Helmets 101

[Storm]

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??

According to a mate of mine, they difference is in the impact dispersal. A cheap helmet will spread the impact over a 2-3inch circle. A medium price polycarbonate one will spread over 6-7 inches, and a top end fibreglass (Shoei, Arai, any $1000 lid) will spread it pretty much over the whole helmet.
Same theory as crumple zones in your car- the helmet acts as a shock absorber and distributor to lessen the amount of force that is then transferred to your delicate swede.

[babyblade250rr]

According to a mate of mine, they difference is in the impact dispersal. A cheap helmet will spread the impact over a 2-3inch circle. A medium price polycarbonate one will spread over 6-7 inches, and a top end fibreglass (Shoei, Arai, any $1000 lid) will spread it pretty much over the whole helmet.
Same theory as crumple zones in your car- the helmet acts as a shock absorber and distributor to lessen the amount of force that is then transferred to your delicate swede.

excellent explanation and makes alot of sense cheers!

[Holy Roller]

Did a bit of quick research into helmet standards as there are a few cheaper ones on trademe that claim meeting some standard or other.
Was wondering why a flip top lid being sold as an off road lid yet meeting the DOT standard and other sellers selling similar as if they were legit for road. I asked the seller if they were road legal but no reply as yet.

http://www.ltsa.govt.nz/road-user-sa...g-helmets.html
* Because of the lack of a formal certification system for the US FMVSS 218 standard, this standard only applies to motorcycle helmets that have been manufactured and purchased in the USA. Helmets complying with FMVSS 218 will be marked with the letters 'DOT'.

Motorcycle helmet retailers are responsible for making sure that any helmet they sell for road use complies with the requirements set out above. This means that if you're a retailer of motorcycle helmets, you must be able to produce, on request, appropriate documentation proving compliance with one of the approved standards. (These documents will be available from the helmet manufacturer.)

Anyone selling motorcycle helmets that do not comply with approved standards can be fined up to a maximum of $500 per offence. They may also be required to recall any non-compliant helmets that have been sold.

The legislation relating to motorcycle helmet standards is set out in Land Transport (Road User) Rule 2004.

So be careful out there