the right motorcycle helmet can mean the difference between life and death. we know it can also mean the difference between a comfortable and miserable ride.
Introduction: Friends, riding a bike is a thrilling experience of independence, and many people like it, but without safety, this experience can be risky. When it comes to helmets, they do not pay much attention, and while riding on the road, they buy a helmet worth Rs. 200, 400, or 500, and then whenever a difficult situation comes, then the problem arises that those people do not wear their helmet properly and lose their life. A helmet is that important asset that ensures your safety.
So friends, a helmet is a very important thing for your motorcycling experience. If I say, whenever you go out of the house, your life is always at risk. When you go motorcycling, if you have good gear, then you will not have any problem, and you can complete your journey safely, but if you do not have proper riding gear, then of course you can have problems.
However, there are many factors that should be kept in mind while choosing a helmet. In this article, we will give you some important tips for choosing the right motorcycle helmet so that you can balance your safety along with comfort and style.
1.The right size: First of all when you go to buy a helmet it depends on which size helmet you are buying. Everyone's head size will be different and all the people reading this article may not have the same head, so the company makes helmets in some way, so you should choose the perfect size for you. Now for choosing the size, friends you can use a measuring tape or any tape on your head, your ring a little above your eyebrows, put that and get a perfect circle here due to which you will get your size later.
Follow the instruction given in the photo below:
So in this way you can decide what size the helmet you buy may be.
Once the size is decided, after that you should test the helmet by wearing it. Make sure that it fits perfectly on the head, neither too tight nor too loose. Check if it moves by gently moving the helmet from side to side. There should be a padding or gap inside the helmet for the chin and face; this gives you convenience and comfort. If the helmet is restricting the chin or face, then it may not be the right size. And pay special attention that it does not slip off from your head easily while removing the helmet.
2.Types of helmets: Safety is most important while riding a motorcycle, helmets are designed for different sports and can help save your life during activities. There are many types of motorcycle helmets and you should choose the right type of helmet according to your riding style.
Full face helmet: A full-face helmet is considered the safest and most effective type of helmet for motorcycle or racing riding. It completely covers the head, face, chin, and cheeks, giving the rider maximum protection. Its design has a strong outer shell and soft form padding inside, which helps protect the head from drops; generally, it also has a double visor, which protects the rider's eyes from dirty dust and strong winds.
Many full faced helmets have padding and ventilation inside which makes them comfortable to wear for long periods of time. These helmets are designed to reduce drag and improve speed, especially in moto sports. You may have seen its advantages but it has some disadvantages too.
Disadvantages: Full face helmets are generally heavier than lighter helmets which may not be comfortable for some riders.
The visor provides protection to the eyes but can sometimes limit visibility, especially when the visor becomes blurry or dirty.
The price of a good full face helmet is higher than normal helmets and it can be difficult to wear and take off, especially while stopping at traffic signals.
Modular helmet: Modular helmet is a type of helmet that provides the advantages of both full face and open face helmets together. The come with a retractable chin cover within the helmet. They are Perfect for riders who often need to communicate face-to-face with someone else while stopped. This is common for couriers and delivery people, as well as motorcycle riding instructors. Also Riders who wear eyeglasses sometimes find modular helmets easier to wear with their glasses.
Modular helmets are noisy as compared to full-face helmets, but if you compare their noise reduction efficiency with the noise reduction efficiency of open-face helmets, then they are not. They definitely limit the air from entering as the rider’s face and chin will be covered, which results in less noise. However, it is considered to be unsafe riding with an open modular helmet.
Disadvantages: Modular helmets have a complex design and moving parts, so they can be slightly heavier than lighter helmets.
If the visor is pulled up, it may reduce protection as the chin and face are not completely covered.
Modular helmets cost more than open-face and full-face helmets because they involve more technology and workmanship, and these moving parts can be prone to breakage or deterioration over time.
Open face helmet: Open face helmet which is also called 3/4 helmet is a type of helmet which covers the upper arms and but leaves the face, chin and jaw open. It does not have any visor or face shield but it can be used with an additional visor or any other type of face shield can be fitted.
Open face helmets are most widely used for your urban rides, as they are very comfortable and easy to strap and remove. These helmets offer the best ventilation but will not protect from dust on roads. If you are looking for a short ride with comfort and basic protection, open-face helmets are the ones to go for.
With open-face helmets, a part of the face remains open, due to which there is no pressure on the face, and due to the absence of a visor and face shield, these helmets are much lighter than full-face helmets and modular helmets and can be more comfortable in heat and during journeys.
Disadvantages: There is a risk of face injury during an accident due to the absence of a shield in the helmet, and it provides less protection than other full-face and modular helmets.
If no visor or shield is used, dust and wind may form in the eyes, which may reduce the visibility and increase the risk of safety.
Open-face helmets can have more external noise as they do not cover the head completely, making the noise more audible while riding.
Off road helmet: An off-road helmet, also known as a motocross helmet or dirt helmet, is specifically designed for off-road riding and motorcycle racing, such as motocross advance or dirt biking. These helmets are designed to provide safety while riding on rough and uneven roads.
These are lightweight helmets designed for performance in off-road and motocross sports. Mostly the helmets are designed without an inbuilt visor. However, you can buy goggles separately, as they are sold in different color options and features such as UV protection & anti-scratch visors.
Off-road helmets have a better ventilation system because these helmets come with a lot of air vents and chips, which reduces the problem of heat and sweating during long rides. The design of these helmets is light so that the rider does not feel much fatigue during long rides.
These helmets have a long visor which protects the eyes from sunshine and debris on the road. This visor is especially useful when off-road riding where one has to face dust and debris.
Off-road helmets have a large chin guard that protects the face and chin, especially during falls or accidents.
Disadvantages: These helmets do not have a face shield which is suitable for off road use but may be considered less safe for on road use.
These helmets may have more problem of external noise as these are not designed for comfortable riding on road.
In summers, despite having more ventilation, if there is more sunlight then these helmets may get too hot, especially while riding for a long time.
3.Safety standard: It is very important to pay attention to safety standards while buying a helmet. Helmet safety standards are set by organizations so that the helmet can provide proper protection in impact conditions. Make sure your helmet has the DOT symbol on the outside back; this means it meets our Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 218.
There are DOT (Department of Transportation) standards for motorcycle helmets which determine impact absorption and strength of structure. Make sure that the helmet has a certificate of these standards so that your safety is ensured.
4. Material and construction: The material of the helmet depends on the safety and weight. There are three types of materials:
Fiberglass: It is light and strong but a little expensive. Fiberglass does not break with time, and its construction is very flexible, due to which it can be molded in various shapes and designs. It is also not affected by water temperature or other external elements.
Carbon fiber: It is the lightest and strongest but is also costly. It also makes the helmet comfortable to wear. Its use is mostly seen in motorcycle racing.
Polycarbonate: It is cheap and light, but its safety and strength may be slightly less than other materials.
Also read: How to choose the perfect bike - complete buying guide
5.Ventilation and cooling:A helmet with good ventilation keeps you comfortable for a long time, especially in the heat. Many helmets have an airflow system that reduces sweating and keeps cooling. If the helmet has the right type of ventilation, it allows air to flow in and out of the head, which makes you feel comfortable.
Verdict: When choosing a motorcycle helmet it is very important to choose the right option keeping in mind safety, comfort and style. Make sure your helmet has the appropriate safety standards and other features so that your riding is safe and comfortable. The right helmet will not only ensure your safety but will also improve your riding experience.
Your helmet is a part of your life so never take it lightly and always give priority to your safety.
