HI-TECH SPORTY HELMETS

Carbon fibre shells, aggressive looks and racer-inspired graphics

HORSES FOR COURSES

Sporty road helmets don’t need to have flip-up chin-bars or sun peaks – the emphasis is on aerodynamics, light weight and aggressive looks (as well as top level protection, obviously). Decide what sort of riding you do before buying a helmet.

NOISE

Fast road riding – especially on long motorway hauls – creates and awful lot of wind noise and even with ear plugs in place that can really fatigue you after a while. Making sure your helmet fits snugly helps with this, as does wearing a buff or scarf.

CORRECT FIT

Nothing’s more important when buying a helmet than fit. Even a £700 helmet won’t save your head if it spins round or comes off. A helmet should be snug and push slightly on your cheeks without being too tight. Always try before you buy.

WEIGHT MATTERS

Helmets vary in weight and a heavy lid can add to rider fatigue as well as leading to strained neck muscles. Check out the lower back of the helmet to see what weight it is. Anything that weighs over 1600g could be a pain in the neck.