If you are a new rider or an experienced rider who is replacing an old helmet, choosing the helmet may be more confusing than buying a bike. Most manufacturers recommend replacing your helmet every 5 years. Finding the right motorcycle helmet can be a time-consuming, but necessary evil. I will try to give you a guide to help this process be easier for you.

The goal of this guide is to give you the knowledge and confidence when choosing your next Motorcycle helmet. Studies have shown and riders have reported that helmets not only save lives but can drastically reduce the amount of injuries suffered to the face, head and neck.

The thinking that a helmet will restrict your vision, is not true. Manufacturers design helmets to not obscure or block your peripheral vision. Another claim is that wearing a helmet reduces your hearing, but it can actually help you hear over the engine noise.

Comfort has several factors. For example, the material that makes up the motorcycle helmet's liner should feel comfortable against the skin. The internal padding of the helmet should act as a comfortable cushion between the head and the helmet internals, and the liner shape should perfectly match your head shape. The perfect helmet would be so comfortable that the rider would forget that it’s there.

The chin strap should be comfortable and have smooth padding that doesn't rub the neck. The visor should have an opening that doesn't block the vision and which can be easily adjusted for air flow. And the helmet shouldn't be too hot or too drafty.

Helmet Construction

A helmet’s shell is generally made from either a molded polycarbonate plastic or a fiber composite that can consist of fiberglass, Kevlar and/or carbon fiber. A polycarb shell is cheaper to produce, so this construction is usually found at the lower end of the price spectrum. A fiberglass/Kevlar/carbon shell results in lighter weight and is usually found in pricier name brands.

Inner Liner

The stuff that actually absorbs the hit to a crashed rider’s flying head is the expanded polystyrene (EPS) liner. Yes, it’s the same kind of stuff as in your well-used beer cooler. This part crushes as it absorbs energy from a hit and it doesn’t bounce back, so this is a big reason why you should always replace your lid after a crash. The internal helmet shell structure on poorly designed helmets can have protrusions or shapes that press through the padding and into a sensitive area on your head and cause pain, and headaches, so there should be no pressure points from these areas.

The Fit Test

When you’re trying on a helmet, take this quick test to ensure that you’ve got a good fit: First, fasten the strap snugly (you should feel some force on your chin). Grab the back of the helmet and try to lift it up and pull it forwards off your head. You should not be able to get the helmet off even with significant effort. The cheek pads should allow only minimum movement when twisting the helmet from side to side. A good-fitting helmet should be on the snug side, and the fit will become looser as the padding breaks in. A loose-fitting helmet will transfer a greater amount of impact energy to your brain.

Fit and Comfort Features of a Good Helmet

Removable cheekpads that can be replaced with other sizes to customize fit.

A lined chinstrap for comfort and a cushy neckroll to reduce wind noise.

A removable, washable liner is a big plus, as no one likes riding around in a helmet that smells like a gym bag.

Vent systems, which can vary from effective to useless.

Well-known brands are generally more comfortable.

Head Shapes

It's important to know your head shape and which helmet brand and model will fit by matching your head shape to the helmet's internal shape. Not every helmet will fit the same, and almost every helmet brand and model is different. Fortunately, many motorcycle helmets are available with internal shapes that roughly match these head categories

Round - Pretty self explanatory

Oval - Sometimes known as "long oval", which is said to be the most common American head shape

Earth - The Earth shaped head is somewhat wider in the middle, approximately near the temples

Egg - Wider at the top and narrower at the bottom.

Reverse Egg - Slightly narrower at the top than at the bottom

Style

A good helmet not only fits your unique-shaped head, it also expresses your style and personality. You’re going take it every time you ride. Pick one that you won’t get sick of by next week.

Helmet Styles and Protection

Half Helmets: This is the simplest form of a helmet. There are no side and chin protection. Easy to put on and take off and can leave the helmet on in many cases. They look best when riding a cruiser or custom bike

¾ or Open-Face Helmet: Protects the head, neck, ears, and eyes. If you use an open-face helmet, you should have a snap-on face shield in place when you ride, or buy a pair of goggles that can withstand the impact of a stone or other debris. Offers the third most protection over any other type of helmet (other than full face and flip-up full face). Lifting off the face shield for a photo or taking off the helmet for a snack or drink is easier and more convenient. These helmets are aimed to protect the ears and the side of the face. However this kind of helmet doesn’t have any chin protection.

Full Face helmet: Protects the entire head, neck, ears, eyes, face and chin. Offers the most in protection over any other type of helmet. Also aids in keeping the rain, wind, bugs, rocks, dust and cold out due to its wrap around design. By cutting down ambient wind noise, helmets can actually help you hear other sounds better. By reducing fatigue from the wind, they keep you more alert. By protecting your eyes from the wind, they allow you to see better.

Flip-Up helmet: Protects the entire head, neck, ears, eyes, and face. Offers the most in protection over any other type of helmet. Also aids in keeping the rain, wind, bugs, rocks, dust and cold out due to its wrap around design. Eliminates many of the negatives that normal full face helmets have such as removal, taking it off to drink/eat and to put on/off glasses. May not be as good in a crash as a full face helmet because the chin can come open on impact.

Motor Cross helmets: These off-road helmets include a sun visor, an area to strap on your goggles, and graphics that give you some style
There should be a good strong strap with a double 'D' ring or other locking mechanism. Again, make sure the motorcycle helmet cannot be removed with the strap secured. Make sure there are vents, this is very important for summer use. You don't want your motorcycle helmet visor fogging up on the road.

Color

Helmet colors are a personal choice, but remember that the ability to be seen in traffic is one of the most important safety issues to consider. A rider's motorcycle helmet is usually the highest point on the motorcycle, so a bright color that is visible to traffic is recommended.

Certifications

DOT Certification
That’s D.O.T., for Department of Transportation. Do not consider wearing a helmet if it doesn’t have the DOT sticker on the back, as it is the minimum standard for street use. If a helmet’s not DOT-approved, it’s considered a “novelty” helmet. A DOT certified Helmet means it will soak up a significant amount of impact energy, prevent most penetration, and have a fastening system that will withstand significant force.

Other Certification

Many racing organizations in the United States insist a helmet must meet Snell standards in addition to DOT compliance. To meet Snell standards, a helmet and its liner must be able to withstand higher and repeated impacts, which sounds safer. But recent studies suggest that the Snell standard is unrealistically high and actually results in a helmet that is less able to absorb initial impacts. It might be notable to mention that America is the only country in which Snell-standard helmets are sold.

All motorcycle helmets sold in the U.S.A. must meet DOT standards, but they are not required to meet Snell standards. A motorcycle helmet that meets both DOT and Snell standards may have gone through different testing schemes, but may not necessarily be superior to helmets that meet only the DOT standard, although many motorcyclists look for helmets that meet both DOT and Snell standards

Don't buy a motorcycle helmet based on perceived image or marketing hype. It's important to try on a helmet and wear it for an extended period of time to compare fit and feel. Know before you buy.

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