Helmet of motor bike

The helmet is intended to protect the head from the driver by deadening the shock with the natural ground or obstacles in the event of fall, but also to protect from the Abrasion caused by the slip on the roadway.

The helmet of motor bike has also a function of protection of the eyes against the wind, the insects, even a function of pure comfort by including/understanding a device of air-conditioning or heating and loudspeakers to listen to music or a fellow traveller. It is also a acoustic Isolant.

A study carried out in 2004 in New Zealand indicates that the port of a helmet of white color reduced the accident risks of 24 %.

Design and Manufacture

The helmet protects the head by absorption from a more or less great part of the kinetic energy of the impact. The more important the quantity of energy absorptive by the deformation or the destruction of the helmet is, the better the head will be protected. The energy absorption is ensured by its destruction (partial or supplements, visible or not). Consequently any helmet must be changed after an accident because its capacity of protection will be decreased.

The external hull protects from the risks from penetration from the helmet by pointed objects. At the same time it ensures the slip of the helmet on the surfaces impacted in a tangential way. The cap interns made up of expanded materials (Polystyrène, Polypropylène or other) absorbs the energy of the impact by crushing. Internal fabric and light foam stuffing ensures a comfortable contact, a protection against the cold, the noise of the engine and the drafts.

Materials

Materials used for the manufacture of the hull:

plastics: the hulls of the helmets are obtained by injection of Polycarbonate S in a mould and are then varnished. Real progress was obtained and makes it possible to obtain more resistant and less heavy helmets. But the weight remains higher than that of the fiber helmets. It is in this category that one finds on the other hand the prices most competitive.

composite matters: those can be Kevlar, Glass fiber, Carbon fiber or the allied Dyneema to resins. Each fiber has advantages and disadvantages in term of weight, resistance to lengthening and compression, facility of industrial use and they can be used jointly.

There does not exist ideal material but the composites very often have the favor of the motorcyclists.

The interior trimming is in Polystyrène equipped with nonirritating fabrics.

Decorations

The color of the helmet can be sober (plain color), but the ranges suggested are also rich in varied decorations and graphics which are changed from one year to another. The notoriety of the professional pilots is used in order to produce decorations pointing out those which those use in competition, thus bringing an additional advertizing attraction by the means of the phenomenon of identification. This type of helmet is called replica .

Homologation

A helmet motor bike must be approved with the standard S. the standards are established minimal by mutual agreement requirements between the various manufacturers and the representatives of the civil society and the governments. European standards 22-04 or 22-05 are announced by one (white label comprising the letter E followed by a code country). The French standards (standard NF S 72.305) are announced on a green label. The latter tends to disappear with the profit from the European standard. In the United States, it is about the standard DOWRY FMVSS 218 (for Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 218 Of Transportaion ) allied with the quality control mark of the M2000 standard. Canada also accepts standard CAN3-D230 of the Canadian Association of standardization. England accepts old standard BSI 6658-85; Japan standard JIS T 8133, Australia standard SAIG. Since the appearance of amendment 05 of the standard 22, the addition of a letter makes it possible to know the result of a test of protection of the jaw to which the helmet was subjected:

J for the type jet or half jet (not of protection jawbone in this case)
P guarantees a minimal protection jawbone
NP indicates that the helmet does not answer the tests of protection of the jaw

The helmet must be attached in any circumstance thanks to its chin-strap.

In Europe and in certain American states, the port of the helmet is obligatory for the pilot and the passenger. In France, the absence of port of the helmet is liable to a Contravention to 135 € with withdrawal to three points on the Permis to lead and a possible immobilization of the vehicle. It is a decree of June 28th, 1973, bearing obligation, starting from July 1st, port of the helmet for all the users of motor cycles in and except agglomeration, and the drivers of motor cycles except agglomeration. Consequently, in agglomeration, the users of the motor cycles are not obliged to use a helmet motor bike. They can choose a lighter helmet such as for example a helmet of bicycle. In the event of accident and function of the conditions specified by the law, the absence of helmet can justify a reduction of the compensation for the physical injuries covered by the insurer.

In certain European countries - for example in Holland - the use of a helmet remains optional for the scooters and the auto-cycles of less than 50 Cm3.

Types of helmets

; Bowl: It covers only the top of cranium. The new models cannot be used on opened road any more, not fulfilling the requirements minimum of homologation. The followers of the old motor bikes or retro, principal users of this kind of helmet, thus turn worms of the approved old models at their time; this legally makes it possible to continue to use them.

; Jet: It is a light and opened helmet, which caps the temples in addition to the top of the cranium, but which does not offer or little maxillo-facial protection (before face). Its use is to be avoided at high speed and in cold season. Its weight is in the neighborhoods of 1000 grams, the field of view is widened. In spite of the absence of protection on the level of the face it offers a as good crânio-cerebral protection so nonbetter as a full-face helmet (of design and similar manufacture).

; Integral: In addition to the models jet, it offers a facial protection. However its volume and high weight (1 200 - 1600 G), the soundproofing as well as the reduced field of view play in its discredit in particular in urban area. He is more often advised on the great ways and at high speed.

; Flexible: This type of helmet is hybrid. It combines the advantages of the helmet jet while offering a facial protection and an additional comfort at high speed. However its weight is higher than integral. In addition, only certain models can be used in position integral jet or position. Most of the time, only the position “integral” is authorized, the mentonnière being raised only to facilitate the threading.

; Cross-country race: They are also used on the road field; the wearing of glasses is essential.

; Transformable: This type of helmet has a dismountable mentonnière. Various models exist under this name. First, as for example Airoh TR1 make it possible to roll with or without mentonnière, i.e. either in full-face helmet, or in helmet jet. The second type, as Givi X01 makes it possible to replace the mentonnière by a more ventilated model during the hot months.

Functionalities

Visors

The visors of origin of the majority of the helmets are out of colorless plastic. Tinted visors making it possible to do without sunglasses can be gone up in the place. The use of visors known as Iridium (reflective and of metal appearance) is prohibited of night, because although bringing a notorious comfort vis-a-vis the sun of the summer, the vision in gray and night weather becomes difficult.

There exist helmets with a visor avoids sun integrated. This tinted visor is retractable. It is superimposed on the principal visor or retracts inside the helmet a little like the helmets of the pilots of military aircraft. This system makes it possible to use a transparent external visor for control in gray and night weather and to use the visor integrated in sunny weather.

Systems of closing

Three principal types of closings exist:

the loop 2D: composed of two rings where a strap passes in both then returns in only one in order to carry out blocking. Closing is optimal because tightening is carried out with each use. This system prevents the loosening of the strap. This mode of closing also allows a fast threading of the helmet without having to withdraw the strap of the rings. It is the most effective system and surest. Contrary to an generally accepted idea, it is not any obligatory in competition.
the loop with clips: similar to the principle of a safety belt, the two bits of the strap are connected by a mechanism simple to handle and reliable. If the length of the strap is preset, it can be loosened with time, thus compromising the maintenance of the helmet on the head.
the system with Toothed rack, known as Microlock , which allows a perfect adjustment of tightening each installation of the helmet.

In the Eighties, the mark GPA had also marketed a baptized range of helmets SJ for Without Jugulaire . The mentonnière was articulated and came in catch under the chin to ensure the maintenance before helmet. This concept has had for abandoned summer.

To note that the looping of the system of closing is imperative so that the helmet fulfills its protective role. In the event of shock, it should not in no case to be able to be ejected.

Dismountable interiors

Certain helmets make it possible to withdraw the trimmings to wash them and possibly to change them by news. Disassembling can be partial or total (foams of cheeks and foam of the cap).

Accessories

Intercoms

There exist various systems making it possible to communicate between pilot and passenger. Most known are the electronic systems by telegraphic or radio connection. They are commonly called Intercom.

The pilot and the passenger communicate via a microphone and of an auricle fixed on the ear or placed in the helmet. Microphones and auricles are connected via a cable and of a connector to a black box which ensures the amplification of the voice. The black box is generally placed in the pocket of the pilot or the passenger or is fixed on the motor bike. The power supply is done either by a pile or via the battery of the motor bike.

In addition to the communication controls momentary the Intercoms can offer the following possibilities:

Communication motor bike with motor bike
automatic Check of volume according to speed (in fact of the ambient noise)
Radio FM integrated
Connection to the audio system of the motor bike
Connection to a reader MP3, a cellphone, a CB or a GPS
Compatibility Bluetooth
Reduction and/or cut of the sound at the time of a conversation or a telephone call
vocal Retour
Déclenchement by the voice
Séparation sound source controls/momentary
Prise for 3rd helmet (motorcycle combination)
automatic Coupure of the food

Certain manufacturers offer on their models Grand Tourism of the communication systems embarked on the motor bike. The Intercom is generally coupled with the audio system and navigator GPS. It is enough for the pilot and for the passenger to connect the helmet directly on a special catch of the motor bike.

The electronic Intercoms suffer sometimes from problems of parasites or degradation of sound quality when the environment becomes noisy (speed, wind, etc). Indeed, the ambient noise is also amplified by the Intercom, which makes the communications difficult at high speed. For this reason certain models are equipped with active filters anti-noises and interference eliminators.

One also finds systems acoustic functioning a little like the Stéthoscope of a doctor. Pilot and passenger are directly connected by 2 flexible tubes in PVC connected to the microphones and the auricles. The voice circulates directly from one person to another inside these pipes. The quality of the sound is very good. Functioning without pile, this system does not need amplification and does not suffer from any parasite. It is not likely to break down contrary to the electronic models. On the other hand it does not offer any possibility of external connection. Being able to assemble itself on any type of full-face helmet, jet or flexible, it functions without problem until 150km/h.

To improve comfort the microphones and the auricles can be integrated into the helmet. Certain marks propose even ergonomic auricles which adapt to the ear of the user thanks to a moulding that each person carries out itself.

Certain countries prohibit the use of the cellphone with loudspeakers because of the high risk of accident which results from this.

Systems demister

It are obtained by the means of a flow of air directed on the visor and can be coupled to a specific treatment of the screen avoiding the formation of condensation inside the helmet. On certain helmets one also finds a removable deflector on the level of the nose, thus avoiding the projection of the air expired directly on the screen. To mitigate the recurring problem of mist settling inside the visor, it is possible to associate a very fine additional screen there, playing the part of double glazing. This system is diffused by the company Pinlock and it is this name which is used to indicate it.

Ventilation systems

The minimum suggested is an air intake on the level of the chin allowing on certain models the demisting of the visor. One or more air intake on the top of the helmet offers a better comfort in particular during the periods of summer; they can supplemented by one or more exits located at the back of the helmet.

The quality of ventilation induces a loss of the sound-proofing of the helmet.

Fire-stop of helmet

Manufacturers

AGV
Airoh
AMX
Arai
Bieffe
Borsalino
BMW
Caberg
CGF
Kraft
Cromwell
Dainese
Davida
Ducati
Ferrari
First
FM
Givi
GPA
Gran Turismo
Grex
HJC
Indian Coast
Iota
Icon
IXS
KBC
Kiwi
Laura Smith
Lazer
LEM
Momo Design
MTR
Nau
Nexx
Nitro
Nolan
Nox
NZI
First
Reevu
Roof
Schuberth
Scorpion
Shad
Shark
Shoei
Stormer
Suomy
THH
Torx
UVEX
Vemar
X-lite
Zeus

Choice of the helmet

A helmet, with the purchase, must be tight, the foam of interior trimming being packed after the first uses. This trimming must perfectly marry the morphology of the motorcyclist, and it is strongly disadvised lending its helmet. For this reason it is also recommended to change the helmet in a regular way (four or five years in the event of regular use). In the event of shock (accident, falls,…), the helmet must imperatively be changed.

The threading can let believe that the helmet will be too tight. But it is normal to be obliged to slightly draw aside foams of cheeks thanks to the supports of the chin-strap to be able to cap it. The same principle is used to withdraw it.

For the people carrying of the glasses, it is advisable to test the helmet with those to make sure of their good installation. Certain models of helmets have notches for the glasses in the interior trimmings on the level of the cheeks and the ears.

There exist also helmets especially studied for the children, because it is strongly disadvised making carry a helmet " adulte" with the latter. Indeed, the weight of a helmet which borders 1300 G in best case, would cause the rupture of the childish vertebrae in the event of accident. Moreover, the interior trimmings are not adapted to their morphology. It is for all these reasons and their safety, that certain manufacturers market especially adapted helmets (the shape of the hull, foams interior, weight lower than 1000 G).

See too

Internal bonds

External bond

Motoservices/helmets
Motomagazine/helmets

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