Use Your Head! April is Helmet Safety Month!
We love our family here at Doc’s H-D (hey, that’s you all!), and we want to keep you coming back for years to come! Part of that is helping to keep you safe! With that in mind, let’s talk helmets! Every rider knows that helmets are a crucial part of the Riding Gear outfit for a Harley-Davidson owner, or any bike owner for that matter. Still, there are a few things that you may not know. So let’s get to it!
Helmets are more than just a way to express your style: they should actually do the job of protecting your skull! It is imperative that if you are going to wear a helmet (which you absolutely should), that it be a DOT sanctioned one. Novelty helmets just don’t DO THE JOB! What good is looking awesome if you are in a hospital bed for the rest of your life? Don’t ruin your right to ride by getting a sub-par helmet. There are TONS of slick-looking DOT approved helmets out there for you to choose from, so you will be covered… literally and figuratively!
Next, let’s discuss sizing and fit. FIT IS VITAL! That is Harley-Davidson’s stance on it, so take our word for it. If your helmet doesn’t fit correctly, it cannot do its job. If fitted correctly, it should sit one inch above your brows and won’t slide forward or side-to-side when on. Just like you would when trying on shoes, wear it for a few minutes to ensure the fit is correct and comfortable. If it is too tight or too loose, your helmet won’t help you much. Harley-Davidson says that roughly 15 minutes is enough time to know for sure whether or not the helmet will work for you. Let a professional help you! Our Motorclothes staff here at Doc’s is trained to pick the perfect fit for you, so let them assist you with your selection. It is vital that the future helmet wearer is present for the process; helmets are impossible to properly fit without a head to place them on! If you want to purchase a helmet as a gift, surprise them with a visit to the dealership! It’s a fun outing, too!
Your helmet style will also vary on the riding that you will be doing. A full face is probably your best bet if you are riding cross-country or don’t like windburn. If you are riding around on the weekends to take in the beautiful weather or don’t like the feel of a helmet restricting you, a half helmet might be just what you are looking for. If you are unsure, ask us! We want to help you have the best riding experience possible!
Helmet care is more than just finding a safe place to secure it to your bike. Most people know that you shouldn’t drop it, but did you know that a drop of just three feet or more is enough to warrant replacing it? Any fall at all is enough, according to Harley-Davidson, and here’s why: helmets are designed for only one impact. They are one and done. The outer shell can be fractured, or the lining can be compressed or cracked without you knowing it. If this does occur, the helmet will not do the job you purchased it to do when you need it most. Is it worth that gamble? Haven’t dropped your helmet lately? You should still replace them every three to five years, depending on the frequency of wear. Harley-Davidson helps you track this by providing a “purchased on date” sticker that you can place under the comfort liner. Did you know that you should clean your helmet? Cleaning it helps it do its job to full capacity! Just use a gentle soap to wash the outer shell and inner lining, but avoid harsh cleaners or solvents, as they can cause severe damage to the protective coatings. Keep the helmet safe, folks, and it will help do the same for you!
Need a new helmet? Come see us at Doc’s Harley-Davidson and our staff will be more than happy to get you on the road with the perfect one! We are located at 930 S. Kirkwood Rd., Kirkwood, MO 63122. Give us a call at 314.965.0166, check out our website at docsh-d.com or chat us up on Facebook! Stay safe out there!