All About Helmets

[Bendy]

Originally posted by T.C.

Here is part of a report that I prepared for a Government body, and which I then used for an article in Motorcycle Voyager which you may find of interest.


Around 80 per cent of riders killed in a motorcycle accident will have sustained major head injuries. Although there are likely to be other injuries as well, it is those to the head which are most likely to have led to the fatality. Head and brain injuries can be sustained even in low speed accidents, and although bike helmets offer good protection they are still no guarantee of your safety – but they are definitely better than just wearing a flat cap.

A crash helmet is the only item of protective clothing that must be worn at all times by UK law when riding a powered two wheeler. Until July 2000 all new helmets had to conform to BSI standard 6658–85 and carried either a blue type A or green type B kite mark. From the 1 July 2000 it has been perfectly legal to wear a lid purchased anywhere within the EU, providing it conforms to a similar European Standard, meaning it has a CE mark (EC22/05).

There’s no denying the value of a good quality bike helmet, with the risk of a fatal head injury being halved when a rider is wearing one. It is sometimes suggested that a helmet’s weight can actually increase the risk of neck injuries, but research has found no evidence to support this.

Of the two main types of helmet available, full face and open face, both have points for and against them. Ultimately, it really comes down to personal preference which you choose, with the most important consideration being its condition and the way in which it fits. It is an unfortunate fact that many riders, particularly the young and inexperienced, are riding with helmets that are poorly fitting and, in many cases, in a very bad condition (generally too old, damaged or worn out).

You should also only ever buy new helmets, not second-hand ones you don’t know the history of. Crucially, every manufacturer has its own idea of a standard head shape. It is therefore important that you try on a variety of helmets before you make a purchase. If your helmet does not fit correctly it can:

• cause rotation upon impact, which may lead to broken neck
• come off in the event of an impact
• cause excessive wind noise
• lift at speed causing you to lose sight of the road.

When new, a full-face crash helmet should be a tight fit, even to the point where you are just about biting the insides of your cheeks. In addition there shouldn’t be excessive pressure on the forehead. A new crash helmet will mould to your head and will give by about half a size over the following weeks, resulting in a snug comfortable fit as opposed to a loose and noisy one providing no protection.

Generally you should try and apply the following basic rules when buying a new helmet:

1. Decide on the maximum budget you can afford. Although a cheaper helmet offers no less protection than a more expensive brand, the dearer helmets tend to offer higher levels of comfort and fit, better build quality and more features such as venting and quick release visors. Of course the extra money could be just going on an expensive paint job.

2. Try on a variety of sizes and makes until you find one that best fits you. A brand of helmet your mate finds comfortable may not suit you at all.

3. If you find a helmet on the dealer’s shelf that fits, ask if you can try one that is still in its box. It is possible that the helmet on the shelf has become misshapen after being tried on by too many people, and won’t eventually mould properly to your own head shape.

4. When the helmet is on your head, and without securing the strap, try and lift it off from both the back and the front. Also try and twist the helmet from side to side. If it fits correctly you should only be able to remove it with a degree of effort. If the helmet can be twisted or moved up and down easily, then it may be the wrong size or shape for your head.

5. With the helmet on and securely fastened, ensure that you can easily turn your head from side to side. Try the helmet out on your bike to make sure that its shape does not restrict your movement or vision, which can happen with certain riding positions.

A comfortable well-fitting helmet will give you good service and provide maximum protection when it is needed most. Don’t forget that your bike can always be repaired or replaced, your head is a dam sight more difficult to put right. In short, a £40 helmet that fits properly will be far more protective than a £400 helmet that fits badly, and at the end of the day there is no difference in the level of protection regardless of cost!

The last issue is in respect of visors. A visor must be BS4110 approved and must allow in at least 50% of ambient light, unless you wear goggles which are EN1938/98 approved which only have to allow in 20% of ambient light, in other words they can be legally as dark as a black visor.