DOT or Snell?

[Comet]

I always wondered how they certified helmets and this didnt make me feel very confident in the DOT sticker. DOT Helmet Standards - Full Pin - Sport Rider Magazine

 

[mdr]

I always wondered how they certified helmets and this didnt make me feel very confident in the DOT sticker. DOT Helmet Standards - Full Pin - Sport Rider Magazine

You don't buy a helmet as a guarantee you won't be injured, you buy one because it increases the probability that the injury you sustain will be less with the helmet than without it. If the speed is high enough there's no helmet that's going to prevent injury - physics 101 --> KE = 1/2 MVV. The energy the helmet has to absorb goes up with the square of the speed of the impact. I don't expect them to test helmets in "real life" situations. They only need a test that separates the "adequate" helmets from the "inadequate" ones - and the line between those two is arbitrary as hell. I prefer a helmet to be both DOT and Snell, but I'm also not immune to weight and cost considerations. I spent about $300 on a Shark and I'd be reluctant to go much higher. - unless it had a nifty feature like the Reevu helmet...

 

[Denver_FZ6]

There's a huge debate regarding Snell, DOT and the European helmet certification, it's right up there with oil and chain lube. It's a complicated matter and I don't believe can be answered simply. That said, I look for Snell as the minimum standard.

Regarding higher $$$ helmets, local folklore says you're basically paying for additional features, quieter ride, etc.

 

[reiobard]

I personally do not trust a DOT rating by itselt, it can't be very good if they approve those skull cap brain bucket helmets and Snell won't.

 

[4fun]

You don't need to spend a lot to have a helmet approved by both Snell and Dot. My HJC CL-SP is approved by both. And I am satisfied with it.

 

[mdr]

I personally do not trust a DOT rating by itselt, it can't be very good if they approve those skull cap brain bucket helmets and Snell won't.

Depends on which ones. Some are just painted salad bowls with a DOT decal that probably was bought separately to fool the police. On the other hand I also have a half shell helmet (DOT only) similar to what the local Sheriffs Department, City and State Police wear. Why do so many LEOs make such a risky choice?

 

[FZ1inNH]

Both is my preference.

As for the bowls, those get a rating because the shell can withstand the same force as the full face helmets. There is no taking into account the amount of area the helmet covers, only that it can survive the testing.

 

[wrightme43]

Depends on which ones. Some are just painted salad bowls with a DOT decal that probably was bought separately to fool the police. On the other hand I also have a half shell helmet (DOT only) similar to what the local Sheriffs Department, City and State Police wear. Why do so many LEOs make such a risky choice?

They have to able to see, and fire a weapon. They have to be able hear the radio. Its a compromise.

They cant be using both hands to remove a helmet to talk to the person.

 

[Avalon786]

You don't need to spend a lot to have a helmet approved by both Snell and Dot. My HJC CL-SP is approved by both. And I am satisfied with it.

Yep my HJC also has both and once i read somewhere a $200 HJC protected just as good as a $650 Shoei or Arai so more expensive doesnt mean its necessarly better...
Also i noticed in europe all helmets have a sort of clip to attach the helmet instead of the double ring, i was shocked when i got my first helmet here, double ring takes a while as opposed to the clip just takes 2sec to attach and un hook, it works like a seat blet clip.

 

[billm]

Also i noticed in europe all helmets have a sort of clip to attach the helmet instead of the double ring, i was shocked when i got my first helmet here, double ring takes a while as opposed to the clip just takes 2sec to attach and un hook, it works like a seat blet clip.[/QUOTE]

My old Fulmer had that seat belt type connector & I was always worried it was an inferior way to hold down your helmet, but look at seat belts!
Anyway, my new HJC has the time consuming double "D" ring.

 

[reiobard]

Also i noticed in europe all helmets have a sort of clip to attach the helmet instead of the double ring, i was shocked when i got my first helmet here, double ring takes a while as opposed to the clip just takes 2sec to attach and un hook, it works like a seat blet clip.

My old Fulmer had that seat belt type connector & I was always worried it was an inferior way to hold down your helmet, but look at seat belts!
Anyway, my new HJC has the time consuming double "D" ring.

any of the euro buddies care to take a pic of what he is talking about? How would the strap hold steadfast with just a single ring?

 

[Cloned]

That clip sounds like a great idea. I have to take my gloves off everytime I want to put the helmet back on, it's time consuming and annoying. Although if it's not as safe as the d-rings I'll just suck it up and bear through it.

 

[Comet]

I bought 2 of these and when my KBC helmet came it already had one on it. Quick Release Buckles

 

[billm]

any of the euro buddies care to take a pic of what he is talking about? How would the strap hold steadfast with just a single ring?

You're actually quoting 2 posts; the original & mine.
I went out & got my old Fulmer that I referenced & the release looks almost exactly like the one the last guy posted w/a link. The upper rt. item (pic) in the link is like what mine looks like - & I do miss it's convenience!

 

[Jake]

If you're willing to pay $150 for a helmet you will have no problem finding a hardhat that is both DOT+SNELL certified.

As others have noted, it's a complicated debate. Most of the debate revolves around the stiffness of the helmet shell. The question is whether it's better to have a hard shell that resists specific impacts or a softer shell that collapses and dispurses the energy directed at the head.

IMO... you get what you paid for. What you "get" is a combination of protection, comfort and functionality. All the protection in the world is related to comfort; if it's not comfortable you're not gonna wanna wear it. If it's comfortable and functional then you will most likely be more-relaxed and able to focus on your riding.

Jake

 

[Zack]

If I may add something ... we have two Scorpion helmets here and found out what you all know already that they all look nice as tens of different ones we left on the shelf, but still I found helmet to be quite noisy (above 60-70 km/h I can't hear engine any more it's all wind noise in my ears), turbulence below chin part and wind hitting the face from neck up and air vents (there are plenty of them on the sides and top) I can't really feel benefits from.

Don't take me wrong, I don't blame Scorpions specifically, I don't think the other ones fare better. We are looking to buy visors that change tint from clear to dark on sunny day. Couldn't find them so far.

Zack & son

 

[mdr]

Also i noticed in europe all helmets have a sort of clip to attach the helmet instead of the double ring, i was shocked when i got my first helmet here, double ring takes a while as opposed to the clip just takes 2sec to attach and un hook, it works like a seat blet clip.

My old Fulmer had that seat belt type connector & I was always worried it was an inferior way to hold down your helmet, but look at seat belts!
Anyway, my new HJC has the time consuming double "D" ring.[/QUOTE]

You can buy an add-on product that converts double D to click. I thought it worked pretty well.

 

[mdr]

If I may add something ... we have two Scorpion helmets here and found out what you all know already that they all look nice as tens of different ones we left on the shelf, but still I found helmet to be quite noisy (above 60-70 km/h I can't hear engine any more it's all wind noise in my ears), turbulence below chin part and wind hitting the face from neck up and air vents (there are plenty of them on the sides and top) I can't really feel benefits from.

Don't take me wrong, I don't blame Scorpions specifically, I don't think the other ones fare better. We are looking to buy visors that change tint from clear to dark on sunny day. Couldn't find them so far.

Zack & son

Gotta agree on the wind noise and useless air vents, even on my Shark. However, it's trivial to change visors on the Shark. Takes about 10 seconds. Now if only the spare (tinted) visors didn't cost $50.00!

 

[dynamo-acl]

First of all not ALL helmets here in europe have seat belt type clips

My 2 aria's do not have this or my famileies hjc or shoie

but a lot do and it tends to be the cheaper ranges

most peeps feel they are not as safe as the double ring and whats a few seconds for safety

also a new standard has been set up in the UK called the sharp test


SHARP - The Helmet Safety Scheme

so the saying of buying the dearest for the best protection has been throw out


search for aria rx-7 and it gets only 3 stars

search for a 60 pound/120 dollar lazer and it gets 5 stars

Aria have made a statement saying the new test is wrong as they test the side of the helmet more than they should as Aria's R&D say this part of the helmet does not get hit as hard as the new sharp test is testing for

The debate goes on

 

[dynamo-acl]

Gotta agree on the wind noise and useless air vents, even on my Shark. However, it's trivial to change visors on the Shark. Takes about 10 seconds. Now if only the spare (tinted) visors didn't cost $50.00!

there is a product from shoie on the market called a whisper strip

it fits any helmet that u can push a piece of card between the lining and the shell all round, just like a chin screen does at the front

fits both my aria astro and chaser and a hjc-14