How to find the right motorcycle helmet
Motorcycle helmets protect the rider's head and are therefore a very important part of motorcycle clothing. Over time, they have been heavily modified in terms of their appearance, but also in terms of security. Half-shell helmets were originally standard, but jet and full-face helmets have largely replaced them since they offer the driver more protection.
Before buying a helmet, you must first decide on a design. In the areas of comfort and safety the different motorcycle helmets differ greatly:
- Half-shell helmets have become rare and are usually only worn by nostalgics, because they do not meet the modern safety standards for driving a motorcycle. The neck of this helmet is completely unprotected, while the ears lie under two pieces of leather that form the helmet fastener under the chin. Only glasses are used to protect the eyes.
- For the Open face helmet the shape of the half-shell was pulled over the ears. It resembles the helmet of a jet pilot, from which the name derives. Open face helmets are usually equipped with a plastic visor. Since the chin is not specially protected, they are only suitable for motorcycling at low speeds, for example on mopeds and less powerful motorcycles.
- To protect the face is the so-called Full face helmet closed in the chin area. Here, too, you will usually find a plastic visor.
- A variant of the full-face helmet is the Flip-up helmet. It resembles the full-face helmet in its appearance. On the side of the head, however, there are two hinges with which the entire chin section can be folded over the forehead. This is very practical when putting on and taking off. This helmet must not be used when it is unfolded.
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Fit of the motorcycle helmet
Once you have decided on a design, the next and most important decision criterion is the fit:
- Under no circumstances should the helmet be too wide, otherwise it can damage you accident slip off the head. Even with the chin strap closed, it must not let itself be twisted off the head, which is particularly easy with very small or very large heads.
- Of course, the motorcycle helmet shouldn't push either. Wearers of glasses, in particular, often have problems with the fit; the only way to do this is to try out different helmets. Some motorcycle helmets are better suited for people who wear glasses than others.
- The first time you try it out, the new helmet should sit tightly on your head, because the padding will give way a little over the course of use. To be able to really judge the helmet, however, it is not enough to put it on for a short time. You have to wear the helmet for at least ten minutes, preferably a quarter of an hour, to get to know its properties. Not only is the fit important, it should of course also be as comfortable as possible. If, for example, the heat builds up under the helmet, it can be very uncomfortable. Ask if you can wear the helmet of your choice during a test drive. Usually this is not a problem.
- Your new helmet should have the ECE seal of approval. Although it does not offer a guarantee, you can be sure that the motorcycle helmet has been checked for its basic properties. The current standard is ECE-R 22.05 and is noted on a label in the lining or on the chin strap. The seal is not mandatory for sale in Germany, you will also find helmets without a seal in stores.
Trends in motorcycle helmets
Of course, the fashion does not pass by motorcycle helmets, light helmet colors with applications are currently in trend. This has very specific advantages:
- with a bright helmet you will be in Road traffic seen better
- Applications with reflective foil provide additional security
- the light color does not heat up as much in strong sunlight
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