Choosing a Helmet for Riding UTVs
A UTV is designed to tackle the toughest terrain at top speeds. But what makes UTVs fun also makes them a safety risk. Helmets provide crucial protection so you can focus on which trails to take, not which hospital you need to go to after a crash. We’ve put together a guide for choosing the right helmet for you below. Remember you can always visit Advantage Powersports in Kansas City, Kansas to ask questions or get all your UTV needs met.
Importance of Wearing Helmets
In some ways, riding in a UTV feels like riding in a car. You buckle into your seat belt. You steer the wheel the same. There is a roll cage that feels like a car frame. These similarities can lure you into a false sense of security.
A UTV is not like a car in terms of safety. Riding UTVs opens you up to dangers you won’t experience in a car. All it takes is one pothole for you to jostle about and smack your head on the sturdy UTV interior. As you ride, a rock or other debris could get kicked up and hit your face. Then there are the many harmful scenarios in the event of a crash. You need a helmet to guard your head.
Types of Helmets
There are specialty road bike helmets, motorcycle helmets, even horseback riding helmets. But there are very few specialty UTV helmets. These helmets often offer features like extra ventilation for better outdoor comfort or mouthguards for an extra layer of protection. But most likely, you will need to look for general powersports helmets instead.
Powersports helmets get broken down into a few types. Avoid half helmets and open face helmets altogether since they won’t provide enough protection. A full-face shield that protects your whole face, jawline, and chin is the way to go.
Crash Test Ratings
As you shop, you may notice crash test ratings on the helmet boxes. These give you some insight as to how the helmet performs in a mock accident scenario. Two types of agencies give these ratings: government agencies (like the Department of Transportation) and third-party nonprofits (like Snell). Before you buy a helmet, make sure it gets high safety ratings.
Finding a Well-Fitting Helmet
Which protects you better: a cheap, well-fitting helmet or an expensive helmet that doesn’t fit quite right? The well-fitting helmet. Finding a good fit is the most important part of helmet shopping. You want the helmet to feel slightly tight but never feel too much pressure. You also never want it to feel loose, even after it is broken in.
One place to start is by using a sizing chart. You will want two pieces of information. First, you want to know your head size. A large head will need a different helmet size than a small head. Second, you will want to know your head shape. This will affect how your jaw gets protected. You can search articles online to identify your measurements.
It will likely take a while to find your ideal helmet. As you try on more helmets, you will find it easier to identify whether it fits well.
For all your UTV riding needs, visit Advantage Powersports. We serve those in Kansas City, Olathe, Independence, and St. Joseph, Kansas.