What Type of Helmet Should I Get for Harley Davidson?

Safety is the most significant aspect if you want to start riding a motorcycle. Before you take your motorcycle on the road, make sure that you are wearing the proper safety gear and there is no issue with your motorcycle to avoid any unfortunate event. The head is the most sensitive part that must be covered at all times during the ride as even a small impact on the head in the event of a motorcycle crash can be injurious to your overall well-being. Therefore, to ensure head and face safety, riders have a legal obligation to wear helmets, approved by the Department of Transport (DOT). However, apart from enabling safety, helmets can also make you look cool while riding a motorcycle. The choice of the helmet can be crucial while going for a ride to ensure both safety and style. The type of helmet you should wear also depends on the type of motorcycle you ride. For a classic motorcycle like Harley Davidson, riders have several helmet options to choose from that suit their style and ensure better head and face protection. Read this article to learn what type of helmet you should get as a Harley Davidson owner.

There are different types of helmets based on their size and the amount of protection they offer. These include:

A full-face helmet offers complete protection by covering the rider’s head, back of the head, and chin section. The face is covered with the helmet visor, which you can easily lift up and down as per your convenience. Full-face helmets offer the most safety while riding a motorcycle as they cover most of the head and face. In the event of an accident, a full-face helmet can protect you from life-threatening injuries, including any damage to the brain. Most Severe motorcycle accidents in which riders were not wearing a helmet led to life-long paralysis and even death.

Half helmets are the most traditional helmets with the simplest construction. They only cover the upper head, leaving the back of the head, face, and ears exposed. Half helmets offer the least protection while riding a motorcycle. These helmets only cover the head region and have no face, chin, and back-of-the-head protection. Most half-helmets do not have visors attached to them. Your face, chin, and lower head regions are some of the most sensitive parts of your body and must be covered at all times during the ride.

Three-quarter helmets are the modified versions of half helmets. They are slightly bigger than half helmets, ensuring back-of-the-head protection and ear protection. Unlike half helmets, three-quarter helmets are also fitted with visors for eye protection. However, they offer less protection than full-face helmets due to not being fitted with chin protection.

Modular helmets are the most advanced helmets with the characteristics of both full-face and three-quarter helmets. They provide full protection, covering the upper head, back of the head region, ears, face, and chin section. However, the chin section can be easily lifted, along with the visor. They often come with an additional sunglasses-style black visor fitted inside that can be tucked in and out when required.

After going through the type of helmets, a responsible rider should go for the one that offers the most protection and complete coverage of the rider’s head and face. Also, the helmet you wear must be DOT-approved. Riders must also abide by the helmet laws in their state.

What type of motorcycle helmet should a rider get for the Harley Davidson motorcycle depends on his/her preferences and the state where he/she rides. Most Harley Davidson riders prefer wearing a half or three-quarter helmet as they are the most lightweight and easy to carry. Most traditional Harley Davidson riders wear a bandana on their head to look cool on a motorcycle which does not go with the helmet.

Full-face helmets are usually most common with sports bikes, dirt bikes, and adventure bike riders as they require the maximum protection due to being fast and adventurous. Meanwhile, Harley Davidson motorcycles are mostly cruisers and touring bikes to suit the American motorcycle market needs. Cruisers and touring bikes are widely popular among U.S. riders due to being capable of long-distance open road and highway rides and cross-country touring. Cruisers and touring bikes are designed for a relaxed riding experience. Therefore, full-face helmets are not very popular among Harley fans.

If you are not satisfied with the look of your old helmet and it does not go with your motorcycle, you can custom paint your helmet to make it look new. You can express your creativity and artistic skills while customizing your helmet with patterns, shapes, abstract art, characters, and even quotes. For riders riding classic Harley Davidson cruisers and touring bikes, matte-finished custom helmets will look perfect.

Modern Harley Davidson motorbikes are quite powerful due to being fitted with large-displacement engines. The Harley Sportster series which includes the performance sports-style cruisers is also quite popular among young Harley fans. To ensure better head protection and avoid severe brain injuries in case of a motorcycle crash, Harley Davidson riders must at least wear quarter-face helmets. Modular helmets are a good option as you can lift the chin section to ensure a better road view and enjoy the fresh air striking your face.

If you are not planning to go on a long-distance ride, a DOT-approved half helmet is good for you to just ride around the corner to meet a friend. Meanwhile, for long-distance rides, full-face and modular helmets are the best as they ensure advanced protection and less fatigue. Full-face helmets help you stay active and fresh as they block the incoming wind from hitting your face and head. Full-face helmets are also the best option if you are planning to go on an adventure ride on your Harley Davidson Pan American adventure bike.

• A half or three-quarter helmet is only good for short-distance trips in the low-accident zones where bikers are considered relatively safer.
• You can also use a half or three-quarter helmet when you are practicing new riding skills in open spaces and empty parking lots.
• A half or three-quarter helmet is also a better option if you are riding in the rain or fog as it allows you to breathe fresh air and avoid suffocation. It also prevents the fogging of your helmet visor in the rain to ensure a better view.

Another important thing to consider before you buy a helmet is to choose a bright-colored helmet to improve your visibility on the road while riding in the dark.

Nowadays, most motorcyclists love recording themselves during the ride. As motovlogging becomes common, it is useful to buy and wear full-face or modular helmets as they provide better options for mounting cameras and microphones, along with providing better protection and head coverage.

To ensure safety and avoid getting distracted due to wind buffeting and helmet vibrations, wear a helmet that is the right fit. The front view through the visor, while you are wearing a helmet, must not be obstructed. Also, make sure you can comfortably move your head and neck while wearing a helmet.

There are different types of helmets available in the market, including full-face, half, three-quarters, and modular helmets. Every type of helmet has its own set of benefits and drawbacks. However, the rider must consider the safety aspect first, before choosing a helmet that looks stylish on him/her. When prioritizing safety, full-face and modular helmets are the best options for long-distance and fast rides. Meanwhile, three-quarter and half helmets are only good for short rides around the corner. When choosing a motorcycle helmet, make sure to buy a bright-colored, DOT-approved helmet that fits you perfectly.

Harley-Davidson motorcycles are well-known for being easily customizable. Motorcycle customization is made easier thanks to the wide range of good-quality aftermarket parts and luggage options available at Viking Bags’ online store. The motorcycle parts include sissy bars, fairings, crash bars, backrests, seats, and handlebars to improve the comfort and touring capability of your motorcycle on long-distance rides. You can also choose from a variety of luggage bags, including tank bags, saddlebags, sissy bar bags, and trunk bags, specially designed for your Harley Davidson.