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The Difference between these Helmets

newbiker

newbiker

New member
Joined
Mar 26, 2013
Location
Hayward
Moto(s)
2016 Ninja Zx6r
Hey guys,

I'm new to here and wanting to educate myself. For now, I'm looking to buy gear. I understand everyone would want to vote for Arai or Shoei helmets, and would tell me they are expensive for a reason. However, I see Joe Rocket, HJC, etc, etc helmets that say, "Meets Snell 2010 and DOT" standards. So, in terms of safety, they would be just "as safe" as the premium helmets ???

I understand the inside material, comforts, features, design, paint scheme, etc are all different variables to a helmet's cost. My main question is about safety...what's the main difference, if they all meet Snell 2010 & DOT...???

Thanks for your insight. :thumbup
 
Before we get into a giant fucking flame fest...

Some DOT only helmets have better crash ratings than the SNELL ones.

More expensive = quieter, lighter, ect.
 
Buy what's in your price range and what fits your head.
Fit is most important.
Wear it for at least an hour.
No pressure points is very important.
 
Should, but don't.
Ask the cruiser pudding bowl crowd.
 
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newbiker said:
Hey guys,

I'm new to here and wanting to educate myself. For now, I'm looking to buy gear. I understand everyone would want to vote for Arai or Shoei helmets, and would tell me they are expensive for a reason. However, I see Joe Rocket, HJC, etc, etc helmets that say, "Meets Snell 2010 and DOT" standards. So, in terms of safety, they would be just "as safe" as the premium helmets ???

I understand the inside material, comforts, features, design, paint scheme, etc are all different variables to a helmet's cost. My main question is about safety...what's the main difference, if they all meet Snell 2010 & DOT...???

Thanks for your insight. :thumbup
Click to expand...

You pretty much answered your own question. You'll get lots of debate on DOT vs. Snell etc. but nothing definitive. Honestly, any helmet carrying DOT or Snell is probably a pretty safe helmet. IMO, the more relevant question for safety is full-face vs. modular or open face. I won't wear a modular or flip-up helmet even if it is Snell-rated, but that's just me.

Everything else, as you noted, comes down to fit and finish, features, quality, etc.

IMO, get a full-face helmet that fits you and fits your budget.
 
gixxerjeff said:
Agreed, but enforced???
I'm not seeing it. (thank gawd for the dot stickers available on the internet)
Click to expand...

Rarely. And I agree with brain buckets having falsified DOT decals. I even bought a brand new lid that had a DOT sticker on it from a known retailer, and I knew it was bullshit as it fell off right away next to the made in china sticker. But it have a nice rose decal on the side for my lady to wear. :laughing
 
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Mr Pepsi said:
Buy what's in your price range and what fits your head.
Fit is most important.
Wear it for at least an hour.
No pressure points is very important.
Click to expand...

+1

Unfortunately, you really can't judge wind noise until you ride with it on and most every shop will not allow returns.

I CycleGear has a 7-day exchange policy though.
http://www.cyclegear.com/helmetexchange
 
JPK said:
You pretty much answered your own question. You'll get lots of debate on DOT vs. Snell etc. but nothing definitive. Honestly, any helmet carrying DOT or Snell is probably a pretty safe helmet.
Click to expand...

I do not know how stringent the DOT certifications are, but there are half-helmets that are DOT legal... so the requirements can't be very strict! Unless there are tiers of different requirements for half helmets vs full-face, but I doubt that very much.

IMO, the more relevant question for safety is full-face vs. modular or open face. I won't wear a modular or flip-up helmet even if it is Snell-rated, but that's just me.
Click to expand...

I do not believe there are ANY modular or open face helmets that meet SNELL requirements. I'm not sure if it's that they won't pass them, or if SNELL just refuses to test them. I think there are a few that are ECE certified, though (but don't quote me on that).

I'll stick to SNELL or ECE certified helmets, thanks. I've considered going with a high-quality flip-face now and then, but then I look up some pics of a chinbar that came apart in a crash to remind myself not to.
 
sckego said:
I do not believe there are ANY modular or open face helmets that meet SNELL requirements. I'm not sure if it's that they won't pass them, or if SNELL just refuses to test them. I think there are a few that are ECE certified, though (but don't quote me on that)..
Click to expand...
According to the Snell Foundation web site, there are two modular helmets that meet the Snell M2010 certification:

LS2 FF394
Zeus ZS-3000
 
Oceansides said:
Before we get into a giant fucking flame fest...

Some DOT only helmets have better crash ratings than the SNELL ones.
Click to expand...
Name some. And since DOT requirements are not nearly as strict as Snell, I would like to know who did the testing. Racing organizations usually won't accept a DOT only helmet as adequate equipment. Maybe there is a reason.
Mr Pepsi said:
Buy what's in your price range and what fits your head.
Fit is most important.
Wear it for at least an hour.
No pressure points is very important.
Click to expand...
So, one just stands around in some store with a helmet on for an hour, and if one doesn't like it after that time, one puts it back on the shelf and tries another helmet for another hour? Then, I suppose we walk out and order on line?
 
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clutchslip said:
So, one just stands around in some store with a helmet on for an hour, and if one doesn't like it after that time, one puts it back on the shelf and tries another helmet for another hour? Then, I suppose we walk out and order on line?
Click to expand...

Sadly that happens often. I actually went out of my way to order my helmet from cycle gear last time to try and support a local door. I got no love, none. NO more helmets from cycle gear. In fact I bought one today, from Amazon.
 
DOT is an insufficient standard. A helmet that only meets DOT standards is not safe. The only relevant standards are Snell and ECE. I think that ECE is a better standard and in many ways safer than Snell, but that is very debatable. Both are "safe." If you want to know more start here: http://silodrome.com/snell-vs-dot-vs-ece-r22-05-helmet-standards-throwdown/

More expensive does not mean safer. As noted above, it often means more comfortable, quieter, lighter, more/better features, more durable, better aesthetics/finish, and sometimes just more expensive. If a cheap helmet is comfortable, has the features you want, and meets ECE or Snell, get that helmet. I have been very impressed with the newest Icon helmets, for example, at half the cost of my Shoeis.
 
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