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Did you know that there are five vital organs in our body? The brain sits on the top. Similarly, three vital dirt biking gears are important to perform the sport. Here also, the brain gets top priority.
The helmet is the most important safety gear of all. You have to wear it when simply siding on the streets. We recommend you put it on even if you sit on the bike!
The most important dirt bike gears are the helmet, chest protector, and knee pads. These three basic safety elements are a must for the off-roading bike experience.
This applies to beginners and pros alike. So, whichever level you’re at, stay tuned as we dig deep into dirt bike safety gears.
Why is a helmet so important?
When you are riding a bike, it creates a risk of severe head and brain injury. If you don’t wear a helmet when you are off-roading with your bike, there is a high chance of you getting hurt. These injuries can be fatal and even cause death.
The helmet is there to protect your neck and head. The helmet protects to some extent the neck.
However, you can add an extra protective measure by wearing a neck guard. However, you cannot skip on the helmet, which is the most important dirt bike gear.
A mild head injury can cause brain dysfunction. If the blow is not so severe, it can cause loss of consciousness, headache, vomiting, and dizziness.
There are more serious problems like a traumatic brain injury. A moderate and severe case of TBI may result in permanent damage.
By not wearing a helmet, you can end up having a speech impediment, seizure paralyzes, or even worse, coma!
Therefore, bikers must wear a helmet when off-roading or simply gliding on the road. When you wear a helmet, you reduce the chance of head injury by almost 70%.
How helmet protects your head?
The helmet covers the head that reduces impact when a crash takes place during dirt bike racing. It provides an extra layer on the head that protects you from more serious traumatic brain injury cases.
If there is a severe accident, the helmet can save you from serious damages. However, you may experience some mild levels of TBI.
The impact of the collision causes your neck to bend and rotate. This can cause irreparable damages to your neck and spine. The helmet reduces the rotational impact to your head, brain, and neck as well.
The outer layer of the helmet is made of tough materials. These materials safeguard the internal components.
There is a dense and compressed material after the first layer that absorbs shock at the time of the collision.
Usually, the outer layer is made of PVC, high-quality ABS, or fiberglass. These are very durable and hold up against friction.
Also, there are air ventilation systems that allow air to pass through and don’t suffocate you. The visor is common for dirt bike helmets. This helps to have some shade if you are under bright light.
Things to look for when choosing a dirt bike helmet
Among the most important dirt bike gears, the helmet is your top priority. There is no way you can take the bike out without using a helmet.
When you are on track, it is a must to use a high-quality helmet. We have already informed you about the vial and secondary safety gears.
If you want to save money, you can save it on secondary safety gear. However, you must invest in quality gears for the helmet and other crucial protective wears.
You that quality comes with a price. But it is a necessary investment for your good. Budget dirt bike helmets can start from 150 dollars, and the premium ones may go up to 700 dollars.
Our recommendation is, if you are on a budget, don’t go lower than that. Then the safety factor becomes questionable. There are some factors that you need to look for in a dirt bike helmet.
Construction
The helmet needs to be tough to protect your skull from being crushed. Materials like hard plastic, PVC, or fiberglass are lightweight but durable.
They have enough strength to withstand the impact of a crash. There are different surfaces that you might hit.
Sandy tracks are softer than clay. If you are riding on a clay track, you need the best protection you can get.
There is always new ideas and innovation around the helmet safety. New technology lets the inner layer have a little movement from the outer shell at the time of the accident.
This saves your head from injuries even if your head twists. The construction also should have a breakable visor. Plastic screws make the breaking easy and prompt.
You might get stuck on low-lying branches on the track. Thus, the breakable visor breaks off and doesn’t strangle the tour neck. The dirt bike helmet should be able to reduce drag significantly as well.
Safety
This is one of the most crucial factors to consider when choosing a helmet. You want to protect yourself from moderate or severe traumatic brain injuries on the track.
Otherwise, one little mistake can result in disaster. The innovative safety features decrease the probability of these damages.
The quality of the materials determines how effective the helmet will be. There are some certifications that make the helmet reliable.
They take the helmet to their testing center and put it through a vigorous test to determine the level of safety they provide.
The safety standard in the UK is the ECE certification is accepted. The DOT sticker is what you need to look for when selecting a helmet.
It is a regulatory standard in the US for helmets. The top safety levels are certified by the Snell regulatory standard.
Comfort
The first and foremost factor is the right amount of ventilation. You need an ample amount of airflow in the helmet.
During the summer, heat humidity builds up, and this can get quite uncomfortable. Therefore, you have to have vents but not too much. Too many vents will compromise the safety features.
The right fitment is important because you need comfort when on the track. The inside of the helmet has to be snuggly with your cheeks.
Sometimes you can adjust that according to your face. The intermediate oval shape fits most people. You have to know the correct shell size.
Design
Last but not least is the design and print on the helmet. It can match your bike’s aesthetic or the entire safety gear set. The helmet is the most important dirt bike safety gear and the most noticeable.
Thus, you can customize the graphics according to your taste. Also, mix and match the color with goggles and the rest of the suit.
Conclusion
The helmet relatively saves your head from injuries. Thus, you must put them on as it is number one among the most important dirt bike gears.
It is never wise to compromise safety for looking cool among your peers. The wise thing is to keep yourself safe first.
Therefore, we strongly suggest investing in a quality dirt bike helmet. Also, change it if it encounters significant damage. Because we are talking about your brain, there is no room for error.
If you give the headgear a second thought, you might get into a situation where you won’t be able to have thoughts.
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