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Kids grow fast, and so does the temptation to buy a helmet they can "grow into". Don't. A youth dirt bike helmet only protects your child if it fits right now. Here's how to choose, size and fit one, and what to look for on the label. Why a youth helmet, not a small adult helmet? Youth helmets are built and sized for children's heads, and they're usually lighter, which matters for young necks. Adult helmets in size Small often overlap with Youth XL (21 5/8" to 22"), but for most kids an adult helmet will be too big and...

Sweat, bugs, road grime and summer heat add up fast. A dirty helmet smells, fogs up, wears out its padding sooner, and makes it harder to see. The good news: cleaning a helmet properly takes about 20 minutes of work plus drying time, and you don't need special products. What you'll need Two or three clean microfiber cloths A bowl of lukewarm water Mild soap: baby shampoo or a few drops of gentle dish soap A soft toothbrush or cotton swabs for the vents Avoid: household glass cleaners (most contain ammonia), gasoline or solvents, petroleum-based cleaners, paper towels, and abrasive...

Look at the back of almost any motorcycle helmet and you'll see a sticker: DOT, ECE, Snell, sometimes more than one. Here's what each one means, how they differ, and which one you actually need to ride legally in the United States. DOT (FMVSS 218): the legal standard in the U.S. DOT stands for the U.S. Department of Transportation. Its standard, Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 218 (FMVSS 218), sets the minimum performance every motorcycle helmet sold for street use in the United States must meet. It covers: Impact attenuation: how well the helmet absorbs the force of a...

A Bluetooth helmet lets you take calls, hear GPS directions and play music without fumbling with earbuds under your helmet. You don't need to spend $400+ to get one. Here's how to choose a DOT-approved Bluetooth helmet for under $200, and which setup fits the way you ride. First decision: do you need an intercom? Every GDM Bluetooth helmet comes with one of two headsets. The helmet shells are the same; the headset is the difference. GDM SuperSonic GDM HyperSonic Phone calls, GPS, music Yes Yes Rider-to-rider intercom No Yes, 2 riders up to 100 m Bluetooth version 5.0 5.0...

Full face, dual sport, open face, vintage: the type of helmet you choose matters as much as the brand. Here's a plain-English rundown of each style, who it's for, and what to look for, so you can pick the right one for how you actually ride. Full-face helmets Best for: street riding, commuting, highway miles, sport bikes, and anyone who wants the most coverage. A full-face helmet covers your whole head and has a solid chin bar across the front, so your face and jaw are protected as well as your skull. It's also the quietest and most weather-proof style:...