Lightweight helmets yay or nay?

[m00sie]

Can someone please tell me whether lightweight helmets are as safe as "normal" weight helmets? I heard that helmets are supposed to be heavier so when you come off your bike your head gets pulled forward and tucked into your chest...is this true?
The helmet i have at the moment is pretty heavy (well to me it is). It feels like my neck isnt strong enough to hold it up, which makes riding with it feel rather uncomfortable. If lightweight helmets are going to do just as good a job, then id rather buy one of those.

[Str8 Jacket]

double post

[Str8 Jacket]

Is your brain tough or a lightweight?
If I were you id go with the best quality that you can afford... Welcome BTW!

[texmo]

shoie are one of the strongest helmets around and yet are amoung the lightest.

[m00sie]

Thanks :) id have to say i have quite a large head lol not to mention recurring neck problems which probably mean my neck is weaker than the average joes.

[OMG]

Weight does not equal quality. Get a lighter helmet, it will probably be safer since you wont be straining your neck and therefore be less likely to crash. But be warned, lighter = more expensive. If it is light AND cheap then maybe I wouldn't trust it.

[enigma51]

shoie are one of the strongest helmets around and yet are amoung the lightest.

But wear earplugs wind noise is a shoei trade!

[Madness]

recurring neck problems which probably mean my neck is weaker than the average joes.

The action of riding a motorcycle and wearing a helmet is good for building strength in your neck muscles. The more you ride, the stronger your neck will eventually become.

Any helmet with Standards Approval will protect you in the event of an accident. Of course, you always get what you pay for too.

[texmo]

Its called a whisper kit and sets you back $80.

[far queue]

I would think that lighter helmets are better and safer. A lighter helmet means less mass to be thrown about by the forces involved in a crash, therefore the rider is less likely to suffer neck damage. Also a lighter helmet is going to be more comfortable and less tiring to wear during vigorous riding for the same reasons, this would be most noticeable during off road riding on rough terrain.

But ...
Light because it's cheap and nasty = not good :no:
Light because it's good quality and made from carbon/kevlar = good :yes:

As always buy the best you can afford, and if you can't afford a good one, save some more then buy a good one.

[texmo]

NZ has amoungst the hardest rules concerning helmets as long as its approved its ok - rember that.

[FROSTY]

At the moment a NEW light lid in new Zealand is going to be good quality.