Buying a Motorcycle Helmet: The Expert Guide

What do you need to know when buying a motorcycle helmet?

A helmet is, without doubt, the most important bit of gear you will ever purchase as a biker. Why? Because your brain is the most important (and most vulnerable) part of your body; protecting it should be your first priority. The perfect helmet can protect you, keep you comfortable and even make you look good for up to 5 years of wear. Buying a motorcycle helmet is like making an investment: when you invest in a new lid (NEVER a used one), it’ll be worth every penny you spent on it. So, what should you look for in this Holy Grail of helmets? We’re here to help you figure it out.

Safety

There’s no point buying a motorcycle helmet at all if it’s not going to protect you properly. There are a few safety regulations you should look out for, the most important being the ECE regulation 22.05. All good helmets should have a sticker on the outside telling you that they meet this regulation, or they’re not worth the plastic they’re made of. Look out for the gold ‘British Motorcycle Sport’ sticker too, usually on the back of the helmet.

Many helmets also come with a SHARP rating, which is an independent Government scheme that gives a star rating out of 5. This rating comes from the results of no less than 32 tests on how the helmet performs in a crash. If a helmet has a 4 or 5 star rating, you can be pretty sure that your head will be safe inside it.

If you’re planning to use your lid on the race track, watch out for ACU (Auto Cycle Union) approval, meaning that the helmet has been approved for racing use. Remember, don’t take any chances on safety- it’s your life on the line!

Comfort

An uncomfortable lid can make for a seriously miserable ride. But it’s not just about the feeling with motorcycle helmets- it’s all about the fit. If you can, make sure you try before you buy. Keep it on for a few minutes in the shop and give it a while to settle. There’s nothing worse than finding out your helmet doesn’t fit after you’ve parted with your cash. What you’re looking for is a fairly tight fit and a helmet that doesn’t wiggle or slip when you move your head. If your helmet fits properly, it won’t distract you when you’re riding, leaving you to focus on what’s going on around you. A snug fit will also protect you better, as a loose fit transfers more shock to your brain in an impact.

The weight of a helmet doesn’t just affect your comfort, it affects your safety too. For example, a helmet that’s too heavy weighs your head down. In an impact, this will cause your head to hit the ground faster when you come off your bike, and you’ll feel the full shock of that in your brain.

Consider other comfort factors, too. The chinstrap must be secure, or it won’t stay on in an accident- but it should also be adjustable and not too tight. Ask about the noise level: no-one wants their own personal wind tunnel inside their lid! Consider vents and a built-in sun visor for summer, too, to make sure your helmet will be comfortable in all weathers.

Appearance

It’s important to choose a helmet that looks and feels right for you- whether you’re cruising around town, riding off into the sunset or racing around the track. There are a few different options when it comes to the shape of the helmet. Open face helmets are perfect for smaller motorcycle and scooter riders and for your morning commute. These offer the best in the looks and ventilation department, but aren’t the safest type of lid. Then there’s full face helmets, which offer the most protection, but can be too restrictive for riding around town. The visor is built-in and protects your face from debris, abrasion, wind and flying insects. They’re essential for racing use.

If you want something more flexible, flip front helmets are the middle ground between open face and full face. They offer all the benefits of both, with flexibility for touring, street and everyday riding. If you’ve got a quad or love motocross, an off-road helmet is the best choice for you. They often have extra ventilation and other special off-road features.

In terms of how a helmet looks, you’ve got loads of options there too! Whether you pick graphic (patterned) or solid (one colour), we recommend that you pick a bright and noticeable helmet. Not only do you want to look cool, you also need to announce your presence to cars, and a loud helmet that says ‘Look at me!’ can make all the difference.

Brand

It goes without saying that well-known brands are better. A reputable brand will have more experience and may use better materials, with more features and graphics to choose from. Avoid unsafe counterfeit helmets by getting to know your chosen brand and what features they offer.

There are so many different brands to choose from and here at Two Wheel Centre we stock a huge range. For value and reliability, there’s Caberg, scoring highly in SHARP tests and offering quality features at an affordable price. For a stylish, timeless open-face option, try Vespa. If you’re looking to invest in a top-of-the-range helmet packed with features and made of quality material, we’ve got you covered with Shoei helmets, the best of the best. Go for a trusted brand and take advantage of their expertise.

Materials

Last but certainly not least, what a helmet is made of determines a lot of how it feels, fits and performs in an impact. There are 3 layers to a motorcycle helmet, and each of them is important. A lot of cheaper helmets have an outer shell made of polycarbonates and thermoplastics. This means that they cost less to make but are also heavier and of lower quality. They’ll protect your head, but might make it sore with all that weight! The next step up is fibreglass, which balances weight with strength and is a good mid-range option. The best outer shells are made of tri-composite weaves or other mixtures of different fibres, often involving fibreglass, carbon fibre and even Kevlar. The big high-end helmet brands use their own cocktail of strong fibres to give you maximum protection at minimum weight: Shoei’s unique AIM (Advanced Integrated Matrix) outer shell is one example. These helmets are strong enough to stand on- but don’t try that at home!

The inside layers are important, too- the foam liner sits between the outer shell and the inner liner and is made of a dense and crushable foam, often called an EPS liner. This absorbs the shock of impact and crushes itself to save your skull. The inner liner of the helmet is the bit that’s going to sit next to your head itself. Look out for a removable liner and cheek pads, or the option to replace them with new ones. You might want to wash them at least once in 5 years, just a thought! This is the part you’ll feel every time you wear your helmet, so comfort is key.

We hope you’ve found our little guide useful, but don’t be afraid to ask us more questions! Our parts guys here at Two Wheel Centre know everything there is to know about buying a motorcycle helmet, so drop in to our showroom or send us a message. Good luck finding your perfect lid!