Choosing a motorcycle helmet is a very important decision for any biker. Spanish legislation establishes that it is the mandatory security element in our country, ahead of gloves or overalls. Therefore, choosing a good helmet is essential to comply with the individual protection guarantees and, also, for a good comfort for the rider.
The price is the quality: better features, greater safety, more comfort … The cost depends mainly on the manufacturing material of the shell, which is the part that suffers the most from impacts and does the most to prevent damage to the head. Its main components are thermoplastic, fiberglass and carbon fiber. If your budget is somewhat tight, you will opt for the first although they are less resistant to impacts. Therefore, it is advisable to pay a little more for one made of fiberglass or carbon, much more resistant, in addition to being lighter (in the case of carbon). Your skull will thank you. On the other hand, the price also increases according to the helmet graph. That is, the colors. If you like to wear a very colorful helmet, it will be more expensive than a plain one.
Buy the helmet according to the type of biker you are, according to the kind of motorcycle you have and according to where you ride. That is, buy a helmet according to your needs. If you go to work on a motorcycle, we recommend an urban-type helmet. If you go out on the road often, there is no doubt, a full-face or modular helmet. If you are very touring, the flip-up helmet is ideal for you. In case you are a trail fanatic, a dual helmet will be your best ally. Special mention for mud lovers, because there is a whole range of off-road helmets suitable for this use.
Choose the correct size. If a helmet is too big for you or, on the contrary, it generates too much pressure on your head, it affects your safety, your comfort and your health. Look at the size guide of your trusted supplier and, depending on the cranial size you have, choose the helmet that best fits you.
We recommend that you buy helmets from warranty brands. The quality of the material, the availability of spare parts or the after-sales service must also take them into account. Choosing a prestigious store for your purchase will avoid later disappointments in this regard.
Remember that helmets also have an expiration that is marked by use and must be changed after a while. A helmet that is not cared for and that, with its own daily use, receives a lot of blows must be changed over time. In the same way, if you have suffered an accident that has hit the helmet, do not hesitate, you have to change it.
Never buy a second hand helmet. You do not know what use or care it has received and they may be damaged by bumps or accidents invisible to the naked eye, but which may put your safety at risk.
The closure is very important. Remember that there are two types of closure: double buckle and micrometric. The first is the only one allowed for racing on circuits; the second is easier to fasten and handle.
Check that your helmet is approved. The European regulation that governs in Spain is the ECE 22.04 and 22.05 certification. If this code does not appear on the label, your helmet is not valid for riding on the roads or cities of our country or the European Union.
Look at the weight of the helmet. These should not exceed 1.4 kg for various reasons. First, because of discomfort and pressure on your neck and head. And second, and more relevant, because in the event of a collision, it can cause more serious internal damage. That is, the remedy may be worse than the disease.
Another important aspect is that it consists of an anti-fog system to prevent the screen from fogging up. This is especially recommended for bikers who live in humid areas or where there are large temperature fluctuations. The most common system is the so-called ‘Pin-Lock’. The innovation of these helmets is that they have a sheet that is placed inside the visor and creates a vacuum that prevents moisture from penetrating. Another method is the ‘mist retardant’, but its effect is lost with time.
After this decalogue of tips, the best recommendation we can give you is that you buy your helmet in specialized motorcycle stores such as Motocard, the leading motorcycle equipment store in Spain with almost 40 years of experience.
* This content offered by Motocard has been prepared by Diario AS.