Are you looking for your ideal helmet? Do you love motorcycles and would you like to get the helmet right? Do you know a lot of types of helmets and can’t decide? You are in the right place! The helmet is a fundamental part for any motorcyclist. Not only can it save your life, but it can also be an aesthetic reason that goes with your personality and your vehicle.
The helmet is the most important part of your motorcycle’s equipment . Also, there are different types of helmets for different types of uses and needs. Given so much variety, it is essential to know how to choose a helmet , not only define what type of helmet you are interested in, but how to know how to choose the helmet that is best for you, which one best suits you and the one that offers you the most security. The important thing is that it is safe , that it adapts to your head and that it is well attached because otherwise, not even the best helmet will protect you.
When choosing a helmet, it is essential that you take several factors into account: the type of motorcycle that we are going to drive , the roads and speeds at which we will travel and, although it seems obvious, our physical qualities . For this reason, in this guide we want to show you the different types of motorcycle helmets that exist and help you in your final decision.
Index of contents
Types of motorcycle helmets and their characteristics and prices
It is estimated that in 20% of serious motorcycle accidents, the helmet is ejected because the size or support are not adequate. Head injuries are the leading cause of death and in 50% of cases, the head suffers some type of trauma. If you are protected with a suitable helmet , these injuries can be reduced by 69% and mortality by 42%. Therefore, the correct use of the helmet is vital. And the choice between all types of helmets is very important , because not all of them protect the same.
#1 folding
The Flip-up helmet has a movable chin guard and can be opened upwards, leaving the face uncovered. It is very comfortable for long trips and very useful for breaks between other types of helmets . It has some drawbacks such as its heavy weight and less protection due to moving parts. The use of the helmet depends on you and what you want to use it for, it can be valid for all types of road motorcycles , including touring motorcycles and trail-type motorcycles.
Flip-up helmets have a special approval that evaluates the minimum safety behavior with the chin guard lowered and raised.
With the chin guard down, the protection can be better and when used with the chin guard open, the protection is medium , since it covers the entire head and has a robust structure.
Protection level : Medium.
#2 Classic
Their level of protection is very low , they are used mainly for aesthetic reasons or simply to avoid fines. They are seen above all in hot times, such as in summer, since it covers almost nothing of the face and manages to provide much less heat. To prevent air from bothering your eyes, you can use helmet goggles or sunglasses . The use of this type of helmet is very limited. It is the reference for lovers of Harley-Davidson type motorcycles. The great disadvantage of these helmets is that they do not protect the face or the neck, they are highly not recommended .
Protection level : Low.
#3 Double
It stands out for being a lightweight helmet among all types of helmets , with high head and full face protection. Combine a trial helmet with a full face. It has an advanced chin guard and visor like Motocross helmets, it also has a screen. The aerodynamics are optimized for use on the road , at higher speeds than on off-road tracks. It is comfortable to wear, gives a sensation of visibility and spaciousness , and offers good ventilation.
The shorter visor and the screen differentiate a dual helmet from an Off road type .
The style is perceived modern and radical. It is also used by those city bikers who want to give their look a sporty touch .
Protection level : Medium.
#4 Comprehensive
Full face helmets are the most common of all and the ones that offer the highest level of protection . They are made of a single piece so that in the event of an impact nothing could be disassembled. They are the ones that best adapt to the head, firmly protecting the entire face and chin. They are the most recommended helmets for all types of road motorcycles, from scooters to large tourist motorcycles. Among the types of helmets, the full face stands out for its various ranges, with the highest range being the lightest, safest and most stealthy. Remember that the less your helmet weighs, the safer your neck will be in gear and your head in the event of an impact, but they are also relatively heavy and can be too hot in hot weather.
Protection level : Very high.
#5 Jet (Calimero)
They are usually used for scooters and protect a little more than the previous ones, although the face is still exposed. Due to the type of construction with an open face, it is not suitable for driving on the road for your own safety and the inconvenience of the air. There are with and without screen. The visor in these types of helmets is an aesthetic element. The screen can avoid the disadvantage of air on the face, but it does not give other reliable protection in the event of an impact or serious accident, the lack of protection on the face subtracts points from overall protection to ride a motorcycle safely.
Protection level : Low.
#6 Modular
A modular helmet, also called convertible, is one that allows you to convert it into a jet-type helmet with a simple mechanism. It allows you to customize it according to your comfort, it incorporates a folding chin and offers the option of functioning as an open helmet and a full -face helmet . The lower part of the helmet can be raised thanks to a mechanism and remain as a jet helmet, while if we return it to its original position it becomes a full-face helmet again.
If you are a person with some claustrophobia or you need to constantly ride a motorcycle and you don’t want to take your helmet off all the time, a modular helmet is the best option.
They are highly recommended helmets but even so they have some drawbacks such as their great weight and are less aerodynamic than a full face helmet. In reference to weight, it is recommended that modular helmets do not exceed 1.4 kg to avoid cervical injuries in the medium term.
Protection level : Medium.
#7 Multi Modular
One of the latest types of helmets to hit the market are multi-modular , helmets that are several helmets in one thanks to the possible combinations of their parts. Thus, mounting and dismounting , full-face, enduro, urban helmets are achieved, with or without a visor, with or without a visor and with or without a chin guard. They are rare helmets at the moment and only a few brands have them in their catalogue, their level of protection varying depending on the type of helmet desired.
Protection level : Medium.
#8 Trail
Trail helmets are helmets halfway between off-road helmets and full-face helmets. One -piece helmets , with a chin guard that leaves the face very clear, like the off-road ones, with a sun visor, like the off-road ones, but with a screen like the integral ones. They are lighter than full face helmets but also noisier. Normally, the types of trial helmets are approved for use on the road, as if they were another open helmet, but then all the disadvantages of an open helmet are added, among them is that it can generate turbulence at high speeds due to its aerodynamics.
Protection level : Medium.
#9 trials
These helmets are designed for competitions on hard terrain and are used by professionals and fans of enduro and its variants, both indoors and outdoors. This type of helmet is very similar to the types of Jet helmets because it covers the entire head and leaves the face exposed. In this case, the part of the face is freer, the helmet does not cover the sides in the area of the cheeks. This is because wide visibility is needed to analyze and pass obstacles.
Trial helmets are known for always mounting a small visor , which protects from the sun when practicing trials outdoors.
The shell is particularly resistant to the penetration of objects . Although the risk of an accident at high speed is not likely, falls from a height onto elements such as stones or logs can be equally or even more dangerous.
Protection level : Medium.
#10 Offroad
Off-road helmets are very specific helmets specially designed for use on enduro motorcycles or motocross motorcycles . They are very light helmets, with a prominent, highly ventilated chin guard, sun visor but no screen as they are designed to be used with enduro or motocross goggles. Thanks to this hole, ventilation is better and allows a very wide vision, something essential when doing a sport like enduro or motocross. And for this reason, to protect your eyes you must use glasses, which are attached to the shell of the helmet with their elastic strap and thus prevent movement while driving.
One of the most special features of offroad helmets are the visors . This serves to protect from sunlight, and also prevents branches or other objects from hitting your face.
On the other hand, the closure of an offroad helmet can vary between a double ring or double-D type , quick closure and micrometric closure .
Protection level : Medium.
Conclusion: Choose the right size for the type of helmet you want
Remember that the helmet is a fundamental piece to avoid injuries, that is, to protect you and to provide you with security when riding your motorcycle. For this reason, finally, after having shown you in this guide the types of helmets and their main characteristics , we want to advise you on helmet safety and how to choose the correct helmet size.
The ideal way to measure the perimeter of your head is with the help of a tape measure just above the eyebrows, and with the help of the helmet manufacturer’s size chart, choose the correct size. If you don’t have a strap, when you try on the helmet you should feel it without slack , so that you can move your head quickly from one side to the other. In addition, when fastening the tape, it must be attached to the skin, under the chin and at neck level , never hanging down or around the chin area.
What did you think of this guide on the types of helmets ? Did you know the features and prices of these helmets? Do you have any experience to tell? Then we ask you to leave your comment and we will be happy to answer you.
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