8 most common mistakes when choosing a motocross helmet: Avoid them!

For any rider, buying new gear for the track is a big deal. But it certainly doesn't pay to rush when it comes to head protection. Motocross is a discipline where even a small error in judgment can have a big impact in a crash. Many riders are influenced by attractive graphics or a low price when making a purchase without considering the technical implications of their choice.

In this article, we will focus on eight major mistakes that beginners and experienced riders make - from misjudging the size and ignoring modern safety standards, to inappropriate weight for juniors, to complications with the compatibility of goggles or neck protectors.

Source: https://marketing.acerbis.it/gallery/10052-offroad/10201-helmets/364-t711#galleryD-9

This is a very common mistake. When you put on a new MX helmet, it should feel almost tight. The inner padding adapts to the anatomy of your head after a few hours of riding, which actually increases the internal space. If the helmet feels comfortable when you first try it on, after a few weeks of training it will start to move uncontrollably on your head.

How to test the size correctly:

We often see riders reaching for older models on sale. However, the technological advancement in the new ECE 22.06 standard is truly significant. While the previous standard tested impacts at only 6 points, every modern Acerbis MX helmet undergoes tests at 18 points. The most important change, however, is the mandatory testing of rotational acceleration, i.e. oblique impact, which is the most common cause of brain injuries in the field.

Key benefits of the ECE 22.06 standard:

Parents sometimes choose the smallest adult size for their children. This is a mistake, of course. A children's motocross helmet is not just a scaled-down adult model, but has a specifically lightweight construction. Children's neck muscles do not have enough support to handle the inertial forces of a heavy shell during jumps.

Important facts about weight:

There is a myth that carbon shells are only for professionals. The truth is that the material directly affects your fitness on the track. Cheap thermoplastic models are durable, but their higher weight (around 1,400 g) leads to rapid fatigue of the neck muscles. Practice shows that a rider in a lighter helmet can maintain attention much longer, thus preventing unnecessary falls from exhaustion.

Comparison of materials in practice:

Buying a motocross helmet without checking how your goggles fit is a big risk. If the frame of the goggles does not fit exactly in the helmet opening, a gap is created through which dust enters the eyes. Another common problem is excessive pressure from the helmet on the goggles in the nose area, which restricts breathing and forces the rider to breathe through their mouth, which makes them fatigue faster.

What to look for when trying on goggles:

If you use a neck brace, you must take it with you to the store. A common mistake is choosing a helmet with a too bulky lower rim in the back. This then hits the protector earlier than it should and limits the natural range of motion. In motocross, it's absolutely crucial to be able to tilt your head back enough to see over the top of a climb or far ahead. The wrong combination forces you to look only just in front of your front wheel.

TIP: When trying on a helmet in the store, lean forward slightly and look up as much as possible. If the bottom edge of the Acerbis helmet hits your neck and blocks your view, it's not the right choice for your body type.

Source: https://marketing.acerbis.it/gallery/10052-offroad/10201-helmets/109-x-track-vtr#galleryD-9

In motocross, the rider is physically strained much more than on the road. Poor ventilation leads to overheating, fatigue and fogging of the goggles. A quality motocross helmet should have a sophisticated system of channels that remove hot air even at lower speeds.

Benefits of superior ventilation:

This error is often the result of an inappropriate shell shape for a particular head type. The helmet should end about two fingers above the eyebrows. If it is moved too far back, it exposes the forehead and can slip into the eyes during a sharp impact or braking. Each manufacturer uses a slightly different shape of the inner mold, so we recommend trying several models until the helmet fits perfectly.

Checkpoints for proper fit:

Choosing a new head protection should start with knowing the rules for determining the correct size and end with a thorough examination of all the safety features of the shell. Remember that colors look great, but in difficult terrain only technical parameters and how the helmet actually fits you will protect you. Take the time to choose the right helmet for your health.

If you want to know more about how to properly care for your helmet, read our article.