What Motorcycle Helmets Should You Buy?

Motorcycle helmets are arguably the most crucial protective gear when you are out riding your motorbike. It is estimated that about 1772 motorcyclists are saved annually by motorcycle helmets when they are involved in a road accident. The importance of these helmets cannot be overemphasized. Therefore, the question is not whether you need a motorcycle helmet. The question should be about what is the best type of motorcycle helmet. 

Ask yourself, what type of motorcycle helmet should I buy? The answer to this question will help you make the right choice about your motorbike helmet. When it comes to buying your helmets, your protection must be the first consideration. How is the helmet able to protect your face and head? Does your head fit perfectly with the helmet? You don’t want a helmet that bounces from one side to the other while you are on the road. Here are quite a few motorbike helmets you should buy as a motorcyclist. 

The Best Motorcycle Helmets for You

1. The Full-Face Helmet

This is considered to be the safest type of motorcycle helmet to protect you from any impact if you get into an accident. It provides the most coverage around the head and neck. The major distinguishing feature of this type of helmet is the chin bar which is absent in most other helmets. A study on helmet damage and motorcycle head injuries revealed that the chin experiences at least 50% of severe impacts during an accident. Only a full-face helmet can offer you the protection your chin and jaw need in such a scenario. 

Most of the full-face helmets are designed with ventilators to allow for the evaporation of sweat, reduce visor fogging, and help keep you cool while riding. During the colder months, you can close the ventilation to reduce the airflow. In recent years, some new features have been added to the helmet, such as Bluetooth-capable speakers, high visibility color options, and designs. Some visors adjust to the sunlight conditions. Examples of these full-face helmets include Icon Airmada Chantilly Series, Shoe RF 1200 Series, and HJC CL-17 Phantom Women’s. 

2. The Modular Helmet

Also called the Flip-up helmet, the Modular helmet is one of the best motorcycle helmets you can buy. It is a little redesign of the full-face helmet in the sense that the chin bar and visor can flip up to allow you to open the front of the helmet. Aside from that, the materials and fitment are just like that of a full-face helmet. It comes with a visor that protects your eyes and an occasional, secondary internal visor that protects your eyes from the direct ray of sunlight. They are slightly heavier than the traditional full-face helmet in terms of weight due to the added features. It is mostly used by cruisers, tourers, as well as adventure riders. Notable examples include the likes of Speed and Stright SS1710, HJC RPHA 90 Darth Vader, and Scorpion EXO-AT950 Necon. 

3. Off-Road (Dirt Bike) Helmet

Just as the name implies, off-road helmets are designed for when you want to ride away from the roads and on dirt parts. They are poor choices for city and highway uses but require places where you need knobby tires. It is equipped with larger visors, and the chin bars are a little more accentuated to allow better airflow. The bottom line is that they are typically designed for maximum protection of riders in certain terrains. Therefore, you shouldn’t expect so much comfort like Bluetooth speakers. 

Usually, these off-road helmets do not protect from sunlight; hence, riders ought to have their glasses or goggles. Goggles will be the best option for riding in the dirt because they can seal against your face and stop debris from penetrating through the sides and from the bottom when you are riding. Some examples you should consider include the likes of Fox Racing V1 Przm, Bell MX-9 MIPS Seven Ignite, O’Neal Series 3, etc. 

4. Dual-Sport Helmet

Also known as the Crossover, ADV, Hybrid, and Enduro, the Dual-sport motorcycle helmets are a mix of off-road and full-face motorbike helmets. Its exterior styling is quite similar to the off-road helmet, having a large visor and lower chin bar. However, it provides more interior padding and comfort like that of a full-face helmet. This particular helmet is designed to be used on and off-road.

This type of motorcycle helmet offers a larger eye protection visor than the full-face helmet. Also, it can snap in an upward position to allow for the use of goggles. Its visor is aerodynamic; hence it cannot lift in the wind like a traditional off-road helmet. Unlike the off-road helmet, the chin bar is not protrusive, and there is better soundproofing without much airflow. Some examples include the likes of Scorpion EXO-AT950 Tuscon, HJC DS-X1Lander, and Bell MX-9 Adventure MIPS. 

5. Open-Face Helmet

Also known as a ¾ helmet, the open0-face helmet protects the top back and sides of your head while leaving your face exposed. Scooters, cruisers, tourers mostly use this type of motorcycle helmet, and café racers, etc. The face is open to allow wind on the skin. It doesn’t come with a chin bar. In the areas that they provide coverage, these motorbike helmets offer equal protection like the full-face helmet. Due to the absence of the chin bar, the weight is a little bit less than that of the full-face. Since the helmet is open, it doesn’t protect riders against weather conditions and road debris. Notable examples are the Shark Street Drak, Scorpion EXO-CTO Neacon, and Bilt Route Journey. 

Conclusion 

You must have gotten your fill of the motorbike helmets and, by extension, the answers to questions like what is the best type of motorcycle helmet. What type of motorcycle helmet should I buy? Etc. The type of helmet you should buy depends on your type of occupation. As a motorcyclist, the major things you need to keep in mind include the time of the year, cold weather, places you plan to enjoy riding, etc. Click here to see some quality motorcycle helmets for your ride.