Motorcycle Helmets For Sale

Before you start looking at motorcycle helmets for sale, you need to equip yourself with the right information. After all, this is the most important piece of bike clothing that could save your life one day… you can’t afford not to know exactly what you’re buying, and why.

Whether you’re a veteran rider who needs to replace that old, worn-out helmet or a newbie getting one for the first time, this guide will give you how to buy a motorcycle helmet out there, and help you choose the one that’s going to offer you the best protection.

Dot Approved Motorcycle Helmets For Sale

The absolute, most important thing about your motorcycle helmet is that it has been DOT certified. DOT stands for the U.S. Department of Transportation, and they have set certain specific standards for safety. For example, in their motorcycle helmet standards, which are under Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard # 218, they have certain requirements as to the amount of impact energy a helmet must absorb. Chin straps, penetration prevention and other factors all play a part in whether a helmet meets (or doesn’t meet) the standard.

If a helmet meets these standards, it will display a DOT sticker on the back. The department purchases helmets every so often and has them tested at independent laboratories to make sure that they really do measure up, and they post the results of their testing on their website with a pass/fail. There are two reasons a helmet may fail: either due to labeling, which is not really a concern for you, or for performance, which obviously is!

Snell Approved Motorcycle Helmets For Sales

There is another standard that some people also use to check for quality, and that is the one given by the Snell Foundation. Some helmets meet both, however it is not necessary… if a helmet meets Snell standards, then it has already met DOT standards as well, and there isn’t much difference between a DOT and a Snell helmet. You are perfectly safe choosing a helmet that has been DOT certified only.

You can’t go wrong if you look for a helmet that has either the DOT or the Snell sticker.  This means that the helmet will have been made to high safety standards.  The helmet will have undergone strict tests to make sure it meets the peripheral vision, retention, penetration, and impact requirements.

It is not advisable to buy a second hand helmet, this is common sense, as you just won’t know what the helmet has been through with the previous owner.  A helmet can look in perfect condition but may have internal damage or weakness.

Here are just some of the different types of helmet available.

Full Face:
This motorcycle helmet gives the most protection and does what it says on the tin, and covers your whole face.

Three-Quarter Face:
Also known as open-face helmet. This is made in the same way as the full face, however it does not give the face and chin protection that you get with full face.

Half Helmet:
The half helmet motorcycle helmet is also known as the ‘shorty’. This helmet only offers half the protection, and they are not usually recommended or worn by serious bike users.

Retention And Fit Of Your Motorcycle Helmet

Retention refers to whether a helmet actually stays on your head during impact. When you’re browsing motorcycle helmets for sale, you can test retention easily. Simply secure the strap, then grab the back of the helmet and try to lift it up and off your head. Pull it forward and up… it should not come off. Some people have a head shape that helmets roll-off easily, so it’s important to do this test with each and every helmet you consider.

Fit refers to how the helmet actually fits your head and face. You want it to be snug enough that when you shake your head in any direction, it doesn’t rattle around or move. Your helmet should grip your head at the top and the sides, and if it’s a full face helmet your jaw and cheeks also. While you definitely don’t want a helmet that is too loose, you also don’t want one that is too tight!

Motorcycle Helmet Comfort

While this is in the same category as fit, it is important enough to warrant its own section. Why? Because your helmet, along with your saddle, is going to determine whether you have a nice, comfortable ride or one that you have to suffer through.

It can take some time to find a motorcycle helmet for sale that is truly comfortable, but they do exist. Often, it’s the well-known brands that are the most comfortable, but don’t let that prevent you from trying out some lesser known brands as well. Everyone’s head is unique, and a helmet that your friend swears by may be agony for you! Full face helmets tend to be the most comfortable for the majority of people, so start there.

What to look for? Lots of foam rubber padding, a good seal around your ear area, a comfortable, supportive neck roll, and nothing sticking out on the inside of the helmet, such as strap attachments. Keep in mind that a new helmet may feel a tad too snug at first, but the inside will mold to your head in time. when you’re shopping, try on each helmet for a good 15 to 20 minutes. Make sure there are no pressure points, that it feels pretty even all around your head, that it stays put even when it is unfastened, and that your ears are sealed but not being squished or compressed.

Padded straps and interchangeable padding shapes are other features to look at. Venting is another. If you live in a hot area, then you may want to choose a helmet that has vents. Some people swear by vented helmets, while others say they can’t feel a difference either way… so it’s really your call. They can help prevent fogging, but they can also create more wind noise.

Shop around for your helmet. There is a really great selection online, and a visit to your local motorcycle shop will also help.

If you’re feeling really adventurous then have a look at the great selection of pink motorcycle helmets out there