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The Difference between these Helmets

clutchslip said:
Name some. And since DOT requirements are not nearly as strict as Snell, I would like to know who did the testing. Racing organizations usually won't accept a DOT only helmet as adequate equipment. Maybe there is a reason.?
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In one comprehensive study of real-world impact performance based on research done for Motorcyclist Magazine, presented by Mr. Thom to the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, a $79.95 helmet certified to Transportation Department standards performed the best of the 32 tested, withstanding the most violent hits while transmitting as much as 67 g’s less impact force to the headform than a $400 Snell-certified helmet.
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http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/27/automobiles/27SNELL.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

from the NYT

EDIT-

They fired the guy too, for telling the truth.

http://jalopnik.com/5582380/how-the-truth-about-motorcycle-helmets-got-a-journalist-fired
 
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yodaisgod said:
+1

Unfortunately, you really can't judge wind noise until you ride with it on and most every shop will not allow returns.

I CycleGear has a 7-day exchange policy though.
http://www.cyclegear.com/helmetexchange
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Wow really? What do they do with the returned helmet? I assume they have a deal re-certification process or something.

I know REI destroys any bicycle, snowboard or whatever piece of safety gear if it leaves the store and comes back as a return. I took something back because I wasn't happy with the fit and felt terrible they were destroying it. I never even wore it for its application.
 
ohio said:
More expensive does not mean safer. As noted above, it often means more comfortable, quieter, lighter, more/better features, more durable, better aesthetics/finish, and sometimes just more expensive. If a cheap helmet is comfortable, has the features you want, and meets ECE or Snell, get that helmet. I have been very impressed with the newest Icon helmets, for example, at half the cost of my Shoeis.
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+1... the premium prices are for comfort features (which may thus lead to better safety -- better weight balance on your head for alleviation of neck fatigue, less noise), and better/more secure face shield mechanisms, removable/washable/replacable liners, better ventilation, etc.

Choose what fits your head best. Understanding head shapes help with your choices...there should be both inexpensive and expensive helmets in each shape. Arai has a good description here: https://www.araiamericas.com/default.aspx?pageid=132

A better fitting helmet should be the priority. I'd rather have a $100 Scorpion that fits will over a $500 Shoei that is the wrong shape for my head.
 
Oceansides said:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/27/automobiles/27SNELL.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

from the NYT

EDIT-

They fired the guy too, for telling the truth.

http://jalopnik.com/5582380/how-the-truth-about-motorcycle-helmets-got-a-journalist-fired
Click to expand...

Here is a link to the actual .pdf of Thom's study: http://www.msf-usa.org/imsc/proceedings/a-thom-comparisontestsofmotorcyclehelmets.pdf

Interesting results, and I admit to being surprised at how well the DOT helmets performed. Time to revise my thinking?
 
Thanks for finding the study. I googled for about 5 minutes before giving up.
 
If you can't accept the risk of riding a motorcycle with no helmet, you shouldn't ride with one. Helmets increase your chances of surviving a head injury by about 30%, which is a lot, and why I would always wear one, helmet law or not...but...you are 30 times more likely to die riding a motorcycle than driving a car. Helmets reduce that risk to 23 times, or something like that. The best way to improve your odds isn't wearing gear, it isn't spending $1000 on a helmet, it's making decisions to reduce risk, including the decision to not ride if you don't feel safe.

So: the difference between a DOT helmet and a Snell helmet is really going to be measured in a few percent worth of safer-ness. It's not really worth debating, if you ask me. You should get the best gear you can, that's a no-brainer, but I think we're arguing angels on the head of a pin.

That said, traditionally, the Snell standard was geared towards higher-speed impacts that a racer might encounter. DOT is more for street speeds. Typically, street crashes are less than 30 mph. The Snell 2010 is more DOT-ish, so the differences are very technical, and I'm sure a Snell-approved helmet is every bit as safe as a DOT, but saying one is better than the other for all kinds of forseeable impacts would require a convoluted and overly technical a argument and I don't think it's true at all.

Bottom line? Snell means it's a well-made helmet, as Snell does check out their approved helmets. DOT helmets don't get inspected much, it's more an honor system kind of deal (and there are plenty of dishonorable companies with failed helmets. Check if your model has passed: http://www.helmetcheck.org/default.aspx), but I feel good about wearing DOT-approved lids. Just because a shorty lid can get a DOT sticker doesn't mean it's a bad standard--that's like saying half a loaf of bread can't be edible.

Buy a well-made full-face motorcycle helmet from a reputable manufacturer that fits you properly and don't worry about it any more.
 
ohio said:
More expensive does not mean safer. As noted above, it often means more comfortable, quieter, lighter, more/better features, more durable, better aesthetics/finish, and sometimes just more expensive. If a cheap helmet is comfortable, has the features you want, and meets ECE or Snell, get that helmet.
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100% this, :thumbup
 
Oceansides said:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/27/automobiles/27SNELL.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

from the NYT

EDIT-

They fired the guy too, for telling the truth.

http://jalopnik.com/5582380/how-the-truth-about-motorcycle-helmets-got-a-journalist-fired
Click to expand...
Do you (royal you) understand what this testing was about? And the differences between Snell testing and DOT testing? DOT testing doesn't test face shields like Snell does, for one example

This was one particular head weight issue, since fixed in the Snell standards. Snell used one weight to test all sizes of helmets. That weight was too heavy to simulate a smaller person's head. In other words, the foam was too dense for a small head, and thus they were taking higher impact than necessary. I don't know why the gentleman was fired, but maybe skewing the evidence might have helped. As I recall from the original tests, he did not mention the head/test weight differences. I may remember incorrectly, however.

The ECE standard is better than DOT, although DOT has made some adjustments. The BSI standards are very good and both ECE and BSI have been approved in race organizations along with Snell. I still don't know of one race organization that approves just DOT, however. I am willing to learn, though.
 
Mr Pepsi said:
Sadly that happens often. I actually went out of my way to order my helmet from cycle gear last time to try and support a local door. I got no love, none. NO more helmets from cycle gear. In fact I bought one today, from Amazon.
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so you only went to a mega-retailer that happens to be based in benicia, when there are a number of locally owned and operated shops in SF and bought online anyway?:facepalm
 
No, you misunderstood. I said local door, not local business. Honestly I don't know of any locally owned shops who sell and can order Arai helmets. I'm sure there are many, but I am only aware of Helmet City which I do not shop at any longer. I did order from Cycle Gear but I was not happy with THAT experience, I still shop at CG. My next helmet I ordered online.
 
maybe then you should visit one and find out since any of them can order them and i know of at least two that carry Arai all the time and have a pretty good stock of them in store.
 
Mr Pepsi said:
No, you misunderstood. I said local door, not local business. Honestly I don't know of any locally owned shops who sell and can order Arai helmets. I'm sure there are many, but I am only aware of Helmet City which I do not shop at any longer. I did order from Cycle Gear but I was not happy with THAT experience, I still shop at CG. My next helmet I ordered online.
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Scuderia West and Munroe Motors stock them. They have some of each model, can order anything. Scuderia had my Diamond White RX-Q in a couple of days. They had one of each size in stock so sizing there is easy. Plus they recently did a free liner/cheek pad clean at a recent event. Great people there. In the east bay, Rockridge Twowheels has a basic selection of Arai's.
 
Deal, I really do enjoy supporting the local business when it makes sense. I am even willing to spend a bit more, as long as its not outrageous. I know many helmet prices are set. I will certainly check them out. Quite honestly I thought Scuderia was more of a service shop than a retail store. That's my bad.
 
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