Motocross is an intense and adventure-filled sport. Many people are brave enough to make this their hobby. However, there are also many who are always too hesitant to try because of one thing – safety.
If you have always fancied riding a dirt bike but you are afraid that your safety is at risk, you need to invest in a best dirt bike helmet. There are many gears that you should have to stay safe and sound, but the latter is perhaps one of the most critical.
As it is vital for your riding safety and comfort, a helmet is something that you should spend your money on. Do not choose a dirt bike helmet only because it is cheap. You need to have a thorough evaluation to be sure that it is the best you can have.
Before you decide on the specific motocross helmet to purchase, read the rest of this post. We’ll share some valuable insights that will make it easier for you to make the right choice.
What Makes it Different from a Regular Helmet?
There are several types of helmets that you can find on the market. Nonetheless is not an excuse to pick any product. Take note that a dirt bike helmet is different from a motorcycle helmet, specifically because of the points raised below.
One thing that makes a motocross helmet different from a regular motorbike helmet is the presence of an extended chin. This provides better protection for the face. You can be more confident that your face will not suffer from heavy injury in case of an accident or crash.
To add, a dirt helmet also comes with better ventilation. This is to be able to make the rider more comfortable and cooler when driving at a slower speed. Despite exerting more energy, you the vents will make you stay cool.
A lot of the helmets also do not include a face shield. Rather, the user needs to purchase separate googles. This is a good thing as you will have the freedom to pick which one is more suitable for your personal needs and preferences.
One of the reasons why a lot of dirt bike helmets do not have a face shield is because it requires more physical effort. Hence, hot air is present inside and this compromises your comfort. When the helmet is open, you will feel cooler throughout your ride.
The level of protection that it provides is also different. A dirt bike helmet is for use on softer ground. This makes the level of protection minimal. A street bike helmet, on the other hand, is for asphalt. This makes it better in terms of the protection that it can provide against injuries.
What size dirt bike helmet do I need?
When shopping for a new helmet for dirt bikes, one of the most important considerations is the right size. As much as possible, you must be able to fit it personally so that you will know how it feels to wear the helmet before you purchase it.
It is important to keep in mind that sizes may vary from one manufacturer to another. If you have an old helmet from Company A, this does not mean that the same size will fit you with a helmet from Company B. Measure your head before you buy. This way, you will easily have an assurance that the helmet fits perfectly.
To start with the measurement, you need a soft tape measure. Wrap it around the top part of the head, which is the biggest portion that will occupy the helmet. Position it about an inch from the eyebrow and should cover the entire scalp. After this, compare it with the sizing chart from the manufacturer.
Generally speaking,
An extra small dirt bike helmet is less than 20 inches.
Meanwhile, small is anywhere from 20 to 21.75 inches,
Medium is 21.75 to 23.25 inches,
Large is 23. 25 to 24.75 inches, and
Extra-large is above 24.75 inches.
Again, it is best to consult with the sizing chart of the manufacturer before you choose a helmet to buy.
How tight or loose should a helmet fit?
As you evaluate the options, pay attention to the things that indicate too much tightness. It is too fit when you are having a hard time putting it on. Obviously, your head is bigger than your helmet. If you are suffering from discomfort, this also means that the helmet is probably too small on some parts of the head.
Meanwhile, the dirt helmet is too loose when it is shaking when you are driving. If it easily slides off your head, it is also bigger than your required size.
There are also several tests that you can easily conduct to make sure that the fit of the motocross helmet is right.
- Tighten the straps to secure the helmet in its position. Wiggle your head in all directions, exerting as much force as possible. The helmet should be in its place and should not move out. Otherwise, you need to pick a smaller size.
- Another thing that you can do is to insert a finger between the forehead and the padding of the helmet. If you can do this, the helmet is probably too large compared to what you need.
How are dirt bike helmets tested
For the helmet to provide the highest level of protection, they undergo several tests prior to release. After passing the tests, they will receive certifications. There are different tests and certifications, which vary depending on your location, among other things.
Impact testing is one of the most common helmet tests. In this case, the helmet is fitted in a head form. It is dropped at a certain height and pressure to know how the helmet would perform.
Dirt bike helmets also undergo retention tests. As the name implies, this is simply to determine how the helmet stays in your head when you crash.
As you try to pick a helmet, look at the stickers and certifications that they have. This is a subject of great debate as there is no agreement on which the best certification is. Personally, however, I suggest that you pick one with Snell certification. The company conducts rigorous tests to evaluate helmet quality.
Care and maintenance for a dirt bike helmet
Because dirt bike helmets are expensive.
To clean your dirt bike helmet and keep it at its best, here are some of the most important things to keep in mind:
- Store the helmet in a cool, dry, and dark place. Exposure to heat and other harsh elements can speed up wear. Keep it in a cabinet. Wrap the helmet with a cover if you will not use it for a long time.
- When you are cleaning the liner, use only baby soap or mild soap. Stay away from materials with harsh chemicals and anything that could leave a strong odor.
- For cleaning the exterior, use only microfiber rags or soft cloth. Avoid toothbrush or any brush with stiff bristle as it can cause visible scratches.
- For the vents and corners that are hard to reach, it would be best to use cotton swabs.
- Make sure to dry the helmet before you use it. Air drying is best. Do not put it in a dryer. As much as possible, leave it out under the heat of the sun to kill bacteria.
- Lubricating the moving parts, such as the hinge of the visor, is also a must.
- It will also be good to wear a liner before wearing the helmet. Sweat and body oils can speed up the damage to the helmet.
- Clean the dirt bike helmet using only warm water instead of cold. Warm water is more effective in loosening dirt.
- Do not forget to clean the vents of the helmet. There might be dust or mud stuck in between the spaces that are not easily visible. If you have an air compressor, this can also prove to be an effective cleaning tool for blowing the vents.
When to Replace your Dirt Bike Helmet
While many dirt bike helmets have exceptional quality, it is a fact of life that they are not meant to last forever. That being said, here are some of the indications that the helmet is in need of a replacement:
- If you have already crashed on your dirt bike while wearing the helmet, perform a quick inspection. If the accident is not serious, you do not need to replace the helmet. On the other hand, if it is severe and there are visible cracks, it is time to buy a new one.
- Look for indications of wear and tear. One of the most obvious would be peeling or chipping paint. If there is a dent, this can also compromise your safety.
- The age of the helmet will also help you to decide if it already needs a replacement. As a rule of thumb, replace the helmet once it reaches five years old. There are some companies, however, that recommend their helmets to be replaced within a three-year period.
- If you often feel uncomfortable with the dirt bike helmet, take this as well as a sign that it needs a replacement. This is especially true for people who started out young. When your head grows larger, your old helmet may no longer prove to be enough.
Conclusion
Indeed, a dirt bike helmet plays a critical role to ensure safety and comfort in your ride. Pay attention to the discussion above. It will help you choose the right product and provide best value for money. These discussions also give insights on how to retain its peak condition even through the years.
ed to exert conscious effort to take care of it. This will help to prolong its functional life. Otherwise, it will quickly require a replacement and it may be unable to provide the protection that you need.
To clean your helmet and keep it at its best, here are some of the most important things that you have to keep in mind:
- Store the helmet in a cool, dry, and dark place. If it is exposed to heat and other harsh elements, it can quickly wear down. Keep it in a cabinet and wrap it with a cover if it will not be used for a long time. This way, it will be protected from dust.
- When you are cleaning the liner, use only baby soap or mild soap. Stay away from materials with harsh chemicals and anything that could leave a strong odor.
- For cleaning the exterior, use only microfiber rags or soft cloth. Avoid toothbrush or any brush with stiff bristle. This can scratch the exterior and can have a negative impact on its appearance.
- For the vents and corners that are hard to reach, it would be best to use cotton swabs.
- Make sure that the helmet is dried before it is used. Air drying is best. Do not put it in a dryer. As much as possible, leave it out under the heat of the sun, which will also help kill bacteria.
- You might also need to apply lubrication to the moving parts of the helmet, such as the hinge of the visor.
- It will also be good to wear a liner before wearing the helmet. Sweat and body oils can speed up the damage to the helmet.
- When choosing cleaners, stay away from those that are solvent-based or petroleum distillate. They can do more harm than good.
- Clean the dirt bike helmet using only warm water instead of cold. Warm water is more effective in loosening dirt.
- Do not forget to clean the vents of the helmet. There might be dust or mud stuck in between the spaces that are not easily visible. If you have an air compressor, this can also prove to be an effective cleaning tool for blowing the vents.
When cleaning the dirt bike helmet, take the time to disassemble the removable parts so that they can be thoroughly cleaned individually.