New Helmet safety test from the UK

Del2005

The UK government has tested helmets and the Arai RX-7Corsair isn't the best, it's beaten by a £59.99 helmet!


http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/News/newsresults/mcn/2008/June/9-15/jun1208-sharp-motorcycle-helmet-test-results/?&R=EPI-101052

faceman

Ive gone off Arai, they just keep getting more and more expensive.

Dorsanty

Time for that new lid I've been putting off. Maybe an AGV S-4.

My current AGV K-series is only 3 stars. :eek:


Anyone have a link to a good shop up North? I can get to Newry every other week or so.

Run_to_da_hills

Dorsanty wrote: »

Time for that new lid I've been putting off. Maybe an AGV S-4.

My current AGV K-series is only 3 stars. :eek:


Anyone have a link to a good shop up North? I can get to Newry every other week or so.

Crossons of Newry

KTRIC

I spent a fortune on a Arai Viper GT , can't believe it got only 3 stars. I won't be buying one again. I haven't been impressed by it yet.

Run_to_da_hills

KTRIC wrote: »

I spent a fortune on a Arai Viper GT , can't believe it got only 3 stars. I won't be buying one again. I haven't been impressed by it yet.

I have the Arai Astra paid e450 two years ago, not a mark on it can't believe it now rated a dud. Recently I was knocking a mate for skimping on his e150 lid that has a higher rating than mine. I like the comfort and weight of an Arai. My previous lid, an Arai Nr3 was destroyed in a spill and served its purpose.

murphaph

Hopefully this will finally put a nail in the coffin of the theory that the more you spend on a lid, the safer it is.

brian plank

That test is a load of bolloks. It only tested scenarios as if you fell in a certain way not how good a helmet is overall.

gabgab

I dont know whether that is bollox or not but I would be very curious to see what the actual test covered etc,

Especially as I have just spent €430 on one

Del2005

brian plank wrote: »

That test is a load of bolloks. It only tested scenarios as if you fell in a certain way not how good a helmet is overall.

Maybe, but all companies and individuals where asked for input before hand. So they got as good they could.

gabgab wrote: »

I dont know whether that is bollox or not but I would be very curious to see what the actual test covered etc,

Especially as I have just spent €430 on one

http://sharp.direct.gov.uk/about-sharp/test-protocols/

Dorsanty

Well if I'm reading it right it covers impact energy absorption measured at various points on the lid (common impact points for accidents). Also it seems to cover torsional force of the lid impacting against a rough surface, i.e. how much twist your neck might experience.

So I'm happy that it's a reasonable test and that you wouldn't be disappointed with a 5 star lid.

Of course don't forget some of those high price lids are down to using lighter materials (not necessarily better). Then there's the custom paint jobs that some have. Most Rossi lids come in at 3 stars by the looks of it, but cost a pretty penny.

murphaph

brian plank wrote: »

It only tested scenarios as if you fell in a certain way

ALL tests do that! They can't test every possible scenario.

Hotblack Desiato

Dorsanty wrote: »

Of course don't forget some of those high price lids are down to using lighter materials (not necessarily better).

Lighter is better, it reduces the forces on the neck in a crash.

This test appears to be out of step with any others I've seen, so I will be very sceptical of it until other tests back up the conclusions reached. The UK government have a history of 'massaging' safety tests in relation to motorcycles (Google for leg protectors controversy) to suit the conclusions they wanted...

SlabMurphy

murphaph wrote: »

Hopefully this will finally put a nail in the coffin of the theory that the more you spend on a lid, the safer it is.

Agreed. I remember reading about tests done by the EU testers and one of the things they found was that some of the cheaper helmets were actually beetter than the expensive ones. Another little thing about lids, in New Zealand in a study on road safety and motorbiking, they found riderss who wore a white helmet had 10% lower collisions with other traffic - easier to see for car drivers propably.

Steffano2002

Delighted to see the Shark helmets are doing so well (100% designed & built in France)!

A bit surprised at how poor the Arai helmets are doing in this particular test... Although it doesn't bother me that much seen as I will never spend crazy amounts of money on a lid because it's "cool"!

Somebody in the business once told me that Arai actually outsourced their "shell building" to Nitro! Did you guys ever hear that?