Helmets 101

[FROSTY:Me]

Im kinda qualified to answer this one.
I can say without a doubt that wearing a high quality lid has saved me from becoming a vegtable My accident in May LAST year was a decelleration from around 100km/h to zero in 3.0m followed by the back of my head smacking the ground HARD. The accident I had recently resulted in my head hitting the ground hard
You can argue --"yea a cheaper lid would do the job"
Ya know what I don't wanna find out the hard way that my lid diddn't do the job.

[babyblade250rr]

don't lids need to have some minimum safety rating european standards or something? before they are classified legal?

[xwhatsit]

don't lids need to have some minimum safety rating european standards or something? before they are classified legal?

Yep there's all kinds of standards, I believe the European ones (and possibly the Australian ones too?) are better than just DOT (US standard), but any will do to make it legal. However there's probably a difference between just meeting the standards, and the more expensive manufacturers exceeding them by some margin.

[babyblade250rr]

Yep there's all kinds of standards, I believe the European ones (and possibly the Australian ones too?) are better than just DOT (US standard), but any will do to make it legal. However there's probably a difference between just meeting the standards, and the more expensive manufacturers exceeding them by some margin.

Acutally thats a good point and a topic of interest!!

what do ya'll think maybe the difference with say a $300 kbc lid in comparison to a $1000 shoei lid? lets say they both meet or exceed us.aus.euro standards what could possibly justify the price difference??

[Hawkeye]

Are you still looking at lids Col? I can recommend a good import. I've got a Caberg V2 which I imported from the UK. 1.5 kg and so much more comfortable than the HJC which I was using. Has the added advantage of an internal coloured visor which comes down with a flick of a lever.
It cost me 116 GBP ($340) plus delivery. Mine has graphics but for the plain version its 89 GBP. Meets all of the European standards.

You can find the details here :

http://www.harpersraceshop.co.uk/item2516.htm

I actually ordered it from :

www.thehelmetplace.co.uk

[xwhatsit]

Acutally thats a good point and a topic of interest!!

what do ya'll think maybe the difference with say a $300 kbc lid in comparison to a $1000 shoei lid? lets say they both meet or exceed us.aus.euro standards what could possibly justify the price difference??

I personally believe (this is completely unfounded, mind you) that it's just features, really. Less noise, better aerodynamics, more comfortable lining, nosepieces, vents -- and a big one -- the big sticker on your forehead saying `Shoei' or `Arai' which makes you look cool in front of your mates. I think in some other thread people mentioned that the MotoGP crowd tend to wear the expensive brands, so that may imply good protection, but never forget sponsorship and commercial interests having a play there.

I'm happy with my head being in my RJays helmet -- bloody comfortable, meets Australian standards -- but I might be feeling a little safer in an Arai, despite my thoughts on what the extra money is really for.

[babyblade250rr]

yeah suppose like i said on another thread regarding cheap oil filters that quality comes from reputation and research shoei and arai have both hmm who knows almost gives me an excuse to buy a new helmet hahaha perhaps ill hmmmmm acidentally drop mine!!

[kaz]

Hi all, just to add my 2c: I was recently shopping for a new helmet too (I ended up with a Shoei Raid 2 which I am very happy with) and I did a little internet research. I found this very interesting article which really made me think about things differently: http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/ge...helmet_review/

It is a very long article but it's pretty readable (plain language) if you stick with it. Basically the article explains how helmets actually work to save your head. And it argues that Snell rating system is inferior to the ECE rating system because Snell tests helmets in a way that does NOT reflect what actually happens to you in a road crash. They say that because Snell do things like test helmets by dropping them onto a spike from some height, you have to have a very hard shell to get Snell certification. But a hard shell (impervious to puncture) does not help you with deceleration. In fact, it makes it more difficult to decelerate your brain safely.

Whoa!

There's also an interesting response from Snell included at the end of the article and then another response from Motorcyclist mag.

[cooneyr]

Hi all, just to add my 2c: I was recently shopping for a new helmet too (I ended up with a Shoei Raid 2 which I am very happy with) and I did a little internet research. I found this very interesting article which really made me think about things differently: http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/ge...helmet_review/

It is a very long article but it's pretty readable (plain language) if you stick with it. Basically the article explains how helmets actually work to save your head. And it argues that Snell rating system is inferior to the ECE rating system because Snell tests helmets in a way that does NOT reflect what actually happens to you in a road crash. They say that because Snell do things like test helmets by dropping them onto a spike from some height, you have to have a very hard shell to get Snell certification. But a hard shell (impervious to puncture) does not help you with deceleration. In fact, it makes it more difficult to decelerate your brain safely.

Whoa!

There's also an interesting response from Snell included at the end of the article and then another response from Motorcyclist mag.

This is the same conclusion I came to when I did some reading after my crash. Snell helmets are to stiff and dont decelerate your head gently enough.

Cheers R

[Kwakajack]

Who's got pointers about what to look for? Obviously the big one - it has to fit comfortably. What does that actually mean though? How should it fit? It may sound like a stupid question but, I'm serious. Most helmets I put on feel, ok. Not superb and not bad. I've been told that different helmets fit differently - that just means to me that many people have many different shaped heads.
What is the difference between a $100 lid and a $800 one? How many vents do I need? Do I need a flip top lid? Do colours make a difference (visibility)?
Apart from just saying "You should get "X" brand" can you guys give some pointers?

I found this out by an expensive case of exploring my options.

1. Buy the best you can afford, if its worth $1000, get it, as you WILL notice the difference. My current lid is an HJC HQ1 Lordship, the Carbon Fibre one, now it's taken three sizes and different shapes to settle on what I need in a helmet.

2. Make sure its damn near too tight for you, that way, at speed once its worn in, it won't move around and will be comfortable to wear. Again, only my HQ 1 is the lid that fits, the other two are the wrong shape and too large. Make sure its a really firm fit everywhere on your face too.

3. Shop around, look for deals and ALWAYS ask for advice from more experienced bikers, read reviews of helmets if you can get them, and try plenty of different brands.

4. Vents are up to personal preference, I ride sportsbikes and intend track time soon so I like helmets that have lots of internal airflow and are not lift face helmets as they are too front heavy and whistle.

This is simply my experiences, but I hope it helps

[Crowdog]

Its good to go to a shop with quite a few brands then just go from one to the other trying them all on, you get a good feel for what is comfortable and what is a cheap piece of plastic, i ended up with a shoei comfy and good for glasses

[swbarnett]

Personally I don't like the flip top lids. They're probably fine for most accidents but if you get a side impact they're not as good as a normal full-face. I saw a report on one accident where the bike was almost unrecognisable. The rider came off with relatively minor injuries but because of the hinge mechanism in his flip-top helmet received a severe bash to the cheek that caused a major break.

[bert_is_evil]

Also the flip front helmets jut out further at the chin bar which can get in the way. My bike requires me to reach forward a long way to the bars, which pulls your shoulder armour up and turning your head you can catch your chin on your shoulder (does that make sense?)

[xwhatsit]

Also the flip front helmets jut out further at the chin bar which can get in the way. My bike requires me to reach forward a long way to the bars, which pulls your shoulder armour up and turning your head you can catch your chin on your shoulder (does that make sense?)

Maybe you should grow a longer neck

Yes I know what you mean, though -- I wear a scarf to keep my neck warm, and that can cause complications as you describe if it's not tied up right. Wouldn't want any bigger a chin guard.

[jester67]

The chin on my new (brand new from eBay) Nolan N102 does not stick out any further than my Arai F1. It is amazingly comfortable and refreshingly easy to use one handed. I accept that it may be slightly more vulnerable to a side impact.