Hawk Helmets and Bike/Motor Bike Safety

A Hawk helmet is the best protective gear you can wear while riding a motorcycle. A helmet will not only protect your head from a potential injury, but also cut down on wind noise, windblast on your face and eyes, and deflect bugs and other debris that flies through the air. It will also protect you from changing weather conditions and reduce rider fatigue.

Last but not least, wearing a Hawk helmet is a reflection of your attitude toward riding and shows that you are a responsible rider who takes motorcycle riding seriously.
The expected turn around time from one Hawk helmet to another is three years (or a crash). If you have a crash, be sure to throw the Hawk helmet out and replace it. If you have the same helmet for three years be sure to get a new Hawk then as well.

There are a number of different Hawk available. Hybrid helmets allow you to slide the chin part of the Hawk helmet upwards. It's useful for people who wear glasses or bifocals. Open faced Hawk helmets (also known as three quarter helmets) protect the ears and side of the face, but offers no chin protection.

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Unique Motorcycle Helmets

There are many ways that you can have your own novelty motorcycle helmet. There are many shops that offer you a selection of novelty designs that you might find very attractive indeed. If this fails, you can always have one custom made for you. You can have a certain design for a helmet in your mind and you might want to have one. The best thing for you to get one is by having one custom made. That way, even your choice designs are made to your exact specifications, giving you a helmet that looks and also feels good on you.

Once you have your own novelty motorcycle helmet to use, you should be able to know how to take good care of it. Such motorcycle helmets may be tough and sturdy but they should be handled as a fragile item. In cleaning your helmet, try using only the mildest soap recommended.

Avoid using petroleum-based cleaning fluids and agents on your helmets as they can cause the protective layer of your helmet to decompose. Try not to drop your helmet on hard surfaces. A dent on your helmet would be enough to cause you discomfort when you wear it and its safety and protective properties may be compromised.

Do not store your novelty motorcycle helmet near gasoline, cleaning fluids, or in places with excessive exhaust fumes and heat. Materials that make up your motorcycle helmet may react chemically in such environments and may be invisible to the naked eye.

Read instructions carefully about painting or decorating your helmet. The material composition of your motorcycle helmet can change if painted or applied with decals. Try also to avoid hanging your motorcycle helmet on your side mirrors, turn handles or sissy bar. This can damage the inner liner of your helmet which can make it unusable after a short time.

Try to follow these tips to ensure that your novelty motorcycle helmet continues to provide you with the comfort and protection that it was designed for. Care and awareness is important in prolonging the life of your helmet.

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DOT Vs. Snell approved helmets

What is the difference between Snell and DOT approved helmets?

This is really interesting. I thought you should know.

First off, for this post anyway (SMF) will refer to the Snell Memorial Foundation, NOT Stupid Mother F*cker. LOL!

There are two key differences between a DOT and Snell approved helmet.
First, is the testing standards the helmets go through, and second, is the verification of the results.

The Snell Memorial Foundation (SMF) was founded in 1957 just after William Snell, A.K.A. Pete, died from massive head trauma from a race car accident. (SMF) is a non-profit organization that focuses on learning more about the components of head injuries, & how to prevent them by using helmets. Through their research (SMF) has developed the Snell standard for approving helmets. It is continually tested and updated every five years.

Although both testing processes are very similar, (SMF) requires their certified helmets to withstand a greater impact and absorb more force than the DOT approved helmets.
Both (SMF) and DOT standards drop the head forms on flat and round shaped anvils in order to simulate different types of impacts. However, Snell also uses an edged anvil that specifically tests the integrity of the helmet's shell.

DOT and Snell test each helmet two times at four different impact zones. DOT drops their helmets from 6 feet on the flat anvil and from a 4.5 feet on the round anvil. Snell drops the helmets from 10 feet and 7.5 feet on both anvils, which simulates a more severe impact.

While there is no guarantee that a DOT approved helmet has actually been tested, the purchase of a Snell approved helmet ensures that the product has been evaluated under scrutiny. A Snell-certified helmet also meets and exceeds the DOT standards.

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