Top 10 tips for looking after your motorcycle helmet

Motorcycle helmets are a lot more fragile than you might think but as we all know they’re pretty damned important for protecting your head. MCN has put together 10 tips to keep your helmet in top shape and protecting you properly for longer.

• Choose from a massive selection of motorcycle helmets to buy

Treat your helmet as if it was fragile. Dropping a motorcycle helmet from waist height could cause damage, even if it’s not visible.

To clean your helmet make sure you only use pure water, very mild soap or specialist helmet cleaners. Strong detergents can damage the helmet’s protective coating and/or graphics.

To get rid of bugs on your visor, try spreading a wet towel or tissue paper over it for ten minutes and you’ll find they come off easily.

Never put stickers on your lid. Some thermoplastic or polycarbonate motorcycle helmets can be damaged by the glue.

• Compare prices to find cheap motorcycle helmets

Don’t store your helmet near fuel, cleaning fluids or excessive heat as these can damage materials used in the construction.

Don’t stash your motorcycle gloves in your helmet when you’re off the motorbike. They’re likely to have traces of petrol on them which can ruin the helmet’s interior. Their Velcro fastenings can also stick to the lining and cause damage.

Don’t use furniture polish to clean your helmet or visor. Most brands contain petrochemicals which are harmful to plastic/polycarbonate helmets.

• Check out our video guides to looking after you helmet

Don’t hang your helmet on your bike’s mirrors, fence posts or any other convenient object as this can damage the lining or the fall to the floor can ruin it.

Most manufacturers recommend changing your helmet at least every five years. If it is dropped heavily or has been in a crash then you should change it immediately.

Stash some visor wipes under your seat ready for use.

• Compare prices on hundreds of motorcycle helmets online now

Have you got a motorcycle Helmet tip you want to share? why not add a comment at the bottom of the page.

Got a burning question you need answering about helmets or any other motorcycle subject then why not post it in our Ask an Expert section.