THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF MOTORBIKE HELMETS

Your motorbike helmet is one of the most prominent and identifiable objects that tells the world you’re a rider: other than your motorcycle.

And nowadays, how your helmet looks offers much more variance than in days gone by.

The selection of helmet styles, designs and colors have continued to expand year after year.

Better yet, helmet construction and its protective qualities have also improved, while simultaneously getting lighter and more comfortable. This is one of those areas that technology has improved to serve riders better. (However, cell phones that can ring within your helmet are a technological advancement that is debatable as to whether it offers a real improvement to the quality of riding or not).

Motorcycle helmets can be categorized as follows.

TYPES OF MOTORCYCLE HELMETS

A) HALF HELMETS

B) 3/4 or OPEN FACE HELMETS

C) FULL FACE HELMETS

D) MOTOCROSS HELMETS(A Variation of Full-Face Helmets)

E) MODULAR “FLIP UP” HELMETS (Hybrid between 3/4 and Full Face)

HALF HELMETS

As the name implies, these types of helmets cover 1/2 your head. They are the lightest, the least expensive and offer the least protection. Proponents of this style argue that this has the advantage of offering better hearing since the rider’s ears are less obstructed. (Your ears may have a leather covering, instead of a helmet covering them).

Their main use is among riders who consider it a fashionable fashionable choice, particularly on certain bikes, such as “Cruisers” or “Classic” bikes.

However, do not confuse 1/2 helmets with “Novelty Helmets” which look similar to 1/2 Helmets, although they offer practically no actual crash protection and are not certified as a legal safety protective device for a rider’s head. (Stated differently, they are illegal to use in U.S. states that require helmet use by law).

3/4 or OPEN FACE HELMETS

Open Face helmets have been around a very long time and are an alternative helmet for riders who want to have a “traditional” look to go along with their “classic” motorbikes. Having said that, this style is also used by plenty of other riders who prefer the 3/4 design since it has not chin section (as a full face helmet) that, to some, may seem restrictive.

FULL FACE HELMETS

Full Face Helmets offer the greatest head protection in the event of a crash. They evolved from the design of the Open Face Helmet with the addition of a frontal chin section that protects the face when a rider takes a fall and started becoming more prominent in the 1980’s.

For those who prefer to have electronic communication or audio systems in their helmet, it used to be that an open face helmet was the best choice. However, with the continued miniaturization of electronic components, as well as the design improvements in full face helmets to accommodate electronics, that distinction is much less relevant nowadays.

MOTOCROSS HELMETS

Off-road helmets are very similar to full face helmets, however they feature an elongated chin section and also have a visor portions, somewhat like the visor of a baseball hat which helps to keep the sun out of the rider’s eyes. (However the visors are not as aerodynamic at the higher speeds a full face helmet is designed for).

Additionally, Motocross Helmets are usually not worn with a face shield, which is common with Open Face and Full Face helmets. Instead, motocross riders wear goggles. a chin bar, and partially open face to give the rider extra protection while wearing goggles.

MODULAR MOTORCYCLE HELMETS

This helmet design is the new kid on the block.  A Modular or “Flip Up” Helmet (pictured above) is a hybrid between Open Face and Full Face helmets. Modular Helmets are like a Full Face Helmet in that they offer full head and face crash protection.  However, they allow the frontal part (the chin area) to be rotated up and out of the way, when a rider is stopped.  Typically, the rider pivots the frontal chin bar section of a modular helmet out of the way by a lever on the helmet.

The advantage is that a rider can easily engage in conversation or have a drink or a snack, without removing the whole helmet. In this way, when the Modular Helmet is in the open position, it is somewhat similar to an open face helmet.

In this way, modular motorcycle helmets provide some compelling advantages to motorbike riders seeking the best compromise between rider safety and rider convenience.

MODULAR MOTORCYCLE HELMET CAUTIONS

It should be emphasized that modular helmets are designed to be worn in the “closed” position while riding. Stated another way, a modular helmet is not designed as a substitute for an Open Face helmet.

In fact, if the modular helmet were left open while riding, it could be argued that this helmet would reduce rider safety.

If the helmet were left open while riding, the chin bar section which protrudes higher above the rider’s forehead, would act like its own sail, directing wind pressure against the helmet and putting stress on the rider’s neck.

Further, if the rider were to crash with the helmet open, not only would he/she not have the face protection benefit, but the protruding chin section would increase the risk of rider neck injury due to the additional leveraged pressure exerted om the rider’s neck, if that section were to hit something.

Anyway, the point is that a modular helmet should be worn in the CLOSED position while actually riding.

As a further note regarding biker safety, since modular helmets are a relative newcomer to the motorcycle helmet industry, they have not been subject to the scientific tests and scrutiny as the other well-established helmet categories.

Without such testing, it’s somewhat presumed that the modular helmet (when worn in the “closed” position) offers greater protection than an open face helmet, but may not meet the safety standards of a standard (non modular) full face helmet.

MOTORBIKE HELMET “FUN” STUFF

Eghad! Now you more about motorcycle helmets than you probably every cared to know! The “Fun” stuff about motorcycle helmets includes:

• All the Different Colors
• The Varied Designs
• Various Features, Such as Removable Padding (for cleaning) and Ventilation (for warm weather comfort)

COMPARE ALL MOTORCYCLE HELMETS:

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WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY FOR MOTORBIKE COMMUNICATIONS

Maybe some riders who speak about blue teeth are referring to certain insects that met their demise smashing into a biker’s pearly whites at 80mph.  But most riders who speak of Bluetooth are likely talking about the wireless technology prevalent in all kinds of applications in our world (I’m even talking about the non-motorcycling world!).

Anyway, Bluetooth utilizes short-range communications for both voice and data transmissions over short distances from fixed and/or mobile devices. What that means is that Bluetooth creates a wireless personal-area network. And, so what the heck is that any good for?

WIRELESS INTERCOM, MUSIC, PHONES…

Well, specifically for motorcycles, it allows wireless access to things like music systems, cell phones and rider-to-passenger communication systems.  Your main hardware components are stowed on your bike and the speakers are inside your helmet.

Of course, the next burning question for some riders is, why the heck would you want any of that while riding on a motorcycle, anyway?

I can’t answer that for anyone but myself, but I sure do see a lot of riders tuned into the digital audio world while blasting around the countryside.  If you are of that ilk, Bluetooth may be in your future…

COMPARE BLUETOOTH COMMUNICATION ACCESSORIES:

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CHEAP HELMETS FOR CHEAP HEADS

So, what the heck is a novelty motorcycle helmet?  Stated concisely, it’s a very cheap helmet.  Typically, it’s styled to look like a “half helmet” which is also called a “shorty.”

By the way, even though “half helmets” provide considerably less protection than an open face or full face helmet, they are legal and certified.  In other words, just because a helmet has a brief profile, does not mean it’s a novelty helmet.  (It’s how the thing is constructed that determines whether it is intended to protect a rider’s head, or not, in the event of a crash).

NOVELTY HELMETS ARE NOT LEGAL AS MOTORCYCLE HELMETS

Novelty helmets are not legal as motorcycle head protection in US states that require riders to wear a helmet.  Some novelty helmets even have disclaimers stating that the helmet is not intended for street use, or that it is not meant to be used as safety equipment, or that it is for display purposes only.  As well, novelty helmets may have no labeling at all.

Making matters more interesting, some novelty helmets even have bogus “certification,”  such as a DOT (Department of Transportation”) sticker.  Typical novelty helmets are so pronouncedly cheap and insubstantial compared to a real motorcycle helmet, that it’s hard to imagine a rider being fooled by such a ruse.  If you buy a helmet from a reputable dealer or online store, novelty helmets are clearly sold as a “novelty.”

Novelty helmets simply present an “appearance” that the rider is wearing a certified crash-protection motorcycle helmet, to avoid receiving a citation from authorities.  (In states and countries where helmet use is mandatory, it’s pretty obvious when a rider is “not” wearing one.)

NOVELTY HELMETS DO NOT PROTECT A BIKER’S HEAD

These cheap helmets are not manufactured with the energy-absorbing liners that protect a rider’s brain in the event of an impact.

In some motorcycle cultures, a novelty helmet may reflect a rebellious “in your face” reaction against a mandatory helmet law.   I’m not making a statement on whether mandatory helmet laws are a good or bad thing, but if you are going to wear a helmet at all, why not benefit from the intended purpose of the thing in the event of an unplanned get off?

In my mind, novelty helmets are analogous to the Tshirts that say “I’m with Stupid,” except in this case I imagine a red arrow pointing from the novelty helmet to the wearer’s head.

AVOID THE FOLLOWING NOVELTY HELMETS FOR RIDING:

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OFFBEAT MOHAWK HELMET ACCESSORY

Is a mohawk helmet accessory a “safety feature” for your motorcycle helmet? Or is it a motorbike novelty gift?

Regardless, would you dare buy someone a Mohawk motorcycle helmet as a gift? (In case you’ve not seen one, we really are talking about a hairy strip of colored fringe running back across the top of a helmet that is supposed to look like a mohawk haircut. Click on the “MOHAWK HELMET ACCESSORY” link below to see them).

Well, regardless of whether the recipient appreciates the gift gesture or not, at least the “Mohawk” part is simply an accessory that you can attach and remove from your helmet with ease.

Here’s a few details of the MOHAWK HELMET ACCESSORY:

• Meets or Exceeds D.O.T. Standards
• Tested To 160mph
• Attaches Via Suction Cups To Helmet
• Available in Various Colors

Proponents claim that the absurdity of the look increases rider visibility and therefore is a motorbike safety feature, as well as a novelty. Well, as a novelty option, it makes a good gift notion. The rider can elect to wear it or not.

On the other hand, if you are one who is more inclined to wear your helmet with a mohawk haircut UNDER the helmet, then check out the massive selection of helmets via all the dealers who provide motorcycle merchandise through Amazon.com:

♦ ALL MOTORCYCLE HELMETS

♦ FULL-FACE HELMETS

♦ OPEN FACE HELMETS

♦ HALF HELMET

♦ MOTOCROSS HELMETS

WHAT’S YOUR MOHAWK HELMET STYLE?

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OFF-ROAD, MOTOCROSS HELMETS

Dirt-bike riding offers some of the greatest pleasures in motorbike riding I have experienced – even if the majority of the off-road riding I did was as a kid. But even way back then, I wouldn’t ride without my 1970s-era helmet, which did come in very handy at times!

All motorcycle helmets are not created equal.

And off-road helmets, or more specifically dirt-bike and MOTOCROSS HELMETS have some observable differences, in spite of their obvious similarities to FULL-FACE street helmets.

OFF-ROAD HELMET DIFFERENCES

Here are the most visible differences that distinguish a motocross full-face helmet from a full-face helmet for street riding:

• Dirt bike helmets have an elongated and angular chin section




• Dirt bike helmets are typically worn with goggles and not a face shield




• Off Road full-face helmets also have a long VISOR to shade the eyes

Originally, off-road helmets did not have the chin section. Early dirt-bike riders used helmets that are very similar to modern open face street helmets (also called 3/4 helmets, since they cover 3/4 of the head).

The elongated and angular chin section (which is round on a street helmet) offers some facial impact protection in addition to protection from flying dirt and debris.

The helmet visor keeps the sun out of the eyes of the rider, and seems like such a useful feature that you might wonder why they are not standard on street bike versions of full-face helmets.

However, street-bike helmets are designed for use at higher speeds than dirt-bike riding and are made to be more aerodynamic – and visors do not aid an aerodynamic profile.

Further to that, at higher speeds, such a helmet visor could be downright dangerous, as a wind blasts could snap the rider’s head in different directions when riding at higher speeds – which does not aid rider safety. (Note: there are available very SHORT visors for some street helmets).

When properly combined with goggles, motocross full-face helmets offer similar protection to that of full-face street helmets – and most obviously, the added protection of any full-face helmet is protection for the chin and face, which other helmets do not offer.

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