| By :
Sarah Simmons
Motocross is one of the most fun and exhilarating sports on the planet, but it can be one of the most dangerous too, if you don't have the right motocross gear. The number one most important piece of Motocross gear you will ever own is your helmet. Find out how your safety can be affected by your Motocross helmet, and why it's essential to find the correct fit. It can't be argued that Motocross helmets provide safety and protection for your head and wearing one while riding a motorcycle, ATV or dirt bike can considerably decrease the likelihood of a serious head injury occurring. While Motocross helmets don't guarantee you will have complete protection against head injury, they do decrease the severity of injury and reduce the likelihood of a career ending injury (AKA paralyzing injury) that may occur in the event of a big fall while riding. Experts recommend always using helmets for racing on or off-road. It's obvious that you always need to wear a Motocross helmet while riding, but do you know how to find the best helmet? The first thing to look at when shopping for a helmet is what type you need. There are a few different kinds of Motocross helmets, and each offers different benefits. The three main types are: full-face helmets, open-face helmets and half helmets. Full-face helmets completely cover your head and offer the maximum protection, but may seem bulky when riding. The open-face helmet protects around the top and sides of your head, with protection down to your neck line in the back, but it does not protect your chin. Many come with shields to pull down over your face, or you can attach visors, goggles and other accessories. Half helmets offer the lease amount of protection, and just protect the top of the head. In the rough and tumble sport of Motocross, full-face helmets are always recommended. Never buy a second-hand helmet. Really. NEVER buy a used helmet. Before buying your brand new Motocross helmet, check for defects and never buy a helmet with cracks, splits or fissures. Once you have ensured the helmet is free of faults, it's time to check out the fit. When measuring your head, measure at your head's largest circumference (usually right above your eyebrows). If your head size is between the numbers listed for helmet sizes always go with the larger size. Your Motocross helmet should fit snugly, but shouldn't be uncomfortably tight. Because your helmet will loosen up a bit as the liner compresses with use, your new helmet should be as tight as possible when you buy it. Your helmet should sit squarely on your head (not tilted back like a hat), and the cheek pads should touch your cheeks comfortably. There should be no gaps between your temples and the brow pads, and on full-face helmets the face shield shouldn't touch your nose or chin when you press on the chin piece. Fit is incredibly important because if your helmet is too big it can slip around on your head and could possibly come off in a crash. Now that you know how to determine the best sizing of helmets, it's time to go out and buy one. Remember these fit tips when shopping and you can significantly reduce your chances of injury while riding.
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