Buying The Correct Motorcycle Helmet

Every rider needs a motorcycle helmet. It's the law! You have to buy one, wear one and be comfortable in your new motorcycle helmet. Follow the following guidelines in purchasing and choosing your new motorcycle helmet. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration offers guidelines.

Be Sure Your Helmet Meets The DOT Standard.

Make sure that your helmet meets the Department of Transportation's (DOT) Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 218. First, look for the DOT symbol on the outside back of the helmet. Then, look for a label inside the helmet stating the manufacturer's name, month and year of manufacture, construction materials, helmet model and size, and owner information. A complying helmet must have both labels. HJC, Shoei and other brands we offer currently meet the DOT Standard.

To Learn More About DOT, Visit our DOT & SNELL M2000 Page.

Make Sure Your Helmet Is Well Made and Not A Cheap Helmet.

Helmets that comply with the federal safety standard will have a firm polystyrene (Styrofoam) inner liner of about one-inch and weigh about three pounds. They will also have sturdy chinstraps with solid rivets. Safe helmets will never feature spikes or other protruding decorations. We recommend an HJC or Shoei. They have years of experience and are leaders in their industry. HJC is the #1 helmet in America. But if you wan to buy the best helmets, purchase a Shoei. You'll pay more, but they are better. HJC's give you the most bag for your buck!

Think About Style.

Full-face helmets offer the most protection in a collision. Plastic face shields protect you from wind, dust, rain, insects, and road debris thrown up from cars. If you buy a helmet without a face shield, be sure to wear goggles to protect your eyes. Remember, a windshield is not an adequate substitute for a face shield or goggles. And neither are eyeglasses as they cannot keep your eyes from watering and are easily dislodged. A popular model are the full face Symax models by HJC and the Syncrotec by Shoei.

A design such as the German Army style or skull cap style would be considered to be an unsafe helmet. Generally, unsafe helmets are noticeably smaller in diameter and thinner than ones meeting the DOT standard.

Use Your Helmet To Be Seen On The Road.

Brightly colored helmets increase your visibility to other vehicles. Add reflective tape on the back and sides of the helmet for even greater visibility. Decrease the chances of you getting hit by a car. Let's all be safe.

Make Sure Your Helmet Fits Properly.

Always try on a helmet before you buy it. Your helmet should feel snug and it should not turn freely around your head. It should not be able to move back and forth on your head. A helmet should not in any way prevent you from turning your head to observe traffic. All helmets are required to provide the wearer with a 210º field of vision. If you purchase a helmet without trying it on first, then please be sure that it fits! If it doesn't feel comfortable and snug, then return it immediately for an exchange.

When you wear a properly fitted helmet, wind noise is actually reduced. Although a helmet does reduce the intensity of sounds, it reduces the intensity of all sounds equally. Loud external sounds such as car horns and sirens are still very audible above all other street noises.

Each brand of helmet fits differently. So, try on a variety of brands to find the one that fits you best. The dealership staff will assist you with the proper fit. Generally speaking the Shoei helmets will fit more comfortably than other brands. HJC's aren't bad either, for the money, they are a bargain.

To Learn More, Visit Our Sizing Chart Page.

Always Fasten and Tighten The Chinstrap.

An unfastened helmet will fly off in a crash. Whenever you have the opportunity, check the chinstrap to make sure it is still secure.

To Learn How To Fasten Your Chin Strap Properly, Click Here.

NEVER Wear a Damaged Helmet.

Is your life worth buying a used helmet? Is your life worth wearing a helmet you know was in an accident or a fall? It's definitely not worth mine. I would never wear a helmet that was involved in ANY kind of accident that may have reduced the integrity of the helmet. A used helmet may have been involved in a crash and damaged in ways that are not obvious. Even falls from places like the motorcycle's seat or the end of a handlebar shorten the life span of a helmet. Be sure to replace your helmet if it has been in a crash. Any damage to a helmet reduces its effectiveness, so replace your helmet if it has been damaged. If you are not sure that your helmet needs to be replaced, arrange to return it to the manufacturer for inspection. Care for your helmet as indicated in your owner's manual.