Getting into top gear

Bright colours, fancy designs and better protection… headgear for two-wheeler riders make a style statement these days

January 29, 2015 07:27 pm | Updated 07:27 pm IST

Helmets go haute: A woman rider wearing protective headgear

Helmets go haute: A woman rider wearing protective headgear

The thrill of zipping down the city roads on a snazzy bike is an experience few youngsters in our cities would pass up. And to cater to the growing tribe of bike enthusiasts, have mushroomed stores selling trendy apparel and protective headgear. With the helmet rule being made mandatory, the designs too have changed to make driving not only safe but also stylish for two-wheeler riders.

Ravi, manager of a Fastrack outlet in the city, says their helmets come with and without a visor, some covering only half of the face. These are mostly unisex and are manufactured in several attractive colours.

Sharon Keerthana, who travels15 km daily from home to college, is glad that these days visors are UV-tested. “These visors protect one’s eyes from the harsh glare of the sun during the day time. But, like many two-wheeler riders, I too prefer wearing shades, instead of a visor. And there are well-known brands offering a variety of designs,” says Sharon.

Ravi says the visors are light-weight, unbreakable and scratch-proof. He advises those buying a new helmet to make sure it has the ISI seal, which ensures the helmet meets quality and safety specifications.

Harrison Mario, an avid biker, from Patrician College, says he enjoys wearing a funky helmet, and prefers one that protects the entire face, as it is the safest for two-wheeler riders. “I love going on long drives, especially the adrenaline rush I experience, and push my KTM Duke to the limit. My college is not very far from the East Coast Road and I’m always game for an adventurous ride,” says Harrison. He is very particular though that the headgear gels with his Duke, and wears a vintage LS2 that has air vents at its rear. “Ride in style,” he says, with a jaunty smile.

If you are looking for something different than the usual air-tight head gear, LS2, Vega as well as Fastrack have some eye-catching helmets. Unlike the regular heavy ones, the improved full-face helmet has a soft non-peeling layer of foam that ensures the wearer’s head is comfortable in any position. A pair of air vents not only adds style but helps reduce humidity, something every biker considers a blessing. The innovative headgear is available at a reasonable price starting from Rs.1295.

Perhaps the funkiest of them all is the full-faced peak and snout helmets, mainly worn by passionate bikers. The peak protrudes from the front of the helmet, offering shade to the eyes, since these usually do not come with a visor.

The humble helmet, that most two-wheeler riders found uncomfortable to wear, has come a long way with manufacturers going all out to ensure that they fulfil the biker’s dream of driving in style and safety.

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