Safety First: Motorcycle Helmets
In sports, most people know to protect themselves. They know their bodies are at risk for any number of injuries, and they take the time and money to prepare?from stretching to protective gear. However, many people take for granted normal day-to-day tasks. They forget to buckle their seatbelts in the car, and they fail to follow safety regulations and signs walking down the street. Motorcycle riders specifically must be as safe as possible'the act of riding a motorcycle itself is dangerous, let alone the risk of driving amid cars, trucks and other larger vehicles.
Motorcycle helmets are designed to protect the rider’s head during impact, preventing head injury or even death. Many helmets even provide other conveniences, such as ventilation, ear protection and face shields, conveniences that would also be missed out. Still, due to inconsistencies in motorcycle law, not all riders wear helmets'the image of freedom associated with bikes often carries over into the realm of safety, and many riders go without motorcycle helmets to retain that feeling of invincibility.
More than a Helmet
While all motorcycle helmets include certain protective qualities, such as chin straps and padding, there are differences between the four main models offered. Full face helmets are the most protective helmet. They cover the entire head with a rear piece that also covers the base of the skull. A swiveling plastic face shield is positioned on the front of the helmet, allowing access to the face, and many of these motorcycle helmets also include air vents.
The motocross or off-road helmet has an elongated chin and visor portions, a chin bar and an open face area that provides extra protection when the rider is wearing goggles. The visor helps to keep the rider’s eyes free from sunlight when he goes off jumps, and the open face area provides extra visibility for track obstacles. However, since the front is open, these motorcycles helmets are not as safe as full-face helmets?goggles may protect the eyes from dirt, but they cannot protect the entire face from impact.
The open face helmet covers the back of the skull, but it does not offer protection for the lower chin area. It also does not include a face shield. Some may come with visors, but these simply combat the sun, not accidents. Without the visor, however, riders are susceptible to bugs, dust, wind and rain. Many riders will wear sunglasses or goggles with their open face motorcycle helmets to battle the elements.
Half helmets are the least safe motorcycle helmets. They do not cover the base of the skull, and they offer no protection for the face. While they offer the minimum coverage required by law in the United States, they are a danger in and of themselves'they often shift during rides, and can even fall off during an accident.
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