Cheap Helmet: Is It OK?
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They might. Id have to search a while here but there was a post about a guy with a bell vortex on the forum who got his head rolled over by an 18-wheeler's tire after low-siding his bike. His bike had his girlfriend's helmet in it.
His bell helmet held up, her cheaper HJC one cracked.
Now if theyre both Snell and ones a 1000 and other is 40, then YES they will withstand the same tests.
But between different DOT approved ones.... sometimes a newer model might not have been tested
I suggest you read more on the matter
http://www.webbikeworld.com/eicma-2010/nolan-helmets/dot-vs-ece-helmet-safety-standards.htm
http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-helmets/DOT-standard.htm
SXE MX6
Well-known member
#1 thing, make sure you get a DOT approved helmet.
#2 Make sure its the best fit possible.
I spent 5 hours and put on 350kms on my car driving from here to there and back again. I must have tried on about 50 helmets, comparing them back and forth.
I bought a bell vortex. That was the one that fit very best.
So although I think that fit is most important, I also beleive if its not certified, it shouldn't be on your head.
#2 Make sure its the best fit possible.
I spent 5 hours and put on 350kms on my car driving from here to there and back again. I must have tried on about 50 helmets, comparing them back and forth.
I bought a bell vortex. That was the one that fit very best.
So although I think that fit is most important, I also beleive if its not certified, it shouldn't be on your head.
Sabex
Well-known member
This.They might. Id have to search a while here but there was a post about a guy with a bell vortex on the forum who got his head rolled over by an 18-wheeler's tire after low-siding his bike. His bike had his girlfriend's helmet in it.
His bell helmet held up, her cheaper HJC one cracked.
Now if theyre both Snell and ones a 1000 and other is 40, then YES they will withstand the same tests.
But between different DOT approved ones.... sometimes a newer model might not have been tested
I suggest you read more on the matter
http://www.webbikeworld.com/eicma-2010/nolan-helmets/dot-vs-ece-helmet-safety-standards.htm
http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-helmets/DOT-standard.htm
freedomfighter
Well-known member
that is one of the dumbest things you can say or think.
that is like saying there is no differance from a benz to a kia.
ELITE28
Well-known member
if the benz and kia are both snell certified then I assume both are equally safe.
No. They have both met the minimum legal safety requirements.
SFer
Well-known member
$80 or $1000 they both pass the tests
They are both safe
But
For $920 more you get
A known name
Lighter helmet
Better shell materials
higher quality foam making shell smaller
Nice materials inside against skin
Better venting and air flow channelling
Way less wind noise
Nicer better shield
Etc.
Both pass the safety tests but one will give you a headache, acne, sore neck, ringing ears, hard to wash etc.
They are both safe
But
For $920 more you get
A known name
Lighter helmet
Better shell materials
higher quality foam making shell smaller
Nice materials inside against skin
Better venting and air flow channelling
Way less wind noise
Nicer better shield
Etc.
Both pass the safety tests but one will give you a headache, acne, sore neck, ringing ears, hard to wash etc.
you mean comparing a cheap car with a 5+ star crash safety rating against an expensive car with a 5+ star safety rating in terms of safety? Or how baller you feel in it?
Studio Cycle is right beside you, just a little bit west on Dundas.
+1
Smart car fares better in head on collision that a Cadillac CTS.
I am not a fashionista.......I don't care about the brand name on my helmet. I diligently research the specific helmets I am deciding between. Funny thing is that I while I have a couple Shoeis, I won't be buying another for racing...maybe a Quest for touring someday. And I read in this thread "Arai or nothing"......that's one of the last helmets I would ever buy. Shell is the stiffest you can buy, and foam they use is the hardest. Sure the helmet remains intact in a crash, but the helmet is so strong that more energy is transmitted to your brain being bashed around inside your skull. Your helmet is akin to a crumple zone in a car. Literally. My kid brother suffered a tragic brain injury so this is something I have extensively looked in to.
Ever notice that you never see Arai advertisements in magazines anymore? They pulled their ads when the magazines started doing safety testing, and discovered that the amount of energy transmitted to headforms inside of Arai helmets during testing was much higher than that of cheap plastic helmets costing less than $100...in fact a $90something dollar AFX helmet came out on top of a number of comparisons. Arai was so mad that they were placed at or near the bottom of the results, that they stopped putting ads in those magazines.
freedomfighter
Well-known member
a smart car is not a benz. its a mitzubisy
mikem
Well-known member
Close outs are an option. I love my scorpion 1000
http://stores.sportbiketrackgear.com/Categories.bok?category=Motorcycle+Helmets:Closeout
http://stores.sportbiketrackgear.com/Categories.bok?category=Motorcycle+Helmets:Closeout
Wasn't your Zox Snell certified?
I think all Snell helmets are equal. I also doubt anyone is going to find a Snell helmet for $40.
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I can't remember. But my $149 HJC helmets I race in are.
I really like the fit and finish of my hjc rps-10 but the ventilation isn't that great. I normally don't think about it but when we had those really hot days I sure noticed how hot my melon started to feel after 15min of pushing it on the track.
I still see arai ads in magazines? There's a LOT of guys who swear by them and won't wear anything else. I'm guessing they crashed in one and it protected them so that's the only brand for them, just speculating. There's also a ton of guys on tv wearing them but I'm sure they get paid for it and there's the old question of wether or not its the same piece of equipment your buying.
I still see arai ads in magazines? There's a LOT of guys who swear by them and won't wear anything else. I'm guessing they crashed in one and it protected them so that's the only brand for them, just speculating. There's also a ton of guys on tv wearing them but I'm sure they get paid for it and there's the old question of wether or not its the same piece of equipment your buying.
Problem I have with the whole Arai or nothing or more money is better is that there's nothing to prop the higher end helmet higher then the others beside maybe comfort and different materials, someone pointed out that they both meet the "minimum" only testing, well nothing proves that the higher priced helmet will do any better since there's no other testing so that argument as no value. If you would have a scale to go with the price point of the items then fine but if it meets the specs that's all you need. If you feel more comfortable by choosing a more expensive item then that's fine too.
You either pass or not plain and simple.
Certification
Fit
Price
that's what I go by.
You either pass or not plain and simple.
Certification
Fit
Price
that's what I go by.
