People who ride motorcycles have differing opinions on wearing a helmet. Without getting into the big debate over whether we should be required by law to wear a helmet or the merits of existing helmet laws, let's look at some good reasons to wear one (My wife doesn't like to wear a helmet because she doesn't want her hair messed up!).
Some people would say that a helmet is the most important piece of safety gear you can wear and there are some good practical reasons for wearing a helmet as well. Accidents are going to happen. We may be the most careful and safe riders out on the road but that doesn't mean that everyone else is going to be as safe or careful as we are. Sometimes, even as the most careful riders, we do some bone headed things ourselves!
Some good reasons to wear a helmet are:
- Helmets cut down on ambient wind noise which allows you to hear other sounds around you much better. (This is true unless of course unless your bike is outfitted with pipes that make wind noise a moot point. )
- Helmets can reduce fatigue from the wind which will keep you more alert.
- Wearing a helmet with a visor, allows you to see better and also keeps you from being too distracted when insects, rocks, rain, dirt, debris or the occasional small bird hit your face. After having taken several large insects to the face at 60 mph, I much prefer that insects and such impact my visor. (Why is it that insects almost always seem to impact right at eye level, almost like they're aiming at you?)
- Wearing a bright-colored helmet can help other drivers to see you better especially if they're not looking for you.
- Wearing a helmet will protect your head upon contact with the pavement. Nothing like bouncing your head off the pavement after coming off your bike to appreciate the safety features built into today's helmets. I walked away from a nasty head on collision with a truck at 60+ mph with nothing more than a slight headache, some bruises and soreness. My helmet had a nice scuff on the side of it where my head bounced off the concrete. Without it, I'd probably be dead.
These are just a few reasons both practical and safety related, for wearing a helmet. Whether or not you agree with wearing one is up to you.
http://www.thehelmetfolks.com/
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
How Often Should I Replace my Helmet and Why?
A helmet should be replaced about once every 5 years if it's been properly taken care of and hasn't been involved in an accident or some other impact. Helmets are made of materials which begin to deteriorate with age which gives them a limited life span. Just dropping your helmet from waist height onto a concrete floor could compromise some of the materials used in the construction of your helmet liner so take care not to carelessly drop your helmet or accidently knock it off your bike. If your helmet HAS been involved in an accident or some other first time impact, all of the safety features are compromised once the helmet has become distressed in some way.
The interior liner will start to deteriorate once it comes in contact with hair oils, body oils or fluids (sweat) and/or cosmetics. Glues, resins, and other materials that are used in the construction of the helmet will eventually break down which will affect the interior liner of your helmet and compromise it's protective qualities.
In order to make sure the protective qualities of your helmet last as long as possible, ensure you take care of it by cleaning the interior liner and keeping it in a safe place free from accidental falls and knocks when not on your head.
http://www.thehelmetfolks.com/
The interior liner will start to deteriorate once it comes in contact with hair oils, body oils or fluids (sweat) and/or cosmetics. Glues, resins, and other materials that are used in the construction of the helmet will eventually break down which will affect the interior liner of your helmet and compromise it's protective qualities.
In order to make sure the protective qualities of your helmet last as long as possible, ensure you take care of it by cleaning the interior liner and keeping it in a safe place free from accidental falls and knocks when not on your head.
http://www.thehelmetfolks.com/
What Does DOT & SNELL Certified Mean and What's the Difference?
The Department of Transportation (DOT) which is a branch of the United States Government, that ensures all vehicles are as safe as possible and all riders and passengers are safe when riding in them.
When a helmet is DOT certified, it simply means that the Department of Transportation requires the helmet to be able to: absorb a certain amount of energy upon impact, prevent most helmet penetrations, and have a fastener which can withstand a lot of force. The manufacturer is responsible for testing the helmet to ensure it meets the DOT standard. If the helmet passes the tests and meets the standard, the manufacturer may then affix the DOT sticker to the helmet.
SNELL Certification is named after William "Pete" Snell who was an amateur auto racer killed in a racing event in 1956 when his then state-of-the-art helmet failed in a crash. His friends, which included Dr. George Snively, formed the Snell Memorial Foundation to remember Pete Snell and to encourage the development and use of helmets that will truly protect the wearer.
The SNELL testing lab is a private facility located in North Highlands, California, and has one of the most advanced helmet testing labs in the world. Some of the tests conducted in their state-of-the-art lab are: an impact test, a shell penetration test, a faceshield penetration test and a flame resistance test. SNELL Standards are updated about every five years in order to take advantage research development and technical improvements and provide the highest degree of safety to consumers. SNELL standards are significantly higher than those set by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), the American Society of Testing Materials (ASTM) and the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission's 16 CFR Part 1203.
The long and short of it is, DOT Certification means the helmet passes the minimum safety standard as set by the Department of Transportation whereas SNELL Certification means the helmet meets a higher more rigorous standard and will provide better protection.
http://www.thehelmetfolks.com
When a helmet is DOT certified, it simply means that the Department of Transportation requires the helmet to be able to: absorb a certain amount of energy upon impact, prevent most helmet penetrations, and have a fastener which can withstand a lot of force. The manufacturer is responsible for testing the helmet to ensure it meets the DOT standard. If the helmet passes the tests and meets the standard, the manufacturer may then affix the DOT sticker to the helmet.
SNELL Certification is named after William "Pete" Snell who was an amateur auto racer killed in a racing event in 1956 when his then state-of-the-art helmet failed in a crash. His friends, which included Dr. George Snively, formed the Snell Memorial Foundation to remember Pete Snell and to encourage the development and use of helmets that will truly protect the wearer.
The SNELL testing lab is a private facility located in North Highlands, California, and has one of the most advanced helmet testing labs in the world. Some of the tests conducted in their state-of-the-art lab are: an impact test, a shell penetration test, a faceshield penetration test and a flame resistance test. SNELL Standards are updated about every five years in order to take advantage research development and technical improvements and provide the highest degree of safety to consumers. SNELL standards are significantly higher than those set by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), the American Society of Testing Materials (ASTM) and the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission's 16 CFR Part 1203.
The long and short of it is, DOT Certification means the helmet passes the minimum safety standard as set by the Department of Transportation whereas SNELL Certification means the helmet meets a higher more rigorous standard and will provide better protection.
http://www.thehelmetfolks.com
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
What equipment do I need for Motocross?
MotoCross is probably the most dangerous type of riding you'll do on a motorcycle. This means you'll need the proper equipment to ensure your safety in the event of a crash or fall.
Besides having a good motocross helmet, there are three other pieces of equipment that are essential for the die-hard MotoCross rider.
1. Goggles: Since MotoCross involves a lot of dirt, rocks and debris, the rider who doesn't wear the proper eye protection puts his/her eyes at serious risk. There are a lot of different styles of goggles out on the market today but the features that you'll certainly want to look for in a pair of goggles are correct fit (either with glasses or without), sweat-absorbing material, glare protection, and non-vented vs. vented (to prevent fogging).
2. Gloves: MotoCross riding frequently involves close contact with the track. Because of this, if a rider doesn't wear gloves, he/she is putting their hands at serious risk. A few features to look for in finding the right type of gloves are a material which is tough yet still flexible and a mesh material that allows the hands to breathe.
3. Chest Protectors: This piece of MotoCross equipment is probably the most expensive but is well worth the investment for the rider who wears it. When looking for a good chest protector, consider purchasing one that has full torso, back, shoulder, elbow and kidney protection.
http://www.thehelmetfolks.com
Besides having a good motocross helmet, there are three other pieces of equipment that are essential for the die-hard MotoCross rider.
1. Goggles: Since MotoCross involves a lot of dirt, rocks and debris, the rider who doesn't wear the proper eye protection puts his/her eyes at serious risk. There are a lot of different styles of goggles out on the market today but the features that you'll certainly want to look for in a pair of goggles are correct fit (either with glasses or without), sweat-absorbing material, glare protection, and non-vented vs. vented (to prevent fogging).
2. Gloves: MotoCross riding frequently involves close contact with the track. Because of this, if a rider doesn't wear gloves, he/she is putting their hands at serious risk. A few features to look for in finding the right type of gloves are a material which is tough yet still flexible and a mesh material that allows the hands to breathe.
3. Chest Protectors: This piece of MotoCross equipment is probably the most expensive but is well worth the investment for the rider who wears it. When looking for a good chest protector, consider purchasing one that has full torso, back, shoulder, elbow and kidney protection.
http://www.thehelmetfolks.com
Monday, January 12, 2009
How should I clean my motorcycle helmet?
There are plenty of us who love to ride our motorcycles and ATVs but after a while, our motorcycle helmets are bound to get a little smelly from sweat and dirt. You may look at your helmet and say, "How in the world do I clean this thing so I can enjoy riding again?" It's simple. Just clean these three important parts of your motorcycle helmet:
1. Comfort Liner: If the comfort liner is removable, it should be cleaned only by hand in cool water with a neutral cleaning agent or in the washing machine by placing the liner in a washing net. If the comfort liner is not removable, simply wipe with a damp cloth using a neutral cleaning agent. When this is complete, allow the comfort liner to air dry.
2. EPS Liner: Since the EPS liner is neither solvent or heat proof, it should only be cleaned by using a damp cloth.
3. Plastic Parts: All plastic parts of the motorcycle helmet should never be cleaned with anything containing solvents or anything with acid or alkaline based corrosive cleaning agents since these will deteriorate and weaken the plastic over time. Simply clean the plastic parts with a cool, damp cloth.
Finally, if you wish to make the outside of the helmet shine like new, simply use automotive wax.
http://www.thehelmetfolks.com
1. Comfort Liner: If the comfort liner is removable, it should be cleaned only by hand in cool water with a neutral cleaning agent or in the washing machine by placing the liner in a washing net. If the comfort liner is not removable, simply wipe with a damp cloth using a neutral cleaning agent. When this is complete, allow the comfort liner to air dry.
2. EPS Liner: Since the EPS liner is neither solvent or heat proof, it should only be cleaned by using a damp cloth.
3. Plastic Parts: All plastic parts of the motorcycle helmet should never be cleaned with anything containing solvents or anything with acid or alkaline based corrosive cleaning agents since these will deteriorate and weaken the plastic over time. Simply clean the plastic parts with a cool, damp cloth.
Finally, if you wish to make the outside of the helmet shine like new, simply use automotive wax.
http://www.thehelmetfolks.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)