Guide to Buying Motorcycle Helmets - What Makes a Good Helmet?
Whether you’re looking for your first motorcycle helmet, replacing an old one, or just snooping around to see what is out there, you've found the right place to talk helmets. We are a small family-owned company in Western New York that started as a local motorcycle mechanic shop (we still are), and now we ship unique motorcycle products all over the world! We may not be as large as some other online motorcycle retailers, but we are confident that we feature some of the best products that we believe in and want to support.
You can shop some unique and cool helmets here on our site, but we figured, why not do a quick breakdown of what makes a good motorcycle helmet? This way, hopefully, a new rider out there doesn’t just pull the trigger on the one they think looks the coolest, but understands what makes a helmet high-quality, safe, and yeah, of course, cool also.
Here's How You Can Pick the Right Motorcycle Helmet
Usage
Fit
Safety
Quality
Materials
What Is Your Helmet Going to Be Used For?
The first thing that you’ll want to consider is your level of usage and the time you’re going to spend wearing your new helmet. If you’re going to be taking 30-minute rides around your suburban area to learn how to ride, this may differ from, say, someone who is planning to take a 3-day motorcycle ride, or someone who’s planning to take their bike to track days. Maybe you’re planning to take your bike to work every day. Maybe you’re going to be riding with a group. Maybe you’re planning to race your bike. These are all factors to get your motorcycle helmet search started.
For example, if you plan to ride with a crew, you’ll probably want to find a helmet that accommodates communication options comfortably, allowing you to talk to each other. If you plan to be riding every day or long distances, you’ll probably want to find something higher-end that’s going to be very comfortable and prevent wind noise.
Finding the Right Fit for Your New Helmet
The first thing to consider is the reality that no matter what helmet you buy, it’s going to break in after a few uses. This means you should probably find something that feels a little tight because you should assume it’s going to loosen up as it breaks in. You never want to base your helmet buying decision solely on the look or design of a helmet. Though you want to look cool, you need to find a proper helmet that fits well and is safe.
This means knowing your head shape and your head size!
It’s important to remember that size charts recommend the right circumference of your head, but different head shapes will fit different helmets.
Most humans have what is known as an intermediate oval head. This is what is most available and most common when it comes to helmet sizing.
If your head is more round (wide), you’ll need more room ear to ear. If a helmet doesn’t fit properly, you might feel pain or pressure around or above your ears.
If you have a “long” head, as in it may be thinner side to side, but longer from your nose tip to the back of your head, you may find forehead pressure to be an issue when it comes to the right fit. You may notice that the wrong size will feel loose from left to right and around your cheeks.
To measure your head, just wrap a measuring tape around your head. It’s easiest to have a buddy do this with a soft measuring tape. You’ll want to measure roughly a half-inch above your eyebrows, around the back of your head at its largest point.
Once you try your new helmet on, you should find that it is snug, with no pressure points. If you can fit your fingers in between your head and the helmet, or it moves around, then it’s too big. A perfectly sized helmet could fit uncomfortably on one person and perfectly snug on another. Each head is different, so you should pick a helmet purely based on your head, not anyone else's.
Remember, try it on before you use it!
Most Importantly, Pick a SAFE Helmet!
When it comes down to the safety of a motorcycle helmet, it essentially breaks down into two things: ratings and materials.
Motorcycle Helmet Safety ratings come down to 3 primary standards for what makes a safe helmet.
DOT. This is the minimum standard for helmet protection based on the US Department of Transportation.
ECE22.06- This is the standard level of protection for helmets in Europe based on the U.N. Economic Commission
Snell (M2020D) This is a nonprofit’s rating that is an extra sign of a quality, safe helmet.
When it comes to choosing a helmet, though you may not want to break the bank, it’s vital to choose a helmet that uses proper material to protect your noggin, especially if you’re a new rider or planning to get risky on 2 wheels.
Most helmet shells are made of the following materials:
Polycarbonate- Less expensive, flexes when it absorbs energy
Fiberglass Composite- More expensive, flexes, crushes, and splits when it absorbs energy
Carbon Fiber- Most expensive, distributes energy when impacted
The more you plan to ride your bike, the more you will recognize the signs of a quality, safe helmet. You’ll want a helmet that has removable, cushy liners and helps to reduce external wind noise. You’ll also want something that is aerodynamic and provides less resistance when you’re checking around you & moving your head. If you find that your forehead is bothering you, you may need a long oval. If your ears are hurging after a few minutes of riding, you may need something wider. If you’re having trouble seeing, you may need something that has a wider field of vision. These are all features that mean a helmet is not the right one for you.
We offer several brands that we feel very good about as riders ourselves. You can shop Shoei, 6D, Arai, and AlpineStars here with us at MOTO Z. If you have any questions regarding the right helmet for you, we recommend reaching out! We love to help riders however we can! Good luck on your helmet hunt!
