It’s a common misconception that motorcycle helmets are all the same. In reality, there are different types of helmets for different types of riders, each with its own pros and cons. For example, if you live in a warm climate or ride on the highway most days, an open-face helmet might be more comfortable than a full-face model with an attached chin bar.
But if you live in Minnesota and ride mostly on backcountry roads where there are trees and rocks around every bend—not to mention deer who like to jump right onto the road right in front of you—then full-face might be your best bet! The point is: don’t take these decisions lightly; they matter when it comes to safety (which we’ll get into below).
What type of rider are you?
There are several different types of riders. Some are more conservative, while others are more aggressive. Some ride cautiously, while others take risks. Knowing what type of rider you are will help you determine the helmet that is right for your style and needs.
Do you have safety concerns? If so, choose a helmet that meets all the standards set by DOT (Department of Transportation) or Snell M2005 certification standards if they’re available in your area. Both organizations test helmets to ensure that they meet or exceed the minimum safety requirements before they can be sold to consumers in North America.
If you don’t want to pay top dollar, but still want high-quality protection against head injuries during an accident, look for helmets with multiple impact-resistant shells made out of polycarbonate material or ABS plastic instead of fiberglass shells which tend not last as long due to their brittleness over time – although many manufacturers now use advanced materials like carbon fiber instead which also makes them lighter weight than older models used before this change happened!
How to Size a Motorcycle Helmet
- Check the helmet size chart. The first step in finding the right motorcycle helmet is measuring your head, so that you can determine which size of helmet you need. You can find a size chart for your specific brand and model of helmet on the manufacturer’s website or by searching Google.
- Try on different helmets to find the right fit. Once you have determined what size helmet is right for your head, it’s time to try them all on! Find a shop with a good selection and try out several options before making a decision—the perfect fit could be waiting just around the corner!
- Use tape measure to check dimensions. Even if this step seems unnecessary compared with trying on various styles and sizes of helmets at once (and let’s be honest: it does), I highly recommend measuring each bike helmet as well as possible before choosing one for yourself—especially when buying online from an unfamiliar retailer or brand name where there aren’t many reviews available from others who’ve purchased similar products before shopping online).
Which motorcycle helmet style is right for your ride?
When it comes to helmets, there are a lot of different styles to choose from. The first step is to determine whether you want a full-face helmet or an open-face one.
Full Face Motorcycle Helmets:
A full-face helmet covers your entire head and usually has a chin bar that snaps down over your face when you’re not wearing it. These are the most popular types of helmets because they offer the most protection from wind, dust, debris and rain. Some models even include built-in sun visors for added convenience on bright days. However, this type does tend to be bulkier than other options which can make them uncomfortable for long rides if you’re not used to wearing them regularly (or at all).
Open Face Motorcycle Helmets: An open-faced motorcycle helmet also covers part or all of your face but doesn’t have any sort of chin bar like its full-faced counterpart does; instead it uses foam padding around its edges so that air can get through while still providing some protection against wind and other elements — which means they’re usually lighter weight than full faced helmets since there’s no metal plate over your mouth area!
Which motorcycle helmet shape is right for your dome?
- Long Oval: If you have a long oval head shape, you should choose a helmet that fits snugly on the sides of your head but leaves room at the top.
- Intermediate Oval: If you have an intermediate oval head shape, you will want to try on helmets in order to find one that fits securely but doesn’t leave any gaps around your face or temples.
- Round Oval: If you have a round oval head shape, it’s important that the helmet is not too loose on top or too tight in any other area of your noggin’. A good rule of thumb is to make sure there’s at least 1 inch between your eyebrows and chin when wearing motorcycle gear.
- Short Oval: You’ll want to make sure all parts of the helmet are secure without being too tight or loose anywhere—especially around your cheeks and forehead!
As always, don’t forget about those who ride with their ears covered (or prefer less coverage). These riders may also enjoy more comfort by choosing more rounded shapes such as short ovals and round rounds instead of long ovals/intermediates/rounds unless they’re willing/comfortable sacrificing protection for style points
What’s the best way to try on a helmet?
- Place the helmet on your head. It should feel snug without being too tight, and the padding should touch all parts of your head evenly.
- Adjust the chin strap so it’s snug against your chin without being too tight or too loose. (It shouldn’t be able to slide up and down easily.)
- Check that there’s no gap between the helmet and your cheeks—this is a good indication that it fits properly. If there are gaps at either side, try another size or model of helmet until you find one that fits well across both sides of your face.
The Seven-Second Rule
- The seven-second rule is a good way to test your helmet for safety. If you don’t know what the seven-second rule is, it’s basically this: if you fall off your bike and hit your head, how long will it take for your brain to start losing oxygen?
- According to experts, that time is seven seconds—and after that point, there may be serious consequences.
- Most states require helmets on all motorcyclists; if they don’t see evidence of one when they pull over someone who isn’t wearing one (for example, dirt on the rider’s face), then they can fine them or send them to jail for not complying with state law. It’s also possible for riders to lose their licenses if caught without proper head protection while operating a vehicle.
How can I tell if a used helmet is safe?
When you’re buying a used helmet, it’s important to check that the helmet is in good condition.
- Check for cracks around the visor and vents, which can indicate that the outer shell has been damaged or weakened. Also look for cracks on or near impact areas like the chin and forehead.
- Check for dents in any parts of the helmet—especially those where there are no vents or openings (like around your temples). Dents can mean that there was an impact with enough force to cause damage even through multiple layers of material.
- Look for signs of rusting on metal components like screws, pins, and fasteners; this could be evidence of damage from water exposure over time. If you see dull spots on plastic parts like visors or face shields, it may mean they’ve become worn down over time.
- Inspect all straps and fasteners carefully; check stitching as well as plastic clips used to hold them together if possible (you’ll need some kind of magnifying glass). Look closely at every part involved in holding everything together so you know exactly how much wear has been put on each piece during use over time—and whether any repairs were made before being sold off again!
What kind of motorcycle helmet should I wear in hot weather?
When choosing the right helmet for hot weather, the most important thing to consider is ventilation. A good ventilation system will keep you cool, prevent sweating and fogging from building up inside your helmet and make sure that your head doesn’t overheat.
Another factor to keep in mind when choosing a helmet for warm weather conditions is weight. The lighter a helmet is, the better it will feel on long rides. A heavier piece of equipment can put unnecessary strain on your neck muscles and may cause discomfort after just a short time riding.
This problem becomes more pronounced when temperatures are high or humidity levels are low, since there’s less air flow around to help cool down things like helmets or jackets filled with insulating materials such as down feathers or synthetic insulation (which traps heat).
If possible, try out several different models before making any decisions so that you can find one that feels comfortable while providing all necessary safety features like an impact-resistant shell with EPS foam lining along with straps that fit securely around both sides of your head without pinching into sensitive areas behind ears where they rest against shoulders which could lead someone else
What kind of motorcycle helmet should I wear in cold weather?
A full-face helmet is the best option for protecting your face and head from cold weather. Most full-face helmets have integrated visors, which help keep rain away. However, if you want to wear a balaclava or neck warmer underneath your helmet, you can use one of these three options:
- A balaclava with a built-in face shield can be worn under a full face helmet or alone. The key is to make sure that it’s not too tight around the neck so that it won’t interfere with your movement.
- A neck warmer will keep your neck warm without adding bulk over the back of your head or interfering with how well you can see out of your visor (if there isn’t one).
- A face mask may also be worn under a full-face helmet but should be used sparingly because they tend to fog up easily in cold weather conditions
Why should I wear a full-face or modular helmet instead of an open-face style?
The full-face helmet offers more in the way of protection than any other style. It’s a little heavier but also much safer for your head. Plus, if you’re looking to add some protection from wind and dust on longer rides, a full-face helmet will be more comfortable and provide better coverage than an open-face model.
The same is true if you ride with headphones—you’ll find it easier to wear a full-face helmet over them (and not worry about them falling out) than an open-face style. This can also help keep your ears warm during cool weather by keeping them covered up with thicker padding around the ear area inside the helmet. A good example of this type is Bell’s Star Pro Carbon Full Face Helmet!
Modular helmets are great because they allow riders to customize their experience according to how they want it at different times throughout the day or week; however, they aren’t as safe as full face styles when involved in crashes due to less protection offered against injury resulting from impacts on multiple sides of head area compared against just one side provided by traditional flip down sun visor equipped modular helmets such as Arai XD4
You need to ask yourself what kind of rider you are before you can figure out what kind of helmet you want.
Before we get into the details of how to choose a helmet, you need to ask yourself what kind of rider you are. The answer will determine which type of helmet you need. If you’re a comfortable cruiser rider, you may want something stylish and clean-looking that doesn’t weigh too much. On the other hand, if you ride an adventure touring bike with all the bells and whistles (the ones with windshields), then it makes sense for your helmet to be ultra protective while still being lightweight enough not to hinder visibility or comfort while riding in less than ideal conditions like extreme heat or rain.
Conclusion
Now you know what to look for when searching for a new helmet! Whether you’re looking for something that will keep your head cool in the summer months or warm in the winter, we hope this guide has helped you out. And remember, if all else fails and your search still leaves you feeling confused about which helmet is right for you, just ask the experts at your local motorcycle shop—we love helping out our fellow riders and would be more than happy to help reinforce any of these points with some hands-on advice from their own expertise!
