German motorcycle helmet construction has come a very long way from the WWII-era M35, M40, and M42 combat Stahlhelm helmets from which they descend. Typically, bikers choose a helmet based foremost on price, followed by looks, comfort, and safety – in that order. As far as a modern DOT approved German motorcycle helmet goes, the classic shapes of the M35, M40, and M42 combat Stahlhelm helmets remains unchanged while both the comfort and safety factors come from a whole new world.

To get an idea of the advancements a modern German style motorcycle helmet, DOT-compliant ones at least, offers today's biker, take a look at these two photos:

As you can see, the original WWII-era German helmet uses a simple leather web liner on the inside. While a leather web liner may offer comfortable wear and easy re-sizing, it obviously isn't going to provide any suitable protection for the rider's noggin during a serious spill.

Now, compare that to the modern-day DOT-approved German motorcycle helmet pictured above. As you can see, it offers a plush interior for the ultimate fit and comfort. It's contoured-to-fit polystyrene foam inner shell ensures a comfortable fit while providing the impact-absorption needed to protect the rider's grey matter.

Thick contoured foam padding bonded to the inner shell provides some extra cushion, but it mainly ensures comfort, easy wear, and minimal wobble. The comfort liner covering the foam uses a dual-textured design. Perforated microfiber nylon lines the bottom to enhance air circulation. The remainder of the interior features a sweat-resistant plush brushed nylon lining that helps prevent that clammy feeling on hotter days.

Some of the pricier German motorcycle helmets offer a more deluxe interior. They typically have a mesh upper crown panel that improves airflow circulation for hot-weather riding. They also offer a specially padded crown section to ensure a snug yet very comfortable fit. Plus, it provides an air space for reduced heat and moisture buildup throughout the interior.

If you look closely at the photo of the original German combat helmet, you can spot steel D-rings on either side. These were used for the chin-strap. Most of the German style motorcycle helmet models on the market today come equipped with the open-ear harness-style chin-strap retention system, as seen the picture of the modern helmet above.

Virtually all of the German motorcycle helmets that come with the open-ear harness retention system feature padded and enclosed black nylon straps. For greatest comfort, the ear-area harness is padded and covered in brushed nylon that matches the helmet's interior. Black leather-like vinyl outer trim on the ear harness adds a perfect finishing touch.

Like most every modern-day motorcycle helmet, DOT-approved German style helmets feature outer shells made of some form of one-piece injection-molded polycarbonate, which is penetration resistant and impact absorbent.

Finally, exterior finishes for modern-day German motorcycle helmets is surprisingly varied. Although the classic shape is the same, these types of helmets can be purchased with a painted finish, a chrome finish, covered with leather, or with a polished space-aged-looking raw carbon fiber finish. It's also possible to a buy a German motorcycle helmet with spike or spikes up top, though one would have to question the wisdom of wearing a German motorcycle helmet with spike ornamentation in light of a potential crash.

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There are different things that people look for in a motorcycle helmet. Protection, which is the only reason people wear a motorcycle helmet in the first place, often comes second to style and appearance especially where the stereotypical biker is concerned. The helmet should not only protect ones head from the impact of a motorcycle crash, it has to make the biker look cool at the same time.

To this end, there are many cool styles and designs of motorcycle helmets on the market and one of the coolest is the approved DOT German motorcycle helmet, a design that recalls the unique shape and design of the Stahlhelm helmets worn by soldiers in the German military during the Second World War.

The appearance of the approved DOT German style motorcycle helmet may be offensive to some, but the populace should understand that the German style helmet is popular with bikers because it is both unique and retro at the same time and is not meant to affiliate the particular biker — or bikers in general — with Nazism.

Instead, the German style helmet is intended to serve a fashionable purpose for the biker while serving the practical purpose of providing protective gear for the bikers head.

In addition to the WWII German soldiers helmet design, approved DOT German motorcycle helmets are available in a throwback to the First World War as well; a Kaiser Wilhelm helmet complete with a metallic spike on top. The German motorcycle helmet with spike ornamentation had a little trouble gaining DOT approval. Obviously, the spike could easily become a deadly projectile if the helmet is thrown from the biker's head during a crash.

But, the German motorcycle helmet with spike managed to get through and is sometimes seen atop the heads of bikers at various motorcycle rallies and biker events such as the infamous River Run, which takes place in Laughlin, Nevada each spring.

The DOT that we're referring to is the United States Department of Transportation, the governing body that has established standards in protection that a legal motorcycle helmet must meet.

An approved DOT German motorcycle helmet is one which the manufacturer self-certifies as meeting minimum impact-resistance, retention, and energy-absorption specifications as set by the DOT, though the DOT does do random testing of its own to monitor compliance.

Purchasing an approved DOT German motorcycle helmet can be tricky. These are specialty items and are not going to be found just anywhere, In many cases the biker will need to visit a specialty shop or place an online order to get a German style motorcycle helmet.

No one buys an approved DOT German motorcycle helmet because they hope to have the same helmet as every other biker on the road, after all. They buy them to have a unique helmet that few other bikers in their area will be wearing. So, for a unique look in motorcycle headwear, an approved DOT German style motorcycle helmet could be the way to go.

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Sometimes it can be difficult to be original. For the person who always wants to be as unique as possible, this can be a problem in the mass-produced and mass-marketed world of today. One way that a motorcycle rider can achieve a level of originality is through the use of a blue German motorcycle helmet. The helmet is likely to be very different from the ones others are wearing and will be worn like a badge of individuality on your head.

The best thing about a blue German motorcycle helmet is that it can be difficult to find one, making it all that much more unique. After all, when you're striving for individuality, it can be a real downer to find a hundred thousand other people who had the same idea as you.

German Motorcycle Helmets are Everywhere

No one knows for sure who might have started the trend of bikers wearing motorcycle helmets which are designed as replicas of WWII-era M35 German army Stahlhelm helmets, but they have been around for quite some time. The look that was once a very original concept is now very commonplace and it's not unusual to spot hundreds of German style motorcycle helmets at any large annual biker gathering; they are anything but a unique find anymore.

Traditionally, German motorcycle helmets have only been available in the original German military issue grey color, but are now available in matte black, gloss black, red, blue, green, and literally all the colors of the rainbow.

The nice thing about the colorful blue German motorcycle helmet is that it is still a bit harder to find. In most cases they have to be ordered online as opposed to being purchased at a motorcycle accessory store. When something is harder to come by, it is easier to keep it unique.

Why a Blue German Motorcycle Helmet?

With so many styles and designs in motorcycle helmets available in the world today, why does someone want a blue German motorcycle helmet? If we put the issue of uniqueness aside, German style motorcycle helmets are popular just because they look cool. Lots of bikers like to choose attire that makes them look cool, and a German style motorcycle helmet serves this purpose quite perfectly. The helmets still attend to safety concerns, as well.

A German Motorcycle Helmet Caveat

One important point to note is that there are both novelty German motorcycle helmets and Department of Transportation (DOT) approved German motorcycle helmets on the market. To ensure you're legal and safe, you want to make certain you pick a German motorcycle helmet that meets the specifications required to be DOT approved for meeting minimum safety requirements.

The half-shell German motorcycle helmet design will never be as safe as a full face helmet, which offers protection for every bit of the rider's face and skull. But, the DOT-compliant ones do meet the minimum requirements for a legal motorcycle helmet. They're not the safest helmets in the world, but they're still better than no helmet at all.

In the end, if you're shooting for a look that is cool and far more unique than what all the other riders are sporting, you may want to opt for a blue German motorcycle helmet. If you really want to be different, they're available in pink as well.

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The words 'German motorcycle helmet' typically do not mean a helmet manufactured in Germany. Rather, they communicate a given style of motorcycle helmet with a distinctive look and design.

Specifically, German motorcycle helmets present the well-known, distinctive design of the Stahlhelm combat helmets worn by World War II German soldiers, as seen in movies, television shows, and old photographs.

Origins of the modern-day German motorcycle helmet can be traced back to the 1920s and 1930s, when the German government began re-designing the World War I steel helmet worn by military personnel.

In 1935, the German military approved the new "Stahlhelm," known as the M1935. This helmet, and the ones that followed, became the basis for German motorcycle helmets as they are known today.

There are actually two types of German motorcycle helmet that American bikers need to be aware of: the novelty German motorcycle helmet and the Department of Transportation (DOT) approved German motorcycle helmet.

In order to be DOT approved, German style motorcycle helmets need to meet specific impact-absorption, retention, and penetration-resistance standards as outlined by the US DOT and found at www.DOT.gov. Helmets that don’t live up to the guidelines are referred to as “novelty” helmets.

Although the novelty German motorcycle helmet variety is extremely well-liked by some individual bikers, such helmets are not legal and will likely provoke a citation from police. More importantly, they will provide essentially no protection at all during an asphalt incursion.

So obviously, if you intend to ride with a German motorcycle helmet, DOT-approved is the way to go.

A German style motorcycle helmet is the perfect choice for hardcore bikers who want to look a bit different, maybe even intimidating. Plus, German style helmets are great looking and always a favorite because they help prevent that "closed-in" feeling.

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