Motorcyclists live dangerously, with only a helmet and a handful of other gear protecting them from the elements and the traffic. Helmets have been compulsory for motorcyclists and their passengers travelling at speeds of more than 20 km/h since the seventies in many places. The range of models, brands, colours and systems has expanded rapidly in recent years. “Especially in terms of safety, aerodynamics, aeroacoustics and quality, modern helmets can no longer be compared with very old ones,” says Jörg Lohse, who works for a trade magazine. The basic principle is still the same, with helmets m…