Sports Articles

Choose a Motorcycle Helmet that Looks Good, Feels Good, and Protects Great

There is a certain style that comes with riding a motorcycle. As you pull on your motorcycle helmet, lace up the boots and slip on your favorite blue jeans or leather, you want to look good and feel comfortable. The question is how much thought you actually give to your safety while riding your bike. If you give safety the respect it deserves, you will select your motorcycle helmets on safety first, comfort second, and style third.

Motorcycle Helmets for Pleasure Riders

There are lot of close out and discount motorcycle helmets on the market. When shopping for a motorcycle helmet for casual riding, assume that the worst possible scenario could play out the next time you get on your bike. In all likelihood it won’t, but if it does, you will be prepared and well protected.

Yes, you want to look good as you ride through town, but leave style to the last consideration. Start out with safety, following these guidelines:

1. Make sure all safety standards have been met for your country. You can prepare ahead of time by going to different helmet manufacturer’s websites and reading about the testing they put their helmets through prior to placing them on the market. Look for brands that go beyond the required testing, as that is a sign of a conscientious brand that cares about your safety.

2. Try the helmet on and make sure it fits very snug to your head. Try on a variety of helmet shapes and sizes, so you can see what works best for you. It should fit very tight, without being uncomfortable around the face and chin.

3. Make sure you can move your head without the helmet shaking or moving around your head. It should feel like the helmet moves with you, almost as if a part of your body.

Once you have verified these things, you can start looking at different color and design options. You may not end up with the exact shape or look that you wanted for your helmet, but at least you know your skull will not get cracked if something bad does happen.

Motorcycle Helmets for Racers

If you take your bike a bit more seriously and use it for intense racing, then your helmet is obviously much more than a style issue. Start out by making sure you are looking only at motorcycle helmets designed for racing. Too many racers end up purchasing helmets designed for car racers, either because they do not know the difference or they think they are all the same. You have to turn your head in ways that car racers do not, so helmets for motorcycle racers are a little different in design.

When trying on racing helmets, make sure that it feels light on your head so you won’t have trouble turning as needed. Also make sure that the outer shell is very hard, while the inside materials are softer. The hard and soft ratio is important, as it ensures the helmet can withstand the force of impact in an accident, rather than placing all of the force on your head.

Whether purchasing a motorcycle helmet for pleasure riding or racing, remember that safety has to come before style. Try to find something in the middle: safe and easy on the eyes.

Also availabel is our article on Motorcycle Equipment-Motorcycle Stands