Helmets
About Helmets
There is something enchanting about motorcycles. Even with all the comfort of plush seats and the air-conditioned interior of a car, riders prefer the freedom and experience of a motorcycle journey. And when you are wearing a good quality helmet, you can enjoy the trip with peace of mind.
For motorcycle riders, a helmet is their primary protection. And it protects the most vital part of a human. Travelling on a vehicle balanced on just two wheels with the head exposed is undoubtedly a bad idea. When a fall happens, the head can hit the road with force several times more than that of two football players colliding with each other. But as much as they are protective gear, you can also look for models that have additional features for riding comfort. Apart from the regular street use models, there are other kinds of helmets for sports and off-roading. This article will give you an overall understanding of the different types of helmets and what each of them is for.
Different types of helmets and their uses
Just like there are different types of motorcycles for different purposes, there are different types of helmets as well. Even though at the end of the day, all of them are for protection, some of them have extra bells and whistles in them to make them more suitable for their specific area of focus. The design of these models blends with the type of motorcycles they are meant to be used with. So, you are looking for something to protect your head, aren’t you? But before you decide on which model to purchase, it is imperative to know the pros and cons of different types of models. And depending on what you need a helmet for you can browse the categories in Shops.ae to find the right fit.
Full face motorcycle helmet
As you have guessed, it covers the entire head of a person. This is the kind of model that offers maximum protection from impact, and it is this model you should be wearing on the street. That’s why it is also called a ‘full-face street helmet’. They have a visor that you can slide up to protect the eyes from wind and dust. But as it covers the entire head, sweating is a common issue. But this can be solved by adding vents to help the sweat to evaporate and to reduce visor fogging in cold weather. For added safety, you can choose those that have high visibility colours. In the UAE, motorcycle riders are legally required to wear a full-face helmet.
Modular motorcycle helmet
Look wise, modular models are similar to the full face. Unless you look closely, it is difficult to tell a regular full-face helmet apart from the modular one. The only difference is the movable jaw and hinges. The hinge lets you slide up the chin part of the helmet and convert it into a half helmet. But because of these hinges, the modular helmet is not as strong as a full-face helmet. Hinges add another potential point of failure to the structure. But they are definitely safer than riding with ½ or ¾ helmets. These can be useful for long motorcycle journeys for which wearing a restrictive full-face helmet throughout will be cumbersome.
Off-road helmet
Athletes need features that are different from those of a regular street rider. Motocross is not at all comparable to street riding. Off-road models offer more ventilation to compensate for the sweating due to intense physical activity. They have a beak-like structure for ventilation and allow the athletes to breathe without difficulty. Unlike regular helmets, they are lightweight and do not have visors. Instead, athletes wear goggles to protect their eyes from wind, dust and UV rays. And along with these, they also wear body armour and wireless headset to help them communicate with the team. Dirt bike and motocross riders use this type of head protector during the sport, and it is therefore called cross helmets .
Dual sport helmet
When you take an off-road helmet and modify it to be street legal, you get the dual-sport helmet. They have a similar design to that of off-road gear but have visors and more interior padding to provide comfort. Visors on these models are larger than that of a regular full-face helmet. Visors help the street riders avoid wearing goggles that will be uncomfortable to wear for a long time. But it is possible to pop the visor off when you are going for off-road driving. Technically, dual-sport can be used for both off-roading and street use. But most young people use these for regular rides for their sporty look and better aerodynamics.
Tips on how to buy Helmets
Before you hit the road with your motorcycle, make sure to wear a good piece of protection around your head. It is not enough to wear a helmet. The helmet should be comfortable and safe. Wearing a poor-quality helmet can make things worse as it will offer a false aura of protection. Here are the things to look for when you buy a new helmet.
- Weight of the helmet – The weight of a typical helmet can be anywhere between 1 and 2 kilograms. You have to look for models that have the minimum weight and still offer good protection. When the fit is right, the weight will spread evenly over the head, and you won’t feel the effect of it as much.
- Comfort – These days, helmets offer a range of features to ensure the comfort of the rider. Look for models that provide proper ventilation, protection from UV rays, and comfortable padding. Some even have space for Bluetooth headsets to let you answer phone calls without removing taking off the helmet.
- Safety certification – In the UAE, you should only use a motorcycle helmet that has ISO certification for safety. This certification takes into account the impact resistance of the helmet and how well it protects the wearer in case of falls from a moving motorcycle.
- Helmet material – You will come across head protectors made of polycarbonate, fibreglass composite, carbon fibre, etc., in the market. Each of them has different pros and cons. Polycarbonate is the least expensive and carbon fibre is the most expensive material of them all.
When you are wearing the helmet, secure it on your head using straps. Otherwise, it can fall off and leave your head exposed to injuries. And if you are riding for long hours, take off your helmet and rest for some time to cool off the heat and let the sweat evaporate. Finally, don’t forget to check out all the other amazing products from the car supplies category.
Question & Answer
Can a helmet cause hair fall?
It is true that prolonged use of helmets can cause an increase in the rate of hair loss in men. There are a few reasons for this. When the helmet sits on top of the head, it will move slightly along with the jerking of the motorcycle. The helmet will pull the hair along with it due to friction. When this happens for a long time, hair loss its anchoring in the scalp. Another important reason is the sweating due to the lack of movement of air. This is an ideal condition for bacteria to grow on the scalp. Thus an unhealthy and malnourished scalp accelerates hair loss.
Which helmet is best?
There is no single helmet that is best for all situations. Rather you should pick one that is best for whatever that you are doing. For regular stress rides, full-face helmets are always the best. They are much safer and more comfortable for short rides. But if you are going for a long road trip, a modular one will let you ride with the chin part up when you are feeling too hot. For sports, a cross helmet is the best. They provide enough ventilation to protect the athletes from getting heat strokes but yet provide decent protection.
Why is a helmet compulsory?
The majority of the fatality from motorcycle accidents is due to head injuries. And even if a head injury didn’t lead to death, it can have a lasting negative impact on the individual’s quality of life. Helmets have proven to reduce head injuries to a great extent. Wearing a helmet is a simple and cost-effective way to protect motorcycle riders. In most cases, these are the only protection a motorcycle rider has. And also, an increase in the number of fatal accidents will result in an increase in the insurance premium for motorcycle riders in general. So, wearing a helmet is always a win-win solution.
Where can I buy helmets online in the UAE?
They can buy a motorcycle helmet from any decent accessory shop. You might need to go to a few shops before you find the right one, though. But you can find a cheap motorcycle helmet with a simple search and avoid the hassle of going down to a physical store. This way, you can access a wide selection of helmets using the largest product search engine in the UAE. Explore more than 500+ shops offering them here on Shops.ae including brands like Harley Davidson, Predator, Airoh, Sol, Fox, Simpson, Icon Airflite, and Shoei. Here you can find items like jet helmets , pilot helmet s, system helmets and more.