Choosing Your Motorcycle Helmet

How To Stay Safe On The Road

Your motorcycle helmet is one of the most important pieces of safety equipment you will ever buy.

In the event of a collision, it could make the difference between a serious head injury and walking away from a crash.

But with so many helmets, brands, styles and price points available, how do you know which one is right for you?

Here are some important things to consider when choosing a motorcycle helmet.

1. Make Sure It Meets The Correct Safety Standard

Before you worry about the colour, graphics or price, check that the helmet meets the appropriate safety standard.

In the UK, motorcycle helmets must meet recognised standards, including UNECE Regulation 22.06. The newer 22.06 standard introduced more demanding testing than the previous 22.05 standard,

Always check the approval marking on the helmet and buy from a reputable retailer. Be particularly cautions when buying helmets online from unknown sellers or marketplaces, where counterfeit or incorrectly certified products can sometimes appear.

2. Getting The Right Fit Is Crucial

A helmet should feel snug and secure, but it shouldn’t cause painful pressure points.

When you first put it on, the cheek pads should feel firm against your cheeks and the helmet should sit securely around your head. It shouldn’t move independently of your head when you shake it gently from side to side.

Remember that the internal padding will compress slightly with use, so a helmet that feels comfortable loose when new may become too loose over time.

Different helmet manufacturers also have different internal shapes. If one brand doesn’t fit you properly, another may.

Don’t choose a helmet based on size alone – try it on.

3. Choose The Right Type Of Helmet For Your Riding

There are several different types of motorcycle helmet, including;

Full face helmets – provide the greatest coverage around the head, face and chin.
Modular or flip-front helmets – offer the flexibility of a hinged chin bar, although they should only be ridden with the chin bar raised if the helmet is specifically approved for that use.
Open-face helmets – provide less facial protection that a full-face helmet.
Adventure or dual-sport helmets – designed for a combination of road and off-road riding.

Think about the type of riding you actually do. Your daily commute, touring, motorway riding and occasional off-road adventures may all call for slightly different features.

4. Don’t Automatically Assume That The Most Expensive Helmet Is The Safest

Price is not the only measure of protection.

A more expensive helmet may offer additional features such as improved ventilation, reduced wind noise, premium materials, better aerodynamics or removable and washable liners. These can make a big difference to comfort, particularly if you spend long hours on your bike.

But the most important things are proper certification, a good fit and appropriate protection.

A correctly fitted helmet that you will wear properly every time is far more important that paying extra simply for a particular brand.

5. Check The Helmet Before Every Ride

Your helmet needs to be looked after.

Check it regularly for:

Cracks, dents or other visible damage
Damage to the visor
A secure chin strap and fastening mechanism
Worn or damaged internal padding
Signs that the helmet has become loose or no longer fits correctly.

Keep your visor clean and follow the manufacturer’s instructions when cleaning the helmet. Avoid using harsh chemicals or products that could damage the shell or visor.

6. What Happens If Your Helmet Is Involved In A Crash?

Even if your helmet looks perfectly fine after a collision, it may have absorbed impact energy and suffered damage that isn’t visible.

If your helmet has been involved in a significant impact, replace it.

The same applies if you drop a helmet from a significant height or it suffers other damage – check the manufacturer’s advice and, if in doubt, replace it.

A helmet is designed to protect your head by absorbing energy during an impact. Once that protection has been compromised, you shouldn’t take the risk.

7. Take Your Time Choosing Your Helmet

Buying a motorcycle helmet shouldn’t be a rushed decision.

Try different makes and models, check the safety approval, make sure the fit is right and consider how and where you ride. A helmet should be comfortable enough that you are happy to wear it every time you get on your bike – because the one time you don’t need it to be comfortable is the one time you desperately need it to protect you.