Shopping for Motorcycle Helmets

Among motorcycle riders, there tends to be a lot more talk about bikes than about helmets. But for anyone who takes safety seriously, motorcycle helmets are a critical (if often overlooked) piece of riding gear. Among new and experienced riders alike, the task of buying a new motorcycle helmet often presents a number of unforeseen challenges. What does it mean if something’s a DOT motorcycle helmet? What about SNELL? How do they differ? What does a good fit feel like? How much should I spend? Can I buy something cheaper, or do I need to shell out cash for a high-end Shoei helmet? And, for that matter, what kind of helmet should I even get? Full face? Three quarters? Half helmet? Modular? How do I make sense of it all?

Not to worry. Take a deep breath, grab a cup of coffee, and take comfort in the fact that motorcycle helmets are perfectly understandable if you do a bit of reading before you go out to buy. Trust me when I say it’s not nearly as confusing as it initially seems. Most of the important basics can be picked up quickly (for example, don’t buy a novelty helmet. See that was easy :), and once you get the basics under your belt, you’ll start feeling a lot more confident in tracking down the best motorcycle helmet for you.

Still think it’ll be too complicated? Then I’ll prove how easy it is. I’ll give you your basic knowledge in a couple sentences: DOT and SNELL are two certifying organizations that verify whether a helmet meets basic safety requirements. You don’t need to blow hundreds of dollars on a Shoei or Arai helmet if the one you buy is safety certified. And by starting with head shape and matching that to your helmet first, you’ll find a far better fit than if you just start pulling them on.

See how simple that was? Three sentences and you’ve got some great basics already. So relax, and remember that finding a motorcycle helmet should be fun, and needn’t be overwhelming. Cause as we know, a great helmet is an important part of a riding experience that’s not just enjoyable, but also safe. And hey, everyone is gonna feel better riding down the highway when they’ve made a confident choice of motorcycle helmet.