Double D-ring chinstraps safer??

[Mully]

Afternoon,

I was reading the current MCTN last night, and there's a story about Arai helmets.

It mentions that Arai only use Double D-rings on their chinstraps, and that you can't use the clip ones at most track events.

Are double D rings safer?? I can't think of why they would be. Is it simply that the clip-in type might not be pushed in far enough (to lock) and the Double D rings are a positive action, so you know it's attached?

I found D rings a pain, so I have a clip-in type. Should I look at D rings next time?

Cheers,
Mully

[Indiana_Jones]

lol I'm the other way round, useless with clips and better with D-rings!

I don't think one is safer over the other though

-Indy

[sels1]

Call me old fashioned, but I much prefer the DDs

[MSTRS]

Call me old fashioned, but I much prefer the DDs

More than a mouthful is wasted...
D rings for me too. I don't like how the clip type won't stay adjusted (the strap length) and they are a bitch to reset.

[vifferman]

Yes, the rings are safer (less likely to come undone).
I had helmets with D-rings for years, then helmets with clips for more years, then went back to D-rings. The latter are only a minor pain to fasten or undo, and I've never had a strap come undone. I did have a clip undo more than once, because it hadn't clicked properly. The clips (usually) have only a dimple in the tongue, which clicks in behind a spring-loaded tooth in the buckle. While they're usually fairly secure, they're not infallible.

[LilSel]

I have D rings... When time to get new helmet... that will have D rings too :D

[vifferman]

I don't like how the clip type won't stay adjusted (the strap length) and they are a bitch to reset.
I never had problems with that, but I have overtightened the d-ring type of strap a few times, and not realised until I was out on the road. With the buckle/clip type, you should theoretically be able to leave it set at the optimum tightness and not need to adjust it.
The thing I like least about my current helmet's strap (Shoei XR1000) is the padded bit on the strap is too short, so if I don't have the strap loose rather than snug, it chafes. The AGV had a nice padded bits that overlapped one another slightly - much more comfy.

[MSTRS]

Different helmets - different designs - some better - some worse. I guess.

[canarlee]

i prefer to use the "click on" types for ease, but i do believe DD ring type fasteners are safer.


the helmet i have now is DD fastened and i must say i have it done up but not tight so i can slip the helmet on and off without keep doing up and undoing, not the best of solutions i know but hey, each to their own i guess........

["D" FZ1]

I would never wear a helmet with a clip . Arai and D Rings for me

[HenryDorsetCase]

A mod with a sense of humour would replace "chin strap" with "Bra strap" for hilarious results.

Oh the humanity.

and my Shoei has D rings and I am more than happy with that.

[sunhuntin]

i think its possibly because the harder you tug on d rings, the tighter they grip. a clip on the other will likely give way. and any major impact could crack the plastci clip, meaning it could come off.

had d rings lids when i was a kid, and now have a clip. i will be going back to d rings i think, since the clip one has too much excess strap and wont stay tight... even having headphones underneath can pull the strap back and make it loose.

[yungatart]

Mine has a clip. It never gives me any grief.
It strikes me that the clip is very similar to a seatbelt clip. If D rings are much safer than clips then why are seatbelts fitted with clips?

[Mental Trousers]

The way I heard it was that the clip type were banned from some race series after at least 1 person died from the clip crushing their throat. Don't know if that's true though. You'd have to ask someone in the racing circles that has a clue.

[ZeroIndex]

I found clippy ones found on HJC really easy to click out, which made removing the helmet effortless even with winter gloves still on my hands...

My Shark helmet though (double "D" rings), fits a lot more snug due to the chinstrap getting "fitted" properly to you each time you put it on...

[HenryDorsetCase]

why would you be taking your helmet off without taking your gloves off?

[Coldrider]

I went through that issue years ago when replacing a dirt full face helmet for enduros, and what the salesman said, what the ACU said, and all that, but most guys like "double D's" don't they.

[ZeroIndex]

why would you be taking your helmet off without taking your gloves off?
If you're stopping to ask someone something or if you're having a smoke and your hands are cold.... lots of good reasons... if your head is itchy... hmmmm I could make a huge list of why it is easier to be able to take a helmet off without removing your gloves first (which does take a bit longer)

[pritch]

I have both, and each has advantages. My Shark (free with the bike) has a clip, my old BMW helmet had a clip, no problems with either. I also have two Shoie helmets with Ds (one is slightly battlescarred).

The Shark is a ride to work, round town, sort of helmet. There is a slight ease of use advantage if you are going to be taking it off frequently.

On trips or weekend rides the Shoie is the helmet of choice, but I would be happy with either.

If there isn't a track day in your future it really doesn't really matter...

I'd be more worried about finding a helmet that won't fog up.

[Toast]

Stuff clips...one more thing that can go wrong and one more thing to worry about. D-rings are simple and virtually fail-safe.

[Swoop]

why would you be taking your helmet off without taking your gloves off?
When you don't want your visor to fog up, while trying to break into the bank vault and not leave fingerprints?:whistle:

[PirateJafa]

Mine has a clip. It never gives me any grief.
It strikes me that the clip is very similar to a seatbelt clip. If D rings are much safer than clips then why are seatbelts fitted with clips?

But you have to remember the general intelligence level of the cage-driving population.

There are enough bikers out there complaining about how "difficult" D-rings are, without adding the cagers in too.

Besides which, aren't there enough cagers out there without seatbelts already? The extra "hassle" of D-rings would just mean even more people would end up lying on the hood of their cars.

[Bullitt]

I prefer double Ds:2thumbsup

Every time I puty it on I know its going to be comfortably tight...marginally harder to attach but alot quicker to adjust.

If I found a helmet I liked with a clip Id probably still buy it but it wouldnt be my first choice.

[BMW]

had both. The Shoei clip has never failed me!

[NordieBoy]

My current KBC FFR had DD's and is a pain compared to my previous Zeus flippy and THH fullface with clips.

I much prefer clips for my road helmets for the convenience but for the MX helmets which I wear a little tighter I prefer the smaller, less obtrusive DD's.

[Chrislost]

Mine has a clip. It never gives me any grief.
It strikes me that the clip is very similar to a seatbelt clip. If D rings are much safer than clips then why are seatbelts fitted with clips?

the general public would be to retarded to use DDs


i prefer the DDs, ive seen a clip break off during a crash...

[vagrant]

I have both, clip on an FM and DD on a Shoei. The DD is easier for adjustment when you are wearing different layers, like a scarf on neck warmer.
Scrutineers looked twice at the clip on the FM when I raced, but it had all the right stickers so always passed.
I would go DD in future, because it is always snug, no matter what you wear.
Second behind how the helmet fits and feels of course.
Maybe third. looks count.:yes:

[Drum]

I get a bit of 'strap creep' with my clip style strap, but really it's less hassle than a DD. As a daily commuter, the less hassle the better. I rode home a couple of times with the strap unfastened in the first year or two I was riding. Hasn't happened since.

[saltydog]

Call me old fashioned, but I much prefer the DDs

me 2, had the clip n type but never again

[Disco Dan]

DD uses DD's.

[Meekey_Mouse]

My brother has a clip in one, as most other people said... they are good for road riding as they are easier and quicker to put on and off.

For me, I LOVE my Arai, it has DD's and I feel a lot safer in it. (I just have to remember to do them up:Oops::buggerd:)

[Big Dog]

More than a mouthful is wasted...
D rings for me too. I don't like how the clip type won't stay adjusted (the strap length) and they are a bitch to reset.

I think this is the major failure of the seatbelt type.
If you have an accident you want your strap snug. If you don't know why you should familiarise yourself with the physics behind a slide hammer.

On a time to time basis the clips are more convenient but they are a lot more hassle over a 2-3 year period. Given this is the projected service life of a helmet surely this is the light in which one should look at convenience.

I have read some literature about how a clip is safer because it will shear off at a lower torsional force than a broken neck. Personally I would rather a possible broken neck than a definitely dead body. Just my own opinion and each of us is entitled to make our own choices about safety.

Personally I prefer D rings because the very act of securing it means it will be snug unless you are one of these idiots you see riding around with a good 4 inch slack because they think its cool, however I buy whatever helmet is the best fit whenever new helmet time arrives. Clips are not a deal breaker, just as colour is not, but if I have a choice DD's all the way.

[Big Dog]

Oh and many has been the time that traveling down the motorway the clips have started banging agaings the side of my helmet to let me know it is no longer secured, never happened with the DD's.

[sunhuntin]

Oh and many has been the time that traveling down the motorway the clips have started banging agaings the side of my helmet to let me know it is no longer secured, never happened with the DD's.

ive never had mine come undone, but having a good 10cm of excess strap is a pain in the ass when the knot comes out and starts drumming away.

[Big Dog]

ive never had mine come undone, but having a good 10cm of excess strap is a pain in the ass when the knot comes out and starts drumming away.

Got to love the HJC I have then, there is a retainer clip for the excess. :clap:

[howdamnhard]

DD's are easier to adjust up so that it fits snugly(which makes it safer).Clips are more convient but can't always be trusted to have positively locked.I always slip my finger underneath and give it a good tug to make sure it has positively locked(as sometimes it has not).No good to you if your helmet comes off in a prang.:weird:

[Pwalo]

My old HJC had the clip fastener. It stayed on my head when I landed on it and wrote it off.

My current HJC CL has the DD rings, which I prefer as they are easier to snug up.

As long as you check your helmet's secure there shouldn't be a problem.

[NordieBoy]

Got to love the HJC I have then, there is a retainer clip for the excess. :clap:

Same on my KBC FFR, loops up onto a little button clip.

As an aside, last weekend at the 6-hour I saw a rider who just jammed his helmet on and rode.
The strap was inside the helmet and the end was sticking out by his left eye.
I've also got photos of people racing and you can see the strap isn't done up at all.

[sunhuntin]

Got to love the HJC I have then, there is a retainer clip for the excess. :clap:

ive got an hjc, and it dont have that. crappy lid, lol. got it free when i bought the gn, due to my last lid being in an accident. was the only open facer the shop had.

[SPman]

and any major impact could crack the plastci clip, meaning it could come off.

If it hit you hard enough to break the clip, I think you'd be fooked, anyway.
I've got one of each - I prefer the DD - had the clip come undone due to it not being properly clicked home to many times.
The clip is slightly more convenient, though, and I've never had a problem with the strap loosening.

[Paulusgnome]

I'm on my second helmet with clips now. My first was a Lazer LZX which I wore for years until my last spare visor expired due to old age. I replaced the Lazer about 18 months ago with a Shark specifically because I wanted another clip-type. Why? 1) Reliable - never had the clip come undone in flight, as it were, never, in years of use. 2) Much, much less fiddly to do up and undo. and 3) Once its set to the right length it stays there. I have never had to re-adjust once set. I guess I do trust the helmet manufacturers to produce a product that has been adequately tested and which meets the safety standards, but then don't we all?

[klingon]

I have an HJC with a clip and I have to readjust the strap often. I wonder why some people have to keep adjusting the strap after "slippage" and others never have to adjust it. Is it as a result of clip/strap design or perhaps the habits of the wearer?

[Jeff Rees]

Mine has a clip. It never gives me any grief.
It strikes me that the clip is very similar to a seatbelt clip. If D rings are much safer than clips then why are seatbelts fitted with clips?
I think your argument is very valid. I have been riding for many years and find the modern clips are much easier to use than trying to fiddle with 'D' rings. In addition one would expect that post accident investigation would very soon identify any design feature that failed to provide the required level of safety. As with the 'lead in paint' issues that have surfaced recently with imported Chinese products you would expect similar action against unsafe helmets if found to be warranted. One of my previous 'clip ons' bounced down the freeway in Brisabne a few years ago. The helmet cracked, but the head within and the clip survived!

[Pancakes]

I heard it's something to do with being approved for racing? and that the clips aren't? I just bought a Shoei and even the second time I put it on it felt natural and easy. It does have a little thing to pul to help you get the right D and make it easy to feed the thing through and the end of the tag clips to the D's to stop it giving you little bitch flicks all down your neck and bonch.... um.... if thats what your into....

[Pixie]

More than a mouthful is wasted...
D rings for me too. I don't like how the clip type won't stay adjusted (the strap length) and they are a bitch to reset.

3 posts before tits were alluded to.
A record?

[Pixie]

More than a mouthful is wasted...
D rings for me too. I don't like how the clip type won't stay adjusted (the strap length) and they are a bitch to reset.

Easily fixed by the simple expediant of putting a stitch through the strap and the remainder hanging past the adjuster once the optimum length is found

[Pixie]

The clips on Nolan helmets are ratchet devices with about 25mm of adjustment built in to the design.As long as the tongue is engaged , the connection is secure.This is not the case with seat belt type catches.

[Busaboy]

Hi there, i had a 1 week old clip in helmet went to the Brass Monkey and did a 150mtr slide down the road with a couple of bumps, the helmet had cracked along the centre seam on the the chin and part of roof of helmet but clip never came aprt till i uncliped it. (thank Feck for that):rolleyes:

[clint640]

I like the clip type, so much more convenient if you're buzzin around town taking the lid on & off. A rubber band around the straps will stop it un-adjusting. It is important to always check that the clip is secure though, & give it a drop of lube if it gets sticky.

Cheers
Clint

[saltydog]

Tryed clip-type for one helmet I had. It was a cheapy $300 model and on more than a few occassions I would find that mid-ride the bloody thing would come unfast and start dangling in the wind. I started out racing karts many moons ago and they also wouldnt let you race without the d-ring fasteners. I supose its a matter of choice and experience but if you ask me one type feels a dam site more secure than the other. And like they reckon.... if you've got a $10 head go and get yourself a $10 helmet!:bleh:

[Badger8]

I'd always go for Double D's, and who wouldnt? (sorry, couldn't resist! :bleh: )

Call me old fashioned, but i just cant bring myself to trust a plastic clip to hold on me skid lid. Have seen them come undone and bust up on pushbike helmets before, and even at pedal speeds the results were less than pleasant.

Admittedly the D's are a little inconvenient when nipping around short distances, but i much prefer the security and piece of mind of a positive connection, and the feeling of a snug fit as i pull it tight every time the helmet goes on.
It's an inconvenience in the same way as how it takes longer to put on and remove my gear at each end of my 5 minute commute to work than the actual riding, but to me to me it's just an extension of the ATGATT philosophy (All The Gear All The Time)

Gotta ride to survive! :2thumbsup

[homer]

i have had double ds
and helmet now has a clip ,which dosnt exactly look that secure but obviously is .
i dont mind either actually

[inlinefour]

Never had a skid lid with the clip system, although the Mrs has. Old news that they are not acceptable for racing though, although not everyone is as old I guess...