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Buying a new Helmet any time soon?
Posted: Oct 8th, '12, 18:00
by dan90210
Looky Looky
http://sharp.direct.gov.uk/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
If you didnt know all helmets are now rated by a government agency. 1-5 stars, 5 star the best. You may be shocked to learn that your mega expensive helmet is actually a piece of sh!te or you may get lucky as I did (I didn't check before buying), mine is a 5 star helmet, a Caberg Trip. At only £90.00 and bought as a temporary measure I would have bet on mine being poo poo. Cash ready's does not buy you safety!!!
Biggles mentioned the 'star' rating to me the other day so I thought I'd share what I found.
Re: Buying a new Helmet any time soon?
Posted: Oct 8th, '12, 18:27
by SteveR3
Great post Dan - & reassuring to find my Evoline is 4*

Re: Buying a new Helmet any time soon?
Posted: Oct 8th, '12, 18:29
by dan90210
Gonna check out my little'uns helmet now

Re: Buying a new Helmet any time soon?
Posted: Oct 8th, '12, 18:38
by TLS-Moose
This has been around for a few years now, and mentioned here a couple of times, and has raised some sceptical reactions in the past regarding the validity of some of the tests and the way the scoring is applied ....... but as ever, it provides another aid to your purchasing choices ......

Re: Buying a new Helmet any time soon?
Posted: Oct 8th, '12, 18:56
by dan90210
TLS-Moose wrote:Raised some sceptical reactions in the past regarding the validity of some of the tests and the way the scoring is applied
People have said what exactly? That an appointed government agency would fluff testing?
Re: Buying a new Helmet any time soon?
Posted: Oct 8th, '12, 18:57
by goatpants
First thing I did was use this as a guide, can't put a price on your nuggin even though a few people have liitle inside theirs

Re: Buying a new Helmet any time soon?
Posted: Oct 8th, '12, 19:16
by TLS-Moose
dan90210 wrote:TLS-Moose wrote:Raised some sceptical reactions in the past regarding the validity of some of the tests and the way the scoring is applied
People have said what exactly? That an appointed government agency would fluff testing?
As said, there have been a few threads where this has been brought up, but this was the only one a quick search found:
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=85825&hilit=sharp+test" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Re: Buying a new Helmet any time soon?
Posted: Oct 8th, '12, 19:22
by Smiler
Re: Buying a new Helmet any time soon?
Posted: Oct 8th, '12, 19:26
by Dynasangel
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
Re: Buying a new Helmet any time soon?
Posted: Oct 8th, '12, 19:28
by Smiler
Kelly, I cant thank you enough for testing the XR for me, so glad it held together ok!!
Have you tried the 1100 yet? Still {ouch} money arent they?

Re: Buying a new Helmet any time soon?
Posted: Oct 8th, '12, 19:34
by dan90210
No disrespect, but I think I'll trust an approved testing agency over opinion.
I can see why people don't want to trust the info when they have just spent one zillion quids on their helmet without checking first. I got lucky this time.
I am looking to buy another lid in the next month or so and I'll only be looking at 5 star helmets now.
TLS-Moose wrote:dan90210 wrote:TLS-Moose wrote:Raised some sceptical reactions in the past regarding the validity of some of the tests and the way the scoring is applied
People have said what exactly? That an appointed government agency would fluff testing?
As said, there have been a few threads where this has been brought up, but this was the only one a quick search found:
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=85825&hilit=sharp+test" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Re: Buying a new Helmet any time soon?
Posted: Oct 8th, '12, 19:37
by goatpants
My shark rsr2 is rated 5*. I took this into account and then read a load of reviews from the experts and various forums. I tried one on down at J&S plymouth then promptly bought it online for £100 less.

Re: Buying a new Helmet any time soon?
Posted: Oct 8th, '12, 19:40
by Dynasangel
Smiler wrote:Kelly, I cant thank you enough for testing the XR for me, so glad it held together ok!!
Have you tried the 1100 yet? Still {ouch} money arent they?

No worries I'm glad it held together too
Haven't tried the 1100 and I'm not sure I can justify that sort of money, my xr1000 is the same price now as what I paid 2 1/2 years ago
Re: Buying a new Helmet any time soon?
Posted: Oct 8th, '12, 20:30
by MCH
I can see why some people are sceptical, I had a 5star helmet that compared to my new Shoei XR-1100 (also 5star) the build quality is just crap compared to the shoei...
I didn't find out til after that the XR-1100 was 5star sharp rated, I'd just seen good reviews so decided.
Re: Buying a new Helmet any time soon?
Posted: Oct 9th, '12, 07:52
by graham22
Dynasangel wrote: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.