Customizing your motorcycle helmet is an easy way to add some flair to your rides without changing your bike. Here are a few great ideas.
When it comes to motorcycle riding gear, helmets should be at the top of your list. That said, while helmets can be life-saving, it’s not required for them to look boring. These days, there are plenty of ways you can customize your motorcycle helmet so other people don’t accidentally take it home or style it the way you want. But, before you proceed with reading our recommendations, there are a couple of things you should know.
First, it’s important for you to review specific laws that apply to you as a rider. In the United States, the Governors Highway Safety Association shares that there isn’t a single universal law for wearing motorcycle helmets, and three states (Illinois, Iowa, and New Hampshire) don’t even have one at all. Despite this, most states do have helmet laws in place, whether it’s for specific types of riders or for everyone. Because of this, it’s important to consider the laws of the states you plan to ride through as well, not just the one you live in.
Additionally, while you may not be legally required by local laws to wear a helmet, there are helmet certifications in place to help guide you when choosing the best one for you. For example, the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) proposed the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 218, which is a set of qualities that qualify helmets as safe. Helmets that have passed this standard will be allowed to have the “DOT” label to separate them from non-compliant alternatives.What is considered a safe motorcycle helmet?
When it comes to helmet safety, it’s important to note that while a DOT sticker does give you some added peace of mind, there are other important things to consider. After all, counterfeit DOT stickers also exist. Aside from a DOT label, there are also other labels that can indicate further safety testing that some states also require. Additionally, it is possible that a used helmet has already gone through significant wear-and-tear and it’s due for a replacement.
Because of this, you may also want to consider the NHTSA’s additional guidelines for safe motorcycle helmets [PDF], which include a combination of stiff and comfort inner liners, strong rivets on its chin strap, and a hard outer shell. Typically, it also mentions that anything below 3 lbs should raise some red flags and that there should be a face shield and chin protector as well. But if you’re looking for other ways to spice up your motorcycle helmet without risking your license (and your life), all hope is not lost.
Thankfully, according to the State of California’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), the overall safety of a DOT-compliant helmet won’t be affected by adding stick-on decorations. So, in this article, we’ll be sharing several quirky and even useful ways some decorations can add character to your head protection.Adding stickers to a helmet
Decals and stickers have always been part of motorcycle racing culture. Aside from sponsorships, some other cool ways motorcycle stickers have been used include promoting movies and raising awareness about HIV/AIDS. Apart from decorating your bike, stickers can also be a cheap and easy way to differentiate yourself from a pack of riders. While there are thousands of sticker options available, the best stickers for your motorcycle helmet are usually durable, weatherproof, heavy-duty stickers.
If you want some added safety features, you can even get reflective stickers for your motorcycle helmet, which can help alert other drivers of your presence on the road. Some popular reflective motorcycle helmets include the customTAYLOR33 kiss decal, which has an average rating of 4.6 across 2,000 reviews. Although it comes in sizes up to 18 inches wide, the 3-inch offering that sells as a pair for $15.99 is the perfect size for most helmets. Aside from being UV and water-resistant, it also comes in a range of twelve colors. However, if you want something more minimalist, VFLUO offers reflective stripe stickers for only $13.90, too.
Should you end up with a sticker that isn’t perfect, the good thing is that it’s not permanent. In fact, even if you just change your mind, you can easily just take it out.
