Snell rated helmet - yes or no?

Steve Carlton · 10-04-2005, 07:17 AM

Ever since I read the article (including Snell rebuttal) in Motorcyclist, I've been a little concerned about having a Snell rated helmet. It seems there's some quality opinions and research to indicate a Snell rated helmet may transmit more g-force than necessary at most impact speeds for the sake of impact speeds that are extremely unlikely, resulting in unnecessary brain injury.

I called Kyle Seipel at Helmet City asking about non-Snell helmet availability in the US. He suggested Suomy as a quality brand that sells them here (they also manufacture Snell rated helmets relabelled for Ducati and Aprilia). There's some interesting FAQS on the Suomi website.

What sort of experience/impressions do you have of Suomy helmets?

repoe3 · 10-04-2005, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Steve Carlton
What sort of experience/impressions do you have of Suomy helmets?

had one on when i went down in WV in 2002. totaled the bike, broke a collarbone, and hit the side of my head (enclosed in the helmet of course) hard enough that the side panels that cover the visor came off, as did the visor...but i had ZERO head or neck injuries. as for the visor departure...watch Rossi's spill a few races back and see that his visor also came off. i don think that is a big deal. either way, the helmet did its job. they are definitely qaulity and Arai level of fit and finish. replaceable cheek pads, etc. visor changing is a bit more involved, but not bad. i got two for the price of 1 in daytona one year.

just went to suomy's site to verify, as i thought the spec 1 that i was wearing was snell rated...it wasnt. you could buy a worse helmet, thats for sure.

repoe3

John Lyon · 10-04-2005, 05:48 PM

I'm using a non-Snell now, but its a cheapo and gives me a headache after a few hours (not because its cheap, but apparently its the wrong head shape). I'll have to check out the Suomy too.

ExarKunONe · 10-04-2005, 11:32 PM

After reading that article I was kinda spooked too. I crashed wearing my arai and hit my head pretty hard and although I didnt get a concussion or anything I was pretty dopy for a couple hours and dont remember anything about my crash or ride to the hospital. right now I'm wearing a $99 non snell Fulmer (that feels like an arai knockoff but without the sidepods) Not because of the Snell rating but more because I was broke at the time and needed a helmet, so 99 bucks for a good fitting helmet sounded good to me. I used to think non snell helmets werent as safe but after that article I dont mind not having a snell rating.

hooligan620 · 10-05-2005, 01:59 AM

I wear a Spec 1R daily. It's a nice hat! Fit and finish are on par with Arai and Shoei.

The Spec 1R flows enough air that you don't need a fog city or any other device to prevent visor fogging. Keeps your head reasonably cool in the warm weather. The only problem with so much air flow is it's noisy, but then most race helmets are.

It's light and meets the British Gold Standard (for what that's worth). The visors are not cheap but not as expensive as Arai. They are a little more work to replace but you don't feel like you are breaking things

A lot of places are blowing out the older models, avoid them the build quality wasn't good and they fit poorly. The 2004 and newer models are a much better helmet. The graphics...you either love them or hate um.

robert lecomte · 10-08-2005, 11:38 AM

Steve - just wondering if you decided to buy a new helmet - if so, which one did you settle on and why.

Bob

Steve Carlton · 10-08-2005, 06:36 PM

Actually, I'm very happy with the Arai Quantum I've had for less than 2 years. Just thinking ahead and opening discussion on the Snell standard. Haven't even tried a Suomy yet.

hwy1&17 · 10-08-2005, 07:11 PM

I know nothing about Suomi helmets, so here is my contribution to this thread http://www.bayarearidersforum.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=137301

eddy

markjenn · 10-09-2005, 04:59 PM

All experiences are anecdotal, but here's another:

I have a friend who just got a brand new $500 Arai XD dual-sport helmet. Snell rated of course. On the first ride with the thing, he biffs on a gravel road and ends up in the ditch. After a short period of unconsciouness, he gets up and seems okay. But a few days later, he's forgetting his phone number and the last names of his closest friends. The doctor says he sustained a major concussion and there's considerable internal swelling. He should be Okay eventually, but he faces a long period of convalescence.

Now I have no idea if a softer helmet would have been better, but this was a fairly minor low-speed getoff, exactly the sort of thing that the anti-Snell guys are saying are much more common than the high-speed multiple impact, heavy G-force hits that Snell is deisgned for.

I've been an Arai user for years, but assuming I can find a comfortable fit, I'm going non-Snell next time.

- Mark

Jeff Williams · 10-09-2005, 06:50 PM

Steve,
here is my addition to this thread.
this is Rob Wijhenke's girl friend.
Rob is doing the step by step process on how to wear a helmet.
First you put in on.
Second you turn it around.
Third......

jeff