Wearing a motorcycle helmet is the most important headgear. As it helps to protect your head from brain injuries. How to buy a motorcycle helmet depends on patience to purchase a headgear that would protect your head in the event of an impact.
Buying motorcycle helmets are more than just figuring out your head size and striking appearance. If you want to survive a crash, there are certain factors on how to buy a motorcycle helmet.
Guides on How to Buy a Motorcycle Helmet
To know how to buy a motorcycle helmet, it is essential for every rider to consider buying guides before purchasing the right helmet. To buy a helmet for your ride, the list of factors mentioned below:
1) Head size and shape
Considering your head shape and size is very important. As the headwear serves the purpose of protecting your head in the event of a crash.
To know your head size is to take a measuring tape and measure above your eyebrows around to the bottom of your head, just inches above your neck. Do make sure that different helmet brands have their head size chart, do be careful with the head size chart you obtain from a certain helmet brand.
If you do not have a measuring tape, take the string and wrap it around your head. Mark your measurement onto the string. Take the string and align it with the measuring tape. You have found your head size.
To know your head shape is to flatten your hair as flat as possible and ask a trusted friend to take the picture above your head. Three head shapes are:
- Round oval – this is where the sides of the head are wider and shapes like a circle.
- Intermediate oval – this where the front and back of the head are slightly longer than the sides of the head
- Long oval – the front and back of the head are much longer than the sides. You can imagine as a narrow oval.
To consider buying a motorcycle helmet is to know your head shape and size.
2) Legal Safety standards
This is an important factor when it comes to the city or country you ride. In protective headgears, three main safety standards are DOT, ECE and Snell. These standards accommodate safe and legal headwear on the road.
Besides, if a helmet approves one or more safety standards, it means you can ride in various cities and countries. When it comes to buying motorcycle helmets, keep an eye on these legal safety standards. If you have purchased a helmet with a different safety standard, that considers alright to ride.
3) Comfort and fit
For this guide on how to buy a motorcycle helmet, a helmet’s main job is to keep your head protected and comfortable. When shopping for a motorcycle helmet keep in mind that head size and comfort plays a major role.
To buy the correct helmet size, try on as many as you can until you have found the right helmet. When it comes to fit and comfort, make sure the helmet fits snugly onto your head. Without feeling any signs of discomfort and pressure points.
4) Types of helmets
For how to buy a motorcycle helmet, headgears designs in various shapes and sizes. In protective headgears, there are six types of motorcycle helmets. They are full face, modular, open face, off-road, dual-sport and half face helmets.
Each type of helmet constructs differently to influence the rider you are and the terrain you ride. These six helmets represent their benefits and drawbacks to fill in your knowledge about safe head protection. To buy a motorcycle helmet, consider the types of helmets for your ride.
5) Terrain you ride
The terrain you ride affects your priority of head protection as not all helmets works on the same terrain. Where to buy a motorcycle helmet depends on the terrain you ride.
For instance, if you ride on simple roads and in the city, you should go for a full face or a modular helmet. To ride on racing tracks and off-street terrain, you must go for an off-road helmet. For riding on and off the street dual-sport is the best option. When purchasing the helmet, consider the terrain you ride.
6) How often you ride
How to buy a motorcycle helmet depends on how often you ride. A protective headgear comes into consideration when you know the type of rider you are. When considering how to buy a motorcycle helmet, you have to consider how often you ride.
For instance, if you are a commuter, you need to acquire headgear that is durable and works in all weather conditions. If you ride a bike as a leisure activity, you need to go for a helmet that acquires sufficient features to go beyond an enjoyable ride. For shopping a headwear, consider how often you hit the road.
7) Weight
The weight of a helmet plays a vital role in head protection and preventing fatigue in long rides. Protective headgears must be lightweight enough to avoid the extra weight of your head and shoulders in long routes.
Countless helmets accommodate lightweight protective headgear. Where can I buy a motorcycle helmet depends on the weight of the product. To consider the weight of the helmet is to try to put it onto your head and see if you feel heavy on your head and shoulders. Do consider the weight when opting for the best motorcycle helmet.
8) Exterior shell
The material of the exterior shell has a great role in head protection as it serves the purpose of road safety in the event of an impact. Where to buy a motorcycle helmet depends on the exterior shell you are looking for.
Helmet manufacturers made different types of exterior shell including polycarbonate, carbon fibre, thermoplastic alloy, fibreglass composite and Expanded Polystyrene (EPS). If you want your head to survive after the crash, look for a helmet that contains a strong exterior shell. You need to look at the manufacturer’s label. How often you ride depends on the exterior shell that works in extreme conditions. If you ride frequently, you need a helmet that protects all elements. To buy a motorcycle helmet is to consider the exterior shell.
9) Interior
The interior of the helmet is the most comfortable part of the headgear as it displaces energy in the event of an impact. The interior of the headwear refers to as the inner liner, which is the layer below the exterior shell. This feature helps to know how to buy a motorcycle helmet. This depends on the thickness of the interior.
If you have purchased a helmet that has a thin interior lining, then it would not do any good to maximize head protection. For a great head survival, look for a headgear that has a thick interior liner. The thicker the liner, the greater the protection.
10) Retention system
A helmet’s most important security is the retention system. The retention system is the chinstrap of the helmet. Where can I buy a motorcycle helmet? Well, this depends on the type of helmet you want for your ride.
Each type of helmet has a retention system to secure the headgear in place. There are different types of retention system such as double D-ring, quick-release buckle, micrometric ratchet and a rope strap. To test the retention system is to try on the helmet onto your head and secure it around your chin. If it fits, this is the right helmet for you. The stronger the retention, the better the head protection.
11) Aesthetics
Aesthetics are a great way to consider for your ride as it represents your style and personality. However, a striking graphic helmet should not compromise with head protection. It does not mean I am forbidding you to buy a helmet of your favorite colour or design!
But do be careful with the colour you choose for the time of riding. For instance, if you ride at night frequently, you need to go for a brighter colour for ease of visibility. I suggest you go for a bright to medium colour for visibility.
12) Weather conditions
If you hit on the road often, you need a good motorcycle helmet that works in all weather conditions. When riding, the helmet affects different weather patterns happening to the environment.
Nowadays, helmet manufacturers make headgears that work in all riding conditions. Where to buy a motorcycle helmet depends on climate change. If you are a commuter, you need to buy a helmet that works in all weather conditions. It is best to consider the weather patterns before you buy a helmet.
Wrap Up
Here are the useful guides on how to buy a motorcycle helmet. Each factor allows you to consider what you are looking for a motorcycle helmet. If you want to survive from the crash, just look at these factors on how to buy a motorcycle helmet.
Where to buy a motorcycle helmet depends on your budget and the protection of your head it serves. If you are shopping online, do be careful with the product advertised on the website. When it comes to the features, makes sure you check the helmet description based on your head size and shape.
Your safety is the main survival of head protection, if you want to know how to buy a motorcycle helmet, just simply have a look at these guides above. Your struggle to look for the best motorcycle helmet will benefit your ride.
So follow these guides on how to buy a motorcycle helmet and enjoy the ride!
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