A helmet is one of the most suitable protective gear you need while riding a motorcycle. The helmet does not only prevent you from crashes but also protects and reduces any severe injuries that may occur whenever you encounter with the accident. Therefore, choosing the right motorcycle helmet helps in making the entire riding better and comfortable.
There exist a variety of ventilated motorcycle helmets in the stock market nowadays for bikers. But knowing how to choose a ventilated motorcycle helmet is a problem for many riders. This article, therefore, provides useful information that will guide you step by step for you to come up with the best-ventilated motorcycle helmets.
What is motorcycle helmet?
Motorcycle helmet Australia the types of a helmet used in providing safety to motorcycle riders on their heads during any impact, thus reducing head injuries and saving their lives. There are many benefits of wearing a ventilated motorcycle helmet. First, riders are capable of fulfilling their obligation of engaging in safe behaviour while riding.
Through this helmet, you are keeping yourself safe by wearing the helmet equipment that saves your life. Other helmets are capable of providing extra conveniences like face shields, protection of the ear, and ventilation, among many other functions.
Choosing ventilated motorcycle helmet
Different helmets fitdifferent motorcycle riders. Therefore, when selecting one for you, you should have in mind several factors as well elaborated below.
- Motorcycle helmet certification
Safety is paramount to any motorcycle rider. So before selecting the color of your motorcycle helmet, it is good to grasp the laws associated with their uses. When buying a ventilated motorcycle helmet for road use, you should look for the one with a label compliant with either UNECE 22.05 standards or AS1698.
UNECE 22.05 is a European safety standard for ventilated motorcycle helmets showing that the model has undergone various testing and allowed safe for road use while ‘AS1698’ is for Australia equivalent. Equally, retailers are allowed to sell helmets that are compliant with Snell, BSI, and DOT standards.
Besides, it is good for the riders to look for a label on the helmets chin strap that denotes ‘E1’, indicating that while riding, the chin strap should be fastened tightly.
2. Ventilation features
Usually, when shopping for a vented motorcycle helmet, the first and foremost feature to look for should involve the helmet’s ventilation system. They come in different forms but most often are the incorporate air channels which travel the length of the helmet’s inside.
Other helmets come with air flaps that play a vital role in allowing ventilation through the top and sideways of the helmet. Additionally, the helmet chosen should be in a position of providing maximum hygiene and comfortability in any riding experience.
3. Shell material
The motorcycle helmet that you select should feature an exceptionally durable shell that is capable of resisting hard impact at very high speeds. Through that, your helmet will be at a position of protecting the fragile content when you are involved in a crash.
Under normal circumstances, the shell is at the first line of defense in this system. Therefore, it must be sturdy on its own. However, a multi-shell system is also the best way to enhance your safety when riding on the open road.
4. Visor features
The visor feature may not have a more significant impact on ventilation. Therefore, selecting a helmet with great visor may help to ensure your view of the road is free from any obstruction at all. As your expectations, a tinted or clear visor will best help to solve this purpose.
However, alternative colored visors are also available for use in non-standard lighting surroundings. Most of the quality visors come with anti-scratch coatings and anti-fog preventing it from becoming cloudy as a result of continuous use.
5. Motorcycle helmet styles
Ventilated motorcycle helmet comes with a variety of styles; therefore, it is good to consider the best style which suits your needs and demands. Some of the most known for motorcycle helmets include the open face, full face, half shell, modular and dual sport.
Open face helmets usually protect the ears mostly and side of the head compared to half shell helmets though they lack enough chin protection. Furthermore, they are capable of providing enough ventilation when riding on hot conditions but leave your chin in an open air-exposed.
Full face motorcycle helmetsare the best for maximum safety. Research shows that 19.8% of the most common area of impact in the motorcycle is the chin strap. Wearing a full-face helmet, therefore, helps in providing more excellent chin protection compared to other motorcycle helmets rendering them the safest option for use.
On the other hand,half helmets are the best to use whenever safety is a priority. They are approved for use in Australia and America but not in Europe since they protect half of the face leaving the chin exposed to the crash. Besides, this helmet provides extra ventilation, which is suitable for most of the riders.
Modular helmets are the most convenient to the majority of riders since they can be flipped at the chin bar, thus allowing the motorcycle rider to take the picture, talk, and re-fuel without necessarily removing the entire helmet. These helmets are suitable for low-speed and day to day commuters.
Lastly, dual sport helmets are best suitable for both off-road and on-road riding. They consist of a face shield like any other helmet with enough space for wearing a pair of goggles that protect the rider from a dust eye when riding off-road.
Equally, the dual-sport helmets provide a more giant protection visor than a full face; however, it snaps into the up position when using goggles. The visor is aerodynamic thus does not lift in the open air like a genuine off-road helmet.
It is, however, crucial to note that the most suitable style of the helmet varies depending on the place of riding. For instance, when you intend to use your motorcycle in racing, you must use specially designed helmets for racing that includes extra safety features.
6. Helmet size
Finding the best helmet that fits your head is very critical. When looking for a helmet, you should first begin by taking measurements entirely around your head and above your eyebrows. That helps to give you an idea of the apparent size of the helmet you may need starting from an extra small to the largest.
It is good to note that each producer’s helmet fits differently; thus, a small in one brand may provide like a medium in the other. Ensure to try a helmet before purchase and check for its fittings. When trying it, the chin strap should be tight enough so that only two fingers can fit between the strap and from the bottom of the chin.
Additionally, you should wear the helmet for a bit longer to get the feel of it. While wearing it, ensure you are moving around using your hands. Equally, your cheeks should be running as you move the helmet, but your helmet should not rotate or move in that direction without moving your head.
After taking the measurement, compare it with one of the size charts provided by most of the manufacturer’s helmets to enable you to obtain a rough idea of the size you may require. Though, you must account for the shape of your head, which may split into three different categories, including long oval, round oval, and intermediate oval.
7. Price
Usually, the amount of money spent on a motorcycle helmet varies mainly from one rider to another. Never think that more expensive helmets are safer than cheaper once. What it means is that expensive helmets consist of high safety ratings. However, it is possible to get a more affordable helmet with top-notch safety credentials.
More often, when buying the expensive motorcycle helmet, it is good to note that you are paying for the aesthetic, fashion, and additional features instead of the improved quality. Therefore, you should choose a model helmet that meets the standard safety and fits your head despite how cheap it will be.
Likewise, when shopping for any motorcycle helmet, ensure to compare the prices of the leading models. Even when it comes to among ventilated motorcycle helmet, you will notice that some models are a bit expensive compared to others. However, when paying extra for a good ventilation system, you get the best quality helmet.
On the other hand, the same happens for the case of product warranty, which in turn saves you a lot down the road when your brand new helmet fails to meet your needs and riding expectations.
8. Extra features
When purchasing a motorcycle helmet, there are many other additional features you need to look for. Some of these extra features include;
- Scratch resistance
As the name suggests, scratch resistance is very vital, especially for long-distance riders. Usually, having a scratch which you are unable to itch as you roar down the road with your motorcycle is very disturbing. Therefore when such happens, it is good to choose a helmet with the scratch-resistant finish, which is an essential feature for many of the motorcycle helmets.
- Vents
Vents are useful and necessary, especially when riding in hot conditions. They play a very vital role in allowing you to keep fresh at the same time, preventing your face shield from flogging up as a result of excess heat.
- Removable lining
The inner lining of your helmet gets pretty sweat after a very long day of riding. Therefore, the helmet you choose should have a removable lining so that you can take it out of the helmet for washing and having it smelling fresh for the next ride. Furthermore, this feature is very important, especially when you want a slightly looser or tighter fit.
- Clasp retainer
Clasp retainer on the back of your helmet is a straightforward feature but helpful for holding your goggles from falling while mid ridding.
- Water resistance
Most of the motorcycle helmets are waterproof. However, when purchasing, it is good enough to confirm this to protect you whenever you encounter with the rain.
- Face shield
Having a helmet with a face shield is very useful, especially for sunny days. It usually acts as a back-up.
9. Know when to replace the helmet
After taking too much time in selecting the excellent helmet, it is good to consider when your helmet needs some replacement for your safety. If in case you drop your motorcycle helmet, you should find it changed immediately. Similarly, if by any chance you leave your helmet rolling around in the backseat, consider it replaced quickly.
Notably, at no given time, you should leave your helmet on the mirror of the motorcycle since it can dent your helmet, making it dirty. Usually, researchers say that the average lifespan for any motorcycle helmet is around five years when taken good care of.
Frequently Asked Questions
A. Which type of motorcycle helmet is best?
The best motorcycle helmet is Klim TK1200 lllumino Hi-Viz Helmet.
B. What is the most comfortable motorcycle helmet?
Shoei RF-1200 is the most comfortable motorcycle helmet with full-face racing.
C. How do I choose the right helmet?
To choose the right helmet, first ensure that you get a helmet that fits your heads properly since poor-fitting may compromise protection. Next, look for a motorcycle helmet that matches the style of your riding, i.e., for recreational bike helmets, mountain bike helmets, or road bike helmets. Lastly, consider selecting a helmet with specialized features you may want.
Conclusion
In general, when selecting the right ventilated motorcycle helmet, be sure to try the helmet before buying it so as to ensure that it fits tightly to the shape of your head, accommodate any additional or extra eye protection you intend to wear and working in any extra safety gear.
It is good to note at the same time that helmets are the essential equipment safety gear and therefore need to be up the challenge to keep the rider with comfortable riding conditions while riding. Therefore, take a step, choose well, and ride safely.