HJC Helmets Forum

By this point it is obvious why helmets are recommended, if not mandated while riding. In addition to wearing a helmet, there are other articles of clothing or accessories that are both safe and practical. Over the next few days we’ll discuss these.

Motorcycle Gloves are one of the most important accessories for riders. In addition to protecting the hands in case of an accident, they also protect the hands from road debris and weather conditions.

Gloves come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors. There are also a few different options based on your normal riding conditions. Ventilated gloves will offer some air flow for hot or steamy weather. Water resistant gloves protect against light rain, puddles, etc. Rain gloves are available to wear over riding gloves and most are completely water proof.

When purchasing gloves, look for ones that have a metal or plastic barrier over the knuckles and Kevlar, metal or heavy padding for the palm. It’s important to purchase a glove that will not only look good and protect from weather, but ultimately one that will protect your hands in case of an accident.

-Julie

Now, we know that not all helmets are made the same. There are already so many things to consider when purchasing a helmet, but let’s add more to the list: air vents.

It’s pretty obvious that vents on a helmet are there to keep you cool during your rides and offer fresh air. But is there really a difference in air vents? In some cases, yes. For the most part, it’s going to be hard to judge the effectiveness of air vents on a helmet if you’re not actually riding or in a wind tunnel, but there are some things you can look for.

Most effective in directing air flow are vents located on the chin bar, top and exhaust of the helmet. These areas will offer the most fresh air in your helmet. If there are other vents, make sure that they have a direct path to your face or head. An air vent that directs air too far up or down may be useless. Also, make sure that the air vents are simple enough to open and close with gloves on.

While there is a lot to consider when buying a helmet, finding the perfect helmet is well worth the trouble.

-Julie

As mentioned in a previous post, there are a variety of visors available for almost every helmet. In addition to quality, riders also have to decide on color and tint. Some of the most popular are clear, light smoke, silver mirror, blue mirror, chrome, and black. While personal preference will play a large part in which visor you purchase, there are some important things to keep in mind.

Tinted visors are by far the best in cutting glare and giving riders the greatest visibility, though there are some obvious drawbacks. Tinted visors don’t work well at night, as they are usually too dark and definitely not very safe. Changing visors daily for weather conditions, while simple, may not be the most convenient thing either.

Riders who wear sunglasses may be able to avoid this dilemma, but for the rest, a Polar Optics lens or something similar may be the answer. A Polar Optics lens goes over the visor and can easily be removed when necessary.

If you are thinking of buying a new visor, it may be a good idea to play with a few in the store. See how they look during the daylight, during cloudy weather, and in the night. Though this may require three (or more) separate trips to the store, it saves buying a visor that doesn’t meet all of your needs.

Also important to consider is how the visor will fit with your helmet. Seems obvious, but make sure to take your helmet to the store with you if buying a replacement visor. A visor that is anti-fog treated will help improve visibility and should be a factor in your decision making.

-Julie

There are many different face shield options available to riders, though not all offer the same protection and safety. Here are a few quick tips for choosing a face shield.

Plastic face shields are preferred, as they will give you greater protection on the road. Some riders also wear goggles to protect their eyes, especially if riding with the face shield open. When choosing the perfect face shield, there are a few things to look for: two toned, UV treated, double lens, replaceable, interchangeable, and optically correct.

A two toned shield is good for both day and night riding as it offers different visibility options. A gradual tint face shield is also a good buy. UV treated shields will protect your face from harmful rays. A shield with a double lens will help to prevent against scratches. Having a helmet/face shield that is interchangeable and replaceable will allow you to switch out your shield for different riding conditions or if it gets old. An optically correct shield is one of the most important features, as you want to be sure your field of vision is not obstructed at any time.

Most professionals recommend replacing your face shield every 2 years or sooner if needed. Again, having a helmet that allows you to replace your face shield will help to extend the life of your helmet.

-Julie

Most companies agree that a helmet should be replaced every 3 to 5 years, though there are some telltale signs that your helmet may need to be replaced sooner.

If your helmet is involved in an accident, no matter how small the impact, it is necessary to replace it immediately. Even if the helmet looks fine, there may be some damage to the shell that cannot be seen, which will compromise the safety factor. If the padding or retention system is loose or if the synthetic foam padding looks deteriorated or is loose, it’s time for a replacement. Having a helmet that is too loose will not support your head as well as it should in an accident. Finally, if there are cracks or compressions in the EPS liner, it’s time to part with your helmet.

By regularly cleaning your helmet, caring for it, and storing it in proper conditions, you can extend its life. But it is wise to use proper judgment. If you feel that your helmet isn’t fitting properly or it seems to be aging, better to replace it immediately. It’s not worth risking your life over the cost of a new helmet.

-Julie

Lately helmets have become just as much a fashion statement as they are a safety concern. With the various sizes, shapes, colors and designs available, one can customize their helmet nearly to their exact preferences. But should fashion really come before safety?

Some riders prefer to have a helmet that matches their bike, and perhaps even their jacket. This can be all well and good, but there are some things to consider. First, the helmet is typically the highest point on a motorcycle, so it will be one of the first things seen (or missed) by drivers. Wearing a dark color or matte helmet, can be hard for drivers to see, especially at night. Therefore, black, gray, and camouflage are probably not the best bet for safety.

On the other hand, bright color helmets including yellow and orange can be easier for motorists to spot and can definitely be safer. Many riders will also attach reflective stickers to their helmets and jackets for increased safety. I’ve even read stories of riders attaching brake lights to the back of their helmets. Unusual, but a great safety precaution.

While being fashionable on the road can be ‘cool,’ safety should definitely be one of the first factors that riders recognize.

-Julie

Helmets with removable liners should be washed often to keep them fresh and clean.

Many people prefer to wash their liners every few rides, but it really depends on your own personal preference. If you ride in hot weather, and during the summer months, you may be more inclined to wash your liner after every ride. If you do not want to wash your liner that often, you can choose to spray the liner with “Helmet Fresh” or something similar in between washes. A good tip I received from one rider is to place your helmet liner in an old pillowcase, then throw it in the wash. This will help to avoid damage to the liner. Also, remember to air dry your liner as putting it in a dryer can destroy the shape.

It may also be a good idea to keep more than one liner on hand for your helmet. This way you can rotate them out, extending the life of your liners. It is probably a good idea to replace your liner if it starts to get too old. Again, this is going to depend on how often you ride and how often you wash it, but if you feel that the liner is uncomfortable, ragged, or just isn’t cleaning well, then it may be time to replace it.

No matter how often you choose, remember that cleaning your helmet liner will keep you more comfortable and fresh. There’s nothing worse than a smelly head!

-Julie

Properly maintaining a helmet can seem like a no-brainer, but there are a few simple rules that everyone should follow.

Helmets should be kept clean and in good condition. Glossy helmets can be cleaned and polished with automotive products. Rubbing compounds can be used to remove scratches and scuffs, but be sure not to overuse as it can cause more scratches. Non-glossy helmets can be cleaned with simple soap and water.

Liners and face pads should be kept clean at all times as well. Removable liners can be machined washed and air-dried. Non-removable liners can be sprayed with “Helmet Fresh” or “Helmet Care.”

Air vents need to be cleared of bugs, dirt and debris. This can be accomplished with compressed air, similar to a computer keyboard cleaner.

Remember that helmets should not be modified at all, as that can impair their safety. They should be stored away from pets and replaced every 3 to 5 years. Make sure to read all safety instructions that come with your helmet as well. Just because you may know a lot about helmets doesn’t mean you know it all!

-Julie

I found a few other state links for the riders courses…

I’ve also read that some insurance companies offer discounts to riders who have successfully completed the basic safety course.

I’d like to hear if anyone has taken one of these courses and whether they thought it was worth it. They’re relatively short and inexpensive, so it seems like a no-brainer…

Virginia
New York
West Virginia

-Julie

I’ve been doing some research about the motorcycle rider’s courses that can be taken in lieu of the learner’s permit and skills test. The classes usually last 2 to 6 weeks and if passed, the rider receives his or her motorcycle license. Has anyone taken one of these courses? What did you think?

I’m including some links to a few state motor vehicle pages regarding the rider’s courses:
New Jersey
Maryland
Delaware

Stay tuned for some interviews on motorcycle safety and HJC helmets in the next few weeks.

-Julie