Integral Helmet vs. System Helmet: Choose de Perfect Helmet for Your Riding Style
Discover de differences between integral helmet en system helmet en leather which one best suits your riding style. Compare safety, comfort en functionality for de ideal choice.
Discover de differences between integral helmet en system helmet en leather which one best suits your riding style. Compare safety, comfort en functionality for de ideal choice.
Introduction
If you're looking for de perfect motorcycle helmet, you soon find yourself faced with an important choice: full-face helmet or system helmet? These two helmet types each have their own unique features en advantages, so de choice can have a big impact on your riding experience en safety.
What are integral helmets en system helmets?
Integral helmets provide full protection for your entire head, including your face en chin. They are one-piece en have a fixed visor. System helmets, also known as flip-up helmets, combine de advantages of integral helmets en jet helmets. They have a flip-up chin section, allowing you to de open your helmet without taking it off completely.
The importance of de proper helmet selection
De choosing between an integral helmet en a system helmet is crucial for motorcyclists for several reasons:
Safety: Both helmet types provide excellent protection, but there are subtle differences in de degree of protection they provide for different types of impacts.
Comfort: Your riding style en de duration of your rides determine which type of helmet will be most comfortable for you.
Versatility: System helmets offer more flexibility, while full-face helmets tend to be more aerodynamic.
Personal preference: Some riders de prefer the feel of a fully enclosed helmet, while others appreciate de openness of a system helmet.
By understanding de advantages en disadvantages of both helmet types, you can make an informed choice that suits your specific needs en riding style. In de following sections, we will take a closer look at de features of full-face helmets en system helmets so you can find de perfect helmet for your motorcycle adventures.
Features of integral helmets
Integral helmets are de ultimate choice for motorcyclists seeking maximum protection en performance. Let's take a look at de key features of these helmets:
Full face cover en protection
Integral helmets provide unmatched protection for your entire head, including your face en chin. This is crucial in a fall or collision because it protects your most vulnerable areas from impact en abrasions.
Aerodynamic advantages
De streamlined shape of full-face helmets reduces air resistance, which is especially useful at higher speeds. This not only reduces neck fatigue, but also improves de stability of your head while riding.
Sound insulation
Thanks to their enclosed design, full-face helmets offer excellent noise isolation. This reduces wind noise en engine noise, making your ride more comfortable en you can concentrate better de road.
Safety aspects
In addition to de physical protection, full-face helmets offer other safety benefits. They keep out rain, insects en pebbles, which improves your visibility en reduces distractions. In addition, many modern full-face helmets offer advanced ventilation systems to prevent fogging en keep your head cool.
For riders who prioritize safety en performance, integral helmets are often de best choice. Brands such as Scorpion, Shark, AGV, HJC en Arai available at specialty retailers, offer top quality integral helmets that meet de highest safety standards.
Features of system helmets
System helmets offer a unique combination of functionality en comfort that appeals to many motorcyclists. Let's take a look at de key features of these versatile helmets.
Foldable chin box
The most distinctive feature of a system helmet is the flip-up chin box. This allows you to open de helmet without taking it off completely. Useful for short stops, to get some fresh air or to quickly communicate with fellow road users. This is also nice when riding at speeds below de 60 km/h.
Versatility in use
System helmets are true all-rounders. They provide de protection of a full-face helmet while riding, but give you de freedom of a jet helmet when you fold back de chin box. This flexibility makes them ideal for both city riding and longer touring.
Ventilation Features
Modern system helmets feature advanced ventilation systems. Adjustable air intakes en -outlets allow you to regulate de airflow, which helps prevent fogging en maintaining a comfortable temperature. Also, system helmets often have integrated sun visors.
Communication capabilities
Many system helmets are designed with built-in space for communication systems. This makes it easy to install intercom systems or Bluetooth devices to keep you connected during your ride. Such as a Cardo, EXO-Com or a Sena system.
Because of these features, system helmets offer an excellent balance of protection, comfort en functionality. They are a popular choice for riders looking for the best of both worlds in their helmet.
Safety considerations
When it comes to motorcycling, safety comes first. Let's take a look at de most important safety aspects of integral helmets en systemhelmets.
Comparison of protection levels
Integral helmets generally offer de highest level of protection. They cover the entire head, including de chin, which is crucial in frontal impacts. System helmets come close de but have a potentially weaker point at de hinge of the folding section.
Impact on visual field
In terms of field of vision, system helmets have a slight advantage. With de chin box up, they offer a wider view, which can be useful in city traffic. Integral helmets restrict visibility a bit more, but modern models are optimized for as wide a field of vision as possible.
Collision behavior
In a crash, full-face helmets generally perform better because of their one-piece construction. System helmets can flip open in extreme cases, but de chances of this happening are minimal with quality helmets.
Certifications en safety standards
Both integral and system helmets must meet strict European safety standards (ECE 22.05 or (ECE 22.06). When making your purchase, always pay attention to this certification to ensure a safe helmet.
Regardless of your choice, invest in a helmet from a reputable brand. Quality brands such as Shark, AGV, HJC, Scorpion, ROOF, Arai en Schuberth offer top models in both categories that meet de highest safety standards.
Comfort en fit
When it comes to comfort en fit, there are some key differences between full-face helmets en system helmets that you should consider when choosing de perfect helmet for your riding style.
Weight differences
Integral helmets tend to be slightly lighter than system helmets. This is because system helmets have additional mechanisms for the flip-up mechanism. The weight difference can be noticeable during long rides, where a lighter helmet is less stressful on your neck en shoulders.
Pressure points en long-term wearing comfort
Both helmet types are designed for optimal comfort, but de experience may differ. Integral helmets often have more even pressure distribution, while system helmets can sometimes have additional pressure points around the hinge mechanism. For longer rides, a well-fitting full-face helmet may feel more comfortable.
Adaptability en sizing
Modern helmets offer excellent customization options. Many models have interchangeable inner lining en adjustable fit pieces. System helmets can sometimes have an advantage in adjustability because you can fold up the chin piece for a better fit.
Impact on neck strain
De aerodynamics of de helmet plays a big role in neck strain. Integral helmets tend to be more aerodynamic, which can lead to less fatigue on long rides. System helmets may have slightly more windage, but offer de flexibility to open the visor at lower speeds or stops.
When choosing your helmet, it is essential to try on different models en compare. Every head is unique, so what is perfect for de one may be less comfortable for de another. Take de time to find de the right helmet to fit your head en riding style.
Use scenarios
As a motorcyclist, it is important to know which type of helmet best suits your specific riding style en usage scenarios. Let's look at different situations en how integral- en system helmets perform in them.
Long-distance driving vs. city driving
For long-distance rides, integral helmets often offer greater comfort due to their better aerodynamics en noise insulation. They reduce fatigue during hours-long rides on de highway. In contrast, system helmets are ideal for city traffic, where you often have to stop en communicate. The flip-up visor comes in handy then.
Touring motorcycling vs. sport riding
Touring riders appreciate de versatility of system helmets, especially during multi-day trips with varying weather conditions. For sporty riders reaching high speeds, a full-face helmet is often de best choice because of de superior aerodynamics en protection.
Commuting
For daily commuting, system helmets offer a good balance. You can easily communicate at stoplights or gas stations without taking off de helmet, while having full protection while riding.
Seasonal use
In de summer, a system helmet can be more pleasant because of de additional ventilation options. Integral helmets offer better protection from cold en rain, making them more suitable for year-round use.
Regardless of your choice, make sure your helmet fits properly en meets de safety standards. Visiting a specialty store can help find de perfect helmet for your riding style.
Maintenance en lifetime
The maintenance en de life of your motorcycle helmet are crucial aspects to consider when choosing between a full-face helmet en a system helmet. Let's take a look at de key points:
Cleaning methods
Both helmet types require regular cleaning, but system helmets may require a little more attention due to their more complex construction. For integral helmets en system helmets, there are cleaning products to clean de inner lining. Such as product from the Muc-off brand.
Replacement intervals
It is generally recommended that you replace your helmet every 5-7 years, regardless of type. However, system helmets may show slightly faster wear due to their moving parts. It is important to regularly check de condition of your helmet, especially after a fall or collision. After a hard hit, it is important to replace de helmet even if there is no visible damage. De protective inner layer may have sustained invisible damage, which means de helmet no longer provides optimal protection on the next impact.
Storage
Integral helmets are often easier to store because of their compact shape. System helmets take up a little more space, but offer the advantage of being able to be stored in the folded position, which can be convenient in confined spaces.
Long-term costs
Although de purchase price of system helmets is often higher, de long-term maintenance costs can be similar to those of full-face helmets. It is important to invest in a quality helmet that meets de safety standards en to suit your riding style. In general, de maintenance costs are minimal. Consider products from Muc-off.
By taking good care of your helmet, you not only prolong de life, but also ensure optimal protection while riding. Regardless of your choice, regular maintenance en timely replacement are essential to your safety on de the road.
Personal preferences en driving style
When choosing de perfect helmet, personal preferences en riding style play a crucial role. Let's take a look at de factors that may influence your decision.
Influence of riding experience on helmet choice
Novice riders often choose a full-face helmet because of de additional protection en the feeling of safety. More experienced motorcyclists sometimes lean toward system helmets because of comfort en de versatility. Your experience also determines how well you can assess de advantages en disadvantages of each helmet type. Many motorcyclists eventually choose to purchase both a full-face helmet and a system helmet. This gives them de flexibility to use de appropriate helmet depending on the type of ride en de conditions.
Aesthetic considerations
Let's face it: looks play a role. Some riders swear by de sleek look of a full-face helmet, while others prefer de modern look of a system helmet. Choose a helmet that is not only safe, but one you feel good in.
Adaptability to different weather conditions
System helmets offer more flexibility in changing weather conditions. You can easily flip up the visor en de chin box for fresh air on hot days. Integral helmets, on the other hand, offer better protection from rain en cold. Even with an integral helmet, you can raise the visor for fresh air.
Compatibility with other motorcycle equipment
Think about how your helmet fits with your other gear. Some riders find that system helmets pair better with goggles, while full-face helmets often pair better with racing suits for sporty riding.
Ultimately, de best helmet is the one that best suits your personal style en needs. Take de time to try different options en choose a helmet you feel comfortable en safe in, regardless of type.
Conclusion
Now that we have discussed de different aspects of integral helmets en system helmets, it is time to de take stock. Here are de key points to remember when choosing de the perfect helmet for your riding style:
Integral helmets offer maximum protection en are ideal for sport riding en long distances.
System helmets offer more flexibility en are perfect for city traffic en touring riders.
Both helmet types must comply with de ECE 22.05 or ECE 22.05 safety standard.
Comfort en fit are crucial; take de time to try on different models.
Consider your driving style, usage scenarios en personal preferences when making your choice.
The most important advice? Try out both types before making a decision. Every head is different, en what is perfect for de one may be less comfortable for de another. Visit our store where you can try on different models en compare. That way you will find de helmet that suits you best, regardless of whether it is a full-face or system helmet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which helmet is safer: integral or system? Both types offer excellent protection, but integral helmets have a slight edge because of their one-piece construction.
Can I use a system helmet for sport riding? Although possible, full-face helmets are often better suited for sport riding because of their superior aerodynamics.
How long does a motorcycle helmet last? On average, 5-7 years, depending on use en maintenance. Always replace your helmet after a fall or collision.
Are system helmets heavier than full-face helmets? Generally speaking, yes, because of the additional mechanism for the flip-up visor.
Can I install a communication system in either helmet type? Yes, but system helmets often offer more space en are sometimes specifically designed for easy installation of communication systems.
Which helmet type is better for eyeglass wearers? System helmets can be more convenient for eyeglass wearers because you de can flip up your helmet without taking off your glasses.
Is there a price difference between integral- en system helmets? System helmets tend to be slightly more expensive because of their more complex construction, but there are exceptions such as an AGV Pista.
Which helmet type is best for beginners? Many beginners choose integral helmets because of de extra protection, but de choice depends on your personal preference en riding style.
You've seen the same product cheaper elsewhere? No problem, but please note that de shipping of this product is free at Vespucci. We will provide you (if approved) with a discount code. Please note this does not apply retroactively.