Buying a Motocross Helmet: The Key Points Outlined
This is what you need to know before heading to the track:
- The New Standard: When buying a new helmet, opt for ECE 22.06, the latest and strictest European safety standard. These have been tested for oblique impacts and offer significantly more protection than the old 22.05 standard.
- Rotatie-bescherming: A rotation-limiting system like MIPS or Airoh AMS2 can be a major added benefit for absorbing dangerous rotational forces during a crash.
- Weight vs. Fatigue: Lighter carbon or fiberglass shells reduce leverage on your neck muscles, keeping you more alert during long motos.
- The Proper Fit: A helmet should never slide down over your eyes. Use the 'pinkie test' to check the clearance at your forehead.
- Brand-Specific Traits: Airoh stands out for extremely low weight and maximum ventilation. Alpinestars focuses on robust shells and smart safety details like a visor release system.
Safety First: ECE 22.06 and Rotational Impact Protection
Since the introduction of the ECE 22.06 and FIM FRHPhe-02 standards, the bar for helmet safety has been raised significantly. While the old 22.05 standard was the norm for over twenty years, it no longer aligned with modern riding practices. The new 22.06 certification tests helmets at a total of 18 random impact points, at both high and low speeds, and includes mounted accessories like the sun visor.
Even more critical is the new rotational impact test. The force of a crash is rarely a perfect direct blow. You will often hit the ground at an angle. The 22.06 standard tests this with a 45-degree anvil. To absorb those dangerous rotational forces before they reach your brain, an internal safety system is now a requirement. MIPS is the most well-known, but brands are also developing their own solutions.
For example, Airoh uses the AMS2 system: two EPS shells with different densities, separated by silicone elements, allowing the inner shell to move along with an oblique impact.
Your brain has no spare parts. Stick to the latest safety standard.
Neck Strain in Professional Racing: Carbon vs Fiberglass
Every gram counts. Especially in motocross. When braking, accelerating, and landing after a jump, your body is subjected to extreme G-forces. Your head, along with your helmet, acts as a lever on your neck. Even small differences in weight can cause noticeably increased neck fatigue over a long moto. Fatigued muscles lead to loss of concentration. And loss of concentration leads to mistakes.
That's why you see almost exclusively extremely lightweight helmets in MXGP. The choice of material is decisive here:
- Carbon (Carbon Fiber): The dream material in motorsports. Extremely stiff, incredibly strong, and uniquely lightweight. Because the shell can be made thinner without sacrificing strength, you save the maximum amount of weight. Perfect for long, grueling motos.
- Fiberglass: An excellent balance of strength and price. Slightly heavier than carbon, but often premium in finish and material selection, with a favorable balance of weight and strength. The advantage of fiberglass is that it is slightly more flexible, allowing it to distribute the energy of an impact very well across the shell.
Airoh or Alpinestars: Which Fits Your Riding Style?
Two giants in the racer's circle, but with completely different philosophies. Which brand you choose depends on what you value most on the track.
Airoh: The Lightweight Pioneer
Airoh has been the absolute favorite for riders who prioritize weight and ventilation for years. Models like the Aviator 3 and Strycker score extremely highly for weight savings and air flow. If you're looking for a pure performance helmet that eases strain on your neck and are specifically seeking an integrated rotational protection system like AMS2, then Airoh is the brand for you.
Alpinestars: Robust Innovation
While Airoh focuses solely on helmets, Alpinestars is the master of complete riding gear. Their helmets, like the immensely popular SM5, are often built slightly more robustly. They stand out for smart, practical safety details. Think of a patented visor release system that releases the visor immediately during a crash to prevent neck injuries. The lower edge of the helmet is also specifically shaped to minimize the risk of a broken collarbone. An excellent value for money ratio.
Measuring, Fitting, and the 'Pinkie Test'
A helmet with the best technology is worthless if it slides down over your eyes on washboard sections. Fit is the foundation of your safety. Measure the circumference of your head horizontally, just above your eyebrows and ears. Compare this to the size chart, but don't fixate on it blindly.
The shape of your head is just as important. Do you have a rounder head or a more oval shape? If the shell's shape doesn't match your head, you will get pressure points. If you feel a throbbing pain on your forehead or temples after fitting the helmet for fifteen minutes, then the helmet is not suitable for you.
Always perform the 'pinkie test'. Push the helmet firmly forward from the back. If the tip of your pinkie fits neatly between your forehead and the liner, then the clearance is perfect. Keep in mind that the cheek pads will expand by a quarter to half a size over time and mold to your face. It's normal to bite the inside of your cheeks a little at first.
Worried about fitting at home? No stress. Send it back to MXProStoreParts hassle-free, and we will exchange it immediately. Your focus should be on the track, not on a return label.
Maintenance Tips
Sweat, sand, and mud slowly break down your helmet's materials. With proper maintenance, a good fiberglass or carbon helmet will last around 5 to 8 years.
- The Outer Shell: If your helmet is covered in dried mud? Don't scrub it immediately. Lay a wet towel over it and let it soak for twenty minutes. You can then wipe the dirt away without scratching the shell. Never use harsh chemicals or glass cleaner; this will damage the shell.
- The Inner Liner: Sweat soaks into the padding. Remove the liner and wash it by hand with mild soap, or in a laundry bag on a 30-degree machine cycle (do not spin dry). Never put the padding in the dryer. The foam will shrink and you will immediately lose your tight, proper fit.
- Storage: Store your helmet at room temperature. A damp garage or the scorching sun on your car's roof rack will damage the adhesive bonds and EPS foam.
