Helmets are very important accessories all motorcyclists must possess. It could make all the difference in the event of an accident. As a result, motorcyclists are required by state and federal laws to always use helmets while riding.
Given this utmost importance of helmets, motorcyclists have to pay proper attention when selecting helmets to purchase. If original and perfect fit helmets are not purchased, the purpose of using a helmet will be ultimately defeated. Hence, there is a need to know and follow some safety tips when buying helmets.
Product reviews
There are many brands who make and market different types of helmets which are both good and bad. With so many types of helmets available to select from, picking the right one isn’t always straight forward.
You can however read product reviews on helmets online to guide you in picking the best helmets. A good helmet review website will list out all the pros and cons of a number of helmets available in the market that you can choose from. Reading the review of the different types of helmets may be enough, but if you want, you may choose to read one or two reviews online to make a better judgment.
Helmet types and design
There are a number of helmet styles you can choose from. The popular ones include modular helmets, full-face helmets, half helmets, and open-face helmets. A full-face helmet offers cover for the whole face, hence protecting it from injuries in case of a crash. It also protects the face from bugs, dust and adverse weather. The chin is equally protected by chin bar, a feature peculiar to only full-face helmets. When choosing a helmet, make sure you go for the ones with reinforced composite shell or thermoplastic which serves as the first line of defence on impact. The helmet you choose should also have an impact-absorbing liner. As the name implies, it absorbs impacts, hence stemming the effect of a crash on your head. Your helmet must also have a chin strap. Without this, your helmet will just be like wearing a cap that is blown away in the face of a little storm.
Purchase from recognised suppliers
When purchasing helmets, ensure you buy from recognised suppliers to avoid buying fake helmets. Fake helmets are very unsafe for riders. Today, we purchased many things, including helmets online. Online purchase is particularly good because of the bargain deals usually on offer. Unfortunately, online purchase is also a very dicey one that requires extreme care. There are set standards for helmet production, but an online purchase does not give room for a proper check. Many people have fallen victim to fake online products. To avoid buying fake helmets, look out for trust and recognised suppliers to buy from. Most likely, there would be better deals elsewhere, but can’t be trusted and your life is worth much more.
Ensure helmet is in perfect condition
When purchasing a helmet, ensure the helmet is in perfect condition. No level of crack, even hairline sized crack, is acceptable. Any little crack will compromise the integrity of the helmet and could be fatal in the event of an accident that involves hitting your head against hard surfaces. For online orders which you won’t be able to inspect before purchase, trusted suppliers are given room for the return of goods that are not received in perfect condition. The suppliers often share in the cost of returning the faulty helmet and getting another one to you as fast as possible.
Ensure your helmet fits properly
The fit of the helmet on your head is as important as the quality of the helmet. Helmets bigger than your head even by littlest margins are very unsafe. They would come off in the case of an accident, hence exposing your head to injuries. At the same time, helmets that are too tight are also unsafe. They are uncomfortable and the chance of impacts affecting your head is higher. How to get your perfect fit helmet when selecting a helmet:
Choose a style of helmet
Measure your head size: this is particularly important when purchasing online. Choosing small, medium or large is very inadequate because sizes often vary greatly among manufacturers. The small of a particular company could be close to the medium of another. When you know the exact measurement of your head, measured from your forehead to the back of your head, it is easier to get the perfect size for you.
In addition to the above, it must have all the necessary features discussed earlier. One other very important tip is to ensure you buy your helmet from well known sites such as Amazon. This is because a site such as Amazon is well known and the chances of ever stocking fake or substandard products, not just helmets, is very little.
Featured image: Sara Kurfeß/Unsplash
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