Motorcycle helmets ensure safe and enjoyable riding experience and are the most important safety gears for any biker. However to make sure that helmets retain their functionality, these could be maintained with care. Helmets increase the chances of survival in the event of a crash and so if proper safety measures are not followed; these could not only prove ineffective in saving the lives of the riders but also could prove dangerous.
Follow a few maintenance tips that would increase the life span and utility of helmets.
To maintain the required safety standards and quality of your helmet, proper maintenance of your helmets is important. Check the guidelines of the manufacturer and follow the maintenance tips clearly. Helmets are available in a variety of materials including fiber glass, Kevlar and carbon fiber among others hence not all chemical cleaning agents will be suitable for all types of helmets. Follow the guidelines for cleaning tips to make sure that the chemical cleaning agents do not cause any damage to your helmet. Regular cleaning of helmets and visor is essential to ensure maximum visibility.
The inside of the helmets could accumulate dirt and sweat which can spoil the fabric and stitching and cause odor. The removable pads can be washed gently and sir dried where as those helmets with non-removable interiors, can be cleaned by using any good quality using bacteria and mildew eliminating products.
Never paint or stick pictures and stickers unless you are not sure about the glue or chemicals used in the stickers as it could damage the texture of the helmet. Stickers could leave adhesive residue when removed, which can be removed by mildly scrubbing with alcohol swabs. Make sure to wipe off the excess liquid and clean the area with soap and water once the adhesive residue is removed.
Motorcycle helmets should be ideally stored in a soft helmet bag to protect it from scratches and wear and tear. Helmets should be kept in level surfaces to avoid the risk of falling down as the string impact may cause breakage of the visor. You should store helmet in a cool and dry place and away from pets. Never keep helmets near hot surfaces a sit could damage the shell of the helmet.
The straps of the helmets might worn off with time, so make sure to inspect them periodically to make sure that the helmets remain in top condition.