Cool Motorcycle Helmets, Getting Ready For The Summer

With the Summer months approaching fast, motorcycle riders are always looking for ways to remain cool while riding. Let's face it, wearing proper protective gear can be heavy and hot. This is also true when it comes to your motorcycle helmet. Here are 5 ways you can fight the heat.

1. The type of motorcycle helmet you wear can make a difference in temperature. A half helmet or and open face helmet will allow air flow directly over your face. Of course, proper eye protection should be worn along with these styles of helmets. Also, the more coverage a helmet overs, the more protection it offers. A full face helmet that covers your face and chin would offer more protection than a open face or half helmet. A good compromise would be a Flip-Up or Modular style. A Modular helmet allows you to Flip up the front section of your helmet. This is a good way to grab some cool air while stopped at a light or riding at lower speeds.

2. The Color can make a big difference. Studies have shown that a white helmet, when compared to a black, can be as much as 15 degrees cooler. It's simple science. Dark colors absorb the sun's heat. Three is no difference when it comes to your motorcycle helmet. A recent study showed that a white helmet was 15 degrees cooler than a black helmet while sitting still in the sun. At a speed of 40 mph, the white helmet was still 10 degrees cooler than the black helmet. According to the CDC, lighter colored helmets are also more visible and reduce your risk of being hit by another motorist by 25 percent.

3. The helmet ventilation system can make a big difference. Helmet ventilation has improved significantly over the last ten years. The days of two small holes in the forehead for vents has come and gone. Today's advanced helmets come available with advanced vent systems designed to move the air in and out of the helmet. Old school helmets depended on forced air to be directed into the small forehead vents. Today's technology allow helmets to draw the cool air in while extracting the hot air. Venturi vents are designed in a way that a rear vent draws cool air in from the front vent. At the same time, as your head is generating heat, rear and side vents are designed to extract the hot air. Not all new helmets have these vent features. In most cases, you will find that the higher quality helmets that put more effort into manufacturing and testing their helmets will offer better ventilation.

4. Some of today's helmet manufactures are using moisture wicking materials in their helmet liners. These materials often are named differently, but essentially serve the same purpose. The purpose is to absorb moisture while maintaining a cool and dry riding experience. Some of these liner systems have antibacterial properties and are helpful in keeping the helmet liner odor free.