What is the most essential piece of gear you own as a motorcycle rider? Your helmet is critical to your safety when the unthinkable occurs, and you’re involved in an accident. Because of this, knowing when to replace your helmet and the best style for your riding needs is crucial. As your trusted motorcycle dealer near San Jose, we’re here to share our experience with a closer look at helmets, replacement guidelines, and the latest models from world-renowned brands like Shoei, Arai, and HJC.
Protecting Your Head: Helmet Facts
Helmets are crucial to protecting your head as you chase the horizon. While some riders argue that helmets are confining and limit their visibility or that they don’t ride far enough to warrant a helmet, the argument is null. Modern helmets are designed for optimal comfort and protection without impeding your field of vision. Moreover, wearing a helmet can mean the difference between life and death.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration confirms as much, estimating that helmets are 37% effective in preventing rider fatalities and 41% effective in preventing passenger fatalities. Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety paint a broader picture. The organization reports that motorcycle helmets reduce the risk of death by 42% and head injury by 69%, the leading cause of death and disability among motorcyclists in the United States.
Getting the Most Protection: The Impact and Five-Year Rules
Your motorcycle helmet only works its best when it’s in excellent condition and structurally sound. In other words, your helmet needs to be well cared for and routinely replaced. Why?
Helmet materials naturally degrade over time, from UV exposure to everyday wear and tear. This degradation takes a toll on the helmet’s composition, which is why many manufacturers encourage riders to follow the five-year rule for replacement. This means replacing your helmet every five years from the date of purchase.
Aside from the “Five-Year Rule,” safety organizations and helmet manufacturers are adamant that riders should replace their helmets after an impact. Your helmet shields your head from an impact and, depending on the severity of the crash, might be physically cracked or damaged. In other instances, the damage may not be visible. Regardless, the helmet’s structural integrity has been compromised, making it crucial to replace it before your next ride.
Let’s Talk Replacements: Finding the Right Helmet
Shopping for a motorcycle helmet can be daunting because there are so many different brands and styles. This variety reflects the reality that every head is uniquely shaped, meaning helmets aren’t one-size-fits-all. Instead, finding the right helmet starts by looking at the shape and size of your head, your riding style, and your budget.
Sizing and Fit
Finding the perfect helmet means spending time trying on various options. You can easily measure your head to determine the size, but each helmet fits differently. Ideally, your helmet should be snug, putting a modest amount of pressure around your head without causing any discomfort. Likewise, moving your head around should not affect the helmet or its fit.
Safety Ratings
As you shop for a helmet, look for its safety ratings. While the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration doesn’t certify helmets, the Department of Transportation and other organizations, like the Snell Memorial Foundation, do. All helmets sold in the United States must meet the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard, which earns the helmet a DOT label that confirms it’s been tested.
While the DOT safety certification is crucial, many riders also look for the Snell certification. The Snell Memorial Foundation is a nonprofit organization known for its extensive helmet testing. The organization’s testing process is more comprehensive than that of the Department of Transportation and is entirely voluntary, meaning manufacturers who willingly submit their helmets to the organization stand behind their products and work diligently to build the best and safest helmets.
Our extensive helmet selection is all DOT-certified, and many have the Snell certification. However, we know that many riders start shopping for and exploring their helmet options online before visiting our showroom. As you do, be aware of novelty helmets that look like traditional motorcycle helmets but don’t offer the same level of protection or quality materials. Unfortunately, these helmets are misleading because some feature fake certification labels meant to deceive potential buyers. Because of our experience as riders and our customer-centric approach, you can rely on us to verify a helmet’s certification, quality, and fit before your purchase.
Helmet Styles: Options from the World’s Leading Brands
One of the most rewarding parts of shopping for a motorcycle helmet is trying various styles from brands like Shoei, Arai, and HJC. These helmet manufacturers are renowned for their commitment to quality and rider safety. What can you expect in terms of styling and features? How can you find the perfect helmet to complement your next ride around San Jose?
Full-Face Helmets
Full-face helmets offer outstanding protection by encompassing your head and jawline. Aerodynamically designed, a full-face helmet provides plenty of ventilation for all-season comfort. Moreover, manufacturers like Shoei, HJC, and Arai have fun with the designs, offering an extensive color palette and patterns to showcase your style. You’ll find bold patterns from Shoei models like the GT-Air, X-Fifteen, and RF 1400 families. HJC models like the F71, i71, i10, and F71 Carbon are just as impressive and share the segment with Arai best-sellers like the Corsair-X and Contour-X. Notably, most of these helmets are Snell-certified.
Modular Helmets
Many San Jose riders turn to modular helmets because they offer more flexibility. With a simple flip, you can transform the full-face helmet into an open-face design that provides better airflow. This also makes the helmet easier to put on and take off, especially for those who wear glasses. HJC’s modular helmets include models like the i100, i91, i80, and C91, each showcasing the manufacturer’s commitment to quality and rider safety. Options from the Shoei Neotec lineup are also impressive, offering various price points and features that cater to your riding needs and preferences.
Open Face Helmets
It’s impossible to ignore the classic styling of an open-face helmet. Retro-inspired, these helmets are easily recognizable because they don’t have a chin guard. This design offers less protection than a full-face or modular helmet and increases wind noise, which can affect your comfort on longer rides. Regardless, many riders love the design and enjoy modern options like the RJ Platinum from Shoei and retro options like Arai’s Classic-V. HJC also has several options, including the sleek IS-Cruiser, V31 Carbon, and i31.
It’s Time to Ride
Where will your next ride take you? Will it add excitement to your weekday commute or take you beyond the San Jose city limits? Wherever your destination, getting there safely starts with a helmet.
As experienced riders, we share your passion for experiencing life on two wheels, and we recognize the importance of owning and wearing a helmet. Our showroom is home to an extensive selection of motorcycles and riding gear, including helmets from leading brands like HJC, Shoei, and Arai. Moreover, we are glad to use our expertise to help you find a helmet that fits perfectly and matches your riding style, whether you’re looking for a retro-inspired open-face helmet or full-face protection. Either way, you can trust us to have a vast selection of safety-certified helmets that will add confidence to every adventure behind the handlebars.
