Fit is critical
Full-face or open-face
Care tips

There is a good reason why the law politely insists anyone riding a motorcycle in this country wears a helmet. A recent European study showed 79% of riders in crashes suffered an impact to the head. Of those, almost half wearing a helmet (45%) escaped without any head injury whatsoever.

And of the lucky ones not wearing helmets? 85% had head injuries. You do the math. Most of them can't.

New Zealand recognises three international standards for motorcycle helmets: the Snell (M 2000), the European (ECE 22.05) and Australian (AS 1698) standards. Each standard prescribes levels of performance against which helmets are tested.

The four critical factors in helmet protection are:

• Impact protection - the extent to which the outer shell spreads the energy from the point of impact over a larger area of the inner liner.
• Grip - whether the helmet moves around the head on impact.
• Retention - whether the helmet comes off on impact.
• Area of cover - the area of the head protected by the helmet.

The standards set a minimum level of performance. A helmet that complies with one of these standards and is in good condition, fits and is fastened correctly, should provide as much protection as you can expect in a crash.

Technological advances in helmet construction have also improved impact protection, shell materials and design features. Some helmet manufacturers claim their products exceed the performance levels set by the standards, but as yet there are no independent tests to substantiate these claims.

This means you don't have to buy the most expensive helmet in the shop. A difference in price (usually higher) may be buying you comfort, quality or fashion, yet won't necessarily provide you with any extra protection when you need it.

Never buy a second-hand helmet. Although damage may not be visible, the process of absorbing an impact reduces the capacity of any helmet to protect you in another collision. Without every detail of a helmet's history, you simply cannot know whether it has ever sustained such an impact. There's just no point taking the risk.

Fit is critical

Be determined to choose a helmet that fits well and don't get distracted by brand names or styles. Some helmets will simply not suit the shape of some heads. Many good motorcycle shops have staff to assist with the correct selection of size.

• A good fit should cover your forehead and brow. Looking up you should just be able to see the edge of the brim.
• The less movement the better. Once on, the helmet should not move around on your head, or place pressure on your forehead. Keep it on for five or ten minutes before you shell out your cash, to be certain it's comfortable.
• The best test of fit is to ask a friend or the sales assistant to try to pull the helmet off by grasping it at the back of your neck and pulling up and forward. If the helmet comes off or slips over your eyes, adjust the position, tighten the straps and try again. If it still moves or comes off, this style does not suit your head - choose another helmet.
• Check your peripheral vision to ensure you are happy with the width of the eye-port. If you wear glasses, do they cause pressure points?
• Pillions are often given poorly fitting helmets. Perform the pulling off test. If it slides around on their head, it will provide inadequate protection and is dangerous.

Full-face or open-face?

The decision whether to choose a full-face or open-face helmet is a matter of personal taste. Debate revolves around the risk of facial injury with an open-face helmet as opposed to skull-base fractures that can be caused by an impact to the chin bar of a full-face helmet.

Under current Australian standards (AS 1698) there is no test of the lower section of a helmet and therefore no way of determining any difference in the level of protection provided by either open- or full-face helmets.

The Snell and European standards do include a test of the chin bar but these are tests of rigidity and the relationship to preventing fractures to the base of the skull is unclear.

There are, however, a variety of other features in the design of a helmet that can improve comfort, convenience and safety:

• The fit and design of helmet and visor can either reduce or increase the noise produced by air flow around your head - noise that can be distracting and fatiguing.
• Fog shields and chin vents help prevent misting.
• Removable comfort padding can be washed or replaced, which may extend the life of your helmet.
• There is evidence suggesting riders wearing light coloured helmets have a lower crash risk in urban areas than riders with dark or black helmets.¹

Care tips

• When you put your helmet on the ground, rest it on your gloves.
• Don't sit it on the mirror (this may damage the energy-absorbing lining) and don't rest it on the bike seat where it can be knocked off by wind or passing cars.
• Use the helmet hooks under the seat. This will protect it from falling as well as from theft.
• Invest in a helmet bag made of protective material (e.g. wet suit material).
• A clean and scratch-free visor is also essential. Protect it by storing it in a soft cloth bag.
• Wash your helmet and visor with dishwashing liquid and water, rinse well and only use your hands. Even soft brushes can scratch the visor.
• Painting or decorating your helmet is not a good idea. The strength of a helmet shell can be weakened by solvents in paints and some glues (e.g. stickers).
• If you have been involved in a crash in which your helmet sustained a blow, it should be either returned to the manufacturer for testing or destroyed and replaced.

Look after your helmet and it will look after you.

1) Wells, S., Mullins, B., Norton, R., Langley, J., Connor, J., Lay-Yee, R. & Jackson, R. (2004), Motorcycle rider conspicuity and crash-related injury: case-control study. British Medical Journal, BMJ Online, BMJ, doi:10.1136/bmj.37984.574757.EE (published 2 February 2004).