April is Check Your Helmet Month!

98258-08VM Skull Half Helmet  $125

The Life Cycle of a Helmet

Helmets look tough and durable, but they do have to be handled with care and they do need to be replaced periodically. Manufacturers and the Snell Foundation recommend helmets be replaced every 3 to 5 years, depending on use. Over time, UV rays, hair oils, sweat, cosmetics, adhesive and component aging will damage a helmet and its protective qualities may deteriorate with time and wear, making it a safety risk.

If a helmet has been dropped or suffered an impact, it needs to be replaced right away.  Remember, a helmet is only designed for ONE impact - even a small one. An impact may fracture the outer shell or compress the impact absorbing liner - even though the damage may not be visible.

Never use, expose or store helmets around insect repellent, gasoline, cleaning fluids, exhaust fumes or excessive heat. These factors can result in the degradation of helmet materials and protective components, even though the damage may not be visible.

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The strength of the resin impregnated Aramid and fiberglass weave allows for a smaller impact liner, which provides for a lighter and more compact helmet shell...

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Complete Range of Styles of Helmets by Harley-Davidson

Harley-Davidson helmets are available in a range of styles, prices and construction materials to help meet all customers' needs. Most motorcycle helmets are comprised of four primary elements:

• The hard outer shell
• An impact absorbing liner (usually expanded polystyrence or EPS)
• Comfort padding
• A retention system to help keep the helmet in place.

The first component - the shell material - is made from either thermoplastic or fiberglass.  Which material is used affects the comfort, weight, and appearance of the helmet.  Here are the differences:

1. Thermoplastic construction means hot plastic (polycarbonate) is injected into a mold that then hardens. Since this process is less complicated then fiberglass construction, thermoplastic shells are normally less expensive. Upon impact against a hard surface, thermoplastic typically flexes. To meet DOT requirements, thermoplastic helmets require a thicker impact liner which in turn requires a larger shell. The final result is a less expensive, but slightly larger and heavier helmet.
2. Fiberglass shell construction involves placing multiple layers of fiber cloth inside a mold, adding a resin, and then heating the mold to bond to the resin while removing pockets of air. Multiple steps are required to create a layered weave with the fabric which adds cost. When impacted, a fiberglass shell usually cracks, crushes, and/or delaminates. This reduces the impact enough that the impact liner can be made thinner, thus reducing the overall size and weight of the helmet for added comfort.
3. Hybrid Ultra-Light shells are constructed using state-of-the-art technology. Hybrid Ultra-Light shells are produced with Aramid and fiberglass that had been pre-impregnated with resin, which eliminates the need for multiple layering, resin injection and air removal. This process creates the optimum mix of pre-impregnated Aramid fiberglass and resin which results in a lighter shell. The strength of the resin impregnated Aramid and fiberglass weave allows for a smaller impact liner, which provides for a lighter and more compact helmet shell. On average Hybrid Ultra-Light shells are 17% lighter than compararable fiberglass shells.

Customer choice depends on a preference for style and cost, but not protection. All Harley-Davidson helmets meet or exceed DOT requirements and some also pass SNELL Memorial Foundation standards.  Check the date on the inside of your helmet to verify its age.  You wear a helmet for a reason - make sure your helmet is up to snuff.