Monday, April 5, 2010

Buying The Best Motorcycle Helmet

When people decide to purchase a motorcycle, the person should not forget to buy a helmet. This is not only because it is the law but for the safety of the biker and the passengers on board.

Finding the best motorcycle helmet in the market can be extremely difficult for the first timer or the veteran rider. This is because there are so many companies offering the same number features and benefits.

People who don’t know what to do should review these tips that are designed to make that decision possible.

Motorcycle helmets come in different sizes just like shoes. The individual can measure this at home or have the sale person do it in the store. If the brand that the person wants doesn’t fit well, its time to try other brands that are also available.

The helmet should be snug so that it will not fall off or move when riding the bike. The biker should be sure it is not too tight because this will be difficult to put on or take off after use.

It is advisable to leave the helmet on for 30 to 45 minutes because this the length of time is the only indicator if the person will be comfortable using it for those short and long trips on the road.

The customer must also pay close attention to the strap used on the helmet. It is better to get those that have two rings that fasten together than those that are strapped on because tests have shown that this will not come off easily when cruising on the road.

Before purchasing the helmet, there are two things that the individual must check.

First it does not have any defects such as scratches, dents, cracks or any metal sticking out which could be dangerous for the driver.

The second is that this should have a seal of approval from bodies such as DOT or SNELL which have certified the safety standard of the helmet. Consumers are advised not to buy those that do not have any safety certification sticker printed on the product.

Is there one brand of a motorcycle helmet better than the others? No because most of these products comply with the safety standards set by the government and have been tested.

The person will just have to try these on to be able to find the right one that will fit well on the head. The biker should remember that this could be the only thing that could save the life of the person in case an accident happens.

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Tricks to Purchasing the Perfect Motorcycle Helmet

You cannot choose a helmet based on its size or the material it's made from alone. There are many things that need to be considered when purchasing motorcycle helmets. Sure, it's probably possible to locate a helmet that is the right color or that is made from the type of material that will satisfy your safety concerns, but when it comes to "proper fit" it opens up a whole new can of worms. It is so important to consider the "safety factor." Some motorcycle helmets are just not as safe as others and you should be aware of this.

Some of the more popular motorcycle helmet manufacturers are Icon, Arai, Shoei, Suomy, Erex, Bell, HJC and Nolan. The majority of their helmets are approved by DOT or Snell. There are many other makers, but these are some of the better known companies.

When it comes to safety there are two major concerns. One, how is your visibility? How is your peripheral vision? Can you see enough of the surrounding area to be safe? If your visibility is poor your chances of being in an accident can increase dramatically. And two, if you are involved in an accident will your head be protected as well as you'd like? Will the material that the helmet is made from stand up to the test, to the punishment?

Many motorcyclists or bikers look solely at the aesthetic qualities of a helmet and disregard safety when looking to purchase a helmet. But in reality it should be viewed oppositely. Safety should always come first.

The main options you have when searching for the perfect motorcycle helmet are color, shape, visibility and liners. Color is the easiest decision to make, right? Wrong. As far as the safety factor goes you should be able to be seen well by other drivers. Bright colors stand out and are very noticeable, even at night, while dull dark colors are not seen easily. It's very important to choose a bright color that can be seen easily by other drivers, even at night.

Another factor to consider is the shape of the helmet. Some people have tall slim oblong heads (egg shaped) while others have round or oval-shaped heads. Trying on helmets for a good fit is the only sure way to tell if it will fit your head properly and comfortably. Plus, you want the weight of the helmet to be distributed properly so that the head can support the helmet easily.

As far as safety is concerned the number one thing to consider is your peripheral vision. Some helmets simply do not allow a biker to see to their periphery well enough to be safe. With good visibility it's a lot easier to see when an accident might happen and have time to react to the circumstances and maneuver out of harms way.

Liners are the last item on the agenda. The purpose of a liner is for comfort, but it also is there to help you with a correct fit. If the liner is not a good fit for your head you will notice specific spots on your head that are receiving more pressure than others. Avoid these liners. Possibly the most comfortable liner is the skull cap. You will usually have less pressure in specific areas when using this type of liner.

Last, but not least, it is not wise to buy motorcycle helmets online unless you have tried that specific helmet on previously in a retail store. In most cases you will be better off trying one on in a store first. Then, once you know the brand, size, color and type of liner that you prefer it's an easy job to browse online for the best deals.

The biggest mistake most consumers make is locating a flashy cool-looking helmet online and then buy it solely because of its looks and for no other reason. Spend a little time shopping and you will likely end up with a product that you can be happy with for many years to come.

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