SHARP helmet ratings released

[Bob]

The first ratings by SHARP (Safety Helmet Assessment and Rating Programme) set up by the UK Department for Transport have been released.

Road Safety Minister Jim Fitzpatrick said “"If all riders wore the safest helmets available 50 lives could be saved each year. That is why we started the innovative SHARP scheme and are delighted to publish the first results today.

"Helmets from across a wide price range and from a variety of manufacturers have received four or five stars - so all riders should be able to find a high-scoring helmet in a size and style that fits them and at a price they want to pay."

All helmets must meet minimum legal safety standards but the SHARP scheme uses a wider range of tests to provide riders with more information on how much protection a helmet can provide in a crash.

For more information – and to see if your helmet has been tested, log on to:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/sharp

[scracha]

Good find my man. Shocked to see my cheapo Shark lid outperforms my Shoei.

[flyingbrick]

Good find my man. Shocked to see my cheapo Shark lid outperforms my Shoei.

PWNED.

[Katman]

As I've always said, Shark pay more attention to safety in their helmets than virtually all other manufacturers. Apparently the owner of Shark helmets had his best friend killed in a motorcycle accident through head injuries so decided to found a company producing the safest possible helmets.

[Mrs Busa Pete]

I want a new helmet mine's only got a 4 star. Got go now where was cyletreads again.

[portokiwi]

Mabe Blosoms right i couldnt find mine on ther OHHHH crap.
Does anyone know anything about the HLD helmets.
i love it I even checked the Web site before I brought it.
http://www.kang-tex.com/product_info...cfe2142ea97071
But it wasnt in that test that I can find.

[yod]

5 stars - good to know - but i dont think i'll bother testing it

[Cajun]

interesting website. some big price helmets there are out performed by ones half the cost.

[Nordy]

a great website when you are trying to weigh up two great helmets, a good way to tip the balance

would be nice to see how they got their star rating, like what they didnt perform so well in etc (like the car reports tell you how you will die in a crash, well the one on the WRX did)

[McJim]

As has been said before on some other helmet threads. The premium paid for big brand lids is not always directed at safety but rather at fancy visor systems, weight reduction and noise reduction....as well as a hefty sum going towards rider endorsements, sponsorships and general marketing.

[dipshit]

Shocked to see my cheapo Shark lid outperforms my Shoei.

I'm not. I think Shark's crumple zone is a very good idea. They have a corrugated layer of high-density foam to start slowing your head down more gradually, significantly reducing the G's.

[dipshit]

It's interesting to see that most brands have a flagship top performing model followed by cheaper low performing ones in their lineup.

[Bob]

I would like to know why one helmet is a 2, but another is a 5 - what is the criteria for the scores?

So I've sent the following to the SHARP people:

"With reference to the SHARP rating system; I wondered if you can throw some more light on the ratings. I understand that the overall score is awarded based on a range of tests and criteria - but what makes one helmet a 2, but another a 5?

Is it based on a percentage score?
Are the helmets given ratings on each individual test, then the overall score generated by an amalgamation of these?
Are we dealing in absolutes (for example, it takes seven blows to crack the shell, so it scores a 5, but only three blows rates a 2), or are there any 'personal judgements' in the testing?

Also, the results on the initial batch of helmets tested appear to be incomplete. There are helmet weights missing for example. Is the intention to complete the missing items - and to ensure these are complete as and when further helmets are tested?"

Be interesting to see what they come back with... assuming they reply at all. If I get a response, I'll post it here.

[quallman1234]

Interesting to see that the cheap nitro helmet's have quite a high rating??

Also my Cheap CL14 verus my Expensive Arai are both the same a little more detail in this website would be great!

[scracha]

I

So I've sent the following to the SHARP people:
what they come back .

Provably something like 'read the website, ALL t e testing methods and scoring are on there'

Also good to see that high price doesn't mean better. Shoei raid outperforms the dearer shoei lids for example.