Buying a new Helmet any time soon?

[layne]

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.

;)

"For every helmet model, we run 32 impact tests on seven helmets across a range of sizes."

[dan90210]

The PDF...

It focuses on oblique impacts. How many other papers have been written on this exact subject as you always need more than one paper to give the results weight. I also cannot see results for all helmets, where are the results for all helmets and of all sizes?

"For every helmet model, we run 32 impact tests on seven helmets across a range of sizes."

This is from the SHARP website. That sounds to me like the helmets are well tested.

I still don't think the argument that the SHARP test is flawed stands up. Yes they could test for other eventualities, but that is true of all testing. The important thing is to test for the things that matter. According to the SHARP website they also do test in oblique impacts too.

I can understand if a group of people believed a statement through hearsay for many many years that it would be very difficult for them to believe anything other, especially if they had just spent a huge amount of money on the back of that hearsay, it would hurt.

So, I still say that the approved testing at SHARP 'must' give everyone a very good pointer at where to put your faith, and I for one will be using the information as a guide. Rather than point blame at the SHARP test why not re-direct it at these big manufacturers who have been taking your money for all these years.

All that said though, my last helmet was a Shoei and the quality of the parts was plain to see. It stayed dry in the worst storms, it was quiet, well padded, comfy, new visors were easily available. It was built very well. Would it have got 5 stars? Who knows!

Perhaps this is the trade off comfort and lightness or 5 Stars.

[scorcher]

I bet its fair to say that you didn't buy your bike because it was the fastest/safest/ best handling/best brakes/most reliable/most economical etc etc and its probably fair to say you could of bought something for the same money that was better in one way or another or even all of them. The same applies when you buy helmets/ leathers /gloves / boots etc or your car. You buy them because that is what you want and what you're prepared to pay for them.For most people, function, fit and style comes above whether someone has done a test in a lab and deemed it to be safest. Every thing you buy nowadays is tested to death by manufacturers so its all up and beyond a minimum standard anyway. Theres about 280 helmets on the Sharp site and if I had all the info on there in front of me when shopping for a helmet I still would of bought my Arai Chaser V because its well ventilated,its lovely and plush inside,it fits my head,theres plenty of back up,adjustability,the visor is easy to change with no tools etc and it matches my bike.
The most I spent on a car was £23k.The choice of cars at that price range is HUGE. Did I buy a Renault Scenic because I'd never die in one if I crashed it. NO NO NO. I bought a TVR Grittith 500 with no driver aids,no airbags,no rollover protection and interesting handling. Still here to tell the tale and had the time of my life. Think I'll take the same chance wth my helmet. Life is too short for government tests and statistics. And there are bigger killers out there .

[dan90210]

I am going to duck out of this now.

How come Arai in your example have not made your helmet safer, they could, the MD even says they could? You'd not even tell the difference if they did all their 'research and developement'?

My helmet houses my brain which controls ALL those other things you mention, without my brain I can't do anything. I'll be looking at only 5 star helmets still. I can still have a posh Bell, Arai, or AVG, I can also spend lots if I want to and get a top rated lid. Or, I could not spend so much and still get a very safe helmet.

My point in this thread was to show you do not spend hundreds to get the safest. The cheaper lids may not have all the bells and whistles but some are still very safe. I too was the same, I assumed that I had to spend to get the safest helmet. At least now I still have a choice in the amount I have to spend.

5 star lids are not in limited availablity. You can still have the trendy lid if you wish.

[Stikley]

I bet its fair to say that you didn't buy your bike because it was the fastest/safest/ best handling/best brakes/most reliable/most economical etc etc and its probably fair to say you could of bought something for the same money that was better in one way or another or even all of them. The same applies when you buy helmets/ leathers /gloves / boots etc or your car. You buy them because that is what you want and what you're prepared to pay for them.For most people, function, fit and style comes above whether someone has done a test in a lab and deemed it to be safest. Every thing you buy nowadays is tested to death by manufacturers so its all up and beyond a minimum standard anyway. Theres about 280 helmets on the Sharp site and if I had all the info on there in front of me when shopping for a helmet I still would of bought my Arai Chaser V because its well ventilated,its lovely and plush inside,it fits my head,theres plenty of back up,adjustability,the visor is easy to change with no tools etc and it matches my bike.
The most I spent on a car was £23k.The choice of cars at that price range is HUGE. Did I buy a Renault Scenic because I'd never die in one if I crashed it. NO NO NO. I bought a TVR Grittith 500 with no driver aids,no airbags,no rollover protection and interesting handling. Still here to tell the tale and had the time of my life. Think I'll take the same chance wth my helmet. Life is too short for government tests and statistics. And there are bigger killers out there .

What he said.

Yes I see that the SHARP test can point people into thinking about their heads more, truth of the matter though, if your helmet is 5 stars will you ride more because it's "safer"? I've suffered a brain injury, well still recovery now, would I have been better off in my Shoei instead of my Box? Would I have been better in a 5 star helmet instead of the 3 my Shoei is? Either way were the as much protection as you can, be as safe as you can, because no doubt you will will come across drivers like I did that won't see you and plough into you at speed.

Stay safe, but have fun too

[Stikley]

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!

Ain't that the truth!

[Smiler]

I'm going to the Winchester, having a pint and waiting for all this to blow over......

[dan90210]

Make sure you get a 5 star pint..

[layne]

Has the glass been tested?

[Smiler]

Movie reference COMPLETELY lost on you!

[scorcher]

Movie reference COMPLETELY lost on you!

And me! Wouldn't know it anyway unless it was from Crocodile Dundee , Indiana Jones or Jingle all the way ;)

[layne]

Minder?

[layne]

No no no

Wait

its..



Shaun of the Dead

[Troy]

I got it, but then again I'm a young'un.

Just checked the site and my helmet is a 4 star. To be fair I just went for a mix between style, comfort and cost. It's was when I first started biking, so when I come to replace it ill likely take note of the ratings and aim for a 5 star. However, I won't be down heartened if the lid that fits is a 3 or 4. Have to be honest and say I'd avoid anything lower than a 3 though.

I'm guilty of wearing jeans when bumbling around town, but when it comes to my head I like to think I'd be more serious about it.

[Smiler]

Minder?

Showing your age sweetie...

No no no

Wait

its..



Shaun of the Dead

One of my fav films!!