It depends on the style of helmet you choose. The different styles protects different areas of the head or face. A Half helmet protects the forehead, top, and back of your head. An open face protects three quarters of your head leaving the face exposed. A full face provides coverage for the entire head and face. The common components are: A rigid shell for deflecting a impacts, pebbles, and other road debris or hazards. A connection for the chin straps such as a d-ring setup or quick release buckle. Some type of interior made for absorbing energy and providing comfort.
They all have: An outer shell designed to protect against penetration and friction against the pavement. An interior lining that should absorb a violent impact. Soft padding on the inside to make the helmet comfortable to wear. Some type of strap connection that keeps the helmet secure.
The helmet shell has a hard surface made to resist rocks and other road debris. It also resists hard impacts up to a certain point in which it compresses. Helmets with older specs such as D.O.T. absorb impact by a crumpling into the styrofoam. The energy destroys the styrofoam instead of transferring the energy to your head.
The interior liner is the last layer before impact energy would transfer to the head. Some liners are cloth or cotton. A high quality liner would consist of memory foam which does a remarkable job for disbursing energy instead of transferring it into the rider's head.
Some helmets are DOT rated, other carry a different rating such as SNELL. Some helmets to not have any particular rating. Aside from legal obligations, the quality and material makeup of the helmet is far more important that the rating sticker. DOT helmets are made for one hard impact. Once the helmet has compressed or damaged, it needs to be replaced. Helmets constructed with carbon fiber or kevlar are protective for several impacts.
A retention method for the strap is very important. Many helmets use a d ring method which is secured by looping the straps through the rings. Other methods involve a plastic or seatbelt type connector. A high quality quick release would consist of high strength plastic such as polymer.
They all have: An outer shell designed to protect against penetration and friction against the pavement. An interior lining that should absorb a violent impact. Soft padding on the inside to make the helmet comfortable to wear. Some type of strap connection that keeps the helmet secure.
The helmet shell has a hard surface made to resist rocks and other road debris. It also resists hard impacts up to a certain point in which it compresses. Helmets with older specs such as D.O.T. absorb impact by a crumpling into the styrofoam. The energy destroys the styrofoam instead of transferring the energy to your head.
The interior liner is the last layer before impact energy would transfer to the head. Some liners are cloth or cotton. A high quality liner would consist of memory foam which does a remarkable job for disbursing energy instead of transferring it into the rider's head.
Some helmets are DOT rated, other carry a different rating such as SNELL. Some helmets to not have any particular rating. Aside from legal obligations, the quality and material makeup of the helmet is far more important that the rating sticker. DOT helmets are made for one hard impact. Once the helmet has compressed or damaged, it needs to be replaced. Helmets constructed with carbon fiber or kevlar are protective for several impacts.
A retention method for the strap is very important. Many helmets use a d ring method which is secured by looping the straps through the rings. Other methods involve a plastic or seatbelt type connector. A high quality quick release would consist of high strength plastic such as polymer.
About the Author:
Always wear a good helmet, see carbon fiber helmets. This article, How DOT Approved Motorcycle Helmets Work is released under a creative commons attribution license.
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