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Quote:

Originally Posted by TerryH (Post 4169949)

I don't think enough importance is placed on helmet ratings. From the outside helmets all look about the same, but construction and materials have evolved over the years. That helmet you bought 10 years ago may still look like new, but it's not going to protect you like the most currently rated SNELL approved version. SNELL 2005 or maybe 2010 is out now for motorcycles.

Most drag tracks won't allow you to run a car or bike without a properly dated SNELL approved helmet.

DOT stamped helmets might be okay for paintball, but I wouldn't bet my brains on those letters alone. ;)

I agree. I wouldn't wear a helmet that's out of date. But two helmets of the same SNELL or DOT date and rating can still have several hundred dollars in price difference. Is one realyl safer that the other? Or is it more a matter of style and comfort?

I, too, have a Shoei head.

i was using a Davida Jet but switched to an HJC full face. im due for a new helmet next spring

Quote:

Originally Posted by TerryH (Post 4169949)

I don't think enough importance is placed on helmet ratings. From the outside helmets all look about the same, but construction and materials have evolved over the years. That helmet you bought 10 years ago may still look like new, but it's not going to protect you like the most currently rated SNELL approved version. SNELL 2005 or maybe 2010 is out now for motorcycles.
Most drag tracks won't allow you to run a car or bike without a properly dated SNELL approved helmet.
DOT stamped helmets might be okay for paintball, but I wouldn't bet my brains, or my families, on those letters alone. ;)

Terry, you really need to read the review done by Motorcyclist Magazine regarding DOT v. Snell helmets. Turns out Snell rated helmets transmitted much more energy to your head in a crash then DOT helmets do.

The review: http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/gearbox/motorcycle_helmet_review/index.html

Shoei full face for the bike

HJC open face for DE and other car related events

Bell for bicycle riding.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kurt V (Post 4170122)

That's quite an impressively loooooong article, sorry I couldn't finish it. ;) Seriously, it was interesting and informative. I'm sure there are rebuttals out there too. Instead, I should have stressed it's more important to keep current than rely on the helmet you got handed down from dad or grandpa.

Current DOT is probably fine, of course, I read it on the back of those skullcaps that look like they're pretty useless, but they make good stuff too.

One, alleged, fact that I read a while back is that DOT allows the manufacturers to perform their own testing. This resulted in failure rate of over 20% when audited by random DOT testing. If 1 in 5 helmets are failing DOT specs and still being sold, that puts more risk out there than the allegations against SNELL in that article. This info may be a few years old and has changed by now... . but maybe not.

Damn Terry, can't believe you just dismiss the article because it is long. It came out last year. It doesn't say that all Snell helmets are bad. Here are the test results for their recommended helmets for anyone interested:

AVERAGE Gs
Fewer Gs = Less chance of brain injury

DOT-only helmets:

Z1R ZRP-1 (P)
Average: 152 Gs
LF: 148 gs
RF: 176 gs
LR: 153 gs
RR: 130 gs

Fulmer AFD4 (P)
Average: 157 Gs
LF: 152 gs
RF: 173 gs
LR: 175 gs
RR: 130 gs

Pep Boys Raider (P)
Average: 174 Gs
LF: 163 gs
RF: 199 gs
LR: 185 gs
RR: 152 gs

BSI/DOT Helmets

AGV Ti-Tech (F)
Average: 169 Gs
LF: 156 gs
RF: 199 gs
LR: 195 gs
RR: 129 gs

Suomy Spec 1R (BSI) (F)
Average: 182 Gs
LF: 192 gs
RF: 215 gs
LR: 197 gs
RR: 126 gs

ECE 22-05/DOT Helmets

Schuberth S-1 (F)
Average: 161 Gs
LF: 151 gs
RF: 180 gs
LR: 176 gs
RR: 137 gs

Suomy Spec 1R (ECE) (F)
Average: 171 Gs
LF: 156 gs
RF: 200 gs
LR: 190 gs
RR: 140 gs

Shark RSX (F)
Average: 173 Gs
LF: 166 gs
RF: 187 gs
LR: 201 gs
RR: 141 gs

Vemar VSR
Average: 174 Gs
LF: 171 gs
RF: 198 gs
LR: 166 gs
RR: 162 gs

Snell 2000/DOT Helmets

Icon Mainframe (P)
Average: 181 Gs
LF: 168 gs
RF: 217 gs
LR: 189 gs
RR: 152 gs

Icon Alliance (F)
Average: 183 Gs
LF: 179 gs
RF: 200 gs
LR: 179 gs
RR: 175 gs

Scorpion EXO-400 (P)
Average: 187 Gs
LF: 185 gs
RF: 212 gs
LR: 193 gs
RR: 158 gs

AGV X-R2 (F)
Average: 188 Gs
LF: 192 gs
RF: 226 gs
LR: 166 gs
RR: 167 gs

Arai Tracker GT (F)
Average: 201 Gs
LF: 193 gs
RF: 243 gs
LR: 203 gs
RR: 166 gs

HJC AC-11 (F)
Average: 204 Gs
LF: 195 gs
RF: 230 gs
LR: 231 gs
RR: 163 gs

Scorpion EXO-700 (F)
Average: 211 Gs
LF: 207 gs
RF: 236 gs
LR: 226 gs
RR: 176 gs

Impact Key: LF: Left Front, 7-foot drop, Flat Pavement. RF: Right Front, 10-foot drop, Flat Pavement. LR: Left Rear, 7-foot drop, Flat Pavement. RR: Right Rear, 7-foot drop, Edge Anvil. Shell Key: (P): Polycarbonate (F): Fiberglass

[QUOTE=Kurt V;4170270]Damn Terry, can't believe you just dismiss the article because it is long. It came out last year. It doesn't say that all Snell helmets are bad. Here are the test results for their recommended helmets for anyone interested:

Umm, no I didn't dismiss it. I even said if was informative. I'm not going to debate the issue because I'm not an authority on helmets. I never heard of the website containing the article, so I don't necessarily put credence into every word they wrote. I'm sure there is a lot factual stuff in there.

I do know the NHRA and IHRA require Snell approval with no mention of DOT. Maybe they haven't seen the web article or have their own agenda with regards to safety.

"A full face Snell M2000, M2005, K98, K2005, SA2000, SA2005, SFI 31.2A, 41.2A helmet and shield mandatory; (goggles prohibited).

For all open-bodied front-engine or rear-engine supercharged, turbocharged, or nitrous cars, a full-face Snell SA 2000, SA2005, or SFI 31.2A helmet and shield mandatory; (goggles prohibited). See General Regulations 10:7."

Anyway, don't get your shorts wadded up on my account. :)

Wear a newer approved helmet and enjoy a long life on two wheels.

As long as it's Snell rated, I'd worry more about fit than brand. I've always worn Shoei MC helmets so my first SA rated helmet was Shoei. Then they quit making a SA rated Shoei so I bought a Bell. That was a $700 mistake. It just never felt right and makes the $1000 SA rated Arai not look so expensive.

any DOT/SNELL certified helmet is going to give good protection. i ride every day. and focus on light weight and ventilation, and washability. always found arais the most comfortable. about 600 miles into an 800 mile day you'll be glad you coughed up the extra money.

i have been through a windshield wearing an arai. things like that inspire brand loyalty. but the current one, a carr red signet, is coming apart. the trim is peeling. the side panels are popping off. i'm pissed. am looking at shoei. but only icons seem to come with uglier paint jobs.

Current: Shoei
Next: ZRP1