What's the safest helmet?

What's the safest helmet?

Author
Discussion

huge_ego

Original Poster:

3,824 posts

278 months

Tuesday 11th November 2003
quotequote all
Hi,

Does anybody here know if helmets differ much in safety from one another? I've seen various leathers tests, but has anyone seen a helmet test? Is there much difference?

a j

450 posts

256 months

Tuesday 11th November 2003
quotequote all
Hi

Best to go for a fibreglass/ composite type one with a ACU gold sticker. I favor Arais only because i went through a windscreen with one on and am still here (obviously!). To be honest its fit which is most important and how much you want to spend. Good luck.

Steve_T

6,356 posts

279 months

Wednesday 12th November 2003
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Spend as much as you can and make sure the fit is as good as possible. The latter is by far the most important as all lids have to meet a minimum standard. An expensive, but ill-fitting lid affords you no protection.

I bought an Arai RX7 because it felt the best fitting at the time and had the mis-fortune to test it recently. It worked, so I replaced it with another. The replacement feels an even better fit, although the Shoei I tried on was good too. I was advised by my dealer to stick with Shoei or Arai. I don't think this was based on any particular bias, just experience.

Steve.



>> Edited by Steve_T on Wednesday 12th November 09:46

stooz

3,005 posts

291 months

Wednesday 12th November 2003
quotequote all
not entirely true stevie T. MCN did a test this summer, and smashed up a pile of lids. The £30 ones performed, in some cases better than £400 shoei/arai.

as long as its gold sticker, BSU badged, it will be good enough. With the top names, your paying for the name, as they sponsor big racers.

You will also get extra features which aren't related to safety ;

nice paint jobs
adjustable air vents
removable/ cleanable interiors
quick release visors
chin guards
wind protection
sound proofing etc etc..

but saftey isnt based on price.

(saying all that, I prefer my Arai...)

pesty

42,655 posts

263 months

Wednesday 12th November 2003
quotequote all
I tend to agree with the above post's. If its got a acu sticker it should be find protection wise.

Fit is probably the most important thing. try lots on!

Arai dont fit me but Shoei do! Must have a weird head.

Tested my helmet out recently! all i remember is a feeling like beig punched in the head with a boxing glove. The helmet must have spread the impact out.

huge_ego

Original Poster:

3,824 posts

278 months

Thursday 13th November 2003
quotequote all
stooz said:
MCN did a test this summer, and smashed up a pile of lids. The £30 ones performed, in some cases better than £400 shoei/arai.


Ah ha! That was exactly the test I was looking for. I don't suppose you or anyone else here knows where to get a copy? Any idea which MCN issue it was ... ?

stooz

3,005 posts

291 months

Friday 14th November 2003
quotequote all
sorry no. It comes out weekly, so it would be impossible to keep all of them..

kevp

584 posts

258 months

Friday 14th November 2003
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[quote]
Ah ha! That was exactly the test I was looking for. I don't suppose you or anyone else here knows where to get a copy? Any idea which MCN issue it was ... ?[/quote]

I can recal talking about the test over the easter period. So it must have been March-April time if its any help.
Also FM came out tops so try there web site, Im sure theyl be boasting about it.

huge_ego

Original Poster:

3,824 posts

278 months

Sunday 16th November 2003
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kevp said:

I can recal talking about the test over the easter period. So it must have been March-April time if its any help.
Also FM came out tops so try there web site, Im sure theyl be boasting about it.


Thanks! If I can find an e-mail address for MCN, I'll contact 'em to ask.

FM won? Really! Interesting, as they are hardly as expensive as Arai and Shoei, are they?

dern

14,055 posts

286 months

Monday 17th November 2003
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The difference between cheap lids and expensive ones seems to be the list of features as has been already said. However, you can wash the lining of a lid with a non-removable lining quite easily. The ventilation difference between lids seems marginal and accesories like foggy breath guards or the fogcity insert will stop your cheap lid fogging up. Having forked out for a shoei (albeit a relatively cheap one) and used it for the last 3 years I'll buy a cheaper FM next time assuming they still do double-d ring fasteners.

Mark

big simp

114 posts

271 months

Monday 17th November 2003
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Arai no contest, been using them for years no problems ever best quality finnish and comfort, a little more dosh but really how much do you value your head good hunting

stooz

3,005 posts

291 months

Tuesday 18th November 2003
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dern said:
I'll buy a cheaper FM next time assuming they still do double-d ring fasteners.

Mark


The "seat belt" clips you must not like, have been stopped again. they decided they werent safe enough, and manafacturers have to go back to the double D again (in UK at least)

I have to agree those seat belt types just didnt seem strong enough, ; too small a component compared to a car belt..

huge_ego

Original Poster:

3,824 posts

278 months

Sunday 30th November 2003
quotequote all
stooz said:
The "seat belt" clips you must not like, have been stopped again. they decided they werent safe enough, and manafacturers have to go back to the double D again (in UK at least)


Hi Stu,

Where did you find that out? Still loads of lids with "seatbelt" clips at the NEC and in the shops...

dern

14,055 posts

286 months

Sunday 30th November 2003
quotequote all
stooz said:
The "seat belt" clips you must not like, have been stopped again. they decided they werent safe enough, and manafacturers have to go back to the double D again (in UK at least)

I have to agree those seat belt types just didnt seem strong enough, ; too small a component compared to a car belt..
The thing I don't like about them is that they gradually loosen over a few weeks and you don't realise it's loose until it's too loose for comfort. With a double-d fastening you tighten it every time you put the lid on... a much safer arrangement imho.

Mark

stooz

3,005 posts

291 months

Monday 1st December 2003
quotequote all
huge_ego said:

stooz said:
The "seat belt" clips you must not like, have been stopped again. they decided they werent safe enough, and manafacturers have to go back to the double D again (in UK at least)



Hi Stu,

Where did you find that out? Still loads of lids with "seatbelt" clips at the NEC and in the shops...


Im a dealer so we get the news about changes. there not becoiming illegal. But they wont get the BS gold stamp in the future, no matter how safe the helmet is.
I cant remember when it changes tho.. I guess not yet if their still selling them!

huge_ego

Original Poster:

3,824 posts

278 months

Saturday 6th December 2003
quotequote all
Hi guys,

Many thanks for the info. Funny that this contradicts what the MCN test said. (Now I've found a copy of the helmet review.) MCN testers came out in favour of "seat belt" clips as being safer.

Ah well, there were plenty of helmets that did well in the MCN review (inc. FM, Arai, Shoei, Roof ... ) so will pick from these and avoid the surprise poor ones (AGV, amongst others).

pesty

42,655 posts

263 months

Saturday 6th December 2003
quotequote all

I like my seatbelt clip

nice and easy. dont thing id know what to do with a double d ring thingy!
And even if I did would i be able to do it with gloves on?

Bruce Fielding

2,244 posts

289 months

Tuesday 9th December 2003
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pesty said:
Arai dont fit me but Shoei do! Must have a weird head.

No you don't! Different people have different shaped heads and as has been said here consistently, fit is the most important safety factor. Different brands are designed for different shaped heads, so try a number of different brands before coming to a decision. All lids sold in the UK are safe, but fit is the real key to your individual safety. Hell, I sound like a granddad!