The Basics: Choosing the Right Motorcycle Helmet
There are many factors to consider when in the market for a motorcycle helmet. This article is intended to be used as helpful guidance from fellow riders to help you decide what helmet is best for your comfort, style and of course - your safety!
When buying a helmet, you must first consider what style of riding you want it for:
- Off road (Motocross, Trials, Enduro, Casual Offroading, Offroad Racing)
- On road (Cruising/Touring/Commuting/Racing)
There are many different styles of helmets to choose from, but the basics are seen below:
Motocross (worn w/goggles), full face, open face with visor, and the cruiser-style open face (worn with or without visor)
As a general rule, motocross/offroad helmets should not serve dual purpose as your on road helmet. Offroad helmets tend to take a lot more abuse, and end up having a shorter lifespan. Not to mention, if you end up wrecking your motocross helmet, you don't want to be stuck in a loop trying to buy another helmet before your Monday morning commute.
No one wants to crash, but the wiser rider expects to and plans accordingly!
Now that you've identified your riding style, you have to take your budget into account. DO NOT SETTLE for anything that is not ECE/SNELL/DOT approved! These are certified (and therefore more expensive) for a reason - to protect your head!
Discount helmets from auto-supply stores or pawn shops often cannot be trusted to be made from the same quality materials, nor have they been tested to ensure structural integrity. Also, in many places (like BC, Canada - where our retail store is located), helmets not approved by these standards are illegal!
All of the helmets on our website and in our store are SNELL or DOT approved, and they always will be.
The average price range for a decent on or offroad helmet is between $160-$400. More advanced helmets (like Shoei or higher-end Arais, usually for onroad racing or aerodynamic performance) can be anywhere in the $400-$1000 range. They are certainly worth the money if you have it, though they aren't always necessary.
Once you've decided on a style and design, it's time to find the perfect fit. A proper fitting helmet should be snug, but not uncomfortable. You should be able to hold your head up and have clear visibility on both sides. You shouldn't find the helmet slipping or wobbling at all when you move your head - you need it to be able to stay snugly and comfortably on your head at all times. Are you able to slip out of it while it's done up? Then it's time to move on to another helmet.
Some helmets now come with inflatable cheek pads to give the custom-fit feel, though it is more than possible to find a perfect helmet without these perks. You also want your helmet, if applicable, to be properly ventilated. Airflow should run from the vents at the front through and out the vents at the back. This helps prevent visor fogging, keeping you cool and dry.
The final details, once you have a properly approved and fitting helmet, should be the helmet's appearance. There are infinite styles and paint jobs to go from, and there's always the option of having a plain helmet detailed later. Don't sacrifice better fit for prettier!
When someone comes into Action Motorcycles looking for a helmet, we have a specially trained and experienced agent who can match them with the perfect helmet, get the best fit available and then explain how to properly maintenance it. Though, for obvious reasons, we cannot offer the same assistance over the internet, we are more than happy to give you guidance and answer any questions you might have!
Ride smart, ride safe.
When buying a helmet, you must first consider what style of riding you want it for:
- Off road (Motocross, Trials, Enduro, Casual Offroading, Offroad Racing)
- On road (Cruising/Touring/Commuting/Racing)
There are many different styles of helmets to choose from, but the basics are seen below:
Motocross (worn w/goggles), full face, open face with visor, and the cruiser-style open face (worn with or without visor)
As a general rule, motocross/offroad helmets should not serve dual purpose as your on road helmet. Offroad helmets tend to take a lot more abuse, and end up having a shorter lifespan. Not to mention, if you end up wrecking your motocross helmet, you don't want to be stuck in a loop trying to buy another helmet before your Monday morning commute.
No one wants to crash, but the wiser rider expects to and plans accordingly!
Now that you've identified your riding style, you have to take your budget into account. DO NOT SETTLE for anything that is not ECE/SNELL/DOT approved! These are certified (and therefore more expensive) for a reason - to protect your head!
Discount helmets from auto-supply stores or pawn shops often cannot be trusted to be made from the same quality materials, nor have they been tested to ensure structural integrity. Also, in many places (like BC, Canada - where our retail store is located), helmets not approved by these standards are illegal!
All of the helmets on our website and in our store are SNELL or DOT approved, and they always will be.
The average price range for a decent on or offroad helmet is between $160-$400. More advanced helmets (like Shoei or higher-end Arais, usually for onroad racing or aerodynamic performance) can be anywhere in the $400-$1000 range. They are certainly worth the money if you have it, though they aren't always necessary.
Once you've decided on a style and design, it's time to find the perfect fit. A proper fitting helmet should be snug, but not uncomfortable. You should be able to hold your head up and have clear visibility on both sides. You shouldn't find the helmet slipping or wobbling at all when you move your head - you need it to be able to stay snugly and comfortably on your head at all times. Are you able to slip out of it while it's done up? Then it's time to move on to another helmet.
Some helmets now come with inflatable cheek pads to give the custom-fit feel, though it is more than possible to find a perfect helmet without these perks. You also want your helmet, if applicable, to be properly ventilated. Airflow should run from the vents at the front through and out the vents at the back. This helps prevent visor fogging, keeping you cool and dry.
The final details, once you have a properly approved and fitting helmet, should be the helmet's appearance. There are infinite styles and paint jobs to go from, and there's always the option of having a plain helmet detailed later. Don't sacrifice better fit for prettier!
When someone comes into Action Motorcycles looking for a helmet, we have a specially trained and experienced agent who can match them with the perfect helmet, get the best fit available and then explain how to properly maintenance it. Though, for obvious reasons, we cannot offer the same assistance over the internet, we are more than happy to give you guidance and answer any questions you might have!
Ride smart, ride safe.
