Buying motorcycle helmets is something that you must consider before thinking about having a motorcycle. Motorcycles provide riders with a great sense of freedom, yet that freedom comes with a cost. Motorcycle riders are much more prone when they’re on the road than other drivers. When they are in an accident the potential for severe or life-threatening injuries is higher than it is for other drivers. This means wearing protective gear whenever you ride and no protective gear is more necessary than a helmet.
Buying a motorcycle helmet is not as simple as it may sound since there are a lot of models, choices, and makes. There are huge variations in prices, there are many factors to look out for that are part of the decision process. It’s alluring to consider color, style, and price ahead of those safety features when buying a helmet. Yet, you have to measure the performance and standards of the helmet, your comfort, safety, and protection are key.
Check out the best tips when buying a motorcycle helmet:
- Helmet Certification
Any helmet worth getting must have an ECE or DOT certification, these are the safety standards for Europe and the US respectively. Check markings on any helmet that you plan to buy as it is a legal requirement.
- Fit and Comfort
The temptation to buy the best-looking and cheapest helmet, especially once your first time, can be quite strong. Yet, it’s vital to take your time and be familiar with a helmet before pulling the trigger. Usually, helmets come in various head shape configurations, long oval, round oval, and intermediate oval. This depends on the shape of the crown of your head and whether certain types of helmets match you or not. Also, doing research by watching and reading reviews of a distinct helmet pays dividends.
- Type and Features
Apart from comfort and safety, it’s also vital to take into consideration what features the helmet provides to its wearer. For beginners, it is recommended to get a helmet that comes with enough ventilation. Usually, a ventilated helmet has vents on the crown area, the chin, and a heat extractor at the rear of the helmet. Also, it’s important to select a helmet configuration that’s suited for your riding style. There are a lot of helmet types from open-face, to full-face, to adventure, to modular, and many more. Having the appropriate helmet for the correct type of ride not only makes everything safer, yet also makes the ride more enjoyable.
- Price
When buying your first helmet, you prefer something that marks all the boxes in terms of comfort and safety. You have to remember that the most costly helmets aren’t particularly the safest helmets. Moving up the price range gets you added comfort and fancy features.