How do you judge a Helmet?

[Magna]

When I had my run-in with the guy who ran a stop sign, my head hit the pavement with a righteous smack. My helmet absorbed the hit and my head ( so far ) is fine.

This means an automatic replacement of the helmet even though there is not a mark on it.

It was a $100.00 VOX 3/4 helmet with the retractable visor.

What is the difference between the $ 500.00 helmets and my $ 100.00 helmet. It did its job and it did it well.

[Lion_Lady]

Mostly the price difference comes down to "features"

Like sized shells instead of one (or a couple) size shell with a varying amount of padding to make the head fit different.

High tech, lighter weight materials. All manner of variations. Then, just as you can pay $150 for a pair of shoes with the Nike swoosh, you will also pay a bit more for some of the names.

You were lucky that you landed on your helmet, instead of a part of your head that wasn't protected. Don't expect to be so lucky the next time.

In a study done in Europe on helmet impacts. the only areas that were double digit percentages were both sides of the jaw with 16% on one side and 19% on the other.

P

[zeligman]

as your graphic so beautifully and efficiently demonstrates :

http://forum.motorcycle-usa.com/attach. ... Damage.gif

[NewGuy]

When I had my run-in with the guy who ran a stop sign, my head hit the pavement with a righteous smack. My helmet absorbed the hit and my head ( so far ) is fine.

This means an automatic replacement of the helmet even though there is not a mark on it.

It was a $100.00 VOX 3/4 helmet with the retractable visor.

What is the difference between the $ 500.00 helmets and my $ 100.00 helmet. It did its job and it did it well.

"Do inexpensive DOT-approved helmets protect better than helmets than expensive Snell-approved helmets? The June 2005 Motorcyclist magazine addressed this controversy. That issue contains a detailed article on an extensive test that was conducted on 16 different motorcycle helmets, ranging from the $89.00 Z1R (wBW review) to the $700.00 Schuberth S1 (wBW review).

Their conclusion is that the inexpensive, polycarbonate shell Z1R transferred an average of 152Gs to the head-form, vs. 211Gs of the Snell-approved Scorpion EXO-700.

Also, the UK's RIDE magazine tested 28 helmets in the May 2005 issue. While the testing methodology was slightly different, they also found that the HJC AC-11 provided the second best impact absorption of the lot. Could it be that a motorcycle helmet doesn't necessarily have to be expensive to provide good protection?

There's much, much more to the story, and we strongly suggest reading both articles and studying this subject before you buy your next helmet. One of the conclusions in the Motorcyclist magazine article is that a softer polycarbonate DOT-only approved helmet may provide the highest levels of protection. Do inexpensive DOT-approved helmets protect better than helmets than expensive Snell-approved helmets? The June 2005 Motorcyclist magazine addressed this controversy. That issue contains a detailed article on an extensive test that was conducted on 16 different motorcycle helmets, ranging from the $89.00 Z1R (wBW review) to the $700.00 Schuberth S1 (wBW review).

Their conclusion is that the inexpensive, polycarbonate shell Z1R transferred an average of 152Gs to the head-form, vs. 211Gs of the Snell-approved Scorpion EXO-700.

Also, the UK's RIDE magazine tested 28 helmets in the May 2005 issue. While the testing methodology was slightly different, they also found that the HJC AC-11 provided the second best impact absorption of the lot. Could it be that a motorcycle helmet doesn't necessarily have to be expensive to provide good protection?

There's much, much more to the story, and we strongly suggest reading both articles and studying this subject before you buy your next helmet. One of the conclusions in the Motorcyclist magazine article is that a softer polycarbonate DOT-only approved helmet may provide the highest levels of protection."

Kind of makes me regret getting a Scorpion EXO-700 instead of an HJC or Z1R.

[RockBottom]

My experience is pretty limited, but when I compare my mid-priced Nolan and my high end Arai, the Arai is significantly more comfortable. It's lighter, quieter, much better ventilated, and the visor is much clearer. Even if the crash protection is not twice as good, I'll go for the comfort every time.

[RhadamYgg]

Am I missing something, but I haven't seen very many full-face DOT only helmets - almost everything I see are both DOT and Snell 2005.

I'd go DOT only based on a lot of information (some in this thread) on energy transferred to the head.

RhadamYgg

[jaskc78]

i have a full-face that's DOT only. made by SparX. not sure if they just didn't go for the Snell rating or it's not good enough for Snell or what the deal is, but it's DOT only.

[PacificShot327]

I chose my Scorpion EXO-400 simply because it was the perfect fit for me. It held up in my crash very well. I took a nasty hit to the back of my head, evidently, by the marks and indentation in the back of the helmet, but I didn't even have so much as a headache that night. I would prefer a quieter helmet for my next one, but the EXO served me well. It is Snell certified.

[RockBottom]

Am I missing something, but I haven't seen very many full-face DOT only helmets - almost everything I see are both DOT and Snell 2005.

I'd go DOT only based on a lot of information (some in this thread) on energy transferred to the head.

RhadamYgg

I have a Schuberth S1 and a Nolan that are DOT approved but not Snell. Let again point out that DOT is what makes a helmet "legal" in the U.S. There are none sold in the U.S. that are Snell but not DOT approved.

[Brackstone]

My Shoei-X11 is the only one that will fit me