Three of the best new helmets for motorcyclists
IT DOESN’T matter how cool a crash helmet may look or how well it goes with your brand new bike or syncs with your phone’s Bluetooth system; unless it fits your head properly, in the event of an accident it will offer the same amount of protection as any other fashion accessory.
“We always stress for people to go to their local dealer to buy a helmet, where trained staff can ensure they get the right fit for them,” explains Mark Eilledge, the racing and technical manager for Shark helmets.
Regardless of whether you like the look of a full face, modular, off road or an open-face helmet, all types and styles of helmet are identical when it comes to fitting.
“If it slides on too easily then it’s too big and won’t protect you effectively,” says Eilledge, pointing out that once on, a rider shouldn’t be able to get a finger between the helmet and the liner. ‘You should feel the skin on your head move rather than the helmet shift (when moving the helmet up and down or side to side with your hands). If the helmet moves independently from your head, then it’s too big.”
“Often people think it’s damage to the outside of the helmet over time which means it needs replacing, when actually, it’s the bacteria and the acid inside from the rider’s head that degrades it from the inside. I always say: imagine having the same pillowcase on your bed for five years without washing it,” explains Eilledge.
So keeping it clean is absolutely vital. “There’s a whole host of things not to do to a helmet – don’t drop it, don’t put it near fuel, don’t rest it on your fuel tank, don’t put your dirty oily gloves in the helmet and don’t be scared to wash the internal liners,” Eilledge says.
However, even if you manage not to drop it and avoid having an accident, even a premium helmet has a short usable life as Eilledge explains: “Most helmet manufacturers – Shark included – would say that a helmet has a maximum ‘life’ of five years. This is on the basis of looking after it and keeping the inside liner washed and clean.”
The latest helmets from Shark, Touratech and Caberg offer levels of protection whether you prefer the added safety of a fullface helmet, the practicality of a modular visor or the style of an open-face or Jet helmet. Shark Evo-One
The new helmets are a full 100g lighter and are even more streamlined while the sun visor has been beefed up. The improvements on the outside mean even less wind and road roar on the inside. Touratech Aventuro Mod
The Aventuro is a modular helmet that offers all of the advantages of being able to flip up the entire front – chin guard and visor – but without any of the design’s drawbacks. In other words, Touratech has found a way to stop dirt and stones flying up inside the helmet when off road and has done so without impacting on ventilation. The Caberg Uptown
This is a Jet style helmet in that it’s open-face but the visor extends past the rider’s chin, just like a fighter pilot’s helmet. It’s a premium, aesthetic choice for long-distance touring and for the urban commute thanks to the wider field of vision the helmet allows. — Relaxnews