The inside story on helmets and gear

by Bill Kresnak

HelmetA proper-fitting helmet is the most important piece of safety gear your child can wear.

Scrimping here is definitely a bad idea. That’s because a quality helmet is designed to protect the single most important part of your body with several layers of defense.

To start with, the hard outer shell is designed to spread the force of an impact over a large area. Then there’s a softer inner layer, usually made of expanded polystyrene, the stuff that looks like Styrofoam. When the outside of the helmet suddenly stops, the rider’s head keeps moving, and this layer crushes, bringing it to a more gentle stop.

Key features of a helmet also include a foam-padded comfort liner, which is what you see when you look inside a helmet, as well as a strap, usually with D-rings, to hold the helmet on.

You’ll want to make sure the helmet you’re buying has passed tests to prove that all that stuff works. Luckily, there’s an easy way to check: Just look for the sticker.

Check the inside and outside of the helmet for a sticker from the federal Department of Transportation (DOT), the Snell Memorial Foundation or the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). DOT certification will be required if your kid will use the helmet as a passenger on the street.

We don’t recommend buying a used helmet because you don’t know its history. Many types of damage that could seriously compromise a helmet’s ability to protect your head leave no visible evidence that the helmet has been hit.

Fit is Key
Buying helmets for kids can be tricky. The selection in child sizes is much smaller, and you’re dealing with a kid whose head size may change pretty dramatically from one year to the next.

In spite of that, resist the temptation to buy a larger helmet, figuring your kid is still growing.

To make sure that a helmet fits properly, put it on your child and tighten the chin strap. You want the helmet to be snug, but not uncomfortable.

Push the helmet forward and backward, and side to side. It shouldn’t be loose, and it shouldn’t shift over the eyes.

GEARING UP

Stage 1

Before putting your kid on a dirtbike, make sure he or she has the proper riding gear.

This doesn’t have to be expensive. You can start out with basic, Stage I protection, and then move up to Stage II and Stage III as your budget allows.

For the minimum level of protection, your child should wear a DOT-approved helmet, goggles, a long-sleeve sweatshirt, jeans, over-the-ankle boots and sturdy gloves that aren’t too thick.

Your child probably already has a sweatshirt, jeans, boots and gloves, so your outlay would be for a new helmet (starting at about $85) and goggles (starting at $15).

Total: $100

Stage 2

Looking to take the next step in motorcycle gear for your kid? Start with the basics (including a quality helmet) from the preceding page, and add an outside chest protector ($90), motocross pants ($90), motocross boots ($130), motocross gloves ($20) and knee guards ($10), worn under the pants.

This level of protection is a bit more costly, but it’s worth the investment if, after initial lessons, your child wants to continue riding. You may be able to reduce costs by buying some of the items used from parents whose children have outgrown their gear, and you can often find closeouts at motorcycling retailers.

We don’t recommend buying a used helmet, however. It could have suffered a hard knock and be useless, yet show no outward sign of damage.

Total: $400

Stage 3

If your kid is very serious about riding and is thinking about going racing, then you may want to consider gear that is closer to pro-level.

Here’s what you’ll pay for top-of-the-line stuff: helmet ($200-plus), goggles ($35), motocross jersey ($35), under-the-jersey chest protector ($60), over-the-jersey chest protector ($120), motocross boots ($160), motocross pants ($100), motocross gloves ($30), and a kidney belt ($30).

Also, knee guards ($50), elbow guards ($23), wrist guards ($26), and a neck guard ($30).

This level of protection can be pricey, but it’s the best available. If you’re looking to keep costs down, consider buying used or find closeouts of last year’s gear at retailers.

Total: $900-plus

(Gear courtesy Iron Pony Motorsports.)