A perfect-fit motorcycle helmet that meets all the safety standards is essential in the event of a crash. Right-sizing is the first condition of perfect fitment. A correctly adjusted chin strap, though many of the motorcyclists, especially the novices dislike it, is another essential thing for safety when it comes to a crash. As long as the helmet is well-fastened with the strap, it has no chance of slipping out of the rider’s head.
Riding a motorcycle with a loose or unstrapped helmet is a bad practice and quite dangerous. Although you may feel strapping uncomfortable, it will be okay after some practice. You must do it, especially when the chance of an accident is high, e.g., riding in the rain, riding through rough terrain.
For instance, the best dirt bike helmets have enhanced safety mechanisms, but it is mandatory to strap these helmets using D-rings for the instability of off-road rides. Initially, you may need help from another person to strap well, and you can do it alone shortly. But how to strap a motorcycle helmet? Follow the steps described below:
Step 1: Pull Down Helmet
Take the helmet and put it over your head. Use your hand and pull the chin strap for pulling down the helmet on your head. Use both hand grips to fasten the strap rope easily. Make sure before pulling that the strap connector is outside of the helmet. Be cautious about your feeling of comfort when pulling the helmet so that the inner sponge is neither very tight nor much loose.
Step 2: Strap Correctly
If you are confirmed about your comfort fitment, you may start strapping the chin rope. Pass the right strap beneath the connecting metal rings, if it is not a quick release motorcycle helmet strap that has a much easier mechanism, on the left strap straightly and pull that firmly against the chin base. Then, loop the strap rope over the first ring after pulling the rings apart. Take the belt and pass it again beneath the second ring and get it back to the helmet right side. Finally, pull the strap again against the chin base to tighten it.
Step 3: Loosen or Fasten Finally
Once it’s fastened according to the above-stated ways, you can feel how the helmet feels on your head. You will realize if the belt is well adjusted. Check out the following:
- Do you feel any discomfort?
- Is there any breathing complication?
- Does the strap create much pressure on your throat or closer parts?
You can feel them after fastening. If you experience any of those, relax the belt a bit. You may even experience the strap a bit loosen after adjustment. In that event, try to fasten it again before starting your ride.
Additional Tips
- After a few months of use, you may find rust over the metal rings. It can damage the rings. You may feel it to pull the strap for the existence of rust. Lubricate once a week or once every two weeks to keep the rings rust-free and smooth.
- If you allow extra-tightness continuously, this might harm your throat and breathing habit.
- For an open face or half helmet, you must take more precautions and fasten the strap more precisely and firmly.
- When you are riding your motorcycle in the rain, be cautious about strapping for being wet. Although it is well adjusted, the chin may feel tighter than it is. You can loosen it for comfort, but don’t forget to tighten it again once the rain and wetness are gone, and you are still riding.
- If the chin strap is worn or if the connecting rings are damaged for whatever reasons, get it replaced with a new chin strap for the helmet (along with connecting rings).
A well-adjusted and firmly-strapped helmet is essential for your safety on roads. A trusted fastening system is one of the pre-conditions of the safest helmets, although most of us, especially the young riders, dislike strapping the chin. But who knows an apathy for once won’t bring the worst accident in one’s life? As you know, how to fasten a motorcycle helmet, and it is evident to you how important it is to lock the strap, so never ignore even for once!
