Helmet ratings

[Mustek]

Hi team,

Wondering if anyone has knowledge on the helmet ratings.

I have been told that the NZ safety rating is the highest available. Is there any truth to this?

I am looking at getting a Bell Vortex manifest which is ECE and Snell rated. https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/bell-vortex-manifest-helmet

My understanding was that Snell is the hardest rating to get...

Any help would be appreciated.

[Swoop]

There are a few good threads on this.

Do a search (top right of page) and quite a few come up.

https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/75796-SHARP-helmet-ratings-released?highlight=helmet+ratings

[Berries]

The problem with buying a helmet on ratings is that the highest rated one may not necessarily be the most comfortable.
Jeez, you said something sensible for once.



Is it still April the first?

[pritch]

There is another school of thought says the Snell testing makes for a shell that is too stiff. Some of the Euro helmets are less stiff and thus provide better impact absorption. Swings and roundabouts. Any helmet from a recognised brand that fits is a good place to start. Advice from a shop assistant who does know their stuff could be helpful too, but you will have to assess that yourself.

[YellowDog]

Funny, 'cos the helmet's rating is the very last consideration I have when buying a helmet.

Provided it has the kite mark approval sticker, or whatever it is these days: Comfort, style, colour, wind noise, comms etc. rank far higher up the scale for me.

Yes, I guess my flip face Nolan N-104 would not stand up as well, on impact, as a one piece ARAI, but if you drop it, you'll still be replacing it.

[Owl]

as a one piece ARAI, but if you drop it, you'll still be replacing it.

I sure as hell wouldn't. Unless of course my head happens to be in it when it hits the ground.

[GrayWolf]

Back in the day the Snell rating was difficult to attain, just like back in that day Bell Helmets were the best helmet available. That's far from true today for both of them.

Using the Sharp site is a good start, as is looking at the comparison of the DOT and Snell rating.

[SuperMac]

Google Sharp helmet ratings

NB Some may have different names in the NZ market