Motorcycle Helmets Have Been Created To Shield

By Amanda Beaty

Motorcycles have been around since the4 turn of the 20th century. Their popularity has grown greatly over the last 20-30 years. This is due to the freedom a rider feels on a motorcycle. Riding a motorcycle provides a rider with a feeling similar to flying. With all the benefits of riding come some dangers. One of the biggest dangers is the chance of a fatal accident. Motorcycle helmets are designed to greatly reduce this risk.

Due to the nature of the motorcycles there are some risks involved. However these risks can be reduced drastically by the use of a helmet. Motorcycle helmets provide a safety device to the rider in the case of an accident. Accidents happen and they often cannot be avoided the important thing is to be prepared for them.

Protecting your head makes sense and so does the idea of using a helmet. However there are some riders that feel that helmets are restricting and that they take away some of the feeling of freedom that is associated with riding a motorcycle. Helmets may keep the wind from blowing through a rider's hair but they still allow the rider to have that freedom they desire to feel.

In fact the first helmet was created by a doctor as a result of a fatal accident. A Dr. By the name of Hugh Cairns created the first motorcycle helmet. He had lost a patient who had suffered an injury to his skull as the result of a motorcycle accident and he desired to help others avoid the same situation from happening to them. As a result of his work there have been an untold number of saved lives.

Cairns helmet is a far cry from those that are available in modern times. The helmets of the 21st century are aerodynamic and lightweight yet offer superior protection. Helmets are also technically advanced. There are helmets that offer intercom systems with the other passenger. There are also motorcycle helmets that offer speakers that work in conjunction with a radio mounted on the motorcycle.

A common feature on motorcycle helmets is a face guard. These devices are designed to protect the face. They also provide protection from insects or small debris that may pop up from the road surface.

Helmets with face guards are known as full face helmets. Full face helmets have a hard surface over the chin area and a windshield that can be lifted. These helmets also tend to offer ventilation slits for air circulation. Full face helmets are believed to offer the fullest amount of protection.

Motocross is a popular sport that involves racing motorcycles on dirt tracks and under off-road conditions. The agencies that regulate motocross have implemented strict helmet regulations. These regulations provide for more protection than standard helmets.

Another helmet that has been popular since the'50's is the half helmet or Shorty as it is also known. This helmet is rated as providing the least amount of protection of all styles of motorcycle helmets. The half helmet is designed to cover just the top of the head and offers no chin or back of the head protection. It is common practice to use goggles or other methods of eye protection in addition to this style of helmet.

There are other styles of helmets that offer varying degrees of protection. All of these helmets fall between the Shorty and the full face in regards to protection. The type of motorcycle helmets a rider prefers falls strictly to personal preference. Regardless of the style of helmet it is a good idea to protect yourself if you are going to ride. - 30329

About the Author:

Sign Up for our Free Newsletter

Enter email address here