Wearing top-name motorcycle helmet could cost you thousands, say testers

[Bikernereid]

Wearing a crash helmet which failed to score the maximum five stars in new safety tests could mean less compensation after a crash, according to experts.

Insurers will argue it was your choice to wear only a three-or-four-star helmet and that you are therefore partly responsible for the extent of any injuries, it was claimed.

Helmets to achieve fewer than five stars in new Government-approved tests include trusted prestige brands such Arai, Shoei, AGV and Suomy.

Arai’s £300 GP5x got five stars in the so called SHARP tests but the firm’s £450 range-topping RX-7 scored only three, while its £200 Condor got just two. Shoei’s £330 XR-1000 and Suomy’s £400 Extreme also gained three stars.

Meanwhile five-star helmets include Lazer’s £60 LZ6, Bell’s £130 M1 and HJC’s £249 HQ-1.

A leading independent helmet testing laboratory claimed solicitors would seize upon the new star ratings to argue riders in low-rated helmets deserved a smaller payout after a crash, even if the accident was not their fault. Paul Walker, of Head Protection Evaluations (HPE), which tests to the U.S. recognised helmet standard, said it would be argued riders could have helped prevent their own injuries by choosing a five-star helmet instead.

HPE’s Paul Walker said the testing house was already frequently contacted by solicitors seeking advice in cases where it was argued a motorcyclist “should have been wearing a better helmet”. He said the number of similar cases was growing, indicating solicitors and insurers were looking more closely at helmet quality, and the star rating would be prove perfect ammunition.

He said: “I expect those cases to come along in due course, when certain clever lawyers working on behalf of insurers say you chose a one-star helmet so your claim for half a million can be reduced to £100,000.”

Arai UK’s John Wakefield said: “We’ll be asking HPE to keep us informed on this because it’s obviously very important.”

Steve Clifford, of Shoei’s UK distributor, said: “It’s a definite concern.”

[bobsmith]

Interesting news articles.

But I can't help thinking though..... Is Bob taking a holiday from his usual duty or something??? :laugh:

[CookMySock]

A leading independent helmet testing laboratory claimed solicitors would seize upon the new star ratingsSounds like they missed out on some contract. Just the doublespeak count sets alarmbells off for me.

Steve

[Bob]

Interesting news articles.

But I can't help thinking though..... Is Bob taking a holiday from his usual duty or something??? :laugh:

;)

True reason for not coming up with this? It is a direct lift from Motor Cycle News - as I find my news stuff for other sources as well as KB, I leave the MCN stuff well alone, as - lets face it - if it is on the MCN site it is pretty well publicised!

(Quite aside from MCN not letting the truth get in the way of a good story... :oi-grr: )

[The Stranger]

What a load of shit.
Not directed at the messenger of course, but the twat in the article.
He is simply trying to legitimise his test as "the" standard instead of the Snell tests.

There has been a lot of argument about helmet testing standards, thiers is simply one more.

Have there been any case where drivers of less safe cars have had their payouts reduced because of it?
Indeed if car was a possibility, why would not the insurer simply refuse to pay for any motorcycle accident and say they should have had a car instead as they are safer.

I think this is just one more reason to be highly sceptical of the new star rating system.

[Coyote]

And reading this helps my overwhelming anxiety how?

[awayatc]

If my helmets fails in a crash.....

Well if it ever will I don't think I will be worrying about that...

Plus I'd see plenty of stars then...surely more then 5

[normajeane]

If my helmet fails I don't think I will be quibbling about how many stars as I will be amongst them. Get one that fits and does the basic job of protecting your nut against a wee bang against the ground. Who the heck crash tests them on their head anyway!!:wacko::whistle:

[pritch]

Their ratings list looks rather odd. I'd like to see a critique of their testing methods. There is some information about how they test on their site but it didn't mean that much to me.

Judging by what they have published so far I wouldn't be basing my next purchase on their ratings...

[AllanB]

All those test have one major flaw - note of them rate how cool the graphics are.

WTF

:wari::wari::wari::wari::wari:

[Bob]

Their ratings list looks rather odd. I'd like to see a critique of their testing methods. There is some information about how they test on their site but it didn't mean that much to me.

Judging by what they have published so far I wouldn't be basing my next purchase on their ratings...

From the little I do know, the Sharp tests cover two types of test; direct impact and rotational.

Impact? Works the same way as other impact tests - a heavy, pointy thing is dropped onto the helmet.

The rotational? Don't know a lot about how they do it, but they test the helmet to ensure that it doesn't slip/slide round the head I think - and also that the helmet does not 'stick' to the road. Apparantly one of the major injury issues is that the rider's head gets pulled round when hitting the road due to friction, twisting the neck and causing injuries.

Why they don't provide more accurate/informative information on the site, I have no idea.

Been thinking about this a little more - and I'm not sure someone could 'downgrade' your claim on the basis of the Sharp rating scheme. The legal requirement in the UK isn't Sharp rating, but the EU standard 22.05 - so if a helmet meets that standard, then it is legal for use on the road. The Sharp ratings are not a legal standard - well not yet anyway - so in terms of insurance, if your kit meets a legal standard, then it is fit for use and I'd say the helmet makers would be keen to provide assistance if this went to court to ensure that remains so!

[FJRider]

So after car crash tests... do cage drivers get less of an insurance payout if the vehicles get a poor evaluation ???

[Kiwi Graham]

Think I go by the current ratings/standards......Oh and the fact that the guys that ride bikes foookin fast for a living (WSB, GP etc) decide to wear them instead of $250 (project funding :shifty:) brands. You pay your money and make your choice, me! I have an Arai RX7 I bought it because it was comfortable (I have an Arai shaped head), It has a good rep (seen pleanty of racers get of wearing them and get up and walk away.....inc myself) and because I could afford one.

[NordieBoy]

What a load of shit.
Not directed at the messenger of course, but the twat in the article.
He is simply trying to legitimise his test as "the" standard instead of the Snell tests.

I don't like the Snell tests myself. I prefer the "softer" conditions of almost all the other testing systems.

[The Stranger]

I don't like the Snell tests myself. I prefer the "softer" conditions of almost all the other testing systems.

Sure, your preference, and I am not saying one is better than the other.
I can see arguments for both ways and am no expert.

However I do become a little suspicious when one resorts to baseless scaremongering in order to establish credibility.

[firefighter]

Ok say this really does happen- you really could just argue that it was the only helmet which properly fit your head - no matter how high the stars are if you have a 500 star helmet and it doesn't fit right then it's worse than a 1 star helmet.....besides if your policy states you are insured for $500000 upon serious accident (whatever) surely no matter what you say you have to meet the agreed sum on the policy?

[Blossom]

lol if the helmet fits...wear it.
does that 'testing' take into account the helmet wearers head shape?

[Scouse]

I just had a look om the Arai website the GP5X is a helmet designed for car racing and not motorcycling

[NOMIS]

I think my SHARK RSR2 is a 5star... thats under a grand

[pritch]

The list of Sharp five star helmets is short, just the six:
AGV S4
ARAI GP5x
Bell M1
HJC HQ1
Lazer LZ6
Shark RSR2

Seeing a Bell on the list was mildly surprising but apparently Bell are making a comeback. I couldn't find an M1, but the M2 M3 M4 etc are all car racing helmets.

I hope some bright spark at the LTSA doesn't see the Sharp list and think it's God's gift. It seems to come up a bit short on credibility...

[Swoop]

Insurers will argue...

A leading independent helmet testing laboratory claimed solicitors would seize upon the new star ratings to argue...

HPE’s Paul Walker said the testing house was already frequently contacted by solicitors...
Does anyone else see the "legal fraternity" drumming up work ($$$'s) for themselves?

[klingon]

It might be useful to point out that this was a UK article talking about UK conditions. In NZ our ACC is a no-fault system so if you're injured you will get the ACC payout regardless of whether you contributed to the accident.

So the points they are making in the article will only apply if you have private medical insurance, and even then I don't know how much insurance companies in this country go after people for stuff like this.

[Quasievil]

Some of you will be interested in this

http://www.westcom.no-ip.info/bikes/helmetindex.html

[HenryDorsetCase]

Does anyone else see the "legal fraternity" drumming up work ($$$'s) for themselves?

bear in mind that in the UK personal injury litigation is a huuuge and lucrative area of practice for lawyers. Here it just isn't. remember that social contract you signed in 1974 giving away your right to sue, in favour of low cost, universal, "no fault" Gummint will look after yiz Act. Accident something something I think it was called.

[HenryDorsetCase]

Some of you will be interested in this

http://www.westcom.no-ip.info/bikes/helmetindex.html

thats a really interesting article. Thanks for posting!

[pritch]

thats a really interesting article. Thanks for posting!

Good article, I had read of this elsewhere. SNELL are apparently not open to suggestions as to how to improve their testing regime.

The latest BIKE mag here has a brief article on SHARP testing. SHARP is a British Government initiative and BIKE think the basic idea is laudable, but there is concern that the actual test protocols are secret (which explains the lack of detail on the website).

The manufacturers are not happy with what is known of the testing, some of the tests are considered inappropriate.

As BIKE suggest, the jury is still out.

[OutForADuck]

Cheap head checp helmet..... Hmmm ... now about that Nolan flip up I ride around town :confused:

[HenryDorsetCase]

I am totally buying a Simpson for my next helmet, because

1. I like the TV show of the same name, and
2. The Stig wears one.


Doesnt matter if it fits or not, or I can get a visor for it... thats all crap compared to how oarsome I will look in it. I am going to get a XL just so I know it fits me.

[skidMark]

If my helmets fails in a crash.....

Well if it ever will I don't think I will be worrying about that...

Plus I'd see plenty of stars then...surely more then 5


I owe you a beer.:laugh:

[Time Paradox]

I just had a look om the Arai website the GP5X is a helmet designed for car racing and not motorcycling

I thought the GP-5X is a variant of the GP-5 specifically designed for motorcycle racing.. :sweatdrop