November 18, 2021 | Posted by Rubenstein Law
The first purchase anyone should make after buying a motorcycle is a helmet. Although laws in Florida don’t require riders over 21 with at least $10,000 of bodily injury insurance to wear a helmet, they are undoubtedly the most essential piece of safety gear and reduce your chance of brain injury by 67%.
Knowing that a helmet is in your best interest is one thing; knowing which one to select out of the many makes and models is a whole other animal. Luckily, we’ve provided guidelines to ensure you choose the helmet right for you.
What to Consider When Purchasing a Motorcycle Helmet
If you’re a first-time buyer of a motorcycle helmet, you have much to consider before making your final purchase. The many factors that go into a good helmet include the following:
Safety
Safety is likely the reason you’re buying a helmet in the first place. Although other aspects like the style are significant considerations, a helmet should provide adequate protection that you’re comfortable with.
Style
Expanding on our last point, you don’t want to forgo style altogether. When you’re riding down Main Street during Daytona Bike Week, you want to feel confident in the helmet you selected. What colors do you like? Is there a particular brand you want? Do you prefer a modular, full-face, or dual-sport design?
Comfortability
Different helmet designs offer different levels of comfort. Some have increased padding, some allow more airflow, and others have visors that guard you from bugs and flying rocks. Additionally, each helmet fits differently depending on your head shape. Therefore, make sure you try it on first to ensure it fits right.
Most Common Types of Helmets & Their Benefits
There are several types of helmets, and each has its own set of benefits. Some might offer a unique quality like safety but lack another area like style or comfort. Keep your priorities in mind and find the helmet that checks everything off your list.
The following types of helmets to consider include:
Full-Face Helmets
Full-face helmets offer the benefit of safety. With the added protection around your face and chin, you can rest assured that you will have the safest option available. Another added benefit is insulation to protect you from the elements. That includes wind, rain, rocks on the road, or bugs.
The downside is the lack of airflow, creating an uncomfortable ride in warm temperatures. Additionally, riders may not enjoy the confined feeling of a full-face helmet and may find them less comfortable.
Modular Helmets
Modular or flip-up helmets have a unique design feature that enables the chin bar and visor to flip up. Riders can now have the protective benefits of a full-face helmet with the chin bar and visor, plus the benefits of an open-face helmet.
The main advantage here is the versatility of the helmet’s design. A disadvantage is that these helmets tend to weigh more and may be uncomfortable.
Open-Face Helmets
Open-face helmets offer many benefits to riders as opposed to the previous two options. First, these helmets give riders increased comfortability because of how light they are. Additionally, riders are not confined like they are with a full-face helmet and can stay cool from the wind, smile at other riders, and feel a sense of freedom when riding.
Although these helmets have more face exposure, they still offer some safety benefits like increased peripheral vision and the ability to hear oncoming cars better. The downside is that many motorcycle crashes involve contact with the chin causing devastating injuries. The open-face helmet lacks a chin bar, so bikers are more vulnerable to injury.
Dual-Sport Helmets
Dual-sport helmets offer benefits like a full-face helmet but have a larger protective visor. The unique quality of this helmet’s design is the visor’s ability to adjust to an open position. Additionally, the aerodynamic qualities of the helmet prevent the visor from flipping up unintentionally.
The main benefits of this helmet are safety and versatility. These helmets include extra padding and are designed to be used on and off the road.
Half-Helmets
Half helmets provide the least protection out of all the previous options. That is because, as the name suggests, coverage only applies to the top of your head. This helmet lets riders enjoy the freedom that doesn’t exist with a full-face design and provides increased airflow. Although these helmets offer limited protection, it is still much safer than riding without one.
A Florida Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Can Help You
With the lenient helmet laws that exist in Florida for riders over 21 with adequate insurance coverage, it is up to riders to implement their own safety standards. By following this guide, you can have the information needed to choose your new motorcycle helmet.
Contact a Florida motorcycle accident lawyer at Rubenstein Law today if you are seriously injured in an accident. We can help you pursue the max for your injuries and get you on the right path to recovering from your accident. Get your free, no-risk case review by calling us at 800-FL-LEGAL or through our contact form.
