Types of Motorcycle Helmets
Motorcycle helmets are the most effective gear for saving motorcyclists’ lives. They can significantly reduce your risk of injury or death in a crash. However, not all helmets are made the same or have the same level of protection. You need to choose a helmet that will protect your head and look good enough to make you want to wear it.
In part 2 of our series on helmets we’ll provide tips on finding the right helmet size, brand, and features. Click here for tips on buying a helmet.
Types of Motorcycle Helmets
There are a variety of motorcycle helmet styles to suit different riding styles and needs.
- Full-face: The full-face helmet covers your entire head and face, providing maximum protection on the road. This style was traditionally most popular with sport bike riders. However, more cruiser-style riders are embracing these helmets for their protection abilities.
- Open-face: The open-face (or three-quarter) option shields the sides, top, and back of your head while leaving your face uncovered. The increased comfort means sacrificed protection.
- Modular: The modular helmet combines full-face protection with a flip-up front for convenience.
- Half helmet: The half helmet (also known as a “shorty”) provides minimal coverage and is considered ineffective at protecting your head and face.
- Off-road: Off-road helmets are designed for wearing on dirt and motocross bikes. They provide extra chin and mouth protection with a more rugged construction.
- Dual-sport: Dual sport helmets cater to both on and off-road riding, offering a blend of features from different helmet types.
- Enduro: Finally, helmets labeled Enduro, ADV, hybrid, or crossover are crafted for versatile adventures, incorporating elements from various styles to suit diverse riding conditions.
Motorcycle Helmet Construction
At its core, a helmet consists of three main layers: an outer hard shell, a middle impact shock absorber, and the innermost comfort layer for the rider. The middle layer is often made of EPS (Expanded Polystyrene).
Higher-end helmets usually have an exceptionally tough outer shell, providing top-notch protection. The middle layer will have multiple layers of various densities to provide better cushioning ability. In contrast, cheaper helmets tend to have a single layer of uniform density.
The materials used also vary significantly. Cheaper helmets typically use thermoplastic or thermoset resin for the outer shell, which can be heavier and bulkier. High-end helmets use stronger and lighter-weight materials like carbon fiber, fiberglass, or aramids. These premium materials contribute to better durability and enhanced safety features.
Motorcycle Helmet Safety Testing
Since the purpose of buying and wearing a helmet is to protect your head, you should look for one that can verify its ability to do this. You’ll find several testing certifications, and some are better than others.
DOT
In North America, the Department of Transportation (DOT) sets the federally mandated standard for helmets, but interestingly, the DOT doesn’t regularly conduct the actual testing. Instead, helmet manufacturers perform the testing themselves, a process known as self-administration. This means that while helmets must meet certain criteria set by DOT, the testing to ensure compliance is done by the companies producing the helmets.
ECE
In Europe, helmets must meet stringent safety standards set by ECE 22.05. This regulation ensures thorough testing, including shock absorption, penetration, impact, rotational crash simulations, and accessory testing. These rigorous evaluations guarantee helmets meet high safety benchmarks before hitting the market.
SNELL
The Snell Memorial Foundation, founded in 1957, introduced comprehensive helmet testing standards in 1985 to ensure riders’ safety. Operating from its test facility in Sacramento, GA, Snell takes a unique evaluation approach. Rather than testing the entire helmet, they focus their impact testing on roughly the mid-ear level and up. During the examination, helmets are struck against various surfaces to simulate real-world crashes.
BSI
The British Standards Institute (BSI) sets helmet safety standards comparable to SNELL, focusing on rigorous testing. BSI conducts tests on shock absorption, measuring the helmet’s ability to absorb impact energy effectively. Additionally, they evaluate penetration resistance, ensuring the helmet can withstand external forces. Moreover, if included, BSI scrutinizes harness retention and chinstrap properties to ensure optimal safety standards for riders.