The practice of head protection has been around for a very long time. Dating back to ancient times, the original helmet utilized in combat was a rudimentary piece of equipment constructed of leather. Later combat helmets began utilizing metals in the construction, and the use of steel helmets reigned supreme until the mid 20th century when plastics technology began taking root. Helmet design and technology from it’s origins to today has radically changed, as has the role of the helmet itself. Once considered only a battlefield piece of equipment, the helmet has evolved into the realms of high-tech and now protects the heads of not only soldiers, but also athletes, people in dangerous professions and recreational enthusiasts, including motorcycle riders. This article will briefly examine today’s modern street motorcycle helmets and what you should be looking for when choosing a helmet.
Function
All motorcycle helmets specifically function to do one job; to protect your head from fatal trauma that results from impact. Most helmets are designed with essentially four components that accomplish the job: the outer shell, the liner, the padding and the retention system. The outer shell and liner do the lion’s share of protecting, while the padding is purely a function of comfort and of course, the retention system keeps it securely on your head. As an important side note, any helmet that has been dropped or been previously worn in a crash is very likely to be compromised and should be replaced.
Design
Today’s motorcycle helmets are available in a wide range of designs, features and prices, but not all helmets are created equal. When shopping for a helmet, the very first thing you should be looking for are certain stamps that indicate the helmet is fully approved as meeting the highest levels of safety standards. DOT and Snell approved helmets have been designed and tested to meet certain federal safety standards and represent the optimum level of head trauma protection. Most commercially available helmets meet these standards. If a particular helmet you like is not DOT or Snell stamped, you should continue looking.
Style
Helmet style is something you should also carefully consider. Fully approved helmets range from full-face, three-quarter and even a DOT approved half helmet. As with most elements of motorcycle riding, the helmet you choose will be primarily driven by your personal tolerance and willingness to accept risk. Consider a full-face helmet for the highest level of protection because it protects more than just your skull. Like the name implies, a full-face helmet also covers and protects the chin and face in the event of a crash. A three-quarter helmet will protect head and face but leave the chin exposed, and a half-helmet will protect the head only. A popular trend among the “I hate helmets” crowd is use of lightweight “skullcaps” or other novelty lids. Such helmets do not meet the minimum safety standards and cannot legally be sold in the U.S. as a motorcycle protective helmet. As a function of risk management, any “helmet” that falls into this category should be avoided.
Additional Factors
Now that you’ve found a DOT and/or Snell approved full-face helmet, what other factors should you consider before handing over the credit card? Proper fit is, of course, an important thing to consider. Full helmets should be able to easily slide onto your head, yet allow no movement laterally as you turn your head inside. Half-helmets or “skid lids” should fit comfortably on your head, and yet be snug enough when the strap is tightened to possess little or no movement. Movement is a key concept here because a helmet that is too loose will have a tenancy to slip or twist during an impact which can significantly reduce its effectiveness and perhaps cause unintended injury. Additional consideration should be made to the design features of your helmet. Does the helmet have a built-in visor, a flip-up visor or is it open face? Ventilation is also a significant factor in choosing your helmet. Of course, half-helmets get plenty of ventilation but it can get a little stuffy in that full-face helmet. Look for adequate ventilation slots in the helmet to ensure airflow. Assuming all other factors are equal, consider a brightly colored helmet over traditional black as a function of visibility. You may even want to consider helmet add-ons such as reflective stickers or tape to add to the visibility factor, however under no circumstance should any alteration be made for any reason to the basic construction of the helmet. Doing so will dramatically reduce the helmets effectiveness in the event of a crash.
So what can you expect to pay for a quality DOT/Snell approved helmet? For better quality helmets with a greater range of design features and options, you can expect to pay a premium in excess of $500. However, there are plenty of good quality helmets available in the $100-$200 price range, and you can even find approved half-helmets for as low as $50.
Wrap Up
Ultimately, there is no right or wrong answer here. The helmet you choose is a matter of personal choice after first carefully considering your level of risk tolerance. If you happen to be riding in a no helmet law state, you may even choose to take the risk of riding with no helmet at all, but considering that the vast majority of states have adopted such laws, the selection of a helmet that’s right for you will need to consider many factors that hopefully have been addressed here. The best advice is; buy the most helmet you can that fits into your budget and best satisfies your level of acceptable risk.
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