What are the safest motorcycle helmets?

Question

my boyfriend is getting a motorcycle. he refuses to wear a helmet cause he thinks it will look stupid. well i am going to get him a helmet because i don't want him to bust his skull open. what are the safest motorcycle helmets? like are there any suggested ones? but they have to look "cool" lol

Answer 1

the one you wear is the safest. Seriously, If he just has to look cool, get a "beanie" style helmet. If he want's the best protection get a full coverage helmet. In between are half and 3/4 helmets with and without face shields. I've ridden for 41 years, when I was younger I alway wore a helmet. In my late teens to early 20's I wore one most of the time, now a days, I wear one if my wife or daughter are on the bike with me, because I insist they wear one. When riding alone, If on the highway, I wear a "beanie" style helmet, if in heavy traffic I wear one, but if light traffic and riding alone, I don't wear one. But I have excellent insurance, a good solid will written up to take care of my family if I do get hurt or killed, 41 years of riding experience to fall back on, and I ride very carefully.
I tell everyone, wear a helmet, It's the cheapest insurance policy you can buy. Remember, in the end, there are only two kinds of "bikers". Those who have been knocked down, and those who will be knocked down.

Answer 2

It's good of you to worry about your BF's safety!

Every so often, motorcycle magazines do tests to see how safe motorcycle helmets are, and to see if the more expensive ones are safer. Every time they find that all helmets are about similar in safety, in fact the cheaper ones sometimes do better in the tests. When you pay more you might get more comfort or more features.

But buying a helmet is a very personal decision. Different helmets of even the same size can feel very different when you put them on. Some brands are made for certain 'shapes' of heads, and you'll hear bikers saying 'I don't have a Shoei-shaped head, I have a Schuberth-shaped head.' So it's probably not a good idea to buy a helmet for your boyfriend unless you bring him along to try them on.

Also in these magazine articles they often show what percentage of impacts are on what 'zones' of the helmet. Something like 40% of impacts are on the -front-. So a full-face helmet is MUCH safer. But if your BF doesn't want to wear a helmet at all, it's going to be tough to convince him he needs a full-face.

Also full-face helmets don't look 'cool'. The helmets that look 'cool' are probably the least safe, those little 'beanie' lids that look like a soup-bowl over your head.

Here in California where we have a helmet law, they even sell helmets in motorcycle shops that are not real helmets. They have a sticker inside that says 'This helmet does not meet DOT standards and is sold for novelty value only'. The real purpose of these is that they're much lighter and smaller than a real helmet but the police won't bother you if you wear one, even though you are technically breaking the law.

Answer 3

Full face helmets provide the best protection. And with the right paint scheme, the look sharp too.

However it depends on what kind of bike he's planning to get. If he's getting a sport bike, then the full face will look okay. If he's getting a cruiser, the full face looks a bit out of place. They make short helmets that come down just to the top of the ear. Not as much protection, but they do look a bit better. And again, a nicely painted helmet can make all the difference. Obviously there's no mandatory helmet law where you are, or he'd have to wear a helmet. So it might be tough for you do actually get him to wear it. Personally, I never ride without a helmet, it's just not worth the risk.

Answer 4

The safest and highest quality helmets are undoubtedly the ones made by Schuberth, they are expensive though. Any helmet is better than no helmet, but Schuberth make the best in the world. Shoei helmets are a semi-close second. Honestly, if he's riding just to "look cool", he shouldn't be riding. Sorry to say but with that mentality, he will probably end up as road kill trying to show off or do wheelies at 100+mph without proper experience. Also, you should know that when he first puts on the helmet it will feel too snug. This is normal as the liner needs to break in and will loosen up some. True of any helmet.

However, depending on what he's riding:

Sport bike (most likely in this case): Schuberth S2 (or SR1 if you're rich)
Use google to find lowest price. Will probably be around $600 USD. Be sure to measure his head and get the right size. Schuberths sizing is spot on, so if his head is 60cm around at the largest spot, order the helmet that's rated for 60cm. Use a conversion chart or google if you don't know metric/imperial.

If the Schuberth is too expensive, invest in a Shoei, they are about half the price but still very safe and reasonably high quality. the rf-1100's are a good sporty helmet and have been reduced in price ever since the rf-1200's came out. They can be found for about $300, even with the "super cool" graphics on them.

You should not skimp on safety so I can not, in good faith, recommend anything cheaper. That said, any new helmet is better than no helmet. You should also invest in a good motorcycle jacket, pants, boots and gloves because the road is definately harder than your boyfriends skin and will leave him covered in nothing but scar tissue in a high speed crash without gear on. Look up "motorcycle road rash" in google if you doubt me in any way. Proper gear would have prevented 99% of those pictures from needing to be taken.

I'd normally discourage this type of behavior but I would even go so far as to recommend pulling out the "if you truly love me... [wear your gear every time]" line. If not for his own safety, for the feelings of his loved ones, friends, and family. His mom will thank him for wearing the gear when he crashes doing 125 and comes out of it with nothing but a few bruises as opposed to a few missing fingers/toes and 40% of his skin being left behind on the road. Or tell him the gear makes him look mysterious or like a professional rider. Honestly I'd say do whatever you have to if you truly care for him. Best of luck and perhaps let him read a few of these answers/see a few of the pics I recommended above.

-L.

Answer 5

The one I have, and the type I like, are the full face kind where the chin section raises up. The one I have is a Shoei Syncrotec, here is a link to that:
http://www.shoei-helmets.com/road/helmets_road.aspx?h=13
(It is called Multitec now, you might be able to find online stores still stocking the syncrotec)
OH here is a link to a few different types of helmets with this flip-up chin, it will help you see what I am talking about:
http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/accessoriesandgear/flip_face_helmet_comparison/
In that site, you will see my other suggestion, the Schuberth Concept helmet.
I'd try to get just a one-color helmet, some helmets are really outlandish looking with the colors and decals, just get a one color helmet, he'll like that better. These flip up chin helmets are really nice. Make sure you get a light helmet, the Shoei is really nice and light.

Answer 6

Like earlier said, a Bell helmet or at least one that is Snell approved is your best bet. I've seen many wrecks I raced ATVs locally and nationally, for 7 years(required helmet usage by tracks) and it saved a lot of gray matter from spilling. Also my dad rode bikes(racing and leisurely) for years, had a wreck and split the helmet in two, now imagine if he wasn't wearing one. People today do not pay attention to motorcycle riders(go to ama.org) there are many fatalities because of auto accidents. If he doesn't wear a helmet get a insurance policy or make sure you have good health insurance. No matter how good of a rider, anyone makes mistakes and the biggest mistake would be not protecting what little sense we have. Good luck in persuasion honey, some people are stubborn but until they see the "light" or have it happen, they will wake up. Its great you care that much, wish you the best!

Answer 7

Full face helmets are the safest.
I have a Simpson half helmet that I like and a 3/4, as well.

I wear one of them every time I ride, no matter how short the trip and I don't think I look stupid. Someone I know ran into the back of a truck with his helmet tied to his sissy bar. He looked cool, but now he looks dead.

Answer 8

RE:
What are the safest motorcycle helmets?
my boyfriend is getting a motorcycle. he refuses to wear a helmet cause he thinks it will look stupid. well i am going to get him a helmet because i don't want him to bust his skull open. what are the safest motorcycle helmets? like are there any suggested ones? but they have to look...

Answer 9

Make sure it is DOT (ANSI) certified,,type in motorcycle helmets on your web browser and their are plenty of company's that sell DOT helmets...from Fullface to 3/4 and 1/2 and 1/4,Very cool looking and you can even get a system installed in your helmet for your cell and ipod ,mp3 even 2way comunication,or GPS...
Biker G

Answer 10

We have helmet laws in my state, anyway a full face helmet with both DOT and SNELL ratings are the safest, But your real problem will be getting him to wear it and talking him into getting sized for one.
Helmets save lives, and good quality helmets do not lesson hearing or sight.