Motorcycle Helmet Reviews Online.
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The motorcycle helmet is the most important piece of safety equipment in my opinion. Determine your budget in advance, however this is not an area to get cheap on. The whole purpose of the helmet is to limit the forces which the brain may experience during an accident. All humans respond differently to sudden jerk or accelerations applied to the brain, however typically an 80G impact to the head will produce a concussion. A good motorcycle helmet provides both racer and rider with impact protection, comfort, ventilation, good vision, light weight, easy cleaning, and the latest style. Arai Motorcycle Helmets, Bell Motorcycle Helmets, Troy Lee Designs, SixSixOne, and One Industries are a few manufacturers which have excellent reputations for providing a quality product.
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What is the term "G" force? The term "G" refers to the acceleration of a body due to the force of earth's gravity. For example if your head experienced a 150G hit, that is a force 150 times stronger than the earth's gravitational pull. That force works out to 4830 feet per second, or approx. 11 mph. A motocross helmet won't pass the Snell Certification test mentioned below if it transmits anything more than 290G's to the brain after slamming head first into the ground at a speed of 19.2 mph because it is likely that forces above this level could cause catastrophic brain damage. A 400G force blow to the head is more than enough to kill you. The helmet's job is to absorb a large portion of that energy and give up it's life expectancy to save yours! Most people do not understand this important aspect.....a motorcycle helmet is a disposable piece of safety equipment. Even a mild crash can compress the helmet's foam material no matter what the outer shell of the helmet may look like. If you were to take a successive hit in a nearby location the dirt bike helmet may not do it's job! The following is some important criteria to consider prior to making your next motorcycle helmet purchase: Safety Standards: Currently there is no such thing as an off-road specific dirt bike helmet standard. The common approvals for dirt bike helmets are Snell, ECE, and DOT. All helmets sold within the United States must pass the DOT FMVSS 218 test if they are to be worn by motorcyclists. These helmets must successfully pass various testing which includes shock absorption, penetration resistance, and strap strength to receive this certification. The Snell Memorial Foundation M2005 Standard is similar to the DOT FMVSS 218 criteria but also includes a chin bar test and higher energy (simulating higher speeds) testing. This is a worldwide standard and the Snell foundation is often considered an authority in the area of helmet testing and safety. It should be noted, the Snell M2005 Standard is changing in the very near future to the new M2010 Standard. This new standard will allow for lower peak level acceleration testing and include different weights for various sized heads. This update will bring the standard more in line with the current European Safety Standards ECE 22-05 criteria. My recommendation is try to find a dirt bike helmet which passes at least two, if not all three, of these safety standards. Sizing/Fit: Proper sizing is the most important consideration of purchasing a motorcycle helmet. Some speculate that up to 80% of motorcycle riders are wearing a motorcycle helmet that is a size too big! Not all helmet manufacturers sizing feels the same to the rider, and no human head has the same shape. Your new dirt bike helmet should fit such that it provides uniformly distributed compression around the entire surface of your head. This is the fit scenario in which the helmet has been designed and is the best chance that the helmet stays in position in the event of a crash. The motorcycle helmet should not feel extremely tight (Pressure Point) in any one area, however it should provide uniform compression and be tight enough that the head can't bounce inside the motorcycle helmet during a violent hit. On a properly fitting helmet there will be resistance when first placing the helmet on your head. Many people are reluctant to pull down if they meet resistance as the helmet goes on. Only if the helmet is near impossible to put on should you move to the next size up. Here are a few tips in evaluating a proper fit: A properly fitting helmet will fit uniformly with no pressure points and cause the skin to move as the helmet moves. Once on push the helmet back and forward on your head, it should wrinkle your brow when pushed forward and should not slide back on your head when pushed backwards. Your cheeks should feel compressed, however not painfully uncomfortable. After removal of the helmet any localized pressure points will sometimes show up as a reddening of the skin and may cause headaches and discomfort after long-term wearing. Some helmet manufactures include various size pads for localized adjustment. If this is not available a different size or brand of helmet may be required. Remember that a motorcycle helmet will require break-in time and often a helmet that feels slightly too tight at first will be just right with a little time. Price: Good quality motocross helmets and atv helmets can vary from approx. $150 to $700. Price of a helmet has little to do with how well it will protect your head. However often you will be paying for better materials, better fit & finish, and the motorcycle helmet passing additional safety standards. Admittedly motocross gear is not cheap. Again determine your budget in advance and don't skimp on protection. Visor/Chin Bar: Look for a dirtbike helmet which offers an adjustable visor with adequate length to provide both sun and "roost" protection during riding. Also evaluate the method in which the visor is attached to the helmet and whether it can be moved easily if bumped or jostled during a hard landing. Observe the chin bar and look for distance relative to the face. The closer proximity to the face the greater protection the chin bar will offer. Ensure the mouth guard has adequate ventilation and will flow plenty of air, yet has a design which will offer filtration and be easy to clean. Weight: Most high-end full size helmets weigh approximately 3 to 4 pounds. Helmet weight is particularly important if you're going to be wearing the helmet for long events such as enduro or cross country racing. While not always the most important consideration to the casual rider, obviously the lighter the better. Eyeport: The eyeport of the helmet should offer both good peripheral vision and goggle seal to the face. The helmet should not interfere with the goggles such that it pushes them out of position when bumped. Many helmet manufacturers offer different size eyeports, and goggles such as Scott seem to have larger frames than other goggle brands. Bottom line is make sure your goggles can comfortably fit in the eyeport of the helmet. High end helmets often offer design features to help keep the goggle straps in place as well which minimizes movement during racing. Cleaning: Look for helmets with moisture wicking materials and removable helmet liners. In some cases the cheek pads and strap pads can also be removed for easy cleaning. These features are very convenient for washing.
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