Motorcycle helmets. A glossary of terms

Like all motorcycle gear, over the years helmets have become more complex. They are more technical and sophisticated than they ever used to be.

But I don't think the manufacturers have been very good at communicating just how far helmets have moved on over the years. Maybe that's their fault. Maybe it's the fault of retailers who prefer making quick and easy sales. Or maybe it's the fault of motorcyclists who seem more interested in colourways than in protection. The reality is that all parties are probably a little to blame.

The only thing we do know is that many of the people we come across in the shop here don't understand even the basics of how a helmet works.

Which is why we have put this video together. In it we talk about what helmets are designed to do, how they work, and why they are constructed the way they are. We talk about the different roles the helmet's shell and its eps liner play. We talk about about how helmets are safety tested, and why not all helmets are equally protective.

We talk about the different types of helmet. We talk about some of the confusing technology. We talk, amongst other things, about CE certification, helmet and head shapes, the importance of the fit, changeable liners, noise, visors, peaks, fogging, Pinlocks, venting, detentes, fastening mechanisms and comms. systems.

Our aim here is to provide a better understanding of how helmets work, in the hope that this might give people more of the information they need when it next comes to buying a helmet.

In the absence of this knowledge what we see is that many people go into a shop not even knowing the type of helmet that might work best for them. It's why, perhaps, so many people end up fixating on the designs and colourways of helmets. And frankly, on so many levels, that's just wrong!

A helmet is the most important item of motorcycle protective wear that you'll ever buy. It is there to protect your most important and valuable organ; the brain. And what you need to bear in mind is that brain damage cannot ever be repaired in the way that broken arms and legs can be. This is a decision, therefore, you want to get right.

As ever with Motolegends, this is not a short video. (We're too busy to do a shorter one)! But more so here than with our regular videos we reckon it might be worthwhile investing a bit of your time in listening to what we have to say. You may know a lot of it already. But I suspect that almost everybody will pick up something that might help them to make better-informed decisions in the future.

Find yourself a comfy chair. Get a coffee and some popcorn. Then sit back and relax.

For more information and to view online, click motorcycle helmets.