HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT POWERSPORTS HELMET
We at MX PowerPlay firmly believe in the ATGATT, “All the Gear, All the Time,” motto. And we want to get all the people who are making the first steps in the exhilarating world of Powersports into this mindset. Riding is all about competition, adrenaline-pumping action, and endurance, but it is also about safety and protection.
You can enjoy the ride only when you ride safely and responsibly using full protective gear. We will focus on helmets as a crucial protective gear element that can save your life in case of a motorcycle accident. The grim statistics show that most motorcycle injuries affect the head and chest and that 57% of victims in motorcycle accidents didn’t wear one when they needed one the most.
Choosing the right helmet when starting your adventure in Powersports rides is a demanding task. We will try to help you by presenting various types of helmets designed for Powersports riding, accompanied by some tips on how to choose a perfect Powersports helmet.
Different Models of Helmets for Powersports Riders
Every biker needs to follow the 3Fs rule, “fit, function, and fashion,” when buying a motorcycle helmet to make sure they will be safe and comfortable. Also, bear in mind your personal riding style, as well as the terrain and weather conditions you plan to ride in. These are all crucial factors that will ensure an enjoyable and exciting ride.
That said, we can focus on various types of helmets you can find on the riding gear market.
1. Full Face Helmet
This type of helmet is a perfect choice, whatever Powersports ride you are into. It provides ultimate protection as it covers your entire head and face. The significant advantage of a full-face helmet is a chin bar that protects your chin and jaw from severe injuries and cannot be found in other types of helmets. High-quality, full-face helmets are made of lighter materials, provide excellent airflow, and have an enlarged eye protection visor that keeps your face and eyes protected from dirt and debris. Despite the fact that they cover your head entirely, these motorcycle helmets are comfortable and appropriate for long bike rides.
2. ¾ Helmets
Some people also like to call these “open-face helmets.” These helmets cover the back and sides of your head, while most of your face and chin remain unprotected. They have a visor that protects the eyes and part of your face, and you can flip it up when you are taking a break. These helmets provide a similar level of ventilation and hearing as the full-face model. The ¾ helmet is a perfect choice for those who find full-face helmets too confining.
3. Modular Helmets
These helmets are a combination of full-face helmets and open-face helmets because they have a chin bar and a visor you can flip up and free your face and chin. All the essential features are similar to those of full-face helmets, apart from their weight. Modular helmets are heavier and more robust because the visor and chin bar must be fastened to the shell with screws and bolts. For this reason, they offer reduced protection from wind and rain that can easily slip through the crevices. This helmet is geared toward riders who ride in the upright position. Thus, they are the right choice for tourers, cruisers, and adventure riders.
4. Off-Road Helmets
As the name says, these helmets are perfect for off-road riders who are into dirt bike riding or Motocross. This helmet type differs from others because it offers a larger peak visor and a more prominent chin bar that enhances ventilation. Bear in mind that this type of helmet doesn’t have eye protection, so you need to save some money for goggles. Goggles are the best option for off-road riding because they are tight-fitting and will keep mud, dirt, and debris away from your eyes.
5. Dual Sports Helmets
These are a mixture of the off-road helmet and a full-face helmet that you can use for both ATV rides and street rides. This helmet model combines features to offer superb functionality, protection, and comfort. Dual sports helmets have a larger peak visor accompanied by a lower chin bar and an enlarged eye protection visor. You can flip the visor up and replace it with goggles when you’re going off-road. It also provides the same comfort and soundproofing as a full-face helmet.
6. Half Helmets
Most riders avoid buying half helmets because they provide minimum head and face coverage, or, in other words, they offer minimal protection. These helmets cover only the top of your head and maybe a part of your neck, leaving most of your head and face exposed to injuries. On the plus side, they offer excellent airflow, but we would not recommend this helmet model for Powersports rides.
Tips on How to Choose the Right Riding Helmet
Now that you know what different types of helmets you can find on the thriving riding gear market, let’s focus on some tips to help you choose the right one for you. Here are crucial factors you should pay attention to when choosing a motorcycle helmet.
● Make Sure Helmet Fits Perfectly
One of the essential things to look for when you are choosing the right helmet is the perfect fit for your head size. An ill-fitting helmet may cause distracting pressure points when wearing it. Your helmet should fit snugly to your head, but it also needs to be comfortable. You should use a tailor tape to measure your head’s circumference on your forehead just above the eyebrows. This head measurement is crucial for determining your helmet size. When you go shopping for a helmet, compare your measurements with the ones presented in the helmet size chart every helmet manufacturer provides. You can also find it on our product page.
The next step in finding the right helmet for Powersports riding is determining your head shape. Everyone has a specifically shaped head, so you have to know what shape your head is to determine what helmet will suit you best. You can choose one out of the three most common helmet shapes offered, and these are intermediate oval, long oval, and oval.
● Look for Safety and Comfort
Once you have determined what helmet type matches your riding style, you can focus on features that will keep you well-protected and comfortable. Whatever model you choose, make sure that the helmet has a reliable retention system to prevent it from falling off your head on the first bump in the road. This retention system includes a built-in neck and chin strap you can adjust so that the helmet fits snuggly, ensuring much-needed protection. Always choose helmets with excellent ventilation and padding inside for enhanced comfort.
● Look for a Certified Helmet
The DOT is the US administrative body, and Snell is an organization responsible for setting safety standards and ratings for motorcycle helmets. DOT-rated helmets meet all the safety rating standards regarding impact and penetration resistance, energy distribution, retention system, and the field of vision. A helmet that meets all these standards will guarantee the highest level of protection and safety during the ride.
● Set a Budget
Now that you know what features to look for when you are buying a motorcycle helmet, it is time to set a budget and make a price match. Remember that buying a helmet is an essential and possibly life-saving investment that will pay off in the long run. This does not mean that you have to spend a small fortune on a helmet to make sure you will be safe and protected while riding. You should take all the features mentioned in this guide into consideration and try to find the helmet that fits most of them and still fits your budget.
A Short Recapitulation
We hope this helped you choose the perfect riding helmet that will provide safety and comfort, matching your riding style and budget at the same time. Furthermore, we hope we convinced you how important it is to wear a motorcycle helmet all the time and how crucial it is to invest in a high-quality helmet. Most importantly, we hope this guide got you into that ATGATT state of mind.
