To a biker, there are few thrills in life more compelling than zipping through an open road at 70 mph with the wind whooshing around the helmet. But, this very tendency of racing a motorcycle as if it is meant to fly is one of the most prominent reasons why two-wheelers are more prone to accidents than other vehicles. To go by stats, according to the FAL Bulletin N°342 of the Economic commission for Latin America and Caribbean (ECLAC), the rate of fatalities from road tragedies in the region grew 20% in the first decade of the current century, rising to 17.68 deaths per 10,000 in 2010. Clearly, bikers need protection like helmets, especially around the neck and head – areas where they are particularly vulnerable to injury while an accident occurs.
Enter the crash helmet. It’s the biker’s best bet against injury and death on the road. Its origin goes back to the Brookland race track of1914. A medical officer in the region, Dr. Eric Gardner, had observed that he was treating a motorcyclist with head injuries almost every fortnight. He got a gentleman by the name of Mr. Mossto make motorcycle helmets from canvas and shellac for riders to wear in the Isle of Mann TT (Tourist Trophy) race. After initial opposition, the organizers came round and made the helmet compulsory for all riders. Despite a phase when wearing helmets on motorcycles was considered ‘uncool’, helmet has evolved as being an integral part of the biker’s gear. Today, the bikers are spoilt for choice! Such wide range of helmet variety is available in the market. And the best part is, every kind of taste and budget can be accommodated.
The Modern Helmets
Most commonly, the outer shell of modern-day helmets are made from a kind of plastic that, though extremely hard, is not particularly dense. Beneath this shell is a layer of foam padding that is meant to absorb some of the impact of a possible blow.
The outer shells of premium motorcycle helmets, however, are made of fiberglass, which enjoys greater flexibility than plastic. Its relative brittleness and tendency to crack and shatter on impact greatly enhance its shock-absorbing ability.
Basically, helmets may be divided into five distinct types: the full face helmet, the motor cross or off-road helmet, the modular or flip-flop helmet, the open face or ¾ helmet and the half helmet.
The Full Face Helmet
As the name implies, full face helmet covers the entire head to the base of the skull, and includes a section that protects the front of the chin as well. This variety is certainly the most popular of all helmets, not only because they offer the greatest protection, but also because they act as a shield against wind, rain, and dust.
Critics of the full face helmet decry the sense of isolation and the decreased hearing that it brings about. To tackle the issue of increased heat that riders using this helmet may experience, many full face helmets now have vents that allow great airflow.
The Motor Cross or Off-Road Helmet
The term ‘motor cross’ refers to a kind of off-road motor cycle racing in which the risk of injury is high and there is a good deal of physical exertion involved. This helmet is characterized by its elongated chin and visor and has a partially open face to allow an uninterrupted flow of air.
The Modular or Flip-Flop
This helmet with a moveable chin bar also goes by the name of ‘convertible’ is somewhere between a full face and an open face helmet. Many of the makes are meant to be worn only in the closed position while riding. However, when you are not actively riding, it allows you to eat, drink, or even have a chat without having to go through the bother of removing your headgear.
The Open Face or ¾ Helmet
While the open face helmet protects the ears, cheeks and back of the head, it leaves much of the face and the lower chin exposed, making these as vulnerable to injury as to wind, dust, and bugs. As a compensatory measure, riders may often be seen to wear wrap-around sunglasses or goggles. However, taking up the matter in Motorcycle Helmets, David Stroup notes that “when it comes to cruising the open road, there’s no beating an open face motorcycle helmet … Riders feel more connected to their bike and their surrounding … which could potentially decrease the risk of getting into an accident in the first place.”
The Half Helmet
This extremely lightweight headgear has been compared to a skull cap and offers the least protection of all the helmets mentioned so far. All it covers is the top of the head, while leaving the lower area of the head and the neck completely exposed. Not surprising, therefore, the half helmet is more popular with scooter-riders than the bikers. For all that, however, it is superior in terms of visibility to any other type of helmet.
Making Your Choice
The question is, with so many options before you, how do you make your choice of a helmet? Here are some points to consider:
- Does the helmet wiggle in your head? If it does, no matter how attractive it might look, it is not for you.
- Does it have sufficient ventilation? In long rides or during the summer season, ventilation will be a major concern.
- This is an obvious one: Does it fit into your budget?
- Are the required certifications at place? This could be DOT or Snell if you are in the United States, or an EEC rating if you are in Europe.
According to a systematic review undertaken as early as 2008, helmets reduce the risk of head injury by 69% and of death by about 42%. With the technological innovations in helmet-making that have taken place since then, it is highly probable that the latest statistics regarding the benefits of wearing a helmet would be even more impressive.
