Aside from the motorcycle itself, we strongly believe that the next most important piece of riding gear is a helmet. If there’s one thing that we want you to take away from this article, it would be that: Helmets save lives.
Fortunately, we live in a time when there are significant advancements not just in helmet safety measures but also in their aesthetics. For instance, we’re sure that Marvel fans would particularly enjoy looking into a Captain America motorcycle helmet and similarly designed pieces.
Before you start choosing your helmet, please take the time to learn the different types of motorcycle helmets first. In this way, you’ll be able to determine the one that best fits your needs and preferences.
The Three Types of Motorcycle Helmets
There are different motorcycle helmets out there, but they can be categorized into three major kinds. These are modular, full-face, and open-face.
Modular Helmets
The first type of helmet that we’re going to feature is also the most popular one. That’s because it provides a great deal of comfort and flexibility.
As the name suggests, a modular helmet has movable parts一particularly the chin guard and the visor.
Also known as a flip-up helmet, this type of helmet usually allows the chin bar and its visor to be pulled up when needed, making it perfect for cruisers who need more comfort.
At the same time, you can also increase your safety as needed by keeping the chin bar and visor down, especially for long road trips.
Other additional safety features include a second internal visor that will provide additional vision protection during exceptionally sunny days.
Full-Face Helmets
The next type of helmet that we will feature is also the safest one. That’s because a full-face helmet comes with a chin bar.
Unlike the modular helmet, the components of this type are fixed and thus, offer more stability and protection. This solid structure also guarantees that no part of your helmet will accidentally lift while riding at high speeds.
Don’t forget to check your helmet’s features, though. Make sure that your helmet provides adequate ventilation and increases visibility.
You won’t have to worry about visor fogging and breathing discomfort this way. There are also those with visors that adjust automatically to current lighting conditions.
Open-Face Helmets
One of the main disadvantages of modular and full-face helmets is their weight. Regardless of whether they move or not, the additional parts will still add considerable heaviness.
It is for this reason that some people opt for open-face helmets instead.
Aside from that, some riders view the open face structure of this helmet as more comfortable to use. After all, the helmet won’t restrict or limit airflow.
In consequence, this same open-face feature can expose you to weather, dust, and debris, as well as varying lighting conditions. Hence, we highly recommend getting a quality pair of sunglasses or goggles to increase eye protection when riding.
Other Types of Helmets
As we have mentioned above, there are other types of helmets aside from those we have already featured. Others include half helmets, off-road helmets, and dual-sport helmets, just to name a few.
You can check out this lineup by Forbes on the best motorcycle helmets this year to further increase your options. We like this quick guide because it features exciting designs, including retro, sci-fi-inspired, and more.
Choosing the Right Helmet
The type of helmet is just one of the different factors that you need to account for when choosing the right motorcycle helmet to use.
You should consider other elements too, such as what materials were used for the design, the safety standards it follows, the legalization surrounding helmet use in your area, and of course, the right size and fit of your preferred helmet一and that’s just to name a few!
Things to consider while choosing the right Helmet
Helmets are not remarkably inexpensive, and this is why you should consider various things before buying one for yourself. You save your money and time when you know what factors to consider while purchasing a helmet. Let us go through these points one by one:
- Know about the size and shape of your head:
Every person has a different body structure and personality. Before you think of purchasing a helmet, it is crucial to understand the shape and size of your head. Most common head shapes include long, intermediate, and round oval. If you cannot determine the shape yourself, you can ask any of your friends for the same.
If you do not choose the Helmet according to the structure of your head, it will create pressure on the unwanted points of your head, and this is not what you want to experience while riding. The correct Helmet should fit like a crown on your head. Check out the list of the best helmets by visiting motorcyclehelmethawk.com to learn about their different styles and shapes.
- Comfort:
Many people are inclined to buy cheap helmets and have good looks. But this should not be the criteria for selecting it. When you choose a helmet that does not fit properly and provide discomfort, you will experience headaches during long rides. If you don’t want this to happen to you, always make sure to choose the comfortable one, and it does not give you any stress while traveling.
- Material:
Usually, the moderate helmets are made up of fiber-glass composites, whereas the expensive or high-end ones use Kevlar and carbon composites. The inside portion of it must contain cushioning of air mesh as it helps absorb the sweat and keep the interior dry and clean. We suggest you not purchase the ones made from plastic because they will break very easily. Also, ensure that the interior foam must be removable so that you can wash it.
- Coverage:
Coverage is an essential factor to consider to ensure your safety during the ride. Coverage area implies how much area is covered and protected by the Helmet. If safety is your priority and you want maximum protection, go for the full-face helmets. Such helmets will cover your head, face, and neck.
- Ventilation:
People must look for ventilation in the helmets, especially when they live in a hot region for most of the year. If there is no ventilation, the rider will get sweaty and feel suffocated. You must pay attention to another safety point while purchasing the Helmet. It must have proper vents in it to allow the passage of air. Choose the one that provides more breathing space.
- Price:
Price is another factor that helps you decide which item you should pick. If you are on a budget, you can purchase something that will not burn a hole in your pocket. However, always make sure that whatever you choose must have the protection properties in it that are mandated by law.
How About Second-Hand Helmets?
Vintage helmets might be cool, but they’re not always safe to use. The standard period that a motorcycle helmet can be worn is five years.
That’s because the adhesives keeping the components of your helmet are prone to degrade after that. Regular use will also wear the other features away.
Hence, just to be safe, it’s best to invest in brand new helmets instead.
The Different Types of Helmets
We understand how confusing the different types of helmets are for new riders and many more other types of motorcycle safety gear. Fortunately, they can be easily categorized into three major kinds. Full-face helmets are those equipped with a fixed chin bar.
Open-face helmets still offer jaw protection. However, it won’t have a chin bar anymore. Some models will require other eye protection gear to ward away harsh sunlight and road debris.
Finally, modular helmets are widely popular because they come equipped with a modular chin bar that you can flip up when needed.
To Sum Up
In the end, the choice will still boil down to your specific needs and preferences. We hope that we have given you an idea through this quick post. Have a safe ride!
