Riding without your helmet is tantamount to insecurity. Helmets shields motorcycle riders from head injuries after a terrible crash. That’s why it’s even a legal requirement in many States where bike commuting is prevalent. But what if you live in areas where gang fights and street fights sometimes erupt without notice? Can a motorcycle Helmet Stop a Bullet”.
A normal Motorcycle Helmet biker’s use is not made with bulletproof materials to stop a bullet. These motorcycle helmets are made of fiberglass, high-density foam, carbon fiber, or plastic. These materials can’t withstand the force of a bullet. Rather the bullet will pierce through and break the helmet into pieces. But then, there are helmets that can stop a bullet because they’re designed with materials that can withstand the impact of a bullet.
To find out more about helmets, and their different types and functions, kindly read on.
Summary:
- A normal motorcycle helmet can’t stop a bullet since the bullet can penetrate the shell and inner layer of a motorcycle helmet.
- A bulletproof helmet is very heavy and can’t be used by a motorcycle rider, but it can’t protect against road or collision accidents.
- Bulletproof helmets are made of hard materials that make them withstand the force of speed of a bullet. They are designed for soldiers and Police personnel.
Can a MotorCycle Helmet Stop a Bullet?
The usual motorcycle helmet cannot stop a bullet because it doesn’t come with materials that can withstand the impact. A bullet is a metal object that travels over 1500 miles per hour in speed. But the level of impact it creates on the target might vary due to caliber and distance. Also, the gun used in firing the bullet also affects the impact. Although you can expect 200-foot to 600-foot pounds of force.
On the other hand, a motorcycle helmet is made of outer shells and inner parts. The outer shell is built to dissipate forces while the inner part compresses and absorbs shock. The release of a bullet will pierce both layers instantly.
A motorcycle helmet can’t stop a bullet due to the following factors;
Materials used for the helmet
Helmets come in lightweight materials to encourage comfort for long-duration use. These lightweight materials include fiberglass, plastic, and carbon fiber. These materials, due to their nature, can’t stop a bullet. The bullet hitting the shell will pierce and break the shell.
Speed of the bullet
A bullet is made of metal and kinetic. It is referred to as a kinetic projectile and travels at a speed of 1500 miles per hour. This speed comes with an extraordinary force that a motorcycle helmet can’t take. The bullet will practically pierce through the shell and inner layer of the helmet.
Non- bulletproof
Bulletproof means “designed to resist the penetration of bullets. For motorcycle helmets, they are non- bulletproof. Their design doesn’t include resistance against bullet penetration. Therefore they can’t stop a bullet.
Is A Bulletproof Motorcycle Helmet Necessary?
Wearing a motorcycle helmet prevents head injury when a rider falls during accidents. It also reduces the force of the wind, debris, and dust on the face and eyes of the rider at speed. Bulletproof helmets are only necessary when there is a war or tactical situation.
Although sometimes, there might be unforeseen circumstances like robbery or thieves trying to get away. As a result, there might be an exchange of bullets between them and the cops on the route you are riding. A bulletproof helmet is necessary here to prevent stray bullets from hitting you.
What is a Bulletproof Helmet?
A bulletproof helmet, or “ballistic helmet,” is mainly for tactical situations. It protects the users against blunt force trauma to the head plus flying bullets. The military majorly uses it for combats and as gear for law enforcement during unrestful situations. But civilians working with firearms can also use these helmets to avoid trouble.
Types of Bulletproof Helmets
There are three types of bulletproof helmets; the Future Assault Shell Technology helmet (FAST Helmet), Modular integrated Communications Helmet (MICH), and Personnel Armor System for Ground Troops (PASGT) helmet.
1. Future Assault Shell Technology helmet (FAST)
This is one of the best ballistic helmets ever. It has a beautiful structure, in which both sides are high cut and a curve down to the back. This curve is designed to protect the occipital bone at the back of the head. The high cut exposes the ear and allows the user to mount additional accessories for combat.
Some of these accessories are; electronics ear muffs, earphones, night vision goggle shroud, etc. Moreover, this helmet is light, unlike others in the category. It comprises Unidirectional polyethylene, a composite of carbon, and woven Aramid.
2. Modular Integrated Communications Helmet (MICH)
This is another light type of ballistic helmet released in 2001. It is made of advanced kevlar material. MICH is mainly used by the SWAT team because of its camouflage patterns and solid black color. This helmet is designed so that accessories can be mounted without it shifting forward over your eyes.
The United States Air force securities and U.S Marine Corps Forces are those using this helmet now.
3. Personal Armor System for Ground Troops (PASGT)
This is the oldest Ballistic helmet. The United States military started using this helmet from the year 1983 to the middle of the 2000s. They call it a “tried and true” model. PASGT is still used today by the U.S Army and U.S Navy for the sailors on their warships.
It is made of an outer shell of multi-layer Kevlar, low cut over the ear, and has a lip over the brow. It comes in a range of colors and patterns for different uses.
Difference Between A Bulletproof And A Normal Helmet
A helmet’s main function is to protect the rider’s head. It also compliments the skull in protecting the brain. There are different types of helmets, ranging from normal to bulletproof and full to half-sized helmets. These helmets serve almost the same purposes, but the bulletproof and normal differ greatly.
A table of their differences is outlined below;
| Bulletproof helmet | Normal helmet | |
| Make | Bulletproof helmets are of Kevlar fiber, glass fiber, and thermoplastic resin. | Normal helmets are made of fiberglass, plastic, or carbon fiber. |
| Use | During war times, and riot scenes | Suitable for sports, recreations, etc. |
| Used by police officers, Naval and military officers | Used by motorcycle riders and bikers | |
| Weight | Very heavy and shouldn’t be worn for a long duration | Light and can be worn for a longer duration. |
| Durability | Durable | Highly durable |
| Outer shell | Made from super-strong materials like; thermoplastic shells, carbon shells e.t.c | Has a hard shell that is made of plastic. |
| Front Glass | Made of bulletproof glass | Ordinary glass |
| Inner padding | Consist of a super strong net that is densely woven with strong materials | Consist of a thick layer of foam and ordinary fabric. |
Can We Make Motorcycle Helmet Bulletproof?
Picking a normal motorcycle helmet and making it bulletproof might not be possible. This is because the materials used in making them originally are not as strong as withstanding the impact of a bullet. So to try making it a bulletproof helmet, you must change the whole material, which is really not necessary since you can find bulletproof helmets in the market.
Motorcycle helmets are worn to prevent head injuries during road accidents. However, a need may arise whereby your helmet must be bulletproof while riding. In such a case, you simply have to get a bulletproof helmet because it is impossible to make your motorcycle helmet bulletproof.
Some of the reasons you can’t make a motorcycle helmet bulletproof are as follows:
Weight
The weight of a motorcycle helmet is very light. But a bulletproof helmet’s weight is always heavier due to the construction materials. Materials that can withstand the force at which a bullet travels.
It would be inconvenient to carry a heavy load on your head while riding. Therefore avoid using a bulletproof helmet for riding. Recommended helmets for riding are lightweight motorcycle helmets.
Comfort
Motorcycle helmets are worn for hours and therefore must be comfortable. Making it bulletproof will mean it will become heavy and uncomfortable. It could be detrimental to riding with discomfort, especially for long hours.
Design
A motorcycle helmet is always designed to reduce the drag force by air that moves through or around it. Also, it crumples when there’s an impact to absorb the effect. On the other hand bullet, proof materials are heavy materials. Designed only to withstand the force of speed of a bullet from penetrating your head.
Cost
Helmets can vary in price due to their quality. Motorcycle helmets are very affordable, especially the long oval motorcycle helmet. This explains why it is very common. On the other hand, bulletproof materials are very expensive, which means bulletproof helmets will be expensive. Thereby making it difficult for riders to purchase.
How To Make A Helmet Bulletproof?
Making a helmet bulletproof is not 100% but can be bullet-resistant assured. This can be done by the use of Carbon fiber shells and Aramid/ thermoplastic.
Carbon Fibre Shell: The original material for the helmet shell was AS4/polyphenylene prepreg. This material is stiff, rust-free, and durable. Therefore doubling the materials will make the shell bullet-resistant.
Aramid/thermoplastic layer: This is designed with a biaxial weave of aramid and a film of thermoplastic laminated to the side. 39 pliers are needed to have a bullet resistance surface. Each ply should be 0.23mmthick, making a total of 9.01mm.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are Military Helmets Bulletproof?
The military always makes use of bulletproof helmets because of the threats they are exposed to. Wearing helmets that are not bulletproof is as good as exposing them to death. The helmets they use might be Personnel Armor System for Ground Troops (PASGT) or even the Modular Integrated Communications Helmet (MICH). Military helmets are therefore bulletproof and protect the wearer from combat threats like gunshots, explosions, shrapnel, e.t.c.
Do Bulletproof Helmets Expire?
Just like every other product, bulletproof helmets do expire. Bulletproof manufacturers have gone out of their way to generate the life span of each helmet. Each helmet can last 5years or a maximum of 10 years. After this duration, it is termed expired and risky to use.
Is It Possible For A Helmet To Stop A Bullet?
Here are different types of helmets available now. There are two types, the normal helmet and the bulletproof helmet. The normal helmet can’t stop a bullet because it is made of light materials like plastic and glass. On the other hand, a bulletproof helmet can stop a bullet because it is made of hard materials like Kevlar.
Therefore a helmet can stop a bullet if it is a bulletproof helmet. It is designed to withstand the force of speed of a bullet.
Conclusion
A motorcycle helmet, as discussed above, is designed to protect its user from accidents. But can a motorcycle helmet stop a bullet? As mentioned above, don’t risk yourself in front of a bullet with a motorcycle helmet. A motorcycle helmet can’t stop a bullet; it’s not bulletproof.
What can stop a bullet, although not 100%, is a bulletproof helmet? This is because a bulletproof helmet is made of strong materials that can resist the force of speed of a bullet. So if you are in the face of war, or tactical situations, opt for a bulletproof helmet.
