Motorcycle Helmet Buying Guide
Riding a motorcycle offers a feeling of freedom, and part of that feeling comes from knowing there’s nothing between you and the landscape. But if you get in an accident, you’ll want every bit of protection you can get, and the right helmet is the best piece of safety equipment you can have on your side.
Choosing the right helmet comes down to finding a model that’s well-built, fits your head, and has been shown to hold up in crashes through extensive crash testing. This short guide will teach you about these qualities and help you navigate the sometimes confusing world of motorcycle helmets.
Type of Motorcycle Helmet
There are almost as many styles of a helmet as there are styles of a motorcycle on the road today. It’s important to know that these helmets won’t all perform well in an accident. Some helmets are manifestly superior to others.
For the most part, motorcycle helmet styles are differentiated by the amount of the head that they cover. Half helmets cover the least area and are mostly designed to cover the top of the head and part of the back of the head. They usually feature a chin strap to secure the helmet in place. In hot climates, they’re more comfortable due to their increased airflow.
The next step up in coverage is a three-quarters helmet. These helmets extend down, covering the back of the head, the ears, and sometimes part of the jaw. They have an open face, making them feel more open. Full-face helmets are the best option in terms of safety. They cover the entire head, including the chin, which is one of the areas most susceptible to causing brain injuries in crashes.
Recently, modular helmets have become more popular. This type of helmet can open up to expose the face for some riding situations, or close over the face with a protective chin bar. They’re also helpful because you can eat and drink while wearing them. Their crash test ratings can vary greatly, though.
Fitting Helmets to Head Shapes
It’s important to find a helmet that fits your head correctly. A model might be perfect in terms of style, construction, and crash test rating, but if it doesn’t fit your head correctly, it won’t perform correctly. Human heads have an ovular shape, but some heads are much more round and others are much more oblong. Knowing your own head shape will help you narrow down the field of potential choices.
Buying a helmet can take some time and patience, but it’s one of the most important decisions a motorcycle owner will make. If you need more tips for finding a good helmet or want to browse our selection of motorcycles for sale, stop by Willamette Valley Harley-Davidson®. We ride motorcycles ourselves and are passionate about helping our customers find the equipment they need. Stop by our dealership in Eugene, OR, where we proudly serve all those in Albany and Corvallis.