Believe it or not, a motorcycle helmet serves a far greater purpose than avoiding a fine. It is the most important element for motorcyclist safety because it can reduce fatal head injuries by 50%, according to reports from the World Health Organization.
Size is essential. It is of little use to buy a good helmet if it does not adapt to the circumference of a driver’s head. Almost 20% of helmets are ejected after a so-called serious accident. Among the various reasons, including cases in which they are not homologated, include incorrectly fastening them.
To ensure that you buy the correct size helmet, it is advisable to measure the circumference of your head above the ears. The size is indicated with letters from XS to 2XL accompanied by numbers equivalent to inches. Try it on and check that it is comfortable, that it does not move, does not fall on the eyes and does not press on the forehead. You must not put pressure on the goggles when using them and, above all, you must not reduce your vision. Weight is key in comfort and safety: avoid helmets that exceed 3 pounds. Any small contradiction can sometimes be the sole reason for a motorcycle accident or collision with a car.
It is important that you do not use a helmet that has suffered strong impact. In addition, it must have a safety approval label that guarantees that it has passed the minimum shock resistance tests. This label will give you a lot of information about where it has been manufactured and what level of safety it provides: if it includes the letter P it means that it is a protective helmet (full and some modular); the letters N/P indicate that it is a non-protective helmet (the chin guard does not protect); and the letter J informs that it is a jet or open type helmet. On the SHARP website (Safety Helmet Assessment and Rating Program) you can check which are the safest motorcycle helmets.
Types of helmets:
- the integral helmet is the safest and the one that protects the most because it completely covers the head and face.
- The modular, convertible or semi-integral helmet is like the integral but with a front part that can be fully opened. In both cases they have a chin guard for greater protection in the chin area.
- The least safe are open helmets because they do not have a chin guard and, in many cases, they do not have a protective screen either. This group includes jet helmets, semi-jet helmets, or Calimero helmets – the latter do not protect the neck, ears or face. In the event that you are going to ride in the countryside or in extreme situations, opt for a motocross helmet, which is an open helmet with the chin guard forward.
Regardless of which helmet you buy, its always important to remember the risks associated with riding a motorcycle. No safety gear is superior to the decisions one makes on the read. This goes for experienced and amateur bikers alike. With a fitted helmet and a healthy mind, you can comfortably enjoy the ride.
