Motorcycle trips can be a wonderful experience for any rider especially if that trip involves beautiful scenery, a great route with perfect roads, and perfect weather. They can also become a nightmare if you find yourself to be improperly equipped and unprepared to handle any type of weather situation that may occur. One of my favorite trips took place in Tennessee and extended southeast to western North Carolina. Throughout this trip I was able to see some of the most beautiful countryside that Tennessee and North Carolina have to offer. The mountains and rolling rocky landscape all seemed so surreal to me when comparing them to the primarily flat agricultural landscape that exists in the upper Midwestern state of Wisconsin.
The days started out cool and crisp and I found myself doubting that I had dressed appropriately as I felt the chill of the morning air run through me. My long sleeve shirt and light neoprene jacket combo didn”t quite seem to be doing the trick. The shorty motorcycle helmet I was wearing also proved inadequate as the cool air whipped past my neck and ears, contributing to the chill that was flowing through my body. I had packed my full face motorcycle helmet, but it was strapped to the luggage rack on the back of my motorcycle, and there wouldn”t be a stop for quite some time. Just when I thought I would have to pull over on my own to switch helmets, and possibly throw on a heavier jacket, the coolness seemed to subside and the warm air would start to flow in. Finally, I began to feel relief from the coolness that the morning had brought on. I had learned an important lesson about the mornings in this type of landscape, and that is that you should not dress based on the temperature that is forecasted because the low lying areas surrounding the mountains tend to be much cooler. Perhaps the right thing to do would have been to start out the morning trip wearing a heavier jacket and a full face helmet, or at least a heavier jacket and maybe a face mask to accompany the half helmet. Continue reading ‘Being Preparing For A Motorcycle Trip – A Personal Reflection’ »
Posts tagged ‘motorcycle helmet’
Imagine the thought of your loved ones receiving the terrible news of your fatal accident and how it could have been prevented if you were wearing a motorcycle helmet. Motorcycle helmets are one of the most important pieces of safety equipment that you can have when you ride a motorcycle. The length of the trip is completely irrelevant because you simply never know when an accident could occur. Why take the risk? Sure it might mess up your hair, or it may not look cool to some people, but at least you’ll be safer than if you weren’t wearing one. Plus, chances are you’ll save your loved ones from having to deal with all of the emotional pain and suffering as well.
Motorcycle helmets come in a variety of shapes, sizes, styles, and colors, which means that choosing the right one for you can sometimes be quite confusing. The important thing to remember is that you should always look for helmets that meet DOT standards and specifications. No, this does not mean that the DOT approves the helmet. It simply means that the helmet meets or exceeds the minimum safety standards set forth by the DOT and will help in protecting you in the event of a crash. DOT motorcycle helmets are often times required in some cases. One example would be if you are going to take a riders course to get your motorcycle license. More often than not you will be required to bring your own DOT motorcycle helmet. Another motorcycle helmet characteristic to consider when making a purchase is the material that the helmet is composed of. A good solid helmet will be made of fiber-reinforced composites (fiberglass) or a thermoplastic like polycarbonate. Regular old plastic helmets will not do the trick. If you’re not sure what the helmet is made of, here is a simple test that you can try out to get an idea if the helmet is good enough to buy. Turn the helmet over, grab the edges of the shell just below the ear pockets, and pull outward with both hands. A strong helmet should not bow easily. If it does, you probably should try out a different helmet. Continue reading ‘Something You Should Know About Motorcycle Helmets’ »
hen it comes to choosing the right motorcycle helmet, it’s hard to decide which shape, style, and size is going to best fit your needs. Because there so many different types of helmets available today, it’s important that you research the pros and cons of each type of helmet, consider the features of each motorcycle helmet style, and then weigh all of those factors in when determining which helmet is the right one for you.
So what are the pros and cons of each motorcycle helmet style? Well there are so many that if we decided to discuss each and every detail about every type of helmet, we would be here for days. So let’s stick to the basics and talk briefly about the major categories of motorcycle helmets which are full face helmets, three quarter shell helmets, and half shell helmets. Continue reading ‘Which Motorcycle Helmet Is Right For You?’ »
Motorcycle trips can be a wonderful experience for any rider especially if that trip involves beautiful scenery, a great route with perfect roads, and perfect weather. They can also become a nightmare if you find yourself to be improperly equipped and unprepared to handle any type of weather situation that may occur. One of my favorite trips took place in Tennessee and extended southeast to western North Carolina. Throughout this trip I was able to see some of the most beautiful countryside that Tennessee and North Carolina have to offer. The mountains and rolling rocky landscape all seemed so surreal to me when comparing them to the primarily flat agricultural landscape that exists in the upper Midwestern state of Wisconsin. Continue reading ‘Being Preparing For A Motorcycle Trip – A Personal Reflection’ »
Imagine the thought of your loved ones receiving the terrible news of your fatal accident and how it could have been prevented if you were wearing a motorcycle helmet. Motorcycle helmets are one of the most important pieces of safety equipment that you can have when you ride a motorcycle. The length of the trip is completely irrelevant because you simply never know when an accident could occur. Why take the risk? Sure it might mess up your hair, or it may not look cool to some people, but at least you’ll be safer than if you weren’t wearing one. Plus, chances are you’ll save your loved ones from having to deal with all of the emotional pain and suffering as well. Continue reading ‘Something You Should Know About Motorcycle Helmets’ »
Congratulations! As a proud new motorcycle owner, you’re undoubtedly itching to hit the road on your sleek set of wheels. Riding your bike down scenic byways or city freeways is an exhilarating experience–but as all riders know, motorcycling comes with plenty of risks. Motorcycles can be hard for automobile drivers to see, and in the event of an accident, a motorcyclist doesn’t have the benefit of thousands of pounds of steel protecting him (or her) from the impact. The best way to reduce the risk of serious injury or death is by wearing a helmet.
After buying a new bike, many riders are chagrined to find that a standard helmet purchased from a dealer can set them back an additional several hundred dollars. Many higher-end models can easily approach $800 to $900 or more. Fortunately, a helmet’s safety and quality doesn’t necessarily go up with the price; cheap helmets can also provide ample protection. Basic helmets can be found for around $100, and it’s very possible to get full protection from one of these less expensive models. Continue reading ‘Tips on Buying a Cheap Motorcycle Helmet’ »
When you are shopping for a motorcycle helmet you may come across two different categorizations of motorcycle helmets, DOT and Novelty. You may ask yourself, “What do these mean?” The fact is there are some major differences between the two that you should be aware of. These differences are significant enough to where they may sway your decision in buying one or the other.
DOT motorcycle helmets are helmets that have been put through the test and have proven to meet or exceed the standards of the DOT. No, this does not mean the DOT approves the helmet, it simply means that the helmet has met the qualifications and standards that have been set forth. They are built to protect your head in the event of a crash or fall, and that is made possible by having thicker inner liners and helmet padding. In many cases you can expect to find over an inch of padding in these types of helmets, which in some cases makes for a bulkier helmet. DOT motorcycle helmets are generally built stronger in order to withstand heavy impact from the ground or other objects. Continue reading ‘Dot Motorcycle Helmets Vs. Novelty Motorcycle Helmets’ »
When it comes to choosing the right motorcycle helmet, it’s hard to decide which shape, style, and size is going to best fit your needs. Because there so many different types of helmets available today, it’s important that you research the pros and cons of each type of helmet, consider the features of each motorcycle helmet style, and then weigh all of those factors in when determining which helmet is the right one for you.
So what are the pros and cons of each motorcycle helmet style? Well there are so many that if we decided to discuss each and every detail about every type of helmet, we would be here for days. So let’s stick to the basics and talk briefly about the major categories of motorcycle helmets which are full face helmets, three quarter shell helmets, and half shell helmets. Continue reading ‘Which Motorcycle Helmet Is Right For You?’ »