Buying a new Helmet any time soon?

[TLS-Moose]

This is far more important - a 3 star helmet that fits properly will be miles better than a 5 star one that doesn't.

Thats the absolute key I never used to be able to wear an Arai, yet Shoei's fitted like a glove. I liked the Dainese helmets when they first came out, but they hurt my forehead within seconds of trying one on ........ Strangely the Arai I currently use fits well - yet is a low scoring helmet compared to others - but is the only Arai that does. That said I find the visor mechanism a pain so will probably return to Shoei next time ......

The saying used to go, if you have a £20 head, buy a £20 helmet ...... whilst I think £500+ for a helmet is somewhat ridiculous, when looking at an unknown brand helmet for £50, you have to question where they sacrificed quality or R&D to produce it ........

[Funky]

This is far more important - a 3 star helmet that fits properly will be miles better than a 5 star one that doesn't.

you have to question where they sacrificed quality or R&D to produce it ........

I doubt they did R&D, just took apart another brand and copied it... reduces the overheads but no innovation and will not know the particular complexities regarding shape, material etc...

[dan90210]

R & D or not they still pass the required testing. I really cannot understand why this is disputed.

In the case of the link that was posted, the chap says two identical helmets scored differently. They are obviously not the same and if they were supposed to be that leads to even more worrying questions about quality control.

Even the testing will have been tested and tested, and tested some more.

I'll only consider 5 stars in future.

[dan90210]

This very much reminds me of what a fisherman once said to me about fishing tackle shops and their massive prices. The shops are not there to help a fisherman catch fish, they are there to catch the fisherman's wallet.

The same is happening here. It seems to me that we have self fuelled this acceptance that more money equals higher safety, the large companies can then think of a price and double it!

This should be massively publicised. I read yesterday that an extra 25 lives could have been saved last year if only the rider had chosen a five star helmet over what they were wearing. That's worth publicising isn't it?

[dan90210]

My shoei xr1000 is rated 3 stars but it still protected me when I crashed at llandow (some may disagree with this as I'm not all in the head) and I will be buying the same helmet unless I find another that fits more comfortable

This is far more important - a 3 star helmet that fits properly will be miles better than a 5 star one that doesn't.

Sorry, have to agree with Moose, I understand the test is flawed and only tests specific areas so the manufacturers gear their helmets accordingly.
Somewhat like Euro Ncap (or what ever they're called) giving cars scores for when they crash (usually won by Renaults) - I'd rather have a car that stops & handles so is less likely to crash in the first place.

Helmets do come in different shapes and sizes!

You can still have a comfortable helmet that fits correctly and rated at 5 stars AND you can still spend hundreds on it or not. 3 stars does not mean bad, it means you could have spent the same and got better.

Its a no brainer, again this argument is hugely flawed!

And on a different note, the cars tested (the test usually won by renault), also handle very well and brake very well.

[goatpants]

Helmets do you come in different shapes and sizes!

You can have a comfortable helmet that fits correctly and rated at 5 stars AND you can still spend hundreds on it or not.

Its a no brainer, again this argument is hugely flawed!

Most decent lids are now available with different shaped shells

[scorcher]

This should be massively publicised. I read yesterday that an extra 25 lives could have been saved last year if only the rider had chosen a five star helmet over what they were wearing. That's worth publicising isn't it?

Something that could never be proven! Thats like saying if we all cut our speed by 5% 3000 people per year wouldn't die. A load of old nonsense in my opinion,figures made up by some old fart in Government justifying their existence.
Arai and Shoei etc have been making and testing helmets a lot longer than this Government backed scheme and I'd rather be wearing my 3 star,tested by Arai, comfy as you like,still like new after 5 years Arai Chaser,Saved many a Moto Gp /WSB/BSB etc riders head than some crappy 90 quid 5 star helmet that fits like a bucket and falls apart in 12months.
Don't believe everything you read!

[dan90210]

Likewise!

Like I said it's a no brainer. Read the 'facts'. There is no conspiracy theroy here.

I'll spend my cash on a 5 star you spend yours on a 1,2,3 or 4 star, we may even end up with the same brand. Let's just hope you never need that extra star that you could have had for nothing, not one penny.

I still don't get you lot. You can still have you Arai, Shoei, or AVG etc in a 5 star. All makers have made the cut, just not all models.

[layne]

Its a no brainer, again this argument is hugely flawed!

But what if the SHARP test is flawed....


The SHARP test was bought in by the Government in a typical kneejerk reaction when British and European standards already existed. Not to mention the widely regarded superior German Snell standards.

I will continue buy the best helmet I can afford designed for crashing into or hitting flat surfaces and absorbing the resulting impact, and not designed to beat this countries new test.

How often do you end up crashing on to the top of spike topped railings. Not many, as most were removed in the war....

Please read the following as this is why a number of us are not impressed with the SHARPS rating system and are derogatory about it.

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/News/ ... gs-panned/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/Documents/c ... 600150.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.visordown.com/motorcycle-new ... /7268.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://whyarai.co.uk/sharp.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[dan90210]

You can still have you Arai, Shoei, or AVG etc in a 5 star. All makers have made the cut, just not all models.

I'll read through those links later when home Layne.

Not read the PDF yet this will need more than a quick scan on my phone. All the other links however are all just opinion and only from one or two individuals. No absolute proof is given anywhere. Side impact could be as important as anywhere else is you were to need it one day. Arai pretty much say in that link we failed the test on a couple of points and we could pass it easy, but we aint going to!

We all have to wear what we have confidence in, my head will be in a 5 star rated lid.

(Well, until I read that PDF anyway)

[scorcher]

Likewise!

Like I said it's a no brainer. Read the 'facts'. There is no conspiracy theroy here.

I'll spend my cash on a 5 star you spend yours on a 1,2,3 or 4 star, we may even end up with the same brand. Let's just hope you never need that extra star that you could have had for nothing, not one penny.

I still don't get you lot. You can still have you Arai, Shoei, or AVG etc in a 5 star. All makers have made the cut, just not all models.

If you're only going to buy a 5 star helmet to increase your chances,are you only going to wear 1 piece leathers with an airbag that is completely CE approved (not just the armour), gloves that have only had a 5 star rating in tests,boots that have only ever had top marks, ride a bike that has ABS,TC anti wheelie etc etc. Where does it end? After all it is only a test. Whats the chances of falling off exactly like the conducted test?.Real life and tests are two completely different things.So probably Not a lot.And who's going to say 100% "If he'd been wearing a 5 star SHARP tested helmet instead of his 4 Star helmet he'd still be here today" Chances are you'll get run over by a mobility scooter anyway. ;)

[dan90210]

For now I'll still trust the approved testing agency (still not read PDF). I'm just glad I didn't spend hundreds before finding out.

[Stikley]

Still not convinced about the SHARP test even after all these years, a MARUSHIN and a BOX helmet are better rated than a SHOEI XR1000, I don't think so, Rather have my Shoei and I've tested my Box helmet when I was on the moped (no it's not on the ratings as it was a MX-5 and I was knocked out and had a brain bleed). Nitro had a few good results but noisey helmet and yes I tested them too, still sticking with my Shoei. Mind you Simpson helmets are tested on a more stricted scale and they aren't even listed, heard if they tested them this way they'd be 5 stars easy. If only that Stig didn't change to the helmet I saw and made the price jump up £200 and reach £500!

As we used to sell helmets we'd say buy the one you like and fits your head best, if they complained about the retail prices the phrase "£40 helmet, £40 head" came up.

I'll keep buying helmets that are worn by racers, after all they test them out in the real world. As long as I feel comfy in it and am happy with it then sod the rating.

[dan90210]

ALL manufacturers have models that get 5 stars. You can still spend hundreds if you want to and still get 5 stars.

I'm only guessing now... But I reckon SHARP test each helmet more times than a racer can crash them.

It seems a hornets nest has been opened here. What I know as fact is this. The test itself would have been tested over and over. Every helmet would be subject to the exact same test. And the notion that money always buys you safety is a bit of a con. Everything else here today has been hearsay or opinion. (Still not read that PDF)

Good debate peeps.

;)

[goatpants]

End of the day it's a game of chance. Wrong place, wrong time. It doesn't really matter how much, how good, what brand of lid you got, cos if you hit something solid head on at speed it ain't gonna save you!