A Beginners’ Guide to Choosing The Best Motorcycle Helmet
A motorcycle helmet is one of the most essential pieces of gear for any rider, especially the new ones. It is the most important thing that every rider should wear every time they are driving. Helmets are part of safety protocols and will definitely protect your life if an unfortunate event happened.
But not all helmets are the same. It varies from person to person. So, in order to make sure that you are going to buy the perfect helmet for you before you take it on the road, here are some guides toward buying your first motorcycle helmet.
Make sure that it Fits
The first thing that you should factor in before buying your first motorcycle helmet is its comfort and fit. You want to make sure that it fits your head properly. You also want to make sure that you are going to be comfortable wearing the helmet, especially if you’re going to wear it for hours every day.
This part is where most first-time riders fail to consider as most of them buy their helmet based on the looks and the aesthetics and not the safety guidelines.
Helmets need to fit tightly around your head and your cheeks so that if you shake your head, it will not move. The logic behind this is if in case you get into an accident, your helmet will not come off easily and will be able to protect your head against collisions and banging.
The rule of the thumb in making sure that the helmet properly fits your head is to try to put your index finger in your forehead. You should only be able to put half of your finger because otherwise, it is already unsafe.
Know the Brands
There are a lot of brands that sell motorcycle helmets. But you specifically have to look for brands that received certification and passed the quality standards that are set by the government.
Helmets that were to pass the quality standards from the Department of Transportation (DOT) have stickers at the back and proved to be more safe and able to withstand more intensive blows and damage.
But you also have to be wary about some brands that put counterfeit stickers to make it seem like they passed the DOT standards.
Consider your needs and preferences
There are a lot of different types of helmets that is suitable for every person’s driving habits and own preferences. You have to know what type of helmet you need and your own preferences in terms of looks and styles as well.
The most common type is the full-face helmet which covers and provides protection to your entire head including your chin. Full-face helmets are often used by motocross riders and those who are participating in motorcycle racing. But it can also be an everyday use or if you’re planning a long ride.
The second type is the open-face helmets. It provides protection to the side, top, and back of your head and is also connected by a strap but does not cover your chin. In minor accidents, it still could protect your head so if you are going to commute to work on your motorcycle, an open face is ideal for you as it will provide you a wide peripheral of vision.
Safety, comfort, and your overall need and preferences are some of the things that you should take into consideration before buying your first helmet. Of course, the design and the aesthetic are also important as well but you shouldn’t compromise the main factors that are mentioned above.
