Helmets Helmet Quandary

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Missouri Marine

I'm looking to replace my full-face Bell (SNELL/DOT) helmet and came across an article in the June Motorcyclist magazine on helmets: "Blowing the Lid Off." The article argues that many popular brand helmets are too hard and allow too much energy to reach the head form, i.e., your brain housing group. The magazine tested 16 models from several manufactures (Bell, KBC, OGK, Shoei and Simpson would not participate) and to everyone's surprise, the cheapest helmet in the test (Z1R-ZRP-1) actually passed the fewest Gs to the headform. This is a plastic shell helmet with ESP lining and costs about $80. The Schuberth S-1 also did very well, but list for something over $600. I've talked to several salesmen at local bike shops and no one had read the article. Nonetheless, they were quick to steer me from the "inferior" Z1R/Fulmer brands toward "accepted" Arai/Shoei and the like. Has anyone read the article and care to comment?

Thanks, Bob
 
I just bought a Schuberth S1.

I also have a Shoei X-eleven and a Schuberth C2. I believe the Europeans have the best standards when it comes to safety, the US is just worried about lawsuits.

I look at it this way. You should protect your head with the best possible regardless of cost.

I believe the test shows real world impacts and in fact that Snell is too hard of a standard. Less G's on your head is exactly what you want.
 
I believe that article also said that DOT was better than Snell. It was pointed out that every so often Motorcyclist comes out with the same sort of "the sky is falling" helmet article on a different forum. Some may argue that DOT is better than SNELL or vice versa. I say buy the Helmet that you like, fits your budget, and more importantly fits your head well. As long as it's DOT and/or SNELL your head will be about as well protected whether the helmet is $50 or $500.
IMHO,
Paul

(I wear a KBC VR-1 Euro, DOT and Snell2000, $100 mail order)
 
I just recently got a Scorpion. I got the polycarbonate instead of the fiberglass/kevlar version mostly because of this article and the fact that I could get one. I read this article quite intently and all though I'm not an "expert" on the subject, what they were saying about real world accidents made sense to me. The idea of the G force component being pretty important seemed logical to me. The Scorpion I got IS snell and DOT rated, but is also polycarbonate. Maybe the best of both worlds and a great helmet also. I came from an Arai Quantum and this is the first helmet I tried other than another Quantum that fits my round head. It also only cost me $ 126.

Tom
 
I'm also a Scorpion convert. I went with the red EX-700 Geronimo. Highly visible paint job. Best venting I've ever had in a helmet. Really slick shield detach system. Removable wick system liner. Fog free. Nearly the same weight as my RF-1000 (3 ounces heavier). $120 on eBay.
 
I was VERY prepared to poo poo the article, so I read it. I have to say, if acurately reported, it made a good deal of sense to me, and I am rethinking my former blanket reliance on snell.
 
RxCritical said:
I say buy the Helmet that you like, fits your budget, and more importantly fits your head well. As long as it's DOT and/or SNELL your head will be about as well protected whether the helmet is $50 or $500.
Click to expand...

I agree with this. Fit is of prime importance. Squeeze a raw egg evenly in your hand and it has tremendous strength. Squeeze it slightly uneven and it breaks very easily. The better a helmet fits your head the more evenly it will disperse a point impact across your head.
 
It is actually kinda funny Carl. Everyone that I have talked to that disagrees with the article have not READ the article. :)

Once they read it, they have a different stance on the matter.
 
Counterpoint?

I have read a different article in regards to flip-face helmets and their safety ratings. Snell has not tested them yet, but the article got Snell standards and ran the helmets through the tests. What was pointed out in the article, aside from flip-face being acceptable as long as the face part was locked down, was that the only part that "protects" your head is the styro-foam that is sandwiched between the inner padding and the outer shell. The inner foam padding is merely to keep the helmet snug on your head and from what they said in that article provides absolutely zero protection in terms of G's. They did spend a great deal of time talking about the inner padding being responsible for keeping it in place (snuggly on your head) which Cool was mentioning.

But for MY opinion on the matter, my MSF instructor said it best (and I've adopted his opinion). It's a "free choice" thing (at least in Texas). You can choose to wear one or not. You can choose to wear a 1/2 helmet, 3/4, flip, or full. Snell, DOT, either, neither. It's a risk that is up to YOU. But at the end of the day, a helmet that covers your face and has been approved by at least one of the two will do the job. Don't sacrifice comfort for a helmet you think might give you .1 more G's of force if you can't see, or it hurts your head, get one that fits and you can see out of.
 
Flip helmets do not have the styrofoam in the temple area of your head. I guess due to the hinge mechanisms. So even though full face, they have less protection than a normal full face.
 
Sounds like progress. The web site link gives no info on the liner extents. All of the flip ups I have touched only have basic foam in that area. No EPS (styrofoam).
 
Rob Hephner said:
Yea, I only know because I have one. I will see if I have time to take some photos tomorrow.
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Good deal, more info is always better, but of course a photo says nothing about if something is simple foam or EPS foam.
 
I've resolved my quandary; I purchased the Scorpion EX-400 ($118 at the dealer w/15% discount). I based my decision on the article in Motorcyclist and the comments posted here--thanks for those. DuSTy's comments pushed me toward the 400 and I could actually try the Scorpion at the dealer which made the decision much easier. Of course if it's like my old Bell helmet, I'll never know if it really works!

Ride safe, Bob
 
sherob said:
Here is a rebuttle by Snell... I think he makes some very good points... you should read this.l
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Read it, and note that it isn't signed by an individual. That make it a press release IMNSHO, not a rebuttal.
 
Killtimer said:
Read it, and note that it isn't signed by an individual. That make it a press release IMNSHO, not a rebuttal.
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I should have said "Response"... :rolleyes: But it is signed "Sincerely, Snell"... LOL!!!

But "Rebuttle" is still correct because the are rebutting the article... :)
 
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I wish I could say I understand all he just said in the rebuttal, but I don't. Maybe it was because it was so long I tended to skim, but I'm sure there are good points in there. Rolling down the highway and impacting other things was making a good point. The Scorpion I just got is Snell rated, but is also polycarbonate. For me, I think it is the best of both worlds. Somewhere in between the mag article and the Snell rebuttal.

Tom
 
TampaMarine said:
I've resolved my quandary; I purchased the Scorpion EX-400 ($118 at the dealer w/15% discount). I based my decision on the article in Motorcyclist and the comments posted here--thanks for those. DuSTy's comments pushed me toward the 400 and I could actually try the Scorpion at the dealer which made the decision much easier. Of course if it's like my old Bell helmet, I'll never know if it really works!

Ride safe, Bob
Click to expand...

Well, do you like it? How does it fit?

Tom
 
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