Wearing a motorcycle helmet is compulsory in the UK and has been since 1973. The helmet must also comply with certain standards and, in racing only ACU Gold sticker motorcycle helmets are allowed to be worn by riders.

Motorcycle helmets come in 5 basic styles although not all are legal to use on our roads. All must be secured by a chinstrap and fit snugly to the head to offer the most protection.

A full-face helmet offers as much protection as most riders’ need. There is a visor or plastic shield that can be moved up or down to give access to the eyes, nose or mouth and also have air vents to provide air to the wearer. These popular helmets afford the wearer the optimum amount of protection around the chin where statistics show much of the damage is centered.

Riders who use their motorcycles for off-road riding or racing require a different shape to the chin bar and visor area. It has been found that a more elongated shape offers more protection to riders, especially from debris thrown up during a race. When worn with goggles this type of helmet offers the same protection as the full-face motorcycle helmets.

Another type of helmet is a ‘hybrid’ and is sometimes called a ‘convertible because it can be worn closed like the full-face and also has a removable chin bar to make it easier to eat or drink when stopped without having to undo the chin strap.

One type of helmet does not offer much protection to the face as the front is open to the elements and bugs and glare from sunlight. An Open face helmet does however offer the protection required to the back of the skull and riders often choose to wear goggles or sunglasses that wraparound the eyes for protection. There is a face shield available to attach to the helmet giving protection to part of the face and eyes. Similar in design is another design of helmet that only covers the top of the head and is called the Shorty. Although lighter and smaller is offer no protection to the vital parts of the head and unsuitable during an accident. The helmet can move and has been shown to come off in an accident.

Other types of motorcycle helmets are available but do not comply with the standards required to protect the head following an accident and should not be considered as suitable for motorcycle riding. The reason for anyone wearing a helmet is to protect the brain in the event of an accident and this type of helmet does not do this.

 

Copyright 2010 Motorcycle--Helmets.co.uk

Privacy Statement