SHARP Helmet rating scheme

Message

Grey Thumper · #1 Post by **Grey Thumper** » Wed Dec 10, 2008 3:37 pm

http://sharp.direct.gov.uk/

I've been hearing about this for a while now, and finally stumbled onto the site. Basically, it's the only rating system that has a comparative rating scheme. Pretty much everything else (SNELL, DOT, CE, BSI, etc.) just means the lid has passed a specific standard, but doesn't indicate how much. It has it's share of controversies for this exact reason.

FWIW, it's nice to know that my fairly cheap Caberg Trip got a 5 star rating.

slimcolo · #2 Post by **slimcolo** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 1:03 am

Seems like a good idea but there are many many helmets not listed. (all of these are actual helmet brands, all but about 3 are legal in helmet states) The missing are mostly off brands ..........but not all, some not listed are very prestigious brands. The following motorcycle brands helmets are not listed.

Harley Davidson
Hondaline
BRP (CAN AM)
Victory (also Polaris)
KTM
Aprilla
Vespa
Suzuki
Royal Enfield
Ural
Yamaha

(Mz Agusta, Triumph, Kawasaki, Big Dog, Hyosung, Bourget, Atk, Husky, CZ, Lifian and Dpner do not market their own helmets)

But also missing are:
Fulmer
Simpson
O neal
Joe Rocket
Biffie
Vetter
VOX
G Max
Rodia
Nevada
Fox
Choko
Thor
X peed
OCC
AFX
Cyber
Daytona
Epic
Icon
Sharp
Spar X
Z1R
Zamp
Answer
EVS
J&M
Skid Lid
Troy Lee
Pursuit
Sparx
Vista
Defender
Dante
Rock Hard
THH
Hawk
Cox
Busch
Driver
Marushin
Voss
Outlaw
ZOX
HCX
Fly
AXO
Boari
Carrara Sport
Gyro
Helmets R U S
IXS
Leedom
Iron Horse
GLX
Kiwi
NZI
Think Helmets
Tong Luh

#3 Post by **storysunfolding** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 11:48 am

slimcolo- way to find every possible manufacturer of helmets

Also- don't most manufacturer's just rebrand helmets. For instance, many Victory helmets are Nolans and Harley sells many rebadged HJC's

Grey Thumper · #4 Post by **Grey Thumper** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 6:22 pm

Whoah, now that's a lotta brands!

The SHARP scheme has only been out since June this year (when results on the 1st batch of helmets tested were released). Guess they haven't had time to test a lot. I also don't know whether they buy the helmets to test, or if manufacturers volunteer helmets for testing.

Anyway, I'd still take the results with a grain of salt, especially if you're from NA. Even if your helmet model is a "global" model, it may have slight manufacturing differences to pass the local standard in your territory (DOT, SNELL, etc.), as opposed to Europe's ECE.

slimcolo · #5 Post by **slimcolo** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 10:33 pm

The SHARP scheme has only been out since June this year

In a perfect world this would have been out since the late 50s (globally). I like the idea, sorta like consumer reports for helmets, you don't always get what you pay for. (I would also like to see user friendliness in regards to glasses, earings, long hair,beards and glasses: helmet comfort, balance, ability to keep cool, ability to keep dry in rain, ventilation, wind drag w/ and w/o a wind shield as well as wind noise w/ & w/o shield also rated) There are already unbias crash test results and safety ratings for cars, but not MC safety gear.

I would also like to see helmets made in better fitting sizes. (you can buy hats,shoes & gloves in actual sizes like 7-3/8 or 11.5 but helmets only come in XS,S,M,L,XL: you can buy boots & shoes in AAAA through EEEE width, but unlike shoes all helmets are a standard width in same brand) They only deal with head size and not shape.

storysunfolding it is impossible to tell on the internet about re-branding, except Kawasaki and Triumph which have a disclosure statement on their site.

And as to brands I have found several no name helmets for sale on Ebay. Also some identical helmets may carry a different brand name in NA, EU and yet another name in OZ & NZ

Also after I have seen them I believe everyone should be required to wear the HOT PINK party helmet!