Safe Motorcycle Helmets are Not Cheap, but They Can Be Inexpensive

Greg Owen

Attorney

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There is a safe way to buy an inexpensive motorcycle helmet, as long as you do your research. First, it must be made clear that wearing a helmet is, undoubtedly, the best way to prevent injury during a motorcycle crash. In fact, those that wear helmets are statistically less likely to be involved in fewer crashes, and suffer fewer injury and death if they do crash. Other myths that suggest that helmets compromise safety are also untrue. Wind noise reduction improves the ability to hear road noise, not the other way around. By protecting your eyes and face, distractions such as insects are reduced.

As for the quality of the helmet you choose, there are actually very few guidelines to follow to assure the helmet will do its job. The first is certification by either the Department of Transportation (DOT) or by the Snell Foundation.

The D.O.T. sticker on the back of a helmet assures that by Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 218, the helmet must soak up a significant amount of impact energy, prevent most penetration, and have a fastening system that will withstand significant force. The Snell certification is very similar to D.O.T. except for slightly different, yet very comprehensive testing. Both certifications, regardless of how inexpensive the helmet, provide extensive protection in a collision.

For those wondering why a helmet requires certification, it has to do with the helmet’s anatomy. More specifically, a legitimate motorcycle helmet features a expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam liner. It is that liner that, when in a crash, permanently deforms to absorb the impact. In fact, once a helmet has been involved in one collision, the EPS in the are of impact is deemed useless and the helmet must be replaced. Regardless of impact involvement, a helmet should be replaced every 5 years.

So, if you are looking for helmets according to price, at the very least be sure that they are D.O.T. or Snell certified (or both!). Snell certified helmets can be found online ranging from $110 to upwards of $700.