while your helmet is very important, I disagree on the don't go cheap thing.
I have seen test results on helmets. I probably will never buy another "snell" approved helmet again.
the DOT and one of the european standards held up just as well to the impact and absorbed more of the energy. which means your brain gets less of a jolt hitting the ground in a $70 DOT helmet than a $400 Snell helmet.

There was a big write up about it in one of the magazines I bought a couple months back, can't remember which one right now.

 

Motorcyclist was the magazine if I recall correctly. Basicly helmets are designed what based on this recent testing to pass the SNELL testing with little regard to real-world situations. The hardest test for a motorcycle helmet is to meet two strike test, 150 joules for the first impact (an extremely high energy impact). This testing situation based on accident statisitics is a very unlikey real world situation. This all translates to these helmets being designed to pass this test directly translating to more Gs being transfered to the brain.

The article is a good read and is hard to swallow by the folks that spent top dollar on these expensive comfortable SNELL helmets. The funny thing really is that some of the 'same' helmets tested are designed for the European market diffrently where this isn't an issue.

 

I was too tired and tipsy to put all that into words last night, but that's what I was trying to say. Glad I'm not the only one that read it.

Do you remember which of the european standards was the better of the 2? I know some of the helmets sold in the states have that and dot approved ratings. I will probably look for one like that next time I buy a helmet, which may be soon.

Btw the cl14 is an ok helmet comfortwise, doesn't have enough airflow to keep you cool at lower sppeds or to keep visor from fogging. I almost always have mine open a bit to get more airflow.

 

this is very true, i was just always instructed (and have noticed) as a general rule the cheaper helmets (HJC discounted, etc...) don;t hold up as well, and some arent snell approved. when helmet shopping, i looked for snell and dot approval both.

the euro standards are awesome, and if i need another helmet, i'll probably look into something like a scorpion exo or something that meets the eurn criteria.

if anyone finds that writeup on the net, id be really interested in seeing it.

 

FYI, the test performed by Motorcyclist that was mentioned a few posts up the EXO 400 and EXO 700 transfered the most Gs in testing of all the helmets tested. (read: scored the lowest).

I own an EXO and far as I'm concerned the company shouldn't having any business selling saftey equipment that scores so poorly and is soley designed to pass SNELL testing for the "marketing" of being a SNELL helmet (This was even admitted by Scorpion). I'm pissed.

 

wow, now i REALLY want to see this article. i know 2 people with exo's, who swore they had read up on em, and that they were some of the best helmets out there. (not that i dont believe you, im more inclined to than i would them)

 

I read up on them as well but unfortunatly all you're going to find is a bunch of subjective opinions regarding fit and finish. I would agree that the fit and finish is great.

I'll try to remember to scan in the article when I get back into town if my wife hasn't recycled the issue of the magazine. It's a real eye opener.

 

sweet, thanks for lookin for it.

i am kicking around that helmet bag they make, i was told it fits most helmets, ive just gotta get off my lazy ass and find out for sure. pretty cool that it carries an extra visor... good for those long evening rides, when its not so dark at the start.

 

As requested: https://www.tamparacing.com/forums/s...d.php?t=249784