ATV Helmet
Choosing your ATV Helmet
Summary: Poor fitting ATV helmets could be lethal than beneficial. The roll off test is a good experiment to see if you need another.
Buying an ATV helmet can be a daunting prospect, especially if you're not sure which signs to look for. For someone new to the sport, buying most probably would involve getting the best design or the color that would match the ATV but not its fit or its construction. This could be a fatal mistake.
Poor fitting ATV helmets tend to twist in your face or misalign especially during bumpy rides. They get loose during accidents and instead of protecting they dislodge away leaving your head a great risk of serious injury.
So, for a helmet to be effective, it must feel comfortable as you wear it. Snug but not painfully tight and with the right amount of room not to feel too claustrophobic. Try it on. For closed helmets, it should be a bit difficult putting it on since the padding that fits the helmet to your neck should be smaller than the total circumference of your head. So long as trying the helmet on is not very easy, it is okay. If you had completely fitted the entire helmet see if it is still a comfortable fit. The next test should be to move your head, or shake it, rather vigorously and see if it won't misalign with your head, especially with your eyes. If the helmet would stay in place in spite of your head movements, then the it should be a good fit for you. Try others for the best fit.
The roll off test is one good experiment to see if the helmet comes off in certain conditions. To do this test, start by wearing the helmet, with all straps fastened securely. Now, grab the rear lip (at the back of your head) and try to roll it forward vigorously off your head. If it comes off you should look for another helmet.
By the way, look for helmets with U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) certificates. It beats the purpose if you buy a helmet that doesn't provide ample protection. The Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard #218 requires that an ATV helmet should withstand significant amount of impact and a fastening system that should also withstand significant force.
Here's a site that may help you get your choicest ATV helmet:
AFX
Phone Toll Free: 1-877-686-6477
http://www.afxhelmets.com
AFX have a number of quality ATV helmets with choice colors in their catalog. Their helmets are made by high pressure injection molding, and have outstanding resiliency to impact. Likewise, all face shields used for their helmets are compound curved, hard-coated and scratch resistant to ensure years of use. All their products have met or exceeded the safety standards of DOT and ECE.
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