At the start of your motorcycling or scooting career, you are face with many choices when it comes to equipment and clothing. One thing that everyone should agree on though is the need for a quality, well made, good fitting helmet.

One of the first things you are taught about on your CBT Training is what to look for in a helmet. Listen to your instructor, he or she will know what they are talking about and will also have local knowledge of the shops which will take the time to fit your helmet correctly. Remember a helmet with the correct fit is crucial to its safety performance.

Full face or open face helmet? There has been an explosion in the amount of open face helmets available recently, they certainly seem to be ‘in fashion’ while it is hard to disagree that they do look good, you have to weigh up what the extra protection of a full face helmet gives you. Think about it this way – if you are unlucky enough to come off face first and hit the ground in an open face helmet then what will take the impact? Protecting your jaw makes it worth seeking out a good full face helmet in our opinion.

Steer clear of second hand helmets. While they may seem like a great deal, you never truly know the history of them. Just because the owner tells you that it has never been dropped or in an accident, it doesn’t mean it is true. Second hand jackets, boots etc is one thing, but find the budget for a decent lid. If you ever happen to need it then you will be glad you did.

Buying online can also cause issues, as you can’t be sure that the helmet will fit correctly (as we mentioned above, this is essential).

So, make sure you get all the advice you can from your instructors on your CBT or Test. They will be able to put you on the right track.

Helmets can be itchy. Itches can be distracting. Distraction and staying upright aren’t a good combination! Menthogen is a anti-irritant scalp spray which stops itch immediately. It also cools and soothes the scalp for a more comfortable ride. Just what you need to help maximise your concentration by removing the distraction of helmet caused itchiness.”

Image Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/miker/