Motorcycle Helmets – Top Notch Protection
The chances of a motorcycle rider dying in a traffic accident is 32 times more likely than for a automobile rider, and six times more likely to get into an accident in the first place. This is mainly because motorcycles are less stable than cars and the motorcycle rider is more vulnerable. Head injuries are the top cause of fatalities in motorcycle accidents, which makes it essential that motorcycle helmets form part of the necessary equipment when riding that big bike, much more important than a great-looking leather jacket.Motorcycle helmet laws exist in many countries, defining the minimum standards acceptable for legal motorcycle riding. These countries include Canada, Japan, UK, Australia and Europe. In the US, the law is embodied in the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) under the Department of Transportation, but many experts believe the US standards are lax. Discount motorcycle helmets may meet the minimum standards by the FMVSS but for the biker who wants to live, the Snell standards certification for a helmet is recommended.
Why is it so important to have a really good motorcycle helmet? Well, statistics show that helmets prevent accidents because the side of helmet filters out the wind, letting the rider hear better and the visor prevents dirt and wind from hampering the vision. In case of an accident, there is a 70% chance that the rider will escape head injuries if he is wearing a helmet that meets acceptable standards, and with a helmet with higher standards, the chances of escaping a fatal head injury is even higher. Moreover, hospital stays are longer for patients who neglected to wear a helmet, and this translates to higher costs. There are many kinds of motorcycle helmets available in the market, but they can be classified into three basic types: full-face, open face and half helmet. For protection effectiveness, the rule of thumb is: the more it covers, the more it protects. In other words, the full-face motorcycle helmet offers the most protection to the rider. Those who are claustrophobic will just have to get over it.
However, there are helmets and there are helmets. Choosing one can make you dizzy. You might like to consider Nolan motorcycle helmets, which has been in the motorcycle equipment and accessories business for 30 years long enough to know what works best. Aside from the high standard of materials used and the sturdy design, the Nolan helmet design makes it extremely quiet, being almost completely soundproof. The venting system is also unique, preventing the smothered feeling many wearers experience when wearing a full-face helmet. Nolan motorcycles can be bought online and the price ranges from $165 for the basic helmet to as much as $450 for some editions of the Nolan X-Lite X-801. Whichever one you choose, just remember those statistics, and wear that helmet.