Advanced technology features like Bluetooth connection or speakers are typically absent from designs.
Half helmets are significantly lighter than full and half-face helmets, as one might anticipate. You won’t feel as secure behind the wheel, but they are frequently lot less expensive.
Off-Road
The off-road culture enjoys doing things in novel ways, and wearing a helmet is no exception. You could require a different kind of helmet depending on whether you enjoy riding dirt bikes or competing in Motocross.
Additionally, investing in a good headset will enable you to communicate easily while driving. On and off the road, look for motorbike headsets that offer hands-free calling.
Conclusion
Finding the right motorcycle helmet is simple if you know what to look for. As you continue your quest for the ideal helmet, have this information in mind.
