One of the newest inventions to come about in the production of motorcycle helmets is the employment of carbon fiber. Carbon filaments are woven into a cloth which is combined with other materials like Kevlar in order to produce a helmet which is both stupendously strong and light. The helmets are made by laminating the carbon fiber materials with a layer of acrylic fiber which gives the helmet good stiffness to weight proportions. With carbon fibers you can get the strength and protection you predict from metals without all of the additional weight. Carbon fiber is usually mixed with Kevlar to produce a material that is 3 times stronger than Kevlar alone.
The new bike helmets being made from carbon fiber are much more sturdy and lighter than helmets being made from fiberglass. Using carbon fibers it is now possible to make helmets which are safe that are not heavy and lumpish. While carbon fiber helmets used to be custom made by a few makers many are now beginning to produce them on a larger scale as demand for these helmets has increases.
Many states these days are requiring that bike riders wear a helmet which is either DOT or Snell licensed. These certifications look at many different aspects of safety including visibility, ability to absorb the energy of impact, and the amount of coverage for the head and face. Not all carbon fiber helmets will meet all the needs for DOT approval. When searching for a carbon fiber helmet it is best to stick with ones which have received safety documentation.
Bike helmets continue to boost as new technologies and materials are used in their production. Nowadays you will find helmets which offer you both improved performance and reinforced comfort. New carbon fiber helmets can also include lots of other technical inventions like anti mist systems and multi channel communication systems.