27 May Selecting The Right Motorcycle Helmet For Yourself
Anyone who is considering motorcycle racing or even just riding a motorcycle should have a helmet and wear it. It is one of the most important safety gear that should be used when riding a motorcycle. In some places, wearing a helmet is a requirement and is punishable by law if you get caught not wearing one while riding your motorcycle.
If you’ve got a motorcycle, you probably already got your helmet too. However, is it really the right one for you? Did you just purchase that because it looks cool and is the one available? If you haven’t thought about your motorcycle helmet deeply, now is the time to do that. Below are the different types of available motorcycle helmets:
- Full Face
- Open Face
- Modular
- Off-road
- Half
- Dual-Sport
Full Face Helmet
As the name implies, these helmets cover all the areas of the face. Aside from that, it also offers the most coverage around the neck and head that is why it is considered as one of the safest helmets available.
One of the main differences this type of helmet has compared with the others is the chin bar. It is a very important part of the helmet as it helps protect the chin and jaw from severe impacts, which usually happens with motorcycle accidents.
No matter what kind of motorcycle you ride or whether you race or not, a full-face helmet is a great choice. They also come in a variety of designs that help with the type of motorcycle riding you do.
For those who are into racing, there are full-face helmets that have a higher chin bar. This is ideal because it prevents the helmet from lifting even at high speeds. It also has a visor opening that’s slightly angled towards the top. This is ideal for those who ride in a crouching position.
However, those who prefer casual riding, cruising, touring or adventure riders who usually sit upright while on the motorcycle will benefit well from a full-face helmet with a lower chin bar. The opening of the visor is also not angled but is in a more straightforward position.
Due to offering much coverage, full face helmets should have enough ventilation holes to make sure that the visor doesn’t fog up and the rider is cool and comfortable while riding. The ventilation holes may also be closed when the helmets are used in the colder months.
Open Face Helmets
This type of helmet covers the top, back, and sides of the head but the front of the face is exposed. This is usually what the riders of scooters, cruisers, or cafe racers wear. The opening on the face allows the wind to be felt on the skin. With this type, there is no chin bar, which exposes the jaw or chin on impact.
These helmets are lighter than the full-face ones because of the lack of the chin bar. Due to the opening, it also leaves the rider exposed to road debris or varying weather conditions. Some designs have a full-face visor while there are others that only protect the eyes.
Modular Helmets
Modular helmets are a hybrid between full-face helmets and open face helmets. This is because the chin bar and the visor can be flipped up so it opens up and exposes the chin area. Compared to full-face helmets, they are heavier because of the flip-up design. Although it has a chin bar, the hinge design makes it less safe than a full-face helmet. However, it does provide more protection compared to the open face helmets.
Offroad Helmets
These are what you see people who ride on dirt roads or Supercross use. These have the biggest visors and an accentuated chin bar that helps with better airflow. They offer protection for the rider while still being light and well-ventilated. They are also mostly made of carbon fiber, fiberglass, or Kevlar to make them lightweight and durable.
They usually don’t have eye protection but goggles and glasses can be worn with them. Make sure to try on the eye protection of your choice because they may or may not fit. The visors are differently shaped but there are matching sets that will fit perfectly when used together.
Half Helmets
This type of helmet offers the least amount of protection as they only cover the top of the head. Some can have extended coverage at the back until the ear level but the face and neck are still exposed. With this design, the airflow is great however, the protection is greatly reduced.
Most also don’t come with a visor or face shield. You need to have your own eye protection when using them. They offer minimal protection.
Dual-sport Helmets
These helmets combine full-face helmets and off-road helmets. They are designed similarly to an off-road helmet that has a large visor and a lower chin bar. However, these also take the comfort that full-face helmets have by adding more interior padding. It is designed to be used either for on the road or off-road motorcycle riding.
These already have eye protection visor that can also be positioned up when goggles are used. However, it does not lift even at high speeds. There is also no protrusion of the chin bar, unlike the off-road helmets. This is a great option when you ride on mixed terrains.
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