Choosing a Motorcycle Helmet

An accident can happen anytime. Motorcycles are just as susceptible as cars to collisions and other road disasters, but the difference is that motorcycles don’t provide the same safety features as automobiles. Where bumpers, crumple zones, and airbags make small crashes safer in a car, bikers are completely exposed when they encounter any type of accident. Because of this danger, you need to be sure you’re set up with a good helmet to protect your head — the most vulnerable part on your body. At Bartel’s Harley-Davidson®, we care about your safety on the road, so we want to tell you about the different kinds of helmets you can use to safely ride the streets. If you don’t already have one, make sure to come into our dealership for a new helmet. We serve riders from Marina Del Rey, Malibu, and Santa Monica, California.

The Full Face Helmet

If you intend to do intense, short-distance riding, a full face helmet is the only way to ensure your entire head gets maximum protection. There are plenty of styles out there, but no matter which model you get, they all have a visor and a chin guard, so they completely cover your face as well. They also come with a face mask, which means you won’t have to buy goggles or glasses to cover your eyes. However, these helmets can get very hot inside, so make sure you get one that’s ventilated. We also don’t recommend this type of headgear for cross-country trips, as their weight puts a lot of stress on your neck, back, and shoulders over long rides.

The Open Face Helmet

For not quite as much protection but much better ventilation, the open face helmet (also called a three-quarters helmet) is a nice compromise between the full face and the half helmet. This helmet wraps around your ears and completely covers the back of your head, but it’s not designed with a chin bar or a full visor like the full face models. Some of these helmets include a small visor to protect your eyes, but you should still consider wearing sunglasses or goggles to guard from debris that slips underneath.

The Modular Helmet

Modular helmets combine the convenience of an open face with the full face’s protection. They feature a detachable chin bar that can be lifted, which means you can get a drink of water or have a conversation without having to completely take off your helmet.

The Half Helmet

Finally, touring enthusiasts and long-distance cruisers should use headgear that maximizes comfort, so a half helmet might be your best choice. Sure, you might want the extra protection from an open face or even full face design, but if you can’t comfortably ride with the extra weight on your neck, we recommend the half helmet. This type of helmet only covers the top of your head, essentially like a construction hat. Because it’s so small, it offers maximum ventilation, and it’s easy to wear. However, we recommend driving slower and never taking risks when wearing this type of gear. It doesn’t protect nearly as well as heftier helmets, so exercise extreme caution when you have such little coverage on your head.

No matter what kind of helmet you decide to get, make sure you buy one that fits snug and comfortably. Don’t risk your life by settling for a helmet that doesn’t quite fit, and also make sure you don’t get on the road until you have the helmet on your head. We want you to stay safe, so stop by Bartel’s Harley Davidson in Marina Del Rey to get suited up with the right helmet for you. We serve customers from Malibu and Santa Monica, California.