Beanie Helmets - How They Are Made
Beanie Helmets are the most popular type of motorcycle helmet available to buy.
Beanie helmets are made up of two distinct parts, the outer shell and the inner protective liner which is the actual protecting factor.
The outside shell is made up of either resin fiber composite (for example fiber glass), or it may be made from molded thermo plastic.
In both cases while it does add some degree of protection it is actually there for the looks.
The inner liner is the actual mechanism that protects your head and especially your brain.
The inner liner is expanded polystyrene (EPS).
Yup, that's right, the same material your beer cooler is made from.
The liner is in a continuous state of expansion (swollen to its largest size possible).
When a crash occurs the expanded polystyrene crumbles and absorbs the shock of the impact.
A good fitting helmet will prevent the brain from sliding forward within your skull.
Once you realize the process of polystyrene crumbling you should realize how very important it is to never ever buy a used helmet.
If the used helmet you buy has been in a wreck and the polystyrene is crumbled, the helmet is useless for protection.
When you find collectable beanie helmets, or a vintage helmet at that yard sale by all means buy them, just make sure you only display them around your bike area: they are not safe to wear.
Whether you are buying a discount helmet or the most expensive model you can more than double your post crash chances of survival by making sure the helmet is DOT certified.
Dot is short for the Department Of Transportation.
Dot does not govern motorcycle helmets, it provides industry guidelines.
If a manufacturer follows all of the guidelines the helmets produced can sport the DOT decal.
Of all the states in the U.
S.
where motorcycle helmets are mandatory a minimum of DOT certification is required to be legally worn.
Ride Safe.
Beanie helmets are made up of two distinct parts, the outer shell and the inner protective liner which is the actual protecting factor.
The outside shell is made up of either resin fiber composite (for example fiber glass), or it may be made from molded thermo plastic.
In both cases while it does add some degree of protection it is actually there for the looks.
The inner liner is the actual mechanism that protects your head and especially your brain.
The inner liner is expanded polystyrene (EPS).
Yup, that's right, the same material your beer cooler is made from.
The liner is in a continuous state of expansion (swollen to its largest size possible).
When a crash occurs the expanded polystyrene crumbles and absorbs the shock of the impact.
A good fitting helmet will prevent the brain from sliding forward within your skull.
Once you realize the process of polystyrene crumbling you should realize how very important it is to never ever buy a used helmet.
If the used helmet you buy has been in a wreck and the polystyrene is crumbled, the helmet is useless for protection.
When you find collectable beanie helmets, or a vintage helmet at that yard sale by all means buy them, just make sure you only display them around your bike area: they are not safe to wear.
Whether you are buying a discount helmet or the most expensive model you can more than double your post crash chances of survival by making sure the helmet is DOT certified.
Dot is short for the Department Of Transportation.
Dot does not govern motorcycle helmets, it provides industry guidelines.
If a manufacturer follows all of the guidelines the helmets produced can sport the DOT decal.
Of all the states in the U.
S.
where motorcycle helmets are mandatory a minimum of DOT certification is required to be legally worn.
Ride Safe.
