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Motorcycle helmet guide - What you should know about it

You want to buy a new motorcycle helmet? Then you should inform yourself in detail about when and in particular which motorcycle helmet you need, which conditions it must fulfil, what you should look out for when buying it and how you should look after it, so that it gives you pleasure for a long time, but in particular the best possible level of safety.

1. Regulations - Helmet obligation & permissibility of motorcycle helmets

The helmet obligation is a legal regulation and is regulated according to paragraph §21a StVO. Since 1976, this has applied to drivers and passengers of motorcycles and three-wheeled and multi-wheeled motor vehicles that are not equipped with seat belts.
Since 1978 this law applies to all motorised two-wheelers (motorcycle, moped, mokick) which have a permissible speed of more than 20 kilometres per hour. Since 1985 this also applies to the driving of mopeds.

If you or your pillion passenger participate in road traffic without wearing a motorcycle helmet, you can expect a fine. This also applies to pillion riders sitting in a sidecar. The amount is 15 euros (2016 catalogue of fines).

Approved motorcycle helmets include all models with an ECE stamp. This seal means that the helmet has been tested in accordance with a standardised regulation in Europe and therefore complies with the legal requirements for use in public road traffic. The most recent version currently in circulation has the ECE-R 22.05 seal. According to this test, motorcycle helmets have to meet certain conditions in terms of shock absorption, dimensional stability as well as tear resistance of a chin strap and minimum requirements for a visor, if present. Motorcycle helmets are only permitted with the ECE seal and must offer protection for the ears, forehead and neck. If they do not meet these conditions, they are not permitted for public road traffic. However, according to §21a STvO, there is an exception which states that the motorcycle helmet is also permissible without an ECE test, provided it is to be regarded as a safety helmet in terms of its design.

Deviating from § 21a paragraph 2 [...] motorcycle safety helmets which are not of officially approved design may be used.


2. Construction and components of the motorcycle helmet

A motorcycle helmet that is approved for road traffic must have a prescribed construction. In principle, this consists of a damping shell and impact-resistant outer shell as well as a chin strap with corresponding fastener and chin impact protection.

As a rule, the visor of a modern motorcycle helmet is made of polycarbonate. This is a transparent plastic that has the properties of impact resistance and UV radiation resistance and does not splinter in the event of an impact, so that the visor cannot injure your face in the event of an accident.

Motorcycle goggles
However, a visor is not mandatory on your motorcycle helmet, but if you choose to wear a helmet without a visor, it is recommended that you wear motorcycle goggles to protect your eyes from the driving air and flying insects.

The basis for a motorcycle helmet is made of plastics, which are currently divided into two groups. Thermoplastic hel mets include ABS, polycarbonate or polyamide, which are manufactured via an injection molding process.
On the other hand, motorcycle helmets made of thermosets and composites are offered, with which the plastic is reinforced by certain fibrous materials. These include glass, carbon, polyethylene and aramid fibers. The inside of the helmet is usually made of foamed polystyrene, which absorbs energy and acts as a cushion in the event of head impacts.


3. Helmet types

Integral helmet
The full-face hel met is a full-face helmet version in which the entire head is surrounded by the helmet and equipped with a fixed chin section. It is currently considered the safest type of head protection.

With a so-called flip-up hel met, the chin section including the visor can be pushed up onto the top of the head. This offers you the comfort, especially if you wear glasses, that you can keep your glasses on when you put on or take off your flip-up helmet, as would be necessary with a full-face helmet, for example.

A pinlock helmet has an integrated so-called pinlock visor, which has another plastic screen in addition to the main visor. Normally, this is a special type of full-face helmet that can be worn throughout the year. The second visor keeps the cold wind outside more and reduces the risk of fogging. You can also fit a tinted second visor, which you can fold down if necessary when the sun or the road surface is blinding.

Enduro and motocross helmets also have a fixed chin section, which, however, extends far forward compared to a full-face helmet. As a rule, an enduro or motocross helmet does not have a visor. To protect your eyes, you wear special cross goggles, which are available in a wide variety of designs.
Enduro and motocross helmet
Jet helmet
A jet hel met is a type of helmet without a special chin guard. The jet helmet usually has a deep-drawn visor that reaches up to the chin and covers the entire face. Jet helmets are also called 3/4 helmets or half shell helmets. However, these are only permitted if the forehead as well as the ears and neck are covered.
In addition, so-called braincaps are also offered, which only provide protection above the ears and neck and also do not cover the forehead over a large area.
Braincap

4. Motorcycle helmet manufacturers

Nationally and internationally, there are numerous motorcycle helmet manufacturers that offer helmets approved for road use, such as:

Abus Probiker
Arai Romans
AVG Schuberth
BMW Scorpion
Caberg Shark
Cratoni Shoei
HJC Swing
Nexo Uvex
Nolan  

5. Developments of the last years

In recent years, motorcycle helmets have also made immense progress in terms of materials, properties and protection.

For example, new materials such as carbon have been used, which has a much higher impact resistance and makes helmets noticeably lighter. Helmets made of polycarbonate are now extremely resistant to dehydration and have a higher scratch resistance as well as resistance due to additional layers of clear lacquer. Where once only conventional plastic determined the visor standard and this could at most be replaced by tinted or mirrored visors, the market today offers significantly more in terms of glare and vision protection thanks to advanced development technology.

In addition, the insulating properties have been improved, which is noticeable in the wearing comfort and the reduction of the noise level, but in particular the impact energy in the event of a head impact can be absorbed many times better. The aerodynamics have also been improved, so that the air pressure is minimised, especially at high speeds, and your neck muscles do not have to work as hard against it.


6. Tests of motorcycle helmets

Numerous test institutions, such as Stiftung Warentest, regularly carry out in-depth tests of motorcycle helmets. A testing service recognized in Europe distributes the ECE seal required for participation in road traffic. But international testing institutions also take a close look at motorcycle helmets from the respective manufacturing country.

Various motorcycle helmets were currently tested via Bussgeldkatalog.org. The 2016 test winner is the HJC IS-17 full-face helmet. The Shark "Raw Blank Mat" came out on top among the jet helmets with the test grade "Good", ahead of the Stark IA Street and the Nexo "Rider 2", while among the flip-up helmets the Caberg Duke emerged as the price winner with the test grade "Good".


7. What should be considered when buying a helmet?

The most basic thing to look for when buying a motorcycle helmet is the ECE certification, which guarantees road approval. The individual criteria for buying a motorcycle helmet vary in part depending on the type of motorcycle helmet. In general, you should pay attention to a low weight for the best possible wearing comfort. A low resistance relaxes the neck area, especially at high speeds.

A special criterion is the right size of the helmet. This must be selected explicitly for your head size. The motorcycle helmet must not pinch, as this can lead to headaches during longer motorcycle rides. A motorcycle helmet that is too large cannot optimally enclose your head. As a result, even at low speeds, the air pressure pushes the helmet backwards, which not only greatly reduces wearing comfort, but can also jeopardize the safe protection of the forehead and neck area.

When buying a helmet, you should put design behind the safety-relevant factors, because a fancy helmet will not save your life in an emergency.
Your health should be worth it to you to buy a high-quality motorcycle helmet, which can differ noticeably in price from inexpensive products. Depending on the type of helmet, you should expect prices starting at 200 euros for a helmet with a closed chin front. Helmets without a fixed ch in-front are already available in relatively good quality from 50 euros.

Helmet without fixed chin frontHelmet without fixed chin

Helmet with closed chin frontHelmet with closed chin front


8. Determining the right helmet size

You can try out different helmet sizes in a local shop to determine the optimum size. If the helmet does not pinch anywhere, does not slip on your head and you can insert two fingers between the edge of the helmet and your forehead, you have found the optimum size for you.

When buying online, you need an exact measurement of the circumference of your head. You can get this by running a measuring tape horizontally around your head over the thickest parts above the ears.

If, contrary to expectations, your new motorcycle helmet does pinch a little after you have bought it, this will usually ease after you have worn it several times, as the padding inside the helmet adapts to the shape of your head over time and a new helmet usually still expands a little. Adapting to the shape of your head is also a reason why you should never lend out your helmet or buy a used helmet. After a certain period of wearing, your new motorcycle helmet will fit like a glove and offer you a perfect fit.
If the pressure of the helmet doesn't take care of itself, you can press the Styrofoam inside a little where the helmet presses.


9. Cleaning & care of the motorcycle helmet

Usually, when cleaning a motorcycle helmet, chemical cleaning agents are not used and only a damp cloth is used to clean the outer shell and the fixed chin front. Since chemical cleaning agents often contain solvents, you run the risk of damaging and porousing the helmet shell when it comes into contact with the material, which results in the material losing its impact resistance.

Visor and helmet wipes for cleaning
Special cleaning agents for motorcycle helmets are available from specialist dealers, which reliably clean even stubborn dirt without causing damage to the material.
The inner lining of most motorcycle helmets can be removed and easily cleaned of dirt and sweat by hand or in a washing machine.
Helmet cleaner for helmet pads

You should regularly care for areas made of leather or imitation leather. Special products are also available from motorcycle dealers for this purpose, which ensure that these materials remain supple in the long term and do not cause any unpleasant friction.


10. Service life of helmets

Basically, you should buy a new helmet if your old helmet has been exposed to a blow. This does not necessarily mean an accident with a head impact, but in some cases it is sufficient if the helmet falls from a certain height. This can cause tiny hairline cracks in the shell material, which ensure that the best possible safety protection is no longer provided in the event of an accident.
Furthermore, a new motorcycle helmet becomes necessary if the shape of your head changes, for example due to weight loss or weight gain.

If there is no accident and the head size remains the same, thermoset and composite helmets should be replaced every eight years at the latest.

Helmets without thermoplastics and an additional layer of paint become brittle more quickly and therefore lose their protective effect more quickly. For this reason, you should replace this helmet with a new one after five years at the latest.

Another feature that makes it necessary to buy a new motorcycle helmet is a decrease in the insulating material inside the helmet. If this gives way too much, decomposes and loses its shape, so that the optimal fit is no longer given, a new purchase is also recommended here.


11. Correct disposal of the motorcycle helmet

In principle, you can dispose of your worn-out motorcycle helmet in the residual waste, but this is less advisable, as anyone can see it there and possibly take it for further wear. Not all damage to a helmet is visible to the naked eye and can pose a highly life-threatening risk to unknowing third parties if your old helmet continues to be used. The worn-out helmet is accepted for disposal at any recycling centre.
You can also ask a motorcycle helmet dealer if you can leave your old helmet there. Usually, they will take care of the disposal for you if you buy your new helmet there.

Image source: https://stocksnap.io/photo/6F4302CB15Skitter Photo


Sources:
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helmpflicht https://www.adac.de/infotestrat/motorrad-roller/helm-bekleidung/motorradhelme/default.aspx?ComponentId=39283&SourcePageId=39630 https://www.bussgeldkatalog.org/sicherheit/ https://testsieger.bussgeldkatalog.org/motorradhelm/ http://www.motorradonline.de/lexikon/helmkauf-mass-nehmen/41256 http://www.wie-entsorge-ich-was.de/muellarten/sperrmuell/sperrmuell-entsorgt/

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