Inside The Made To Order Process For A Handcrafted Helmet

The trade off is scale. A workshop like this will never produce helmets as fast as a large factory, and that is treated as acceptable, since the aim is a considered, well finished helmet rather than the fastest one to market.

A jacket built for riding, rather than a fashion jacket that merely looks the part, adds abrasion resistance across the shoulders and elbows, and many include pockets for armour inserts. Boots that cover the ankle protect a joint that takes real force in an off, and Heroine Racer trousers or riding jeans extend that same protection down the leg.

Most manufacturers recommend replacing a motorcycle helmet every five to seven years even without a crash, since the internal materials that absorb impact degrade slowly with heat, sweat and UV exposure. The shell can look fine while the protective layer underneath has already lost some of its effectiveness.

Visors are a wear item, not a lifetime part of the helmet, and most riders find a spare on hand is worth having, especially before a long trip.

ECE 22.06 is the current European standard that motorcycle helmets are tested against, and it replaced the older ECE 22.05 standard with a wider and more demanding set of tests. Helmets are checked for impact absorption at multiple points on the shell, not just the crown, and the standard also tests rotational forces, which earlier standards largely ignored.

A made to order helmet starts long before any material is cut. Measurements are taken, the intended use of the helmet is discussed, and a rider works with the maker to settle on a shell, lining and finish that suit them specifically, rather than picking from fixed stock sizes.