Your motorcycle helmet is the most important piece of kit you’ll ever own.
You never know when your motorcycle helmet may be called upon. So it makes sense to look after it. A motorcycle helmet generally has a life of around five years; three years if used regularly. To get the most out of the protection your motorcycle helmet offers, you need to keep it in the best possible condition.
SHARP recommends you always follow the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions for the specific helmet you’ve purchased. If you only occasionally use your helmet we recommend you store it safely in a helmet bag, somewhere where it won’t be dropped or knocked. You should never store a helmet lying on its crown or near to a source of heat.
Once you’ve found your motorcycle helmet, the temptation is often there to personalise it with paint and stickers. This is a job best left to the professionals, who will use specialist paint and adhesive to ensure your new look doesn’t weaken the shell.
Cleaning
Your motorcycle helmet is the most important piece of kit you’ll ever own. So we’ve pulled together some tips to help kick-start your cleaning regime.
| Every day | It may sound like a chore, but cleaning your motorcycle helmet every day is hugely important – especially your visor. A clean, good quality visor is essential equipment for the motorcyclist. If it becomes soiled with dead flies or dirt, then like getting something caught in your eye your vision will become impaired. After every ride, wet some paper towels and leave them on your visor for a few minutes, then simply wipe off. If your visor becomes scratched you should replace it immediately, as a scratched visor can cause dazzle from vehicle headlights. |
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| Every week | Modern motorcycle helmets come packed with vents and intakes, which will only work if kept open and clean. Spend a few minutes each week cleaning the vents, using a toothbrush or cotton bud to ensure they’re free of obstructions. |
| Every month | Most motorcycle helmets have removable linings or cheek pads. These pads often have different washing instructions, so check the manufacturer’s guidelines before cleaning. |
| Every six months | Over the months your motorcycle helmet can collect sweat, skin and other human debris. Twice a year you should thoroughly clean the helmet interior, including wiping any non-removable pads with a damp cloth, before leaving to dry naturally. |
Visors
A good quality visor is essential equipment for the motorcyclist. It is important that you look after it so as to maintain good vision in all weather and lighting conditions. Your visor will often become soiled with dead flies, bugs and road debris even after short distances, and as a result will need regular cleaning. It is important that this should be done with care so you avoid damaging the front surface of the visor. A scratched visor can cause dazzle from oncoming vehicle headlights.
If yours becomes scratched, get it replaced!
You should also make sure that when you go out to ride, you have the correct visor fitted for the conditions. Visors with heavy tints can be dangerous, both for you and other road users. Visors that transmit less than 50% of visible light do not fully comply with any of the standards and cannot legally be used on the road.
For more information on the legal and technical aspects of visor and goggle use, visit GOV.UK: Motorcycle helmet law.
