First time riders have many choices when selecting a motorcycle helmet. |
| 8/7/2008 5:58:58 PM |
For those who have just purchased their first motorcycle, or who have only recently decided to wear a helmet, it can seem as if there are thousands of different kinds of motorcycle helmets and selecting the proper helmet for your particular needs can be a daunting task. Maybe I can help you clear up some of this confusion and help you jump into the great sport of motorcycle riding! There are different types of helmets, so once you have settled on the style to pick, then there are colors, designs, features. What should you get? This is a guide to the different kinds of open face motorcycle helmets. What type you should get is a personal decision, but factors that are likely to come up include price, safety concerns, and your personal style. The first helmet you get may not be the one you end up with either. Peoples taste and desires change over time and this may happen several times before you finally figure out what type of helmet is perfect for you. If you’re looking for a classic helmet, then you may like the beanie, or pudding hat helmet style. These are recognizable from the first and second world war. They offer limited protection, and look pretty cool. This helmet seems to be worn mainly by chopper riders who want the absolute most freedom available while they ride.

This style of motorcycle helmet will only offer minimal protection, and even then only to the top of your head. They also do not block any wind or rain from your face, which leaves you open to being stuck. Adding a pair of motorcycle goggles or riding glasses to this combo can greatly increase the comfort factor by protecting your eyes while riding. If you like the look of the beanie, but would like more protection, you may like the half helmet. It covers part of your ears and the side of your head, as well as the top. It is also designed with peripheral vision in mind. This kind of motorcycle helmet does have similar disadvantages to the beanie style helmet. It does not offer adequate noise protection, and also does not protect your face while you’re riding, or in the case of a fall or crash. The helmet choice to go from an open face helmet to a full face helmet is a big one. They are two very different types of helmet and provide two very different riding experiences. The open face helmet does provide more access to nature and to the riding experience where the full face helmet provides a much higher level of safety. If you’re most interested in safety, your kind of motorcycle helmet is definitely a full face helmet. This type of motorcycle helmet will definitely protect your entire head, face, and chin, as well as covering your ears. It also keeps weather and other objects out of your face and if you have ever eaten a bug at 70 miles an hour you know how important this is! There are some drawbacks to this model of helmet. Your covered ears can make it difficult for you to hear. You must also completely remove your helmet if you would like to take a picture, drink or eat but for the vast majority of motorcycle riders a full-face helmet is the best choice.

When you finally make the ultimate decision and order your helmet, remember you are not locked in to this helmet for life. You can always decide to change your helmet style down the road and eventually will might even have two helmets. Most motorcycle riders who have been riding for more than a couple years have several different motorcycle helmets. One for piddling around town and then another for longer road trips. Many riders also have a helmet for the warmer temperatures of summer riding that is an open face so they can enjoy the weather but then have a full face for winter, so when it is cold they don't experience the elements as much.

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