ECE-2205 v Snell/JIS

[dainesefreak]

I've noticed when recently looking at new lids on Ebay, that there are a few sellers from Hong Kong and Japan selling new helmets loads cheaper than the usual UK prices. Nothing unusual there I suppose, but when you look deeper they are selling Snell M2000/JIS certified lids to the UK.

I'm not overly sure what the differences in the tests are other that ECE-2205 is the European certification and I'd always assumed that this was the only legal certification for use in the UK.

I would assume that a manufacturer like Arai would make one lid for all markets and pass them out for different countries to certify with their own standards. I accept that I may be incorrect in this however. So the question is, would you buy a Snell/JIS certified lid to wear on the roads if you could get it on the cheap?

[Kickstart]

Hi

Technically they would not be legal for sale in the UK as they would not be BS certified / E marked. But then I used an Australian Shoei for several years.

The lids do vary between markets. Peoples head shapes vary and the better makers sometimes use slightly different shaped liners in different markets to match the local dominant head shape.

Also there used to be differences in the impact tests. From vague memory the UK tests used to result in a stiffer chin piece (less likely to give way and injure your face, but more likely to break your neck).

All the best

Keith
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[Radnor]

You might be best getting in touch with Arai directly, tell them you've moved to England and brought your helmet with you or something.

I think that sounds better than telling them you dont want to pay full price.

Logically though, it should be cheaper to produce a lot of identical helmets that all meet the different standards than altering them for individual markets and standards.

From a legal point it has to be ECE I think but I dont think anyone will be checking. ACU gold sticker might not be there though if you want to use it on a track but I know next to nothing about the rules on that

[dainesefreak]

I did read that manufacturers like Arai use differing shell sizes/shapes for the local markets. I must admit it did tempt me initially, especially when you're looking at something like a £200 saving, but I don't think it would be something that I'd do myself. It sparked my interest more when I noticed that a good deal of the feedback is from UK and European buyers. I wondered if anyone here would be tempted to buy one knowing that it wasn't ECE-2205 certified.

Edit - Radnor, I've dealt with Arai/PD over an ECE-2205 Arai I bought from Germany in the past. They were less than helpful when they knew I'd got it for a considerable saving over the UK RRP. In fact the PD rep insisted that it must be stolen, I let him take the serial number away to check. Funnily he's avoided me/mentioning it since.