Cycle Helmet Question

Chocaholic · 08-31-2007, 06:15 PM

I'm in the market for a bike (BMW) and have a helmet question. I have a lightly used Snell 2000 full face Bell helmet that I bought for DE and Auto-X. I've worn it for maybe 7 or 8 events and it's probably 4 years old (stored in a duffle bag to keep clean). P-car is long gone and helmet has been untouched past 2 years.

I know many will say "don't pinch pennies" on safety gear...."how much is your head worth"? etc.

Is there any reason that this helmet shouldn't be worn for a few test rides, etc. (at a minumum)? Is Snell 2000 considered adequate for motorcycling? I don't mind buying a new one but not if there's no real benefit.

Thanks,

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

I would wear it. At least don't go blowing a ton of money on an Arai or something until you have a bike and know what kind of wind drag it produces.

LakeCleElum · 08-31-2007, 06:40 PM

I've read many m/c helmet comparison tests. Most indicate there is very little difference in protection between a cheap full face helmet and a top of the line model. The bottom line usually is: Just wear a helmet, any helmet and you greatly increase your chances of survival in a crash...

rattlsnak · rattlsnak's Garage

There are different ratings on motorcycle helmets. They are 'M02' or such, whereas car helmets are 'S02' or such. They are designed for different types of impacts. This is why you cannot use an M rated helmet for DEs and such. Now that ive stated that, can you assume that an S rated helmet is better than an M rated helmet and it would be OK to use on a motorcycle??....... well i guess that is the $100.00 question.

Dantilla · 08-31-2007, 07:33 PM

Wear whatever is most comfortable.

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

Here's an interesting read and photos. I doubt an expensive or cheap helmet would have made a difference here. Main thing is that there was a helmet. If not, it would have been ugly.

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=259706

Noah930 · Noah930's Garage

I see 2 issues:

1) Car vs bike helmet. Like rattlsnak mentions, they are designed for slightly different impacts. Supposedly, a car helmet is designed for one big impact, while bike helmets are designed to withstand multiple, lesser impacts. There's also often a fire retardancy to the materials in a car helmet, but that shouldn't matter in this case.

2) Age of helmet. Even if it looks pristine, your helmet is at least 4 years-old (and maybe even more if it sat on some shelf before being sold to you?). Supposedly, the EPS (styrofoam) liner chemically breaks down. So (theoretically) the helmet is not as protective now, as it was originally. Because of this, it's usually recommended to replace a helmet every 5 years, even if has no obvious damage.

Having said those things, if you're just intending on using this in the short term (couple test rides where you remember you're riding someone else's bike), even a used helmet is going to be spades better than no helmet at all.

Jim Bremner · 08-31-2007, 10:00 PM

your car helmet has a few features that DON'T work for M/C use.

The Eye port is smaller for car use.

The helmet has a thinner shell than a M/C one

A M/C helmet's face shield is TWICE as thick.

If you can afford a BMW bike you can afford a Fine Helmet

I own 3 helmets, 2 car/ kart use the other is M/C

it's like buying a gun, you hope that you don't need one, and you hope that when you do need it, it's in the right place to save your life.

and hope that you don't buy one that won't do the job.

(see the ammo price thread if'n you don't get it)