What kind of Helmet should I purchase?

Message

DieMonkeys · Sun Jun 17, 2007 3:59 pm

JoshyG wrote:Are flip-face helmets as safe as regular full-face helmets?

Last I heard all the latest models are just as safe as regular helmets.

Grey Thumper · Sun Jun 17, 2007 4:35 pm

If SNELL certification important to you, no flip-face helmet has that cert (although whether a SNELL-certified helmet is any safer than a DOT-only helmet is greatly debated).

There's an oldish but pretty comprehensive flipface comparo on motorcyclecruiser.com http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/access ... omparison/

DieMonkeys · Sun Jun 17, 2007 4:59 pm

Grey Thumper wrote:If SNELL certification important to you, no flip-face helmet has that cert (although whether a SNELL-certified helmet is any safer than a DOT-only helmet is greatly debated).

There's an oldish but pretty comprehensive flipface comparo on motorcyclecruiser.com http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/access ... omparison/

Snell lost some of it's quality a while back I thought. I'm sure there was an article in some magazine about how the way Snell tests helmets doesn't really verify that they are as safe as they are. DOT had the better testing according to the article.

But, without the article I can't verify that. Anyone remember what I'm talking about?

Sun Jun 17, 2007 6:00 pm

Definately a full face helmet I recommed.

You can pick up some really great deals at GW Cycle here in Calgary.

Mike

#15 Unread post by **Kal** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 7:49 pm

Full face ftw!

As touched on make sure whatever helmet you are looking at at least has Department of Transport approval

Secondly whats not been mentioned is that different manufacturers make helmets for different shape heads (no its true - honest) so a manufacturer that has a really good, comfortable fit fo someone will be no good for the next guy so you really need o try a whole bunch on.

In the long term it might be worth keeping an eye on British sites as our helmet laws are changing. Apparently in future helmets are going to be graded on a safety system from one star for the worst to five for the best the same way they do with cars.

Grey Thumper · Sun Jun 17, 2007 10:21 pm

Yup, I'm all for full face helmets. I'm sure a DOT certified flip-up is perfectly fine, but I just feel much more confident with the integrity of a full face.

Mon Jun 18, 2007 4:33 am

I would recommend a full face as well. Saying that, I do wear a flip up myself. Wearing glasses it makes it much easier than a full face. So far no issues but I do have more trust in a full face in case of an accident.

Justice75

Loonette · #18 Unread post by **Loonette** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 5:08 am

The only thing I recall hearing about the flip ups is that they aren't SNELL certified because, according to SNELL, the hinging system won't stand up to an impact, which would cause the lower jaw protector piece to fly off, thus causing damage to the rider's jaw. SNELL will only certify a full face if it's a single mold full face.

Cheers,
Loonette

Mon Jun 18, 2007 5:55 am

Loonette wrote:The only thing I recall hearing about the flip ups is that they aren't SNELL certified because, according to SNELL, the hinging system won't stand up to an impact, which would cause the lower jaw protector piece to fly off, thus causing damage to the rider's jaw. SNELL will only certify a full face if it's a single mold full face.

Cheers,
Loonette

It is up to the helmet manufacturer to SUBMIT their helmet to SNELL for testing. Snell does not seek out helmets to test, (unlike for instance, the folks who do "Consumer Reports"). My understanding is that no one has yet submitted a flip face to the SNELL foundation.

That says to me, even the manufacturers don't think the design will survive SNELL safety testing.

P

-Holiday · #20 Unread post by **-Holiday** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 6:23 am

Lion_Lady wrote:
That says to me, even the manufacturers don't think the design will survive SNELL safety testing.

P

not really. there is a lot of opinions on weather snell is overrated. In most cases DOT cert is more than enough.

In comparison, if you're in the type of crash where you need a Snell rating over and above a DOT rating, you're probably dead to begin with.

Read this article and decide for yourself how you feel about Snell:

http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/gearb ... et_review/