Motorcycle Helmet

Sometimes when you mention you ride a "bike" some people will assume you mean a motorcycle and sometimes they're right. No matter if you ride a bike like a Schwinn or a "bike" like a Harley Davidson motorcycle, you need a helmet.

A motorcycle obviously goes much faster than a traditional bicycle and the need for protection is even greater. When choosing a motorcycle helmet, you need keep a few things in mind. Not only are you protecting your head, you're also protecting your face. A simple piece of gravel really sting or even cause an injury if it hits one of your eyes. A full face motorcycle helmet is often the best choice as it offers full protection from wind, rocks and debris and in the event of an impact - your head will be more protected.

There are motorcycle helmets that simply cover the crown of the head, much in the way that a bicycle helmet does and for someone that doesn't want the heaviness of a full face helmet on their head, neck and shoulders it's a relief. However, you're giving up a lot in a safety arena because you're leaving your eyes, nose and mouth vulnerable to debris and in the event of an impact - contact with the concrete or terrain.

Last word, never use a "used" motorcycle helmet. Helmets are good for one impact only and you can't know the full history of any helmet given to you. It could have stored on the top shelf of a closet for years and then rolled off only one time onto the floor - that impact with the floor may or may not have compromised the ability of the helmet to protect your head. Additionally, the resins and glues used to construct the helmets will break down over time so an older helmet may not fit as well nor have the ability to truly protect you. A good rule is to always go new when you're talking about a motorcycle helmet - then you know you're getting quality that will protect you while you ride.