Interesting Helmet Review - Good Read, but long
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Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,015
Interesting Helmet Review - Good Read, but long
So i am interested in replacing my old and worn Aria.
I got to doing some digging and found a good article on helmet tests and g-force comparison.
Amazingly the cheaper helmets (DOT Only) actually faired way better than our high dollar (SNELL) helmets.
The SNELL approved helmets did the worst with the Aria Tracker GT and the Scorpion EX0-700 being some 0f the worst helmets tested for G-force impact. There is also some good discussion on why the non-fiberglass helmets absorb energy better even from an extreme test height over the fiderglass helmets. Some comments as well about the SNELL ratings and that a DOT only helmet has better tests. At or near the bottom of this lengthly and detailed report is a rebutle letter from SNELL as well as a rebutle from the test group back to SNELL.
By the way anything over 200G's is considered to be major head injury. I like others have always been led to beleive SNELL was better, but my eyes have been opened wide from this article and i may now look at a Polycarbinate helmet like the EXO 400
http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/ge...iew/index.html
AVERAGE Gs
Fewer Gs = Less chance of brain injury
DOT-only helmets:
Z1R ZRP-1 (P)
Average: 152 Gs
LF: 148 gs
RF: 176 gs
LR: 153 gs
RR: 130 gs
Fulmer AFD4 (P)
Average: 157 Gs
LF: 152 gs
RF: 173 gs
LR: 175 gs
RR: 130 gs
Pep Boys Raider (P)
Average: 174 Gs
LF: 163 gs
RF: 199 gs
LR: 185 gs
RR: 152 gs
BSI/DOT Helmets
AGV Ti-Tech (F)
Average: 169 Gs
LF: 156 gs
RF: 199 gs
LR: 195 gs
RR: 129 gs
Suomy Spec 1R (BSI) (F)
Average: 182 Gs
LF: 192 gs
RF: 215 gs
LR: 197 gs
RR: 126 gs
ECE 22-05/DOT Helmets
Schuberth S-1 (F)
Average: 161 Gs
LF: 151 gs
RF: 180 gs
LR: 176 gs
RR: 137 gs
Suomy Spec 1R (ECE) (F)
Average: 171 Gs
LF: 156 gs
RF: 200 gs
LR: 190 gs
RR: 140 gs
Shark RSX (F)
Average: 173 Gs
LF: 166 gs
RF: 187 gs
LR: 201 gs
RR: 141 gs
Vemar VSR
Average: 174 Gs
LF: 171 gs
RF: 198 gs
LR: 166 gs
RR: 162 gs
Snell 2000/DOT Helmets
Icon Mainframe (P)
Average: 181 Gs
LF: 168 gs
RF: 217 gs
LR: 189 gs
RR: 152 gs
Icon Alliance (F)
Average: 183 Gs
LF: 179 gs
RF: 200 gs
LR: 179 gs
RR: 175 gs
Scorpion EXO-400 (P)
Average: 187 Gs
LF: 185 gs
RF: 212 gs
LR: 193 gs
RR: 158 gs
AGV X-R2 (F)
Average: 188 Gs
LF: 192 gs
RF: 226 gs
LR: 166 gs
RR: 167 gs
Arai Tracker GT (F)
Average: 201 Gs
LF: 193 gs
RF: 243 gs
LR: 203 gs
RR: 166 gs
HJC AC-11 (F)
Average: 204 Gs
LF: 195 gs
RF: 230 gs
LR: 231 gs
RR: 163 gs
Scorpion EXO-700 (F)
Average: 211 Gs
LF: 207 gs
RF: 236 gs
LR: 226 gs
RR: 176 gs
Impact Key: LF: Left Front, 7-foot drop, Flat Pavement. RF: Right Front, 10-foot drop, Flat Pavement. LR: Left Rear, 7-foot drop, Flat Pavement. RR: Right Rear, 7-foot drop, Edge Anvil. Shell Key: (P): Polycarbonate (F): Fiberglass
I got to doing some digging and found a good article on helmet tests and g-force comparison.
Amazingly the cheaper helmets (DOT Only) actually faired way better than our high dollar (SNELL) helmets.
The SNELL approved helmets did the worst with the Aria Tracker GT and the Scorpion EX0-700 being some 0f the worst helmets tested for G-force impact. There is also some good discussion on why the non-fiberglass helmets absorb energy better even from an extreme test height over the fiderglass helmets. Some comments as well about the SNELL ratings and that a DOT only helmet has better tests. At or near the bottom of this lengthly and detailed report is a rebutle letter from SNELL as well as a rebutle from the test group back to SNELL.
By the way anything over 200G's is considered to be major head injury. I like others have always been led to beleive SNELL was better, but my eyes have been opened wide from this article and i may now look at a Polycarbinate helmet like the EXO 400
http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/ge...iew/index.html
AVERAGE Gs
Fewer Gs = Less chance of brain injury
DOT-only helmets:
Z1R ZRP-1 (P)
Average: 152 Gs
LF: 148 gs
RF: 176 gs
LR: 153 gs
RR: 130 gs
Fulmer AFD4 (P)
Average: 157 Gs
LF: 152 gs
RF: 173 gs
LR: 175 gs
RR: 130 gs
Pep Boys Raider (P)
Average: 174 Gs
LF: 163 gs
RF: 199 gs
LR: 185 gs
RR: 152 gs
BSI/DOT Helmets
AGV Ti-Tech (F)
Average: 169 Gs
LF: 156 gs
RF: 199 gs
LR: 195 gs
RR: 129 gs
Suomy Spec 1R (BSI) (F)
Average: 182 Gs
LF: 192 gs
RF: 215 gs
LR: 197 gs
RR: 126 gs
ECE 22-05/DOT Helmets
Schuberth S-1 (F)
Average: 161 Gs
LF: 151 gs
RF: 180 gs
LR: 176 gs
RR: 137 gs
Suomy Spec 1R (ECE) (F)
Average: 171 Gs
LF: 156 gs
RF: 200 gs
LR: 190 gs
RR: 140 gs
Shark RSX (F)
Average: 173 Gs
LF: 166 gs
RF: 187 gs
LR: 201 gs
RR: 141 gs
Vemar VSR
Average: 174 Gs
LF: 171 gs
RF: 198 gs
LR: 166 gs
RR: 162 gs
Snell 2000/DOT Helmets
Icon Mainframe (P)
Average: 181 Gs
LF: 168 gs
RF: 217 gs
LR: 189 gs
RR: 152 gs
Icon Alliance (F)
Average: 183 Gs
LF: 179 gs
RF: 200 gs
LR: 179 gs
RR: 175 gs
Scorpion EXO-400 (P)
Average: 187 Gs
LF: 185 gs
RF: 212 gs
LR: 193 gs
RR: 158 gs
AGV X-R2 (F)
Average: 188 Gs
LF: 192 gs
RF: 226 gs
LR: 166 gs
RR: 167 gs
Arai Tracker GT (F)
Average: 201 Gs
LF: 193 gs
RF: 243 gs
LR: 203 gs
RR: 166 gs
HJC AC-11 (F)
Average: 204 Gs
LF: 195 gs
RF: 230 gs
LR: 231 gs
RR: 163 gs
Scorpion EXO-700 (F)
Average: 211 Gs
LF: 207 gs
RF: 236 gs
LR: 226 gs
RR: 176 gs
Impact Key: LF: Left Front, 7-foot drop, Flat Pavement. RF: Right Front, 10-foot drop, Flat Pavement. LR: Left Rear, 7-foot drop, Flat Pavement. RR: Right Rear, 7-foot drop, Edge Anvil. Shell Key: (P): Polycarbonate (F): Fiberglass
Last edited by Thumper; Dec 6, 2008 at 09:58 PM.
Hmm?
SuperBike
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,069
From: San Gabriel Valley
First, your URL is listed in correctly. It should be http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/ge...iew/index.html (I know it doesn't look like this when viewing the post, but if you put the mouse over the link, the URL shows up).
Second, everyone else has seen this article already...several times.
Second, everyone else has seen this article already...several times.
Last edited by marmaladedad; Dec 6, 2008 at 09:55 PM.
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,548
From: MN
that was a controversial article and conclusions. but it apparently did spur the helmet companies to intensify some of their research from what I've read. And europe now has adapted a different helmet test standard, that is taking much of this into account. The biggest point of the article was how comparatively little was being done in the modern science of head injury prevention and testing standards. I thought the parts about different sizes (thus head weights) usually being ignored in the tests was interesting too. After reading it I still am not sure what the right answer is in terms of the most relevant standards. but its sure not as black and white as SNELL=better
I now look at them differently and helmets I might have ignored before I'd look at closer now. still fit and comfort and noise are big factors.
I now look at them differently and helmets I might have ignored before I'd look at closer now. still fit and comfort and noise are big factors.
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,548
From: MN
don't worry about it. there are lots of new members here, and even for many of the old ones I'm betting most haven't read the article. its good stuff.
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,033
i crashed in my 100$ Fulmer helmet. My head hit the asphalt hard and the bike ended up on my head sliding down the road. When we finally stopped i had to unstrap my helmet and pull my head out cause it was pinned under the bike.
The helmet definitely did its job thats for sure.
Now i have the top of the line fulmer helmet and i love it, best part is it was free.
The helmet definitely did its job thats for sure.
Now i have the top of the line fulmer helmet and i love it, best part is it was free.
mildly retarded
SuperBike
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,278
From: Denver, CO
First, your URL is listed in correctly. It should be http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/ge...iew/index.html (I know it doesn't look like this when viewing the post, but if you put the mouse over the link, the URL shows up).
Second, everyone else has seen this article already...several times.
Second, everyone else has seen this article already...several times.
are you being sarcastic or just an *******?
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,806
From: Atlanta, GA
I know. And I do when I can, but not as often as other seasons. It was a general comment.
As for the helmet article, it was a followup of an article (which came to the same controversial conclusions) they did way back in the '80's, so the topic is not new. I agree with their conclusions that the Snell standard allows too many g's to be transmitted to the head. Snell spends a lot of time and money to convince people otherwise.
As for the helmet article, it was a followup of an article (which came to the same controversial conclusions) they did way back in the '80's, so the topic is not new. I agree with their conclusions that the Snell standard allows too many g's to be transmitted to the head. Snell spends a lot of time and money to convince people otherwise.
Last edited by killer5280; Dec 7, 2008 at 12:33 PM.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,015
Senior Member
Superstock
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 276
From: Ranson, WV
I found the article that you are referring to quite interesting when I read it a few years ago. I'm due for a new helmet next fall, so I'm going buy one with the Snell 2009.
There has been talk about one helmet being quieter than another. I lost a small amount of my hearing in my left ear due to having my windows cracked on my car for the last 19 years that I have been driving. I'm going to try wearing my custom-molded earplugs from now on.
There has been talk about one helmet being quieter than another. I lost a small amount of my hearing in my left ear due to having my windows cracked on my car for the last 19 years that I have been driving. I'm going to try wearing my custom-molded earplugs from now on.
Senior Member
Superstock
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 320
From: Arlington Heights, IL
That was a great article. They did a follow-up article also.
Here is another good site that reviews helmets.
http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcyc...le-helmets.htm
Here is another good site that reviews helmets.
http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcyc...le-helmets.htm
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,452
From: San Clemente, CA
I've owned 4 Arai's during the last 25 years, including Wes Cooley and Mike Baldwin replicas. I currently wear a Sete Giberneau replica.
I saw the article in Motorcyclist, about 3 years ago, but I still like Arai for the fit, style and build quality. I crashed face first, wearing the Baldwin, 20 years ago, and it saved my face. If you crash at 90mph on the street, it's a crap shoot anyway.
I saw the article in Motorcyclist, about 3 years ago, but I still like Arai for the fit, style and build quality. I crashed face first, wearing the Baldwin, 20 years ago, and it saved my face. If you crash at 90mph on the street, it's a crap shoot anyway.
Hmm?
SuperBike
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,069
From: San Gabriel Valley
Originally Posted by Thumper
Well excuse me, i guess i am wasting your time so i will just delete the thread.
This site has become so PC from years past.
Where is RLZ, i long for those days.
This site has become so PC from years past.
Where is RLZ, i long for those days.
Yes.
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,547
From: Way Out West
I know you weren't being sarcastic, maybe you were just in a cranky mood. Based on reading your posts for the last year or two, I'll attest to the fact that you aren't an *******. Kudos to you for coming back on with a sense of humor.
Don't sweat it. Anybody who has been here for a while knows you're a good guy.
Senior Member
Superstock
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 286
From: texas
awww thats so sweet.
just fn around. so what is everyones basic opinion on this dated report? dot or snell? the dot seems like it could be just as good if not better than the snell helmets? i doubt many peaple will ever wake up from a super high speed head impact. so doesnt it make since that the dot helmets would work just fine?
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,806
From: Atlanta, GA
Helmets are designed to protect your head from a fall the distance from your head to the ground--about 5 to 6 feet. They are not designed to protect your head from impacts into fixed objects (like power poles, trees, curbs, concrete barriers, etc.) at high speed; no helmet could protect from those kinds of forces.
The information in the article is still perfectly valid.
I believe the softer helmet idea is a sound one. These guys have been saying it for decades: http://www.hprl.org/index.html. Maximum g forces sustained by the brain should be minimized. Having said that, I think all my current helmets have Snell ratings. Someone else said it, but, for good or bad, things like price, styling, fit, noise are all factors in helmet purchases.
The information in the article is still perfectly valid.
I believe the softer helmet idea is a sound one. These guys have been saying it for decades: http://www.hprl.org/index.html. Maximum g forces sustained by the brain should be minimized. Having said that, I think all my current helmets have Snell ratings. Someone else said it, but, for good or bad, things like price, styling, fit, noise are all factors in helmet purchases.
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,132
From: Phoenix, AZ
There is more than just number of Gs one must consider.
But really the biggest most important factor is comfort.. because the helmet you don't wear because it isn't comfortable does no good even if it would have given the best protection compared to the lamest one that was actually on your head because it was comfortable.
But really the biggest most important factor is comfort.. because the helmet you don't wear because it isn't comfortable does no good even if it would have given the best protection compared to the lamest one that was actually on your head because it was comfortable.
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