Buying a Motorcycle Helmet

We know there’s an undeniable appeal to cruising down the interstate on your motorcycle: the whistling wind, the adrenaline rush, the unmatched style. There’s nothing quite like it. But there are some safety issues you’ll need to be particularly wary of when being in the open air. The only thing between you and the road are the clothes on your back. You’ll want to make sure everything you wear plays a role in keeping you well protected.

The most important piece of safety equipment you’ll want to make sure you’re wearing every time you use your motorcycle, no matter where you’re going or how fast you’re traveling, is your helmet. While some parts of your bodies heal relatively quickly, your head and your face are not part of those areas. You’ll want to make sure you’re taking every precaution to keeping yourself safe.

Not to mention, in the states of New Jersey and New York, you are legally obligated to wear your helmet at all times when riding a motorcycle. Cross Country Cycle is just as dedicated to keeping you safe, so we’ve provided some good tips to help you choose the right type of helmet and how to know that it’s the right fit. Read through, and let us know if we can help you pick out the right helmet for you. We’re located in Metuchen, New Jersey, near Bergen County, New Jersey and Staten Island, New York.

Types of Motorcycle Helmets

There are many different types of motorcycle helmets on the market and they’re not all just about style. Depending on the type of riding you do, you may be more interested in one type of helmet over another. But more importantly, there are some helmets that are better suited to protect you than others. Whatever style you get, you’ll want to make sure it’s crash tested and certified by testing agencies. There are government certifications, like from the Department of Transportation (DOT) and trusted private companies like Snell.

You’ll also want to invest in a helmet that provides the appropriate amount of protection you’ll need. We don’t recommend half-helmets, as these don’t provide nearly enough protection in the event of a crash. Three-quarter helmets are better as they often extend far enough to protect the area between your ears and your neck. Our personal recommendation, though, is full-face helmets. They are usually thicker with more padding to offer you more protection and often come with face shields or some way to protect the majority of your face as well as your head. If they do not come with a face shield and only protect your mouth and jaw, we suggest buying goggles as well.

On the Road

The best way to know if your helmet works for you is to test it out on the road. Once you have a style and fit you like, take a short trip to determine how it performs. You may find the style you picked isn’t very breathable or impairs your vision in some way. Or you may find it doesn’t fit the way you thought it did. Take it back and exchange it for a new one if this is the case.

Comfort and Fit

But how do you know if your helmet is the right fit? There are some ways to test if your helmet is too big. When you try it on, move it around to see if there’s extra wiggle room and try to forcibly slip it off your head when it’s supposed to be secured. Failing these tests means you need a smaller size. Testing to see if a helmet is too small is a little more difficult sometimes. Just remember that a helmet is supposed to be snug, but not noticeably uncomfortable or painful. If it pinches anywhere or if you get a headache after your test ride, try out a bigger size.

Don’t forget that a helmet that properly protects you doesn’t have to be without style. There are lots of helmets on the market, many of them properly certified by trusted crash-testing agencies, that are also a perfect match for you and your bike’s aesthetic. Finding the right helmet can be as fun as picking out your bike’s next styling upgrade. If you want to take a look at what in-stock motorcycles we have, stop by our Metuchen, New Jersey location. We welcome all riders from the areas of Bergen County, New Jersey and Staten Island, New York.