KNOW YOUR HELMETS
What you wear on your headmatters… a lot. So, to get a fuller grasp of what we should be buying for our bonce, we spoke with Airoh Helmets’ resident technical expert Angela Locatelli.
Why are there so many types of helmet materials and which is the safest one? Originally, helmets were made of composite fibres, like fibreglass. Over the years the use of plastic materials was introduced, such as ABS and polycarbonate. The main reason for this was to contain production costs and aid production volume and consistency.
So, nowadays, different materials are used to meet and support all the various needs of the market. Obviously, because of the homologation standards applied to the industry, all helmets on the market have to reach a certain criteria to be fit for sale, so a thermoplastic helmet could be considered as safe as one made from composite fibres. Of course, some helmets will exceed the minimal standards that have been set, so this is worth remembering.
FB: Why do helmets vary so much in cost and is it best to always buy the most expensive?
AL: The cost of a helmet varies and depends on many aspects like quality, type of components used and accessories included. Considering all helmets are made to meet the same base levels of safety, it means that price isn’t necessarily synonymous with safety. It’s more a reflection of the expensive raw materials used in the construction and production of a helmet. The higher the spec, the more expensive a helmet is likely to be.
FB: What’s the safest type of chinstrap?
AL: Typically there are two types of chinstrap, click-together and Double-D. Of course, both are safe and, if adjusted in the correct way, they offer the same safety grade. However, the Double-D type is the preferred one for racing use. Sometimes someone will choose one or the other because of their preferences, just like choosing lace-up shoes or Velcro.
FB: Are flip-front helmets less safe?
AL: No, they’re not, because all helmets are tested and homologated to the same standards. The latest generation of flip-up helmets have the double homologation P and J – that means the helmets exceed the homologation standards as full face and jet (P stands for protective/full face; J stands for jet). The tests placed on all helmets are very particular, so as long as the helmet you are looking at meets the homologation standards, you can trust in it fully.
FB: What safety standards should I look for on a helmet?
AL: Obviously, a helmet that meets the safety standards in force in the country of use, such as the ECE 22.05 standard for European countries, the DOT and Snell standards for the United States, NBR for Brazil and JIS for Japan. Each of these standards have very sophisticated and tough testing systems in place. Don’t buy a helmet that’s missing these regulated standards, or you’ll be putting yourself at risk.
FB: Where’s the best place to buy a helmet?
AL: Any specialised helmet shop is the best place to go to buy a helmet. Of course, people can buy absolutely anything online, including helmets, but it’s always best to try a helmet on in a shop where a trained specialist is present to advise you on whether the helmet fits you properly or not. It’s amazing how many people wear helmets that don’t fit them.
FB: Is it worth paying more for a helmet with a removable liner?
AL: It all comes down to how much you use your helmet and
how much you value hygiene. If you’re doing a lot of trackdays or motocross, meaning you’ll possibly sweat a lot, I certainly would opt for a helmet with a removable liner. People should look to keep their helmets in top condition. After all, they are there to protect you, so look after them properly and they will do the same for you.
FB: How often should you buy a new helmet?
AL: It all depends. Generally, we would say that a helmet should be replaced after a period of about five years’ use – it varies between manufacturers. What’s certain is that you should definitely change your helmet after a crash. Even accidentally dropping your helmet can render it useless. If you do drop it, chances are there will be an expert you can take it to who will assess the damage done.
FB: How do you know if a helmet fits properly?
AL: Just like a shoe, a helmet should be comfortable when worn – neither too small/tight nor too large. The helmet must not be too tight because this will cause discomfort during use, and should not be too large because it may move excessively while riding and compromise its protective qualities in the event of an accident. Wearing a correct fitting helmet is essential, and its worth going to see a specialist to make sure yours fits you.
FB: If a helmet doesn’t fit, can you just buy thicker padding?
AL: Choosing one that properly fits from the get-go is the wisest thing to do. But, if your helmet’s padding has compressed over time and the fit has become too loose, you could look into buying replacement padding to regain that original fit and feel. Good padding is essential for protection, just as much as comfort. But remember that not all helmets offer removable padding. Check this out before you buy just any old helmet.
FB: Do SHARP ratings of helmets matter?
AL: Yes, they do, because they certify the product meets certain standards. The SHARP test is very demanding on helmets, so the score ratings deserve to be respected. Every helmet should have a SHARP rating, so you can check this out before you buy. That being said, it’s important to note that SHARP standards aren’t an alternative to homologation standards – they are there in addition to help you know exactly what you’re buying.
FB: Do different helmet types suit different riding styles?
AL: They sure do. It’s like wearing running trainers or hiking shoes. Different helmets are designed to suit different needs, so have a think about what it is you’re after from your helmet before choosing a certain style. Are you after something that will suit miles of adventure travel, or one that will be more at home on the racetrack? Some helmets are quieter and some are made lighter. Most products have their own unique DNA.
FB: Can you tell if a helmet will be quiet or noisy?
AL: It depends on many aspects. The presence of lots of air vents or protrusions to the surface of a helmet is likely to make the unit louder. It’s not always the case, but it’s probable in most instances. Most helmet manufacturers will shout about how quiet a helmet is, and you can sometimes learn of decibel ratings to get a better idea of how noisy a helmet will be. Whatever your helmet, it’s highly recommended that you wear earplugs to protect your hearing.
FB: Can you legally wear a dark visor on the road?
AL: No. Dark visors are homologated only for daytime use on racetracks, not for road or street use. Of course, people still do and the rules change from nation to nation, but you’ll see a message on all dark visors that clearly reads ‘not for road use’.
FB: Can you use motocross helmets on the road?
AL: Yes. A motocross helmet meets the same homologation standard of any other motorcycle helmet, so this is not a problem.
FB: How are helmets being made safer?
AL: The technology that goes into designing and producing helmets is relentless. We constantly experiment to see how we can achieve higher standards of performance, utilising new and innovative materials and designs to help us reach new levels.
We invest massively in R&D to ensure our products are as safe and creative as possible. Helmets have already come a very long way in the relatively short amount of time motorcyclists have been wearing them, but it’s likely that we will see even more quantum leaps in safety and function standards with helmets as the years pass by.