Closeout Motorcycle Helmets

In most countries around the world, helmets are extremely compulsory for motorcycle riders, and failure to abide by the laws of using them could result in stiff penalties, confiscation of the motorcycle and even imprisonment, depending on local laws. This amount of strictness for the use of helmets is not without reason. In fact, most of the motorcycle accidents that happen around the world happen due to non-use or improper use of helmets.

There are different laws for helmet use in different places – in some countries, just using a shorty (the construction type helmet that just covers the head) would do quite well enough, but in other countries you would need nothing lesser than a closeout helmet. Of course, the closeout helmets do fit in riding rules universally, and so it is wiser to invest in them rather than any other kind of helmet. Most importantly, the helmet could save your life better than any other kind of helmet.

Closeout Motorcycle Helmets – What Are They?

The closeout motorcycle helmets are full head helmets which cover the head, back and front, right from the top to the underside of the chin. These helmets have a face shield for the eyes and nose. The helmets that you see which do not cover the eyes and nose are not closeout motorcycle helmets, they are called as off road or motocross helmets. Closeout helmets have chin protection too; the helmets that you see without the chin protection are open face helmets and not closeouts.

There are many regulations and restrictions for what defines a closeout motorcycle helmet and what kinds can be used. These are laid down by standardizing bodies that govern traffic rules. In the US, the DOT (Department of Transportation) and Snell lay down these rules. The latter organization, Snell, has more focused helmet use rules for motorcycle competitions, while DOT concerns itself more with normal road use of helmets. Both their websites have a very detailed information on what kind of helmet specifications must be adhered to.

Closeout Motorcycle Helmets – The Protection

Why do closeout motorcycle helmets provide the greatest degree of protection? That is because these helmets have all the four vital parts that go into making a helmet. These four parts are the outer shell, the inner lining, the comfort padding and the retention strap. Let us look into these one by one.

The Outer Shell – The outer shell of the helmet is what is visible to another person when it is worn. This is generally made of a very hard material belonging to a polycarbonate genre. This hard material is the major material that amounts to the protective features of the helmet. It can even resist hard materials from penetrating the helmet and injuring the skull. At the same time it has a slight degree of flexibility that allows the helmet to compress inward slightly when impacted with an unyielding surface like the pavement. As an aside, the outer shell is also primarily where the design and attractiveness of the helmet is present, since it is the outermost area of the helmet.

The Inner Lining – The inner lining is made of polystyrene and it can be 1 to 2 inches thick, depending on the overall size of the helmet. It's main action is to absorb the shock of the impact and to allow the head to decelerate rapidly when it is propelled forward during an accident. This lining is a shock absorber and since it slows down the head, the head comes in contact with the hard surface, if at all, very slowly. Theoretically, it is best to have a thicker layer of the inner lining, but that would make the helmet difficult to wear and cause a different set of problems. In some helmets, this inner lining is removable for cleaning.

The Comfort Padding – This is the innermost layer of the closeout motorcycle helmets, and it is the layer that is in contact with the face. It has more functions to serve apart from the basic comfort it provides to the face. It protects the face from getting abraded when struck with a surface, and it provides a snug fit between the helmet itself and the face. This makes the rider almost oblivious to the fact that he/she is wearing a helmet.

The Retention Strap – The retention strap is the strap that goes below the chin where you can fasten the helmet. Actually in closeout motorcycle helmets, the retention strap is a chin strap too, and apart from being retentive, it is also protective in function. Since most of the motorcycle are front falls, injuries to the chin are the most common. The chin retention strap prevents these injuries. This is a major point where closeout helmets score over the other types of helmets.

Closeout Motorcycle Helmets – The Buying

When you are buying closeout motorcycle helmets, you need to be extra cautious, because one day this helmet might save your life. Remember that just about any closeout helmet will not do for you, you need to take the best fit. A loose helmet can come off, and a tight helmet can play havoc with your head circulation and make you feel dizzy. When buying a helmet, take a measurement of the circumference of your head in the forehead region. Measure several times, and take the largest measurement to the store. They will have a chart which will tell you whether you need size S, M, L or XL.

When you get the size, put the helmet on in the right way (it should fit snugly) and sway your head around several times. Then remove the helmet. Your head should not feel sore after you remove it.

After choosing the right fit, you are free to choose the design you want. Remember that a helmet is protective gear. But that does not mean you cannot turn it into a fashion accessory too!