Motorcycles keep evolving as technology grows, and so does the riding gear. The helmet is one piece of riding equipment that has undergone numerous changes over the years. Every year, you will find numerous reviews about emerging helmets.
This could make choosing a good helmet to suit your riding a little confusing. Worry not though, as right now you are reading a guide to picking the best helmet to suit your riding.
The two most important features that determine the suitability of motorbike riding helmets are safety and comfort, in that order. You need a riding cap that can protect you from any impact in the event of an accident. That said, the safety feature should not take away the comfort element and be the distraction that makes the rider to cause an accident.
With these two features covered, you can look for other aesthetics such as inbuilt music and communication devices, color, and shape. Riding is often associated with stylishness, but remember you will need to pay more to acquire more style. Not that most riders will mind that anyway!
The correct helmet depends on the nature of your riding. Are you an everyday rider who travels by your bike to work? Are you a race rider who gets on the track for the thrill? Do you have a riding group that you cruise with? All these riding categories have specific helmets designed for them.
Commute rides will require helmets with a greater degree of comfort as they are worn more regularly. Group rides will require helmets with inbuilt communication (e.g. Bluetooth) devices to make the ride organized. Racing helmets need to put safety above all else due to the high speed involved.
Whatever category you ride in, here is a great tip to help you choose a suitable helmet:
Find a helmet that suits the shape and size of your head. Take the measurements of your head by holding a tape measure around an inch above your eyes all the way around through the most extended point of the back of your head. Note that length down and take another measurement from ear to ear. Your helmet size should fit those measurements.
There are four main types of helmets: full face, modular, open face, and half shell. Full face models are most suitable for races and speedy rides. Modular and half face helmets work best for commuters, especially where you need to stop and talk to people often. The half shell is for short rides at low speeds.
Decent stylish helmets go for anything between $200 and $1500. It is a bit of an investment, yes, but it will serve your purpose and give you satisfaction.
Most bikes come with a helmet of their own which you can use as you plan to get a better one. No reason to not enjoy a ride, is there?
