TBefore being used in Formula 1 racing, a helmet is subjected to comprehensive tests which simulate real scenarios. During the so-called ‘penetration test’ a three kilogram, pointed metal object is dropped from a height of three metres onto the helmet and the helmet shell must not be penetrated. An additional test checks the helmet seating. Here, a weight of five kilograms, which is placed on a dummy head, is fitted to the helmet and dropped from a height of 60 centimetres at the front and rear. The impact must not rip the helmet off the dummy head. Furthermore, the elasticity is tested on the chinstrap. The strap must not stretch by more than 30 millimetres when a weight of 38 kilograms is applied to it.

A visor test is also prescribed; here, the visor has projectiles shot at it at roughly 500 kilometres per hour and the impact impression must not be deeper than 2.5 millimetres. Finally, the helmet is subjected to a fire test. The shell, chinstrap and visor are subjected for 45 seconds to an 800 degree Celsius flame. The helmet may catch fire – but once the applied flame has been shut off the fire must go out again on its own. The temperature in the helmet interior must not exceed 70 degrees Celsius.

Overalls are also geared completely towards fire protection fire. At the start of the 1979 season, Grand Prix stars Lauda, Andretti and Reutemann were suited for the first time with race overalls, which consisted of five layers of fire-resistant material, as used by NASA. Nowadays, overalls – as wells as the drivers’ underwear – are made from two to four-layered Nomex material, having flexible arm and leg cuffs as well as a raised collar. Nomex is a synthetic fibre, which undergoes heat testing in the laboratory, where a 300 to 400 degrees Celsius flame acts on the material from a distance of three centimetres. Only if the material does not catch fire for a period of at least 10 seconds, is the material deemed to be suitable for race overalls. The finished, multi-layered overalls are also subjected to 15 washes along with 15 additional chemical cleaning processes and then tested again. Following this they are subjected to a temperature of 600 to 800 degrees Celsius. The critical value of 41 degrees Celsius must not be exceeded in the overalls until 11 seconds have elapsed.

Gloves are also made of two-layered Nomex material, with the inner surfaces being reinforced with leather, in order to ensure maximum grip. The ‘knight’s armour’ is rounded off with ankle-length shoes made of soft, padded leather and Nomex material. They have an excellent gripping sole, made of thin rubber, to prevent the driver’s feet from slipping off the pedals.

As in Formula 1, protective clothing and a helmet are part of a motorcyclist’s essential standard equipment. “Also, the decisive factor here is fit. While being simultaneously comfortable, only a helmet that fits properly offers protection. The helmet must not be too tight or too wide. When the chin strap is fastened it must not be possible to take off the helmet,” says Dr. Christoph Lauterwasser from the Allianz Center for Technology in Munich. Excellent vision coupled with visibility is also important – bright helmet colours help to ensure that one is better seen by other drivers. Excellent vision guarantees a better view of things on the road. The visor should be scratch-resistant on the outside and have an antifog coating – if the visor should be scratched, then it should be replaced.

So-called ‘mini crashes’ (like putting the helmet heedlessly down on the saddle) should be avoided. Invisible hairline cracks in the shell could result from this. Assuming the helmet is well-looked after, one shouldn’t have to replace a helmet until after five to eight years for duroplastic helmets (e.g. fibre glass reinforced polyester resin) or three to four years for thermoplastic helmets (i.e. polycarbonate). Helmets should only be cleaned with water and a light cleanser, never with gasoline or solvents, because these can attack the outer shell.

Standard equipment should also include motorcyclist trousers and jackets made of leather. They must have a good fitting, because being comfortable contributes directly to safety. The clothing should also have a reflective effect. For effective protection and for enhanced wearing comfort, it is important that protective cushions – or protectors – at exposed points such as the knees, hips, elbows and shoulders are properly seated.

Motorcycle boots should be selected to meet the intended purpose. Footwear is deemed to be motorcycle compatible, if it is both stable and high enough in the heel, toe and ankle areas. The best material is at least two millimetre thick leather. When choosing gloves, leather is the only material that comes into question. Gloves must be tear and wear-resistant.