So as long as a helmet is a DOT approved helmet, I'll be good to go?

Like I have no intentions on getting a "beanie" helmet. (I think that's what you call the ones without a face cover) I'm getting a full face helmet. But I see some that are EXTREMELY expensive.
Oh, and I don't know what I'm doing, that is why I'm asking. How exactly do you drive a motorcycle?? Like speed up, speed down? Like is it controlled on the handles? (I"m getting my bike 2 years from now, so I have time to learn all of this)

OMG YES I'M TAKING THE MOTORCYCLE SAFETY COURSE!!!!! (i'm really tired of having to say this.)

I've been riding motorcycles since I was about 5 years old, I'm 28 now. I've been in a few wrecks and I've seen several more. I watched a friend get killed riding. He was ran over by a woman in a minivan talking on her cell phone. His head and face were intact thanks to his top-of-the-line full-face helmet. But that didnt stop him from dying from all of his other injuries. Riding a motorcycle is dangerous. You have to first understand that a helmet WILL NOT save your life. It reduces the chances of head injury in a low speed crash or fall but that's about it. The most important factors in being safe are experience and awareness. When you are riding, you need to pretend all other drivers on the road are out to kill you and you always have to make sure you have escape routes and be ready to use them.

As for the controls- Your left hand controls the clutch, horn, and turn signals. Your right hand controls the throttle and front brake. Your right foot controls the rear brake and your left foot operates the shifter. Many community colleges offer an affordable riding course and its well worth it to learn how to ride the right way rather then figuring it out on your own.

For the record I usually do not ride with a helmet. I like the feeling of the wind in my hair and bugs in my teeth. I do use a full-face helmet when it is rainy. Rain HURTS at 55 mph. Good luck learning.

best thing to do is take a bike safety course before you buy the bike

if you have no idea how to ride a bike, i would find a friend with a dirtbike and get the basics down on that, bike controls are pretty standard location wise, a dirt bike is very resilient and will provide a good platform to practice on without endangering others on the road.

Dealer makes more profit from the more expensive helmet. I always buy the cheapest DOT approved skid lid when I buy one. However don't buy mail order if you want a good fit. Find a shop that carries a large selection and try them on there. Look at yourself in the mirror until you find the real cool you with a helmet on...*wink*

DOT is great. I have NEVER seen a documented test that show a snell approved helmet to protect any better.

Even the novelty helmets should have a DOT sticker
Buy a quality one , the mega buck equip from a dealer is 70% mark up you can make a much better deal online or wherever.
as far as driving you said you were tired of hearing it ...

Just go to a cycle shop and try them on, then order one online, you will save money and get a great helmet. DOT is all you need. If you want the most comfort then spend $300-600. on a helmet.

All are just fine, as long as you don't get in a crash. Helmets don't always save your life.....Safe riding can help though.

Have fun. Buy full face helmet, they are the ones to buy.

The helmet also needs to fit properly. Not too tight and not too loose. Try on helmets until you find one that fits, different brands fit differently. Sometimes even different models from the same manufacturer fit differently.

DOT is good to go legally.....I read from the guy a few answers up about having never seen a document about SNELL protecting any better...Neither have I ..... but..I have seen SNELL certified helmets protect riders from serious injuries where similar impacts have hurt riders without the SNELL label... in short my child has never ridden a motorcycle that was not SNELL certified... she has been racing since she was 9 ...

just a thought about buying a helmet.... consider the value of what you are putting in it... now I know that many helmets are very expensive and alot of that comes from R&D to make them more comfortable and quiet... get the most comfortable helmet you can afford with the SNELL label

as long as it has either a DOT or SNELL sticker it is a safe helmet ,if there is a cycle gear store near you they have the best deals on helmet's, here is there website cyclegear.com
it's where I go for all my riding gear such as helmet's,gloves and riding jackets.

a word of advice if you drop a helmet from a height of 3 feet or more replace the helmet as it has absorped an impact and might not protect you when you need it to

Get an HJC helmet from www.motorhelmets.com, they have the best prices and HJC makes helmets for a bunch of the more expensive brands without the expensive brand price.

Be sure to take the MSF safety course... just kidding!

OK u can not where a DOT helmet but a DOT helm. is a good way to know that it is a good helm to where. DOT is department of transportation approved. it is the best way to good.