New rider...taking MSF at the end of April and very, very, very excited!
I'm looking at full-face helmets, but there any safety difference between brands, if both are DOT/SNELL approved? Is there really a difference in the $500 (arai/shoei) vs $150 helmet (scorpion/hjc)?
I could not find any sites that discussed the composition of the helmets and how they hold up in an accident. I've gotten different answers to this question. Some people say there is 'No' difference in safety as long as they are DOT/SNELL approved. They say that the price difference comes down to comfort, graphics and quality. They say to concentrate on the fit because that is what saves you.
I had one dealer tell me that some helmets offer crumple zones and that in the same crash (even though DOT/SNELL approved), one would offer better protection (i.e. Arai). He said he had a friend that the doctors said he would have died if he didn't have that brand of helmet on because it took the impact of the crash better than any others. He said that some helmets only provide partial protection inside the helmet and chin area while others provide full protection around the full helmet.
Very confused, because I can't find anything out about crumple zones, impact protection, or anything else on the make-up of the helmets. I did read the 'Helmet Fit Guidlines' that are on this forum and that was some good information...but I wanted to clarify this one point.
What are your thoughts?
Thanks!
Helmets - differences in safety between brands?
Brand doesn't matter as long as your helmet is dot and snell certified.
The most important thing (after those certifications) is fit. If it doesn't fit right it's not going to do its job. And if its not comfortable, you are going to hate wearing it. So go to a local shop or two or three and start trying helmets. Dont look at price, just try different brands and even models within brands. They all have different shapes for different shape heads. When you find the one that fits like a glove, buy it. You can't put a price on your own head.
The main difference in price (if they are all dot and snell certified) is weight, air vents, gadgets, etc. Not safety.
Good luck!
The most important thing (after those certifications) is fit. If it doesn't fit right it's not going to do its job. And if its not comfortable, you are going to hate wearing it. So go to a local shop or two or three and start trying helmets. Dont look at price, just try different brands and even models within brands. They all have different shapes for different shape heads. When you find the one that fits like a glove, buy it. You can't put a price on your own head.
The main difference in price (if they are all dot and snell certified) is weight, air vents, gadgets, etc. Not safety.
Good luck!