Staying protected when riding a motorcycle is crucial for everyone. Whether you are an occasional rider or not, wearing a helmet can protect you, saving you from injuries – including fatal ones. In fact, it’s said that these pieces of gear can reduce the risk of head injury by 69% and reduce the risk of death by 42%. Wearing a helmet all the time can keep you protected especially in case of an accident because in such instances head injury is the leading cause of disability and death.
Are Motorcycle Helmets Required in Canada?
In Canada, both passengers and drivers are required to wear them while riding a motorcycle. Even though there are some flexibility and exceptions to this law, in most provinces wearing them is still mandatory. Make sure the chosen model meets all required standards in order to comply with the law, otherwise you risk breaking it while staying unprotected.
Are They the Same as Bicycle Helmets?
No, they aren’t the same and you shouldn’t use a bike helmet when riding a motorcycle. The ones designed for motorcycle use are more durable, longer-lasting and heavy-duty.
Types of Helmets
Before choosing one of the safest Canada motorcycle helmets, you must know that there are different types you can choose from. Unlike the notion of most people, the truth is that the choice of Canada motorcycle helmets is huge, giving you the chance to opt for the one that will fit perfectly while offering the utmost safety.
Full-Face
As the name suggests, these pieces of headgear offer the most coverage, especially around the neck and head which is why they are considered the safest type of all models offered on the market. Being able to provide you with full protection makes these models perfect for being worn by different motorcycle lovers. Regardless of the type of motorcycle you have, these pieces of headgear can provide you with the highest protection of them all.
Generally, you can choose from several types of these models in order to meet different riding styles. When it comes to choosing the right types, you should certainly pay attention to the chin bar as this is a crucial safety feature that can protect your face, especially the chin and jaw. You should also consider the helmet’s ventilation holes as they are paramount for sweat evaporation for keeping you cool, especially during the warmer time of the year, and for preventing visor fogging.
The greatest thing of all about these ventilation holes is that they can be closed which is a great feature when the temperatures start dropping. If you are following trends and love being up-to-date with everything, you can consider the idea of choosing the newest addition to helmets – the ones with Bluetooth and visors that adjust to sunlight conditions.
Open-Face – ¾
The ¾ models of this type of headgear cover the head’s top back, and sides, leaving the face open (exposed) allowing the rider to feel the wind on their face. In other words, these helmets have no visor and are mainly used by cafe racers, tourers, scooters and cruisers. Given the fact that this helmet doesn’t have a visor for protecting the eyes, nor a chin bar for protecting the chin and nose area, makes it the least safe model of helmets. It weighs less than the full-face models which is something most people love, especially the openness in their face area, however, it don’t offer the needed protection.
Flip-Up (Modular)
These models are a combination of full face models and three-quarter helmets because their chin bar and visor can flip up so that the front of your helmet is open. Keep in mind that on these models, the chin bar sits a bit lower on the face and the eye openings are more straight-forward. Depending on the model and manufacturer, some of them can even have a second internal visor for added eye protection.
An important thing to know about these adjustable models is that they weigh more than the full-face ones which is something you should take into account when making the choice. These models can also feature Bluetooth speakers and anti-fogging visor coating on the primary visor for increased visibility. These models of headgear are mainly used by cruisers, tourers and adventure riders.
Half
The half models of headgear cover only the top part of the head and the forehead, providing the least protection of them all. While it’s true that these models of helmets offer the highest air flow and breathability, they are the least preferred option for their poor protection. In order to improve your visibility and protection, you’ll need to invest in good eye protective goggles or rigid glasses.
Off-Road
Those who love dirt riding are probably familiar with the these types of helmets. They are designed for dirt roads and aren’t recommended to be used in cities. Even though designed for off-road riding, these models of headguards don’t have eye-protection, so investing in glasses or goggles is a must, especially when riding in dusty, dirty and muddy areas.
These head guards offer maximum protection and have flowing ventilation and minimum weight, allowing for the implementation of Bluetooth speakers in some models.
