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Buying A Motorcycle Helmet

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renwithnell@hotmail.com

All the bike magazines do helmet reviews. They get the reader all excited about the new Shoei, Aria, AGV, Nolan, Caberg or whatever. So that weekend the reader gaily rides to his local helmet shop to buy the super new model.

He gets there and tries on the medium. It's quite tight across the forehead so he tries the large. This one is ok across the forehead but it rattles around loosely on his head. There is no in between, the fact of the matter is this make and model of helmet is not the right shape for his head. Disappointed, he leaves.

Every manufacturer and every model of helmet is slightly different in the way it fits. Personally I have a liking for the mid-range AGV helmets. I initially had no brand loyalty to AGV and no particular desire to own one. But there I was in a shop many years ago trying on all kinds of helmets to see which one fitted the best. The best fit was AGV. I have owned 5 or 6 AGV's since then.

And some people cannot even get their head inside an AGV. Everybody's head is a different shape. I always wanted a particular Shark helmet but it either rattled round on my noggin or my nose was squashed firmly into the chin piece. Gutted, I tried on another AGV and bought that.

Fit is the most important thing when buying a helmet. It is better to purchase a cheap helmet that fits perfectly rather than an expensive one that fits poorly. How the helmet fits is critical to protecting your head in the event of an accident. Loose helmets will move around or even fall off, a helmet that fits tight in one place will put all the force into that one place. A helmet should be a snug fit ALL OVER. It should also be comfortable. It is best to avoid accidents full stop, a bad fitting helmet can be a distraction that leads to the accident that tests your helmet.

In the UK any helmet used on the road must meet the European standards. Make sure the shopkeeper shows you it's "E" mark. After that try on a thousand makes and models to see which is the best fit FOR YOU. Once you have found the perfect fit I recommend trying to buy a bright colour in that model, give the plonkers in the tin boxes the best chance to see you.

And the last piece of advice...try your absolute hardest to avoid testing out your helmet.

damaged

I tried mine out. Thats my dried on blood that is...

Post A Comment

Any offensive comments will be removed... The most recent comments are at the bottom...

Name	Comment
fo	great advice, ride hard and stay safe!
Tel	Thx for the advice. keep it between the hedges.
zoeb	Thank you for your advice. I was browsing around for motorcycle helmets when i found your page. I'll click an adsense ad as a way of saying thank you.
andi	Thanks great advice, just wish shops would let you test drive some helmets. you can take any bike out that costs thousands but not helmets that cost just a couple of hundred almost ironic!!
Rodster	Your advice is spot on. I,m looking for a new helmet right now, Can't get a helmet that I like and is a good fit so after 6 months still looking. and like you have tested out a helmet !!! no fun. I was talking to a bike shop owner a few days ago and also suggested demo helmets but he said to expensive. (the manufacturer could supply them free to shops) so I jokingly suggested a small wind tunnel big enough for your head and shoulders. Keep it on its wheels
Bob Coleman	Great advice. The new SHARP tests seem to be a step forward. I have a Shoei XR-1000 but was disapointed that it was only 3 stars. And you can't seem to access the detailed test results to see where the weeknesses are. It would allow me to avoid certain objects when crashing (Joke.) Happy riding.
Gene	I need to buy a motor scooter helmet? If I buy it from an on-line store, how do I determine the right fit. Must be DOT approved, too. Who makes a good scooter helmet? Does a full face visor or over the eye visors take the place of wearing safety glasses or goggles? Thanks.
Sam Kuper	I'm thinking about learning to ride a motorbike, and this is the best piece of advice I've seen about choosing a helmet. Thanks for the tips!
DK	I wear a hanky chief now tht never falls off my head ;) Ride safe guys he he he
Jackel	Really useful practical advice which is hard to find. I expected more money equals stronger helmet but clearly not the case. I would have been in danger of spending more and thinking I was safer. Thanks very much.

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