Motorcycle Helmets

There are a lot of constants to the motorcycle aesthetic: the bike, the jacket, the sound. One part of the image that has changed though, is the helmet. While you won’t find a lot of helmets in early motorcycle pictures, we’re all well aware now that helmets can be the difference between life and death. And now, with a little help from advertising and entertainment, a good helmet is just as important to your look as any other gear you may have on your bike. So you’ll want to make sure your helmet blends comfort, durability, and style. America’s Motorsports Madison has provided you with some of the basics of choosing the right helmet to fit your needs.

If you need additional help choosing the right helmet, or if you’d like to get a new bike, stop by one of our locations in Madison, Nashville, and Dickson, Tennessee. We proudly serve the areas of Hendersonville, Springfield, Lebanon, and Knoxville, Tennessee, as well as Bowling Green, Kentucky.

Finding the Right Fit

No matter what kind of helmet you choose, you’ll want to make sure it fits properly. A well-fitted helmet will be snug, but not noticeably uncomfortable or painful. Start by checking to see if it slides off after securing it with the chin strap. Also move your helmet to check for extra wiggle room and slippage. If you feel that your helmet can move around too much on your head, then find a smaller size.

Figuring out if your helmet is too small is a little trickier. If it hurts or is uncomfortable, definitely get a bigger size. But often you won’t know until you wear the helmet for a little while. If you take your helmet out for a test ride and come back with a headache, you should probably exchange it for a bigger size. Also, while you’re out testing it, check to see if your helmet interferes with your field of vision at all. This shouldn’t be happening, so if it does then you might want to look into a different model altogether.

Motorcycle Helmet Options

There are a number of different types of helmets and they tend to serve different purposes. Think about what kind of riding you’ll be doing on a regular basis and let that dictate the kind of helmet you’ll need.

As a general rule, you should avoid half helmets. They don’t provide enough overall protection, especially from front facing accidents. Three-quarter helmets get you closer to what you need. They’ll provide more protection around the base of your head and neck. The best option, though, is full-face helmets. These models give you the overall, seamless protection you’ll want. These often come with face shields, although some may need you to invest in goggles. Either way, you’re going to want to give yourself as much protection as you can.

Crash Resistance

While you’re looking through various helmet types, make sure you’re checking to see if there’s a crash test certification with the model. This means that particular type of helmet has been put through rigorous testing to ensure it will hold up in an accident scenario. Unfortunately, not all certifications are the same. The companies and organizations that test these helmets don’t always test with the same level of rigor, so make sure the certification comes from a reliable name. One of the best private company certifications comes from Snell. Another trustworthy name is the Department of Transportation(DOT). Try finding helmets that are certified by one of these organizations, or another equally trustworthy group.

Maintenance

If you’d like to extend the life of your helmet, there are a few ways you can do this. Protect the interior from sweat and oil by wearing a scarf or bandana as you ride. Many hair products can also be harmful to the helmet, so try laying off the gel if you’re going for a ride (embrace the helmet hair).

However, no matter how well you take care of your helmet, you’ll eventually need to replace it. If you notice any damage, either outside or inside the helmet, or if you know it’s gone under excessive stress, it’s best to get a new one. At the very least, you’ll want to replace your helmet once every five years.

Your helmet should be all about safety, but that doesn’t mean there’s no room for style. Odds are, somewhere out there in the helmet market, there’s a helmet that gives you the right kind of protection and matches your aesthetic, so do your homework before purchasing a helmet. If you need help or suggestions, talk to our experienced staff at America’s Motorsports Madison. We’re located in Madison, Nashville, and Dickson, Tennessee and welcome all riders from the areas of Hendersonville, Springfield, Lebanon, and Knoxville, Tennessee, and Bowling Green, Kentucky.