Choosing the Right Motorcycle Helmet

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Women sometimes have a tough time with choosing the proper motorcycle gear. There seems to always be an internal debate about whether to buy what looks good or what will keep you safe. I know that's the case for me. I especially have that problem when it comes to helmets. When I was riding a scooter, I refused to wear a full-face helmet, on the grounds that I wasn't going fast enough to hurt myself (not true). It frankly just looked silly to me to see people riding around on scooters with these big, full-face helmets on. But now that I've got a bike, I know I need a full-face helmet, as much as I still don't want one. So I looked into some of the different types of helmets and the different things to think about when you're choosing a helmet to wear.

Wear Your Helmet
First of all, I have to say that no matter what the laws are in your state, you should wear a helmet all the time when you're riding. That's not just the mom in me saying that. It's the fact that bad things happen when heads hit the road without any protection. It's not something you want to have happen to you, or to your family. If you state won't require you to protect yourself, and several don't, take that responsibility on yourself. There are no exceptions to this. You should wear a helmet every time you ride. I will go further to say that you should wear a full-face helmet every time you ride. And fasten the chin strap, every time you ride. If you don't fasten the chin strap, you might as well leave the helmet at home, for all the good it's going to do you.

Focus on Fit
Helmets come in different sizes and it's important to find one that fits. That means you'll have to try many different helmets on. It's not safe to assume that all helmets are sized the same. A medium in one brand could be the same as a large in another. You are going to be spending a lot of time with a helmet on your head. Be sure to find one that fits correctly. Ask for help with this in the store. This is not the time to worry about what the helmets look like on your head. Focus on the fit first.

DOT Sticker
Helmets in the United States should comply with the Department of Transportation (DOT) basic impact standards. If the helmet meets those standards, the helmet will have a DOT sticker stating this. Do not buy a helmet that does not have a DOT sticker!

Eye Protection
You full face helmet should have a visor that should be down when you ride. This will protect your eyes. If for some strange reason you're not wearing a full -face helmet with a visor, you need to have some other form of eye protection. Wear goggles or shatterproof glasses. Be sure that you have some sort of protection that is not tinted so you can safely ride after dark.

Replace Your Helmet
Helmets are designed to absorb the force of an impact only one time, not again and again. If you get into an accident where you have an impact on your helmet or even if you drop your helmet on a hard surface, it should be replaced. Even if your helmet looks fine on the outside, if you know your helmet took a hit, replace it.

I can't overstate the importance of a good helmet as a safety feature when you're riding. Buy one that fits and wear it.

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