Snell rating could be bad for your head!

Hi

Please see this link;
http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/gearbox/motorcycle_helmet_review/index.html

It is a long read but please try and stick with it, you will be glad you did. For those of you with ADD let me give you the very abbreviated version.
Tests were conducted that proved, the rigidity of the Snell rated helmet shell, transmits too much energy to the brain in a collision and may actually cause a head injury.
The DOT and EC standards although not as rigid as Snell are actually better.

This made me quite sad as the top brands like Shoei and Arai use the Snell rating as their bible.

Since this article was published Snell have actually admitted that their rating is incorrect and are in the process of releasing their 2010 rating system. For now though I would suggest staying away from the Snell rated helmets in favour of those with the DOT, EC or SHARP rating.

I myself am considering replacing my beloved Shoei with a Shark lid. Shark are to be commended as they are one of the leaders in adopting the new less rigid shell construction and many experts believe their 'crumple zone' technology is the best there is at present.

I hope this gets you all thinking

Morpheus

morpheus wrote:the new less rigid shell construction and many experts believe their 'crumple zone' technology is the best there is at present.

I hope this gets you all thinking

Morpheus

'Crumple zone' technology! I like my head uncrumpled.

They mean the lid and not your head. If the lid crumples and takes up all the force, your head won't.

I like my head the way it is as well, I reckon it will look funny all crumpled

Morpheus

Yes - tend to agree with both - uncrumpled head normally looks better. Question now - which standard does the BMW helmets support. At an average of R5500.00 per helmit it can become a costly affair if one has to replace for yourself and your pillion.

LeRoy Olivier wrote:...... which standard does the BMW helmets support. At an average of R5500.00 per helmit it can become a costly affair if one has to replace for yourself and your pillion.......

ECE standard

Still cheaper than the top of the line Shoei which goes for R7k

True - still does not defray from the original question - to which standard does the BMW helmets measure up to. Must we all now start looking around for the next step top of the range standard, and how accurate are the assesments of these standards?????????. Some answer from Bavaria would help here.

Maybe they will have some info on the Schubertt website? - they make the BMW helmets.

LeRoy Olivier wrote:.......still does not defray from the original question - to which standard does the BMW helmets measure up to......... Some answer from Bavaria would help here.

ECE standard as I said above.........a standard imposed by the European Community. Bavarian has vested interests therefore the answer might not be that pure.

Can not go wrong with any of the top brands like Shoei, Arai, AGV and various others.......trial and tested under road and race conditions. Schubert, who manufactures the BMW helmet also has an outstanding helmet range and are well known for their safety standards.

I am sure that the ECE standard is as good as most. I like my BMW helmet because it's noise levels are very low. I had Shoei and Bell before and neither of them was as quiet. Maybe it depends on the model, who knows Somehow I don't think BMW will endorse a helmet that is not of good quality. Best is to keep your head off the road and your wheels on it