Choosing a Helmet

While color, design and price may be a part of your decision about
which helmet to buy, think first about protection and comfort. A fullface
helmet gives the most protection since it covers more of your face. It usually has a
moveable face shield that protects the eyes when it is closed. Racers prefer full-
face helmets for the added protection and comfort.

A three-quarter, open-face helmet is also a choice of some riders. It is constructed
with the same basic components, but doesn't offer the face and chin protection of
full-face helmets. If you use an open-face helmet, you should have a snap-on face
shield in place when you ride, or buy a pair of goggles that can withstand the impact
of a stone or other debris. Prescription eyeglasses or sunglasses are not sufficient
protection, and they might move or fly off.

A “shorty” half-helmet protects even less of your head. It is more likely to come off
your head upon impact. Therefore, “shorty”, half-shell helmets are not
recommended.

A lot of good helmets are available today, in a range of prices. One look around
your dealer's helmet display will convince you that nearly any decoration you could
want on a helmet is already available. Many manufacturers are color-coordinating
their helmets with the newest motorcycle models. And the days of heavy or
cumbersome helmets are over. They’re made of lightweight, modern materials and
are improved each year. Manufacturers are also working to make them
less expensive, stronger and more comfortable.

What you must know when choosing a helmet is that it meets minimum safety
standards. The way to find a well-made, reliable helmet is to look for the DOT
and/or Snell sticker on the inside or outside of the helmet.The sticker means the
helmet meets the safety test standards of the U.S. Department of Transportation
and/or the Snell Memorial Foundation.

Each organization has rigid procedures for testing:

Impact – the shock-absorbing capacity of the helmet.
Penetration – the helmet's ability to withstand a blow from a sharp object.
Retention – the chin strap's ability to stay fastened without stretching or breaking.
Peripheral vision – the helmet must provide a minimum side vision of 105 degrees
to each side. (Most people's usable peripheral vision is only about 90 degrees to
each side.)

Since 1980, ALL adult-sized helmets for on-highway use must meet DOT standards.
Helmet dealers and distributors must ensure that all the helmets they sell bear the
DOT sticker. Whatever your helmet choice, be sure it has this certification. You
don't want an inferior helmet or one designed for another purpose. If someone tries
to sell you one without it, don't buy it. If your helmet has no DOT sticker, do
not wear it, regardless of its age.

Snell has been testing helmets since the 1950s. The use of Snell standards by
helmet manufacturers is voluntary. Unlike DOT standards, Snell testing is revised
(most recently in 2000) as helmet design and technology improve.

Both agencies attempt to reproduce, under test conditions, the situations
that are hazardous to motorcyclists.Their testing methods differ, but the intent is the
same: to make certain any helmet they approve has life-saving, shock-absorbing
minimums.
Wrong way to wear a helmet