Whether you are a new cyclist, getting your favorite rider a new helmet as a gift, or an experienced rider considering a change of headgear, there are a few basic issues to consider before you purchase your new motorcycle helmet.
1.) Does it pass the safety tests? – That snazzy new brain bucket may look good, but it’ll be of little use if it doesn’t meet certain safety standard regulations. The US Department of Transportation requires that all helmets meet certain standards, such as impact absorption, penetration prevention and strap stability. When a helmet is manufactured to meet these standards, the DOT puts a neat little sticker right on it (or the box) declaring so. A DOT certification should be the minimum standard to look for.
2.) Does it pass the roll off test? – Your helmet should not be so loose that you can roll it off the front of your head when it is properly fastened. To perform a roll-off test, secure the helmet to your head. Grasp the back of the helmet and try to pull it forward over your face. If it comes off, even though it hurts your ears in doing so, the helmet is not a proper fit or style for you.
3.) Does it stay put? – To check the fit on your helmet, as quickly as possible shake your head as if trying to touch your ear to your shoulder, from side to side as if saying a big “No” and from back to front touching your chin to your chest. If the helmet stays in place, it fits. If not, either look for another helmet, or see if there’s a way to make yours fit better. Many helmets come with advice for giving them a snug, safe fit. Your dealer may be able to help, too..
4.) Is it comfortable? – Now, some riders will tell you that there is no such thing as a comfortable helmet. We’ll not debate that here, but we will say that the more helmets you try on, the better your odds of finding one you like. Full-face motorcycle helmets are considered more comfortable by most riders who have tried them. Comfort levels increase with the quality of the brand and the cost of the helmet, too. The things to avoid are squeezing of the ears, pressure at the crown and/or forehead, and any general “hard points” in the helmet. Visit several dealers or shops. Try on lots of different brands and models. Put them all through the roll-off and head-shake tests, too, to ensure that fit and safety are a factor as well as comfort. Leave a helmet on for 15 minutes or so, to allow it to “settle” on your head. Next to your saddle, it’ll be your biggest source of comfort or discomfort while riding.
5.) What’s it cover? – Full-face helmets are considered the safest and most comfortable of the lot. Flip-face, modular, or system motorcycle helmets are a good marriage between the open-faced models and the full-faced ones. Open-face models can expose the rider to facial injuries in a crash, and studies have shown that riders who suffer facial injuries are 3 times more likely to suffer brain injury, as well. When considering a new helmet, remember that one day your chin could be bouncing off the pavement.
6.) What about the face shield? – It should seal the helmet all the way around the edges to prevent wind leakage. It should have VESC – 8 and ANSI Z – 87 safety standards, usually molded right into it. It should be easy to operate, raising easily and staying up without dropping. Look for any sight-distorting imperfections. Most shields offer UV protection to some degree. A tinted face shield might be a good addition, for those really sunny rides.
7.) Any convenience features? – Does it come with a storage bag? Does it have an extra face shield? How easy is it to change the face shields? Will the strap end stay where it’s supposed to or is it going to flap in the wind? How easy is it going to be to remove and wash the lining? Take your helmet for a test drive. Attempt to change the face shield. Mess with the strap. Take the lining out. Short of dropping it from the roof to test its scratch resistance, see just how many convenience features your helmet has, and whether or not they are really convenient for you.
8.) Any comfort features? You thought we’d already discussed comfort, hadn’t you? Well, there are things that can make a helmet more comfortable like vents, padded straps and variable thickness inner padding. What one rider may consider comfortable, another might find constricting.
9.) Looks? Everybody wants the coolest looking dome on the street, but beware that the more graphics and colors used increases the price significantly. If you find one that passes all your criteria for the “perfect” helmet, but it’s astronomically priced, ask if its available in a solid color. If you plan on custom painting, your best bet is solid white. The brighter the color, the more other drivers will notice you, so you may want to consider red, yellow or even orange. Some motorcycle manufacturers offer limited helmet color schemes to match each year’s bikes. Some helmet companies do, too.
10.) Cost? So, your quest has led you to a helmet with a price tag so high it’s going to drain your bank account. What now? Well, take note of the bit above about graphics. Try to negotiate with your dealer. He’s invested a lot of time into you, helping you try on different helmets, get the right fit etc. It may be worth it to him to lower the price a bit. See if you can get a slightly less-tricked-out model. Don’t sacrifice comfort or safety for the sake of a few bucks, but if you can afford a less-expensive model with fewer convenience features, go for it!
You may actually put more time and effort and energy into buying your new helmet than you did your bike. But it’ll be worth it in the long ride.