Types of Motorcycle Helmets
As a motorcyclist, you’ll never have trouble finding potential hazards. Virtually every vehicle you encounter on the road will be bigger than you, and it’s all too easy for them not to see you. If the weather turns bad, you’ll face major distractions to your riding as well as slippery, dangerous road conditions. And even if everything else seems to be going well, all it takes is going into a corner with too much speed and you could be in serious trouble. The important question is, when an accident happens, will you be prepared?
Your safety will depend in large part to the quality and fit of your helmet. A decent helmet that doesn’t fit won’t help, neither will a well-fitted but low quality, untested model. It’s best to do the work to find the best helmet for your needs. Here at Beach Boulevard Motorsports, we care about our riders’ safety. We created this brief guide to teach you about some of the different types of helmet available. If you need parts or services for your bike, don’t hesitate to stop by our location in Jacksonville, Florida!
Half Helmets
Half helmets don’t offer much protection, but they’ll minimize the worst damage and they’ll satisfy the requirements of law enforcement. (Here in Florida, law dictates that unless you are over 21 and have rider insurance with more than $10,000 of medical coverage for an accident, you must wear a helmet.) There are a few other benefits to half helmets, too. They’re lightweight and more comfortable than many full faced helmets. In hot weather environments, the open air circulation is a real bonus, and half helmets also provide a wide, unobscured field of view so you don’t have to worry about blind spots. Unless you’re a veteran rider, though, you might consider something with more coverage.
Three Quarter Helmets
Three quarter helmets cover quite a bit more area than half helmets. They cover the back of the head down to the neck, forward around the ears, and even part of the jaw. The open face area has an obvious trade off in that your face will be exposed in a crash, but you get a less claustrophobic feel. While the face is still left open, these helmets have more coverage which has an added benefit: it makes the fit that much more snug. Some three quarter helmets come with visors to block out glare from the sun, too. This is the classic Speed Racer helmet and it has a distinct look that works especially well with rambler-style motorcycles.
Modular Helmets
When you want a helmet with versatility but major protection, go for a modular helmet. These helmets can function in a variety of ways, but generally the point of a modular helmet is to have large, flip-up parts of the helmet to open up when you need it and flip down when you don’t. Some modular helmets break at the halfway mark in the helmet, which makes putting it on and taking it off a cinch. Others have a flip up face mask that makes it easy to easy or drink when you stop for a break. Just make sure you choose one with a DOT certification so that you’ll know it’s tough enough to protect you.
Full Face Helmets
The ultimate in protection is the full face helmet. These wrap all the way around the head with one continuous shell. Full face helmets often have face shields which eliminate the need for added goggles or sunglasses. The only drawback to full face helmets is that they can get very hot and sweaty, especially in more humid environments.
If your motorcycle needs regular maintenance or a safety check, stop by Beach Boulevard Motorsports. We carry a wide variety of motorcycles, and we work on even more at our service center. Our team of experienced technicians will make sure your ride is in the best shape possible. Stop by our shop if you live in Jacksonville, St. Augustine, St. John’s, or Orange Park, Florida!