April is "Check Your Helmet" month

Sure the month of April is almost over, but no matter what month it is every rider should be assessing their gear to ensure they’re properly protected with a few vital inspections. No matter what style your helmet is, you should always inspect it.

What to look for when you’re checking your helmet:

Fit is Vital

A helmet must fit properly to be effective, and not all helmets fit the same. A well-fitting helmet should rest one inch above your eyebrows and shouldn’t roll forward or sideways on your head. To ensure a comfortable fit that doesn’t squeeze too tightly, wear a helmet for 15 minutes before making a final buying decision.

Helmets Don’t Last Forever

Over time, exposure to UV rays and the aging of adhesives and components will damage a helmet’s protective qualities. That’s why manufacturers and the SNELL Foundation recommend that helmets be replaced every three to five years, depending on use. Every new Harley-Davidson helmet comes with a “purchased on date” sticker that can be placed under the comfort liner for a quick reference.

Keep it Clean

A clean and well-cared-for helmet will protect better and longer. Use a mild soap to wash the outer shell and internal liners. Never use solvents or chemicals for cleaning as they can destroy protective coatings.

One Drop and it’s Done

A helmet is designed for only one impact. Even a small impact may fracture the outer shell or compress the impact-absorbing liner despite no visible damage. If a helmet has been dropped or suffers an impact, it should be immediately replaced.

Who to Ask?

Riders can learn more about helmet fit and care with the “Harley-Davidson Helmet” brochure available at Harley-Davidson dealers. Most Harley-Davidson dealers carry a wide range of helmet styles, including half-, three-quarter, full-face and modular designs.

There is a great little guide available on the Harley-Davidson site with information about helmet styles, components, fit, care and replacement, and you can check out the selection of helmets offered by Harley-Davidson MotorClothes as well.

Canajun says:

April 30, 2009 at 9:36 pm

Good post – good reminder.

I’ve always taken really good care of my helmets – they get washed and waxed when the bike does, never dropped, or hung off the hand grip, or carried stuck on the sissy bar, etc. So after 3 or 4 years they still look brand new, which makes it REALLY hard to justify a couple hundred bucks to replace them. But replace them I do, hoping the 3 to 5 year rule isn’t just BS dreamt up by the manufacturers to sell more helmets (and load up the landfills with fibreglass that will still be there in 100,000 years!).

skadamo says:

May 1, 2009 at 3:49 pm

Thanks for this article. Reminds me I am over due for a new lid.

Motorbike Jacket says:

May 4, 2009 at 11:04 am

A lot of people will see a helmet that is DOT approved and just go with that. What they aren’t aware of is that DOT helmets are subjected to a lower standard than those helmets that are SNELL approved.