Sharp Test - Big Brands

[rac3r]

Been looking at some of the Sharp ratings for helmets and why is it that some of the main brands top models get poor scores? Like the Arain RX7, Shoei, HJC etc whereas some of the cheaper brands like Marushin for example are getting full stars?

Also do you use it as a guide when buying a new lid?
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Bikes : 2006 CBR125R - 2004 Monster 620ie - 2004 ZX-6R B1H - 2005 Monster S2R 800 - 2011 Street Triple - 2009 Streetfighter 1098 - 2014 ZX-6R 636

[nokiakeys]

I usually always do.

I got 2 helmets, both are 5 star, so I'm kinda happy with that
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CBT: 04/2010 -> Theory: 09/2010 -> MOD1 & 2: 10/2010 (That's right baby, both on same day)
Honda CBF125 -> Honda CB600FS

[G]

[Suntan Sid]

I would imagine if there's any kind of "value for money" scoring, in the survey, a well made, less expensive helmet will get a good rating!

[Rogerborg]

Explanation 1: it's a crap test created by pencil-pushing prats who don't know anything about actual helmet safety in practice.

Explanation 2: glossy full page adverts in SpeedWank Monthly and Power Ranger Jizzspurt cost a lot of money - you can't expect big name brands to actually spend on R&D as well.

Me, I go by sharp (and bought Marushin) because it's the only rating that might be objectively useful. Anything else is guaranteed to be subjective or speculative.
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Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[rac3r]

I currently have a Marushin which I bought before the Sharp tests (it now has 5 stars)

My next lid will probably be Marushin because of the price, the sharp ratings kind of confirm my choice

Besides I can't afford an Arai/Shoei anyway
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Bikes : 2006 CBR125R - 2004 Monster 620ie - 2004 ZX-6R B1H - 2005 Monster S2R 800 - 2011 Street Triple - 2009 Streetfighter 1098 - 2014 ZX-6R 636

[chris-red]

One of the sharp tests is dropping a spike directly through the top of a lid. TO me that is a ridiculous test for a helmet.

I stick to the the lids the racers wear, I figure these guys have the choice of any lid they want and choose a certain one based one which they feel is best, I trust their opinions. I make sure it is lightweight and it fits.
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Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.

[Blau Zedong]

I refuse to wear something that has all the credibility of an ice cream carton on my head. Plus expensive lids tend to have better build quality and ventilation than cheap shit like Marushin. As I ride in jeans I don't think an extra star in some shit helmet test is going to determine if I live or die in an accident.

[DrDonnyBrago]

[chris-red]

[Rogerborg]

Well, I think everyone has made some good points, spoken from heart. Rather than say anything inflammatory, here's a picture of a kitten.

https://www.innocentenglish.com/cute-pictures/wp/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/cute-running-kitten-outside-picture.jpg
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Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[Blau Zedong]

[Paulington]

The SHARP test is absolutely ridiculous. There is a reason I only use helmets that have the SNELL certification.

As said, the SHARP tests compromise of 32 impacts, but they are only in 5 regions of the helmet and really all quite samey, see their site.

The fastest speed they are tested at is 8.5m/s (or 19mph) which is rather slow.

Also, Sharp only tests the forces felt on the brain with hits, whereas the SNELL standard tests a fair bit more. They also test random helmets from the manufacturer, as soon as one fails bye bye rating.

The only helmets I buy are Arai racing helmets that have passed and have a SNELL standard certification, SNELL is so much more comprehensive, for comparison:

[Shaft]

[Ingah]

Have heard criticism about every form of testing - this includes Snell (the 300G allowed is apparently way over what would kill you - Edit: Thinking about it - it was a while ago i read about it - i'm not sure if i'm confusing 22-05 and Snell, i know one results in quite "hard" helmets, the other in "softer" helmets, for want of a better term - each with advantages and disadvantages).

That said, in this country we have the EU standard 22-05 they all need to meet (so irrelevant when choosing between UK helmets), and this SHARP test.

Whilst i accept the SHARP test is flawed (read plenty of criticism), i do use the results - as such i didn't buy my girlfriend the CS-R1 that fitted her well - 1*. We ended up in a few more shops, where i got her a 4* Shark helmet. I am perfectly happy to buy and use CL-STs (3*) for myself. I am an all the gear, all the time person. Even when i was doing 50cc scooter pizza delivery.

I go for fit and price first (i need to be able to afford to replace it if it gets hit without being reluctant due to it costing too much - ergo potentially riding in an unsafe lid), and then once i'm happy with a helmet i'll check it's SHARP rating isn't 1*. If it ever came to 2 helmets that actually bloody fitted me properly at once to choose from, i'd use price, SHARP rating, build quality and desired features to decide between them. Brand, i'd pay less attention to. Edit: Another feature that could really swing it for me is other manufacturers offering the helmet check service offered by Arai - that alone makes me want to pay double or more for the Arai (i was close, until i saw the Condor was of course very expensive, didn't fit me perfectly, AND 2*...), simply because i don't need to throw my lid in the bin so damn often.
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-- Ingah

[MinhDinh]

The area where the inpact test is done is apparently around the sides. Arai and Shoei claim that most crashes do not impact at that spot because or shoulders usually protect the side.

In some ways, it is true, we would slide on or sides, and having been in a crash before, I slid down and hit the back of my helmet.

The Shoei back vent thing broke, but the helmet held up and only had scratches.

My second crash was a truck that hit me at 10 MPH. I got dropped to my left and my helmet did not touch the floor.

All I can say is, I am very comfortable in my helmet, and comfort is important while riding. The pin lock included allow me to see better in the rain, which is obviously important.

The vents help with steaming up a tiny bit, but the light weight, and decent peripheral vision is a lot better than Cabergs and other brands that I have tried on.

I don't know why people care that much anyway, bikes on the whole are more dangerous than a car, so get a car if safety is paramount!
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Hit the G spot.

[MinhDinh]

The area where the inpact test is done is apparently around the sides. Arai and Shoei claim that most crashes do not impact at that spot because or shoulders usually protect the side.

In some ways, it is true, we would slide on or sides, and having been in a crash before, I slid down and hit the back of my helmet.

The Shoei back vent thing broke, but the helmet held up and only had scratches.

My second crash was a truck that hit me at 10 MPH. I got dropped to my left and my helmet did not touch the floor.

All I can say is, I am very comfortable in my helmet, and comfort is important while riding. The pin lock included allow me to see better in the rain, which is obviously important.

The vents help with steaming up a tiny bit, but the light weight, and decent peripheral vision is a lot better than Cabergs and other brands that I have tried on.

I don't know why people care that much anyway, bikes on the whole are more dangerous than a car, so get a car if safety is paramount!
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Hit the G spot.

[Rogerborg]

The nice thing about SHARP is that they show you the results for each impact area, so if you're only planning to have face plants, you can get an appropriate helmet for that.

I like snell, but if it is a stricter test than SHARP, then any snell helmet should be SHARP 5 star anyway, right? So you can start with the SHARP 5 star list (which is handily UK-centric) then find a snell rated one from there.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[G]

Yea, I remember some stuff suggesting that helmets designed to pass snell tests were actually likely to be less useful in a crash.

My caberg justisumo feels 'plasticy' and weak, it gets 4 stars, let down by the sides. However a crash that was between the front and the sides I thought it did very well. Apparantly this 'flex' is intentionally built in to the shell.

Sharp also do not take account of other things like weight. A heavier helmet can cause more problems as the helmet adds to the momentum of your head and can cause worse whiplash etc.

[Nixon]

[Rogerborg]

[Paxovasa]

No amount of testing can cover every eventuality, so I go for the best fitting and the one with best design and features.

Anyone remember the Felipe Massa incident with the spring?
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Suzuki GSF600 K3 (in the fastest colour, black).

[rac3r]

[iooi]