Helpful Tips and Guide to Motorcycle Helmets in Australia

In Australia, all motorcycle riders and passengers are required to wear a helmet. It’s a law that protects the safety of everyone on the road. A helmet also shields you from harsh weather conditions and gives you great visibility. However, wearing a helmet is only half the battle, to be as safe as possible, you need to own the right one.

Motorcycle helmets come in a range of types and sizes. The helmet you buy needs to match the type of motorcycle you use and the riding you do. In this guide, we help you find the best motorbike helmet. Plus, some essential tips to ensure it’s a perfect fit.

 

The 6 types of motorcycle helmets you must know

With so many different types of helmets in Australia, it can be difficult to find the one that best suits your needs. Below, we’ve detailed what you can expect from various kinds of motorcycle helmets.

1. Full-face helmet

As the name suggests, the full-face helmet covers the whole face, head, and neck. It’s one of the safest motorcycle helmets because it provides full coverage. This helmet is also one of the most versatile too as it can be used by almost every type of rider. A vital safety feature of this type of helmet is the chin bar giving riders protection for their chin and jaw.

Full-face helmets also come in different styles to fit your needs. Some have adjusted chin bars and angled visors, so it doesn’t lift at high speeds for sports riders. These helmets have ventilation as well to reduce heat, visor fogging, and also evaporates sweat. In colder weather, the ventilation can be shut off.

2. Modular helmet

A modular helmet, also known as a flip-up helmet, is ideal for long-distance, cross-country road trips. If you have a touring motorcycle or a cruiser, this helmet may be the one for you. It resembles a full-face helmet, but the chin bar and visor can be flipped to open the front of the helmet.

The modular helmet consists of a visor and a detachable chin bar making it easy to take off and put on. Because this helmet has an extra hinge, it is a bit heavier compared to a full-face helmet. The design is made with an upright riding position for optimal comfort.

3. Open-face helmet

An open-face helmet or a ¾ helmet only covers three-fourths of your head: the top, sides, and back. It leaves your face exposed. It’s great for those who ride scooters, touring motorcycles, and cruisers. It provides more airflow while still protecting your head. However, it doesn’t offer protection from the elements. Because it’s open-faced, there’s nothing shielding you from the weather or road debris. Open-face helmets are typically lightweight since they don’t have a chin bar. They’re also easy to wear and remove. Some helmets come with a partial or full-face visor to shield you from sunlight. These helmets also provide riders with a wide vision field.

4. Half helmet

Another great helmet for cruiser bikes or casual riders is a half helmet. It offers minimal protection as it only covers the top of the head and the forehead. Like the open helmet, a half helmet leaves the face exposed and offers no protection from weather and debris. You need to purchase additional eye protection like glasses or goggles for eye protection.

Half helmets offer great airflow compared to the previously mentioned helmets. You don’t need to take them off when conversing, eating, or wiping sweat. However, these helmets don’t meet DOT standards and common security criteria. You must purchase other safety equipment to be totally safe.

5. Off-road helmet

Off-road helmets are best suited for motocross or dirt bike riders. These helmets are built for dirt road riding. Typically, these helmets aren’t equipped with a visor. Instead, riders are advised to get motocross or dirt bike goggles for eye protection.

These helmets are lightweight but built with maximum protection and flowing ventilation. Off-road helmets are made of a variety of materials such as Kevlar, carbon fibre, and fiberglass to ensure their strength and durability.

When buying an off-road helmet, test it out with the rest of your gear to see if it fits well. You want to make sure your riding goggles fit perfectly with the helmet for ease and comfort.

6. Dual sport helmet

A dual sport helmet is great for adventure, crossover, hybrid, and enduro bikes. Built for both on-road and off-road riding, these helmets cover the whole head but are equipped with a helmet visor. The adjustable visor can be slid up or down when needed for convenience. It doesn’t lift in the wind and is completely aerodynamic. It can keep up with speeds and stunts.

The chin bar, meanwhile, isn’t as protrusive as off-road helmets. It provides less airflow and much better soundproofing. Looks-wise it resembles an off-road helmet more. Inside the helmet, there’s more padding for better comfort like a full-face helmet.

Tips & tricks: Helmet safety and maintenance

Below we’ve detailed some essential advice to help you find a good helmet and how to take care of it. Here are some important things to keep in mind:

Helmet fitting and sizing guidelines

• Take measurements of your head. The fit of your helmet is important. Get your measurements and figure out what size fits your head best.
• Always try out a helmet before buying. Try it on to check the fit. The chin strap should be tight but allows two fingers between your chin and the strap. While wearing the helmet, the fit should be snug; no gaps but still comfortable.
• Wear it for a few minutes. Before buying, wear it for a couple of minutes to see how well it fits you. Move your head around to see if your cheeks move with the helmet. The helmet shouldn’t rotate or move off your head.

Helmet care and maintenance tips

• Use water to clean your helmet. Cleaning products that aren’t specified for helmets could cause damage to your helmet. It’s best to only use pure water or very mild soap.
• Clean your helmet with microfibres. Or anything that doesn’t leave marks.
• Don’t use stickers. Some adhesives could damage your helmet’s finish which may diminish its durability.
• Keep helmets away from fuel or excessive heat. Store your helmet somewhere without traces of gasoline and at room temperature. Excessive exposure to fuel and heat could warp the material of your helmet.
• Don’t use glass cleaner or ammonia-based cleaners on your visor. This could destroy the lenses of your helmet.

Importance of replacing helmets regularly

• Replace your helmet if it’s cracked. Helmets were made for your safety. If you see any cracks or dings, replace them immediately.
• Replace your helmet after five to seven years. Helmets have a lifespan of around five years (up to seven if it’s extra durable and hasn’t been used often). By the five-year mark, the material has already worn out and won’t protect you as much.
• Frequently used helmets should be replaced every three years. If you wear your helmet every day, it’s better to replace it every three years instead of five because of the additional wear and tear.

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