Choosing Motorcycle Helmets: Link to an older Motorcycle Consumer News article comparing helmets, some of which are older models | See the wBW Safety Page for a lot more info on helmet and motorcycle safety | Motorcycle News article comparing flip-up helmets | Choosing a Motorcycle Helmet by Saferoads.com in Alberta, Canada | What You Should Know About Motorcycle Helmets – reprint of old Motorcyclist Magazine article is still relevant | List of Snell 2000 certified helmets available on the Snell website | Good basic information on the difference between Snell and DOT standards for motorcycle helmet testing | J.D. Power motorcycle helmet ratings
Modular Motorcycle Helmets (Flip-ups): Motorcycle News has published its recent comparison of flip-front helmets online
Motorcycle Helmet Safety Data and Standards: U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) list of sample helmets tested for compliance for the years 2000-2003; interesting list, check to see if your helmet has passed or failed! (Note: .pdf file; not all helmets are on this list, only the brands/models chosen at random for compliance testing | British Standards Institute (BSI) | The Helmet Harbor has a nice comparison of Snell, DOT, BSI and ECE helmet safety standards | NHTSA Helmet Compliance Test Data for the years 1994 through 20002; this is FMVSS 218 | DOT Motorcycle Helmet Safety Standards, Section 571.218 Standard No. 218; this is a copy of the official legislation for the test that helmet manufacturers must go through to get their helmets approved to get a “DOT” sticker | The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Motorcycle Safety page | BSI 6658 Type A standard information | “Testing the Positional Stability of Motorcycle Helmets” and other motorcycle helmet safety articles, conducted by the Head Protection Research Laboratory | World Health Organization Helmet Initiative | Much more on the wBW Motorcycle Safety page
Helmet Testing and Research: Head Protection Research Lab (Los Angeles) | Head Protection Evaluations U.K. | Biokinetics Associates – a private, DOT certified company that conducts helmet testing | The Snell Memorial Foundation has information comparing Snell and DOT standards; helmet FAQ’s; testing requirements; lists of certified helmets and more | Southern Impact Research Center | SGS Testing
Noise Levels, Hearing and Motorcycles: Please read the information on the wBW Earplugs and Hearing Protection page for more information about hearing, noise, motorcycles and earplugs | The NHTSA Helmet Study – This study assessed the effects of motorcycle helmets upon seeing and hearing by having 50 riders operate over a test route, changing lanes in response to an audible signal under three helmet conditions: none, partial coverage, and full coverage | An older article on motorcycle helmets and hearing by the Hope for Hearing Foundation | Read this summary of a study from a private consulting firm in England that describes the sources for motorcycle helmet noise
NHTSA and Other Motorcycle Helmet Safety Articles: State Legislative Fact Sheet on helmet safety and helmet laws has some very compelling information on why you should wear a helmet and what states are doing about helmet laws | “Motorcycle Helmets: The Facts of Life” – read this interesting summary of the benefits of motorcycle helmets by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) | Also read “Without Motorcycle Helmets, We All Pay the Price” | The Goldstein Helmet Study – This study evaluates the effectiveness of motorcycle helmets in accident situations. It is concluded that (1) motorcycle helmets have no statistically significant effect on the probability of fatality; (2) helmets reduce the severity of head injuries; and (3) past a critical impact speed [13 MPH], helmets increase the severity of neck injuries | See thewBW Safety Page for a lot more info on helmet and motorcycle safety
User Reviews of Motorcycle Helmets: See the wBW Review Index page for helmet, clothing and product reviews | Many helmet reviews are available on the helmet review page on the Motorcycle News website
Motorcycle Helmet Laws: Motorcycle Helmet Use Laws from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
|
Head Circumference |
Hat Size | Approx. Helmet Size | |
| Inch | Metric | ||
| 19-5/8 to 20-1/8 | 50 – 51 | 6 to 6-3/8 | XXS |
| 20-1/4 to 20-7/8 | 52 – 53 | 6-1/2 to 6-5/8 | XS |
| 21 to 21-5/8 | 54 – 55 | 6-3/4 to 6-7/8 | S |
| 21-3/4 to 22-3/8 | 56 – 57 | 7 to 7-1/8 | M |
| 22-1/2 to 23-1/8 | 58 – 59 | 7-1/4 to 7-3/8 | L |
| 23-1/4 to 24 | 60 – 61 | 7-1/2 to 7-5/8 | XL |
| 24-1/8 to 24-7/8 | 62 – 63 | 7-3/4 to 7-7/8 | XXL |
| 25 to 25-5/8 | 64 – 65 | 8 to 8-1/8 | XXXL |
| 26-3/8 to 26-3/4 | 67 – 68 | 8-3/8 to 8-1/2 | XXXXL |
| 27 to 27-1/2 | 69 – 70 | 8-5/8 to 8-3/4 | XXXXXL |
|
NOTE: All sizes approximate and will differ (sometimes dramatically) between brands. |
|||