Exploring the Safety of Modular Helmets in Crashes

You are considering buying the best modular motorcycle helmet as safety equipment. But before you make your purchase you hear others making claims that a flip-up helmet has poor protection against crash. 

And thus, you ask, how safe is a modular helmet? Can it offer tangible protection in the event of an accident? Therefore, Helmet Gurus takes you through the safety protection of flip-up helmets against crashes. 

Is the Safety Level of Modular Helmets Different From Full-Face Helmets?

If you research the most widely used type of helmet in international racing sports such as Formula One or MotoGP, you’ll realize that full-face helmets dominate. 

Due to the high risk of crashing in such races, the riders require a helmet that provides the highest level of protection. 

It’s true that full-face helmets are more effective in cushioning against crash-related accidents. But how effective are modular helmets reliable in protecting a motorcyclist against crash injuries?

How Safe Are Modular Helmets in Preventing Crash-Related Injuries?

What separates a modular from a full-face injury is the chin bar that can lift and expose the face. Otherwise, the shell material, padding, and liner are the same in all the two cases.

It’s easy to understand the safety of modular helmets in crashes when we consider the following subheadings:

The Fit of the Helmet

One factor that influences modular helmets safety level in a crash is its fit. A loose-fitting helmet has poor crash shielding ability. Besides, it may even fuel your chances of sustaining serious injuries. 

The impact of a crash may throw you off the motorcycle. Your expectation is for the modular helmet to stay intact on your head. Only that way can it absorb maximum energy from the impact.

A loose-fitting helmet on the other hand has unpredictable performance. Instead of staying put over your head a loose helmet may come off and land in a different location. Meaning it leaves your head bare to hit the ground or other hard objects.

Alternatively, the force of impact may cause it to rotate and block your view even before slowing down. Still, if it doesn’t rotate or come off, the extra space may lead to double impact injury. 

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Reliability of the Lock and Hinge Mechanism

The lock and hinge mechanism of a modular helmet influences how well it can handle a crash. Plastic locks, buckles, and hinges give way upon receiving high-impact energy. And when the lock gives way the chin bar opens and hence exposes your face to injuries.

On the other hand, when you use robust metals on locks and hinges are more resistant to crashes than their plastic counterparts. And thus, if you want the best safe modular helmets settle for reputable models with sturdy metallic locks and hinges.

But even though metal locks are fairly reliable it doesn’t compare to the reliability of a full-face helmet. The solid shell and absence of a hinge as a line of weakness give it high structural durability.  At high-impact energy, a lock is more likely to pop up than a solid shell of a full-face helmet. 

Certification

You can count on a helmet that has certification from a reputable organization rather than a brand with no certification at all. Famous organizations with reliable certifications include SHARP, ECE, SNELL, DOT or FIM. Such bodies conduct rigorous tests on helmets to ascertain their crash resistance and structural integrity in general. 

Certification alone is not a guarantee for the safety of a helmet. But lack of a certification mark from a reputable organization is a sure sign of an unreliable helmet regarding safety. 

Quality of Materials Used

In the event of a crash, the shell is the first culprit. Thus, if you need the best crash safety modular helmets that give a high degree of protection, they must have smooth sturdy shell material. On that note, carbon fiber provides higher impact protection than cheap plastic shells. 

Proper Usage of the Helmet

You can only reap the maximum cushioning of a helmet if you wear it correctly. When you ride your helmet with the chin bar flipped up it leaves your face exposed. In case of a crash, your face will barely have protection.

Still, if you wear a helmet halfway hanging on your head or unbuckled wrongly, it offers very little protection. And in the event of a crash, you are certain to sustain injuries. 

Riding Style and Setting

Your preferred riding style and surroundings may dictate whether a modular helmet provides sufficient protection or not. For instance, casual, leisure, and adventurous rides don’t involve high speeds. As such, a modular motorcycle helmet can provide adequate crash protection. 

Helmet Condition and Aging Effect

The degree of protection provided by the best modular motorcycle helmet depends on its present condition. A brand-new certified helmet has its parts still in their pristine condition and thus offers top protection. 

But as the years roll by, its safety level goes down. The continuous exposure to UV rays, normal wear, and occasional drops lower the crash-resistant ability of the helmet. Still how well you care for the helmet influences its structural integrity. 

If you tend to unconsciously knock your helmet, clean it with harsh chemicals, or store it in a poor state, it gradually reduces its impact protection ability. 

So, Can You Count On the Safety of Modular Motorcycle Helmets In Crashes? 

Remember no helmet offers 100 percent surety against crash. And according to Helmet Gurus, riding without a protective cover over your head is a risky mistake. That’s because not wearing a helmet exposes you to deadly injuries, even from a minor accident.

Certified flip-up helmets provide a tangible degree of protection. However, the extent of protection against crash-related injuries depends on several issues. 

You can secure the best modular motorcycle helmet that gives adequate crash protection. Besides selecting a certified brand that fits you well, wear it properly, and know where to use the hood. In addition, select the helmet that has a sturdy shell and metallic locks and hinges. 

Nevertheless, there are circumstances and riding styles where modular helmets don’t provide optimum protection against crashes. For example, racing entails high risk and speed. For that reason, only the best full-face helmet suits such a setup.