BUYING GUIDE – HELMETS How to pick a lid that’s right for you
Wearing a helmet is the easiest way to avoid life-threatening injuries while you ride a motorcycle. And although it’s only one small part of motorcycle safety gear, it’s arguably the most important.
CLEAR VISION
Having a Pinlock lens or a similar anti-fogging system on your visor makes a huge difference. Keeping the visor mist-free will make riding easier, safer and more fun.
SHADES OR SUN VISOR
Some helmets have internal sun visors that can be used whether the main visor is in the up or down position, while others feature an external sun visor or a tinted lens that you can attach to the visor. As a cheap alternative, grab a pair of shades before you hit the road.
THE ANATOMY OF A HELMET
Helmets are pretty simple pieces of kit, but the devil is in the detail. Do you want yours to have an internal sun visor or removable liner? Or would you like it to be as light as possible? All of these are possible, but to have everything in one helmet might just push the price up a bit.
TWO EYES GOOD, FOUR EYES BETTER
If you wear glasses when you ride, make sure that they fit well under the helmet. You’ll soon regret buying a helmet that constantly pushes your glasses up or down as you’re riding along. It’s also worth checking that the internal sun visor doesn’t catch your specs (if the helmet has one, of course).
FRESH AS A DAISY
Most new helmets have a removable and washable lining, but it’s best to check before buying. Keeping the lining clean will not only make the helmet less pongy, but also extend its lifespan.
AS SHARP AS THEY COME
The main purpose of the helmet is to protect your noggin in case you have an accident. To get a good idea of how safe any helmet is, have a look at the government-run SHARP website (sharp.direct.gov. uk) which publishes independent crash test results of helmets sold in the UK.
HEAVY HEAD?
Weight matters. When you’re trying a helmet on, move your head around to see if it feels heavy and if there’s more stress on your neck muscles that you’re happy with.
FEEL THE WIND IN YOUR HAIR
Good ventilation is essential to keep your head cool in the summer and the visor mist-free in the winter. Vents are usually located in the chin, top of the helmet and at the back.
MATERIALISTIC? TOO RIGHT!
The outer shell of the helmet can be made from various different materials, with the main difference being weight and strength. Polycarbonate, fibreglass and carbon fibre are all popular options, with the latter being the lightest, strongest and therefore the most expensive.