| When it comes to choosing the right motorcycle | | | | may even impair vision. Finally, the fit of the helmet is |
| helmet the first thing to consider is safety. First, the | | | | critical to riding comfort. Either too loose or too tight |
| helmet should at least be DOT approved. Yes, those | | | | will decrease the enjoyment of your ride and isn't |
| "brain buckets" you see at bike shows with flames | | | | "fun" one of the main reasons you're riding? |
| and skulls definitely look cool. However they are not | | | | Once you have purchased a safe, comfortable |
| DOT approved and afford you no protection in the | | | | helmet it is vitally important you treat it with the |
| event of a crash. Pay a few dollars more for the | | | | proper care. Always make sure to set your helmet |
| safer, DOT approved helmet. Your life is worth it. A | | | | down on a secure surface when your bike is parked. |
| further, more stringent Snell certification is even | | | | If your helmet ever happens to fall to the pavement |
| safer. Snell Memorial Foundation has published a list of | | | | -- I'm sorry. You must discard it immediately. Once a |
| standards that must be met in order to be Snell | | | | helmet has been dropped the structural integrity is |
| certified. While it is definitely safer, it will also add | | | | compromised. You can no longer be sure the helmet |
| significantly to the cost of the helmet and is not | | | | will do its job of protecting you should you be in a |
| necessary for a perfectly safe, reliable motorcycle | | | | crash. Also, for this reason, never purchase used |
| helmet. | | | | helmets. No matter what the owner says, there |
| Fit is the next factor to pay attention to with your | | | | must be a reason he or she is selling it. |
| helmet. This is actually closely tied to safety. A | | | | These are just a few of the things to keep in mind |
| helmet that is too loose risks flying off at high | | | | when picking out your new motorcycle helmet. After |
| speeds. It also may come off during even a small | | | | all, it will become your constant riding companion and |
| impact. On the other hand, a helmet which is too | | | | will be of critical importance in the event of a crash. |
| tight causes unnecessary fatigue and headaches. In | | | | Isn't it worth it to choose wisely? |
| the case of full face helmets, one that is too tight | | | | |