How to Buy a Motorcycle Helmet - Get the Right Size That Fits

How to Size a Motorcycle Helmet Properly

There is nothing worse than wearing a motorcycle helmet that doesn't fit. Not only is it very uncomfortable, but it can be dangerous. So it is very important to be sure you get a helmet that is the right size, and fits correctly.

A poorly sized helmet will catch air under it and blow around if it is too large. If it is too small, it will pinch and could give you a headache. It will also ride too high and not give you the protection you need in a crash.

First, you need to decide if you want a regular helmet, or a full face helmet.

There are two types of full face helmet, the true full face and the modular.  Both protect your entire head, face and chin.

The difference is in the chin bar.  In the regular full face helmet, this fixed, but in the modular, it is hinged so that it can be rotated up and down. Some people think this is more convenient and offers more freedom. By being able to rotate the chin bar, you can eat, drink, smoke or put on your lipstick without having to remove your helmet.

Second, make sure it is DOT (Department of Transportation), or SNELL approved. Do not just look at the sticker on the helmet, but look at the label inside to see if it says it meets DOT standards or SNELL certification. NOTE:  The modular helmets are DOT approved, but do not meet the more rigorous testing to be certified by SNELL.

After you decide which kind you want, you need to measure your head.

In order to measure your head correctly, you need a cloth measuring tape. It would help greatly if you had someone to help you.

You need to measure around your forehead, approximately one inch above your eyebrows, or wherever your head is the largest. It is important to measure at the largest part of your head.

After you have gotten your measurement (size in inches), you need to translate that in the size of helmet you need. Helmets usually come in extra small (xsmall), small, medium, large, and extra large (xlarge). It is possible to find extra, extra small(xxsmall), and extra, extra large (xxlarge).

Here are some guidelines: If you have under a 20 inch measurement, then you would require an xx small. If your measurement is 20 inches, you need an xsmall, a 21 inch measurement would translate into a small helmet. If your head measures 22 inches, then you would want to buy a medium motorcycle helmet, and a 23 inch head would require a large. Anything over 23 inches and you need an xlarge or an xxlarge.

After you are armed with the size to start with, go to a local dealer and try on some before buying. Even if you plan to buy over the internet, it is a good idea to try some on first, to make sure that is actually the size you need, as most peoples heads are not exactly 20, 21, 22, etc. inches.

In addition to sizing a motorcycle helmet correctly, check the straps or fastenings. There are several different type of fastenings. Most people like the quick release type, as that doesn't require having to re-thread the strap each time you put your helmet on, and it make removal easier too.

Most straps are made of some type of nylon, and can irritate your skin if it has any frays or bad places in it, so check out the strap to make sure is of good quality.

If your helmet is always flopping around, or irritating your neck and you have to constantly readjust it, then it doesn't fit. This can also be a danger, especially if you are driving and you remove your hands from the handlebars to make the adjustment.

After you buy your helmet, you may want to buy some accessories for it, such as locks,

helmet hangers, helmet bags, or a bluetooth or intercom headset.

So be sure you get a proper fitting helmet, be safe and ride happy!

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How to Buy Sunglasses or Goggles for the Motorcycle Rider

How to Buy Sunglasses or Goggles for the Motorcycle Rider

Anyone who rides a motorcycle should be wearing some kind of protective eyewear, be it sunglasses or goggles.

Eyewear looks cool, as well as protecting your valuable eyes, and should be considered standard equipment.

Sunglasses or goggles help reduce glare and keep the bugs, dust and dirt out of your eyes.

There are as many different kinds of sunglasses and goggles as there are tastes.  You will be able to find something that fits your personality.

Good protective eyewear will help block UV (ultraviolet) rays from the sun, which can damage eyes.  Protecting your vision is very important, especially if you want to keep on riding your scoot for years to come.  If you can't see, you can't ride, so you want to do everything possible to save one of your most precious senses.

All protective equipment such as leathers and helmets is important, but your eyes are the most important of all.

A full face helmet will also protect your eyes, but many people don't like to wear them, so good goggles or sunglasses just make sense.

Not only will they protect your eyes, but they could even keep you from having a wreck.  Just think what would happen if you got hit in the eye with a big ol' bug?  You wouldn't be able to see and that could cause you to wreck.

Here are some things to look for when searching for a good pair of sun glasses. These are features you want in any sunglasses used in any outdoor sport or activity.

I stated above UV protection is very important to the health of your eyes. The lenses in your  sunglasses should have close to 100% UV protection. You might think that since most motorcycle riding is done on sunny days, that is when you need the most UV protection.  However, the sun's reflection off of snow can be more harmful to you eyes that sun alone (Think snow blindness).  Almost all high quality sunglasses will filter out 99% - 100% of UV sunlight.  It used to be that you had to buy very expensive sunglasses to get that kind of protection, but today, even relative inexpensive sunglasses will offer at least some UV protection.

You might also want to consider impact resistance.  Not only do you want to protect yourself from insects and dirt, but also rocks and sleet. Any of these can break a lens, and a  broken lens, especially at high speeds can make an already dangerous situation even more so.

Don't forget comfort. On long road trips, you  probably will be wearing your sun glasses for several hours at a time, so you want to  make sure that the sunglasses or goggles you are wearing are comfortable. You most certainly don't want sunglasses that keep slipping.  Don't forget the wind will be adding pressures on them that you won't have just sitting still.  You don't want to be wearing something that is going to put pressure on your nose or behind your ears, causing discomfort.  What is uncomfortable for an hour can become a real pain after several hours.

Some sunglasses come with interchangeable lens so that you can change from dark to light lenses.  Some have adjustable telescoping ear pieces to make it easy to fit your size, while others have an elastic strap to help hold them securely to your head.  Some come with an anti-scratch coating.  You can even buy bifocal prescription sunglasses.

 

Goggles are also a good form of eye protection.  Because they fit snugly against your face, they also protect your eyes from wind, rain and bugs that might come in from around the sides of your sunglasses.  Make sure they ones you buy have vent holes to allow them to "breathe", otherwise they could fog up.

Goggles are also a good option if you wear prescription glasses and don't want to buy prescription sunglasses.  There are goggles made to fit over regular eye glasses.

If you wear prescription glasses, consider buying a second pair of prescription sunglasses.  It it well worth the investment.  Many optometrists sell a variety of prescription sunglasses.  Although they look really cool, the wrap around type can distort your vision, so be sure to check them out before you buy.

So before you take that next ride, make sure you have some eye protection so you will be able to ride safely and have more fun knowing that you don't have to worry about your eyes.

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