Creative Motorcycle Helmet Designs

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More than just protective headgear, some motorcycle riders view their helmets as an outlet to express themselves. There are many ways to personalize a motorcycle helmet, some of which are extremely affordable. Stickers are the easiest way to do so. Not happy with your “ho-hum” black motorcycle helmet? Jazz it up with stickers for your favorite sports team, souvenirs from cities that you’ve ridden through, or even just letter stickers spelling out a funny phrase or saying. Along the same line, some riders choose to have their motorcycle helmets airbrushed, either with an artists’s design or a custom design of their own. Possible options could include religious icons, fantasy creatures, patriotic pictures, or wildlife. Another option is hair attachments, commonly in the form of ponytails, pigtails, and mohawks. These can be purchased premade or if you have some creativity you can make one of your own.

While personalizing a motorcycle helmet can be fun, you need to do so with caution. Keep in mind that first and foremost, your motorcycle helmet is designed to protect your head in the event of a crash. Although decorations may seem harmless, there are some things to consider. If you choose to have a motorcycle helmet airbrushed, only do so with a company that is well-versed in the process of helmet airbrushing. Because motorcycle helmets can be made of various metals and plastics (and in some cases alloys of two different substances), how the shell of your motorcycle helmet will react to paint can be somewhat unpredictable. Under no circumstances should you drill any attachments to your motorcycle, and use glue with caution. Like paint, glue can sometimes change the chemical makeup of a substance in the bonding process, and inadvertently weaken your motorcycle helmet.

If you want your motorcycle helmet to stand out but are skittish about adhesive items, a helmet skin can be a great option. Very much like a book jacket, a helmet skin is usually made of a piece of stretchy material that goes over the helmet. Skins can be removed and interchanged depending on your mood or tastes. No longer into the skull skin that you purchased? It can be easily switched out for a cartoon character or other design within a matter of minutes!

No matter which option you choose, personalizing your motorcycle helmet can be a fun process. You’ll enjoy a safer ride while showing off your own personal style.

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Michigan Governor Supports Motorcycle Helmet Law

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Governor Jennifer Granholm of Michigan is once again fighting to keep that state’s motorcycle helmet law intact, after twice vetoing similar legislation that would end the requirement that all motorcycle operators and riders in Michigan wear a “crash helmet”.

The law is not exactly vague. Section 257.658 of Michigan Penal Code says simply that any person driving or riding on a motorcycle must wear a helmet on their head. It is unclear why the Michigan House of Representatives and Senate are so intent on repealing the law, and it is equally remarkable that the Democrat-led House and the Republican-led Senate agree on much at all in this economically crippled state.

Governor Granholm, a Democrat, has gone out of her way to debate this issue in public. Granholm’s concerns range from simple driver safety, worries about increases to auto insurance premiums and added costs if the mandatory helmet law were repealed, and more operators and riders being injured or killed. Granholm has gone as far as to suggest that legislators are too far in the pocket of the insurance industry, who would no doubt benefit from the same higher costs that Granholm is worried about.

Though the penalties for operating or riding a motorcycle without a helmet in Michigan differ by county, violators can expect a ticket anywhere from $35 – $200. The state of Michigan has gone back and forth on the issue of motorcycle helmets since the mid-60s, when local laws requiring motorcycle helmets were declared unconstitutional by the state’s Supreme Court. Oddly enough, it was found that “[the motorcycle helmet law has] no relationship to the public health”, a decision that was overturned and reinstated four or five times over the past forty-five years.

Those who support the repeal of the motorcycle helmet law say the current law goes too far. In the past, it has been suggested that riders over the age of 21 who go through a specific safety course should have the right to decide whether to wear a helmet or not. The issue, say supporters of the repeal like the motorcycle advocacy group ABATE, is government control. It isn’t that people opposed to the law are opposed to helmets — they are opposed to being forced by the government to do anything. Helmet repeal in Michigan is a microcosm of state politics, a battle between Libertarianism and Big Government.

As long as fatalities are higher for motorcycle riders that don’t wear helmets, the government will try to enact laws to protect their citizens. As long as state governments make mandates about health and safety, a portion of the political world will fight back.

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Selecting Your Motorcycle Helmet Style

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Selecting the proper motorcycle helmet for your riding style can take a little time. There are many different styles of motorcycle helmet including full face, modular, 3/4 open face, half helmet, and so-called beanies or skid lids.

Each helmet type lends itself well to individual riding styles. Indeed, many helmets today were designed with a specific motorcycle and riding style in mind. This is most evident in the use of full face helmets in track racing and sport bike riding. Without a doubt, full face helmets offer the most protection of any of the other helmet styles. Full-face helmets protect the top, sides and back of the head, but also the entire front of the face. A large majority of motorcycle accidents involve damage to the chin and face, which only full-face motorcycle helmets will protect against in the event of an accident. Dirt bike riders also choose a similarly designed full face helmet, identifiable by a further protruding chin and face protector.

Modular helmets and 3/4 open face helmets are more common with touring motorcycle riders and commuters. Modular helmets are designed to look exactly like full face helmets, but the chin and face protection can be raised for easy access to eat, drink, or talk to friends when you reach your destination. 3/4 open face helmets are just like they sound, they protect the top, back and sides of the head while leaving the face open.

This style, along with half helmets, allows the rider to feel more connected to the open road, and feel they are more an active participant in the ride. For this reason, half helmets are more popular with street bikes and cruisers. At the same time, this riding style is often not as fast, and so less wind burn and less chance for serious injury in the event of a crash.

Beanies and skid lids are the smallest and most basic style of helmet, often containing little to no protection except for the top crown area of the head, minimal comfort padding, and will do little to protect even the top of a riders head in the event of a crash. These helmets were designed to comply with the absolute minimum state motorcycle helmet law requirements, and were made popular by outlaw motorcycle gangs who wanted to ride with no helmet, but lived in a state that would not allow it.

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How to Choose Your Motorcycle Helmet

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Regardless of whether or not your state has a law regarding motorcycle helmets, you will find they will give you the added protection you need on the road. Studies that have been conducted have proven that helmets are effective in protecting the rider. Without one, you increase your risk of serious injury and possible death from the injuries sustained in an accident.

Choosing a motorcycle helmet should not be based on the color or design. Truthfully, even price should not be a factor, as you really can’t put a price on your life. The most important thing in your decision should be the protection it can provide for you.

A full-faced helmet is going to give you the most protection, as it will cover the largest area. This is the main reason that so many racers choose to use it. While many riders prefer the open-faced helmet, you should understand that it does leave your chin and other areas exposed to possible damage should an accident occur.

Before you choose one, be sure to check whether or not the helmet actually meets the minimum of safety standards. You can tell this by whether or not the helmet has a sticker on it that says “DOT” on it. This will mean it has been manufactured in accordance to regulations set by the Department of Transportation.

Once you have chosen the style, you must then find one that is comfortable and fits right. The fact is, you can not go by your hat size, as the shapes of heads can be very different from one another. Never purchase a motorcycle helmet without first trying it on to get the right fit.

Now that you have chosen a safe helmet and one that fits, you can then think about the color and decoration. Choosing a motorcycle helmet should be taken very seriously, as it could mean the difference between your life and death.

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