irish2themax
New member
Interesting article from Motorcyclist magazine. Worth a read
Motorcycle Helmet Performance: Blowing the Lid Off
Motorcycle Helmet Performance: Blowing the Lid Off
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Motorcycle Helmet Safety
- Thread starter irish2themax
- Start date
I read it and now my head hurts! :gaah:
BajaRon
Well-known member
I spend a fair amount of my time with helmets. This debate between Snell, DOT and the EU safety standards has been going on for awhile and has been heating up in the last few years.
There are 3 basic factors contributing to this debate.
1 - Scientific fact
2 - Consumer ignorance
3 - Sales driven and lots of money involved on both sides with certifications
These 3 factors have always mixed well for those in marketing.
The 1st factor is pretty much settled. However, fact gets very confused when you add the 2nd and 3rd factor.
Snell started out in the area of auto racing. In a car the chances of hitting your head (or helmet in this case) on the same place more than once is very high. After all, you're strapped into a stationary steel cage. Your head is the only thing that is loose to beat around.
So Snell wanted a helmet that could withstand repeated blows in the same spot. That requires a thick, heavy, very hard shell. In a race car it's a good thing.
But a M/C accident is a completely different environment.
In the beginning, very few DOT approved MC helmets passed the Snell testing. So it was automatically assumed that the Snell certified helmets were "Better".
The marketing people made the most of it and the ignorant consumer jumped on board. Me included. What else were we to think?
But years of testing and documentation along with a better medical understanding of what injures the brain have changed everyting.
The long and the short of it is that a motorcycle helmet is almost never subjected to anything remotely approaching what Snell requires in their multiple impact to the same spot test.
This translates to the little known truth that most DOT only helmets will protect a MC rider BETTER than a Snell rated helmet.
But this is considered heresy by many consumers and rejected out of hand without ever researching the facts. Marketing is king of the debate so far.
There are 3 basic factors contributing to this debate.
1 - Scientific fact
2 - Consumer ignorance
3 - Sales driven and lots of money involved on both sides with certifications
These 3 factors have always mixed well for those in marketing.
The 1st factor is pretty much settled. However, fact gets very confused when you add the 2nd and 3rd factor.
Snell started out in the area of auto racing. In a car the chances of hitting your head (or helmet in this case) on the same place more than once is very high. After all, you're strapped into a stationary steel cage. Your head is the only thing that is loose to beat around.
So Snell wanted a helmet that could withstand repeated blows in the same spot. That requires a thick, heavy, very hard shell. In a race car it's a good thing.
But a M/C accident is a completely different environment.
In the beginning, very few DOT approved MC helmets passed the Snell testing. So it was automatically assumed that the Snell certified helmets were "Better".
The marketing people made the most of it and the ignorant consumer jumped on board. Me included. What else were we to think?
But years of testing and documentation along with a better medical understanding of what injures the brain have changed everyting.
The long and the short of it is that a motorcycle helmet is almost never subjected to anything remotely approaching what Snell requires in their multiple impact to the same spot test.
This translates to the little known truth that most DOT only helmets will protect a MC rider BETTER than a Snell rated helmet.
But this is considered heresy by many consumers and rejected out of hand without ever researching the facts. Marketing is king of the debate so far.
BajaRon
Well-known member
:agree: This article was discussed in a previous thread in January. Here is the link: http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/...&highlight=motorcycle+helmet+standards&page=2
Bruce
NancysToy
Motorbike Professor
In June of '05, I read this article with great interest. Just a few months earlier, I had received an AIS4 head injury in a relatively slow speed crash into a plowed field. I have recovered for the most part, but will never be exactly the same. This accident didn't even leave a mark on my helmet.
At the time, I agreed with the concept of this article, feeling that the softer ECE standard might have done a better job in providing a helmet that would have kept my brain from slamming into my skull, at least better than my Snell M2000 helmet had done. While I still believe in this concept, I also have to agree with the rebuttal by Snell that a helmet that provides adequately soft protection will be too bulky, and that there is a necessity for multiple impact and other than hard, flat object testing. In addition, there are consequences from helmet weight, size, and external fixtures such as vents. No helmet available today can do everything, for everyone, under every circumstance!
I have come to the conclusion, for no truly scientific reasons, that the severity of my injury was probably due more to the fit of my helmet, than the helmet standard. Since then, I am much more careful about what I select. I was wearing a full face helmet on a faired biked, due only to cold weather. I no longer wear an open face helmet for any travel of more than a few blocks at slow speeds...and that excusion is certainly foolish. Full face helmets are the only reliable protection available! Road rash on the face is not likely to be fun!
I also no longer will purchase a helmet with minimal, or soft foam padding on the chin bar, and always look for EPS foam on the chin bar, and cheek pads that project as far forward as possible. I am all but certain that movement of my head forward in the helmet helped contribute to the severity of my injuries. I won't take a chance on that happening again.
I also make certain that the helmet fits quite snugly, for the same reason. Most of us select helmets that are too large, because thay are more comfortable and provide space for ventilation. That is space which allows your head to move, and slam into the helmet on impact. If the strapped on helmet moves on your head in the store, it will do it even more so in a crash, or even when merely broken in well. If you have to go larger to get it to fit in one spot, like your forehead, try a different style helmet in the smaller size. Get one that fits snugly...all the way around. Sometimes this is hard. Don't buy for looks...at least not as reason #1.
I apologize for the soapbox lecture. This is serious business, though. I Can't prevent you from wearing no helmet, and half helmet, an open helmet, or one that doesn't fit. Only you can make that decision. I will tell you that I have been on the receiving end, though, and that it changed my ways. I need what's left of my noggin, and a good full-face helmet is the best way to save it for my old age. There is no substitute for the right equipment. Choose your helmet wisely, and please wear it. I'd like to meet you on the road someday.
-Scotty
At the time, I agreed with the concept of this article, feeling that the softer ECE standard might have done a better job in providing a helmet that would have kept my brain from slamming into my skull, at least better than my Snell M2000 helmet had done. While I still believe in this concept, I also have to agree with the rebuttal by Snell that a helmet that provides adequately soft protection will be too bulky, and that there is a necessity for multiple impact and other than hard, flat object testing. In addition, there are consequences from helmet weight, size, and external fixtures such as vents. No helmet available today can do everything, for everyone, under every circumstance!
I have come to the conclusion, for no truly scientific reasons, that the severity of my injury was probably due more to the fit of my helmet, than the helmet standard. Since then, I am much more careful about what I select. I was wearing a full face helmet on a faired biked, due only to cold weather. I no longer wear an open face helmet for any travel of more than a few blocks at slow speeds...and that excusion is certainly foolish. Full face helmets are the only reliable protection available! Road rash on the face is not likely to be fun!
I also no longer will purchase a helmet with minimal, or soft foam padding on the chin bar, and always look for EPS foam on the chin bar, and cheek pads that project as far forward as possible. I am all but certain that movement of my head forward in the helmet helped contribute to the severity of my injuries. I won't take a chance on that happening again.
I also make certain that the helmet fits quite snugly, for the same reason. Most of us select helmets that are too large, because thay are more comfortable and provide space for ventilation. That is space which allows your head to move, and slam into the helmet on impact. If the strapped on helmet moves on your head in the store, it will do it even more so in a crash, or even when merely broken in well. If you have to go larger to get it to fit in one spot, like your forehead, try a different style helmet in the smaller size. Get one that fits snugly...all the way around. Sometimes this is hard. Don't buy for looks...at least not as reason #1.
I apologize for the soapbox lecture. This is serious business, though. I Can't prevent you from wearing no helmet, and half helmet, an open helmet, or one that doesn't fit. Only you can make that decision. I will tell you that I have been on the receiving end, though, and that it changed my ways. I need what's left of my noggin, and a good full-face helmet is the best way to save it for my old age. There is no substitute for the right equipment. Choose your helmet wisely, and please wear it. I'd like to meet you on the road someday.
-Scotty
BajaRon
Well-known member
Did not see that thread but I'd say it makes my point. Consumers are generally uninformed and rely on certifications + marketing to make their decision.
BajaRon
Well-known member
I also make certain that the helmet fits quite snugly, for the same reason. Most of us select helmets that are too large, because thay are more comfortable and provide space for ventilation. That is space which allows your head to move, and slam into the helmet on impact. If the strapped on helmet moves on your head in the store, it will do it even more so in a crash, or even when merely broken in well. If you have to go larger to get it to fit in one spot, like your forehead, try a different style helmet in the smaller size. Get one that fits snugly...all the way around. Sometimes this is hard. Don't buy for looks...at least not as reason #1.
-Scotty
I have an article here somewhere. It was a research project sponsored by Arai and some other interests. It found that over 70% of the non-professional motorcycle riders were wearing a helmet at LEAST 1 size too large!
That alone will do more damage to your noggin in an accident than any other single factor.
Well, I didn't believe it myself at first. 70% is a lot of riders!
I worked in the fire department and I noticed that several of the MC accidents I went to the rider lost his helmet. It came off when he hit the ground!
I started checking that out and found that the chin strap was still together on more than 1 helmet. So he did have it strapped on.
I was wearing a large at the time but I knew the size charts told me I needed a Medium. So, I went to the store, bought a medium helmet and decided I would wear it no matter what.
At first it felt like it would tear my ears off. But then I learned how to get it on and off correctly. Problem solved.
But it fit so tight I thought I was in a straight jacket. But then I noticed it didn't move on my head at all on the freeway, even when I turned to look behind me! Wow! That was a real improvement!
It didn't really occur to me how much my large helmet had been moving on my head because I'd gotten used to it.
Needless to say, now, if the helmet does not fit TIGHT! It doesn't feel right! The book says the helmet should be as tight as possible without giving you a headache.
bjt
Very Helpful Member
I also make certain that the helmet fits quite snugly, for the same reason. Most of us select helmets that are too large, because thay are more comfortable and provide space for ventilation. That is space which allows your head to move, and slam into the helmet on impact. If the strapped on helmet moves on your head in the store, it will do it even more so in a crash, or even when merely broken in well. If you have to go larger to get it to fit in one spot, like your forehead, try a different style helmet in the smaller size. Get one that fits snugly...all the way around. Sometimes this is hard. Don't buy for looks...at least not as reason #1.
I apologize for the soapbox lecture. This is serious business, though. I Can't prevent you from wearing no helmet, and half helmet, an open helmet, or one that doesn't fit. Only you can make that decision. I will tell you that I have been on the receiving end, though, and that it changed my ways. I need what's left of my noggin, and a good full-face helmet is the best way to save it for my old age. There is no substitute for the right equipment. Choose your helmet wisely, and please wear it. I'd like to meet you on the road someday.
-Scotty
:agree: Sometimes I contemplate getting a helmet one size larger so its not so snug on my head but then I think about why I need a helmet and why it has to fit snug and I stick with what I have. Doo rags keep my ears from getting all bent out of shape when putting on the helmet. :doorag:
BajaRon
Well-known member
Very true, and there are different shell shapes even within the same manufacturer.
I have found (for example) that people with a round head who want a Long Oval shelled helmet will get one a size too large. This gives them the right side to side dimension for their head but too much room front to back. This is not a good fit and will probably hurt them if they ever get into an accident.
There is a lot to know about and it's all important.
That study listed these 5 reasons for purchase by importance.
1 - Look (Paint scheme and Color match with motorcycle)
2 - Comfort (varies depending on individual as to what 'Comfort' means)
3 - Brand
4 - Price
5 - Safety
Surveys like this are always suspect to me but it is interesting that they found "Safety" to be at the bottom of the list. They attributed this to people feeling that as long as the certifications were there, safety did not vary that much between helmets.
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