Helmets - how are they rated on safety?

Graprilia · Brolly Dolly Joined: 02 May 2007 Karma :

hi,
Just wondering if anyone knows where to find a list of helmet safety ratings?

If such a thing exists.

i think my helmet is "e" something
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..... · Quote Me Happy Joined: 15 Jan 2005 Karma :

https://sharp.direct.gov.uk/

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

The government hav started a rating system called SHARP.

They haven't tested all lids yet, but its the closest thing to what you ask.

https://sharp.direct.gov.uk/search/
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Graprilia · Brolly Dolly Joined: 02 May 2007 Karma :

ive seen that website but my helmet isnt listed on it.
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Graprilia · Brolly Dolly Joined: 02 May 2007 Karma :

mine just says:-

ACU Gold Approved
EC ER 05 Approved

i didnt know if there was ER 01 ER 02 etc ,rating scale somwhere.
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Itchy · Super Spammer Joined: 07 Apr 2005 Karma :

Graprilia · Brolly Dolly Joined: 02 May 2007 Karma :

what about the ER ?? bit then?
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LeeR · World Chat Champion Joined: 12 Dec 2006 Karma :

All helmets sold in the UK must meet the UN ECE 22.05 standard, which in turn means they meet the BS6658:1985 standard.

In the USA they have a couple of standards which come to mind such as DOT and Snell, there are some informative articles out there on how the different tests differ: Motorcycle Helmet Review.

However, if your helmet was sold in the UK then it's "safe" enough, and as long as it fits properly it will do it's job.

Any reason you ask?
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Graprilia · Brolly Dolly Joined: 02 May 2007 Karma :

LeeR · World Chat Champion Joined: 12 Dec 2006 Karma :

In which case I think they mean this:

iooi · Super Spammer Joined: 14 Jan 2007 Karma :

They are not rated on safety as such. They simply have to pass certain standard tests.....

The biggest safety measure, is one you and only you can take, and that is to eensure that the helmet you buy is a good fit for your head.
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stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

None of the tests are that good since they are measured on a test rig to a series of arbitary impacts and penetration tests.

Last time I looked, there seemed to be little or no research into why these particular impacts were selected, how they decided the level of protection necessary or what sort of impacts caused serious injuries or fatalities.

Seems to me they set them at an arbitrary "This seems like a good idea." level which doesn't always mean it IS a good idea. Helmets passing some of the American tests in particular would leave you lying dead in the road wearing a relatively undamaged helmet full of mince.

There again, when has any sort of basis in fact or research stood in the way of legislation? When they brought in the helmet laws back in the 1970's there was NO research proving a helmet increases survivability in a real crash, it just seemed like a good idea. There is still remarkably little research based on real crashes, all the research is done on hypothetical impacts in a laboratory. This tells you how a helmet responds to an impact but not to how it performs in an accident (or even contributes to one?)

What am I saying, why am I ranting on about this again?

Wear a helmet because it is the law and wear a well fitting helmet bacause a badly fitting one will most certainly make matters worse in case of a crash. Just don't assume it is going to make any difference to your chances of surviving a crash, in fact, assume it wont.
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Louise · World Chat Champion Joined: 22 May 2006 Karma :

I personally wont even look at the SHARP test.
Had a few reps talk about the SHARP test and they didnt agree with it also.
I see some Nitros are higher rated then Arai's?
IMHO Arai will be the helmet for me.

Wafer_Thin_Ham · Super Spammer Joined: 18 Nov 2005 Karma :

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

The SHARP ratings are supposed to be based upon real accident statistics.

However Arai in particular disagree with the Sharp reccomendation that impact should be tested around the ear area. The government say that lots of riders die in crashes where the side of their head impacts on something. Arai say that because 99.99% of riders have shoulders that the impact is more likely to happen further up the head nearer the crown.

But, the SHARP tests are based upon some scientific data and it is all reccomendation based rather than trying to enforce something. Its better than the government legislating on how good or bad helmets should be. If they did, then we'd all be wearing lids that are four feet across and filled with cotton wool.
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

Grav · World Chat Champion Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

I have personally tested a Lazer Helmet when I headbutted a wall at 35mph when I got knocked off my bike a few years ago.

It passed. Thumbs Up

Sharp gave it a 5 star rating and I gave it 10/10 cos I'm still here. Laughing

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iooi · Super Spammer Joined: 14 Jan 2007 Karma :

Wafer_Thin_Ham · Super Spammer Joined: 18 Nov 2005 Karma :

Louise · World Chat Champion Joined: 22 May 2006 Karma :

I do have an Arai head Wink

I like some shoei's but it feels like im being given a face lift taking it off and im only 25 Laughing

I just know the way Arai is tested & made makes me beleive more in that helmet - But then again, I did alot of reading into Arai then any other make.
Before I knew about Arai, the size of the shell appealed to me more - Small & dont look mahoosive like some.

Graprilia · Brolly Dolly Joined: 02 May 2007 Karma :

Newbiker0507 · Crazy Courier Joined: 29 Oct 2007 Karma :

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

LeeR · World Chat Champion Joined: 12 Dec 2006 Karma :

I understand your points Stinkwheel and recognise that there are occasions when a helmet offers no benefit at all in an accident.

However, I do think that helmets offer other benefits such as: reducing noise, keeping flies out of your teeth, keeping your head warm and dry, and protecting you from air borne debris.

Now if the alternative is to ride in goggles, with a face scarf, and a sou'wester then I'm still going to wear the helmet on my 40 mile motorway commute as the alternative also offers no benefit imho.
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stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

Newbiker0507 · Crazy Courier Joined: 29 Oct 2007 Karma :