Teach me about helmet ratings please!

My wife and I bought a new king-size mattress at The Original Mattress Factory on Saturday and right across the parking lot is a motorcycle dealership. I was looking for a helmet for my son, for whom we will likely soon get a minibike, and who currently rides a 5 HP go-kart in the yard. He wears my helmet when he does so. He has a huge head, so it actually fits reasonably well.

The helmets I saw were all pretty cheap (90-120 bucks) and all carried a "DOT" approval. Back when I bought my helmet, I paid between 200 and 300 and it carries a Snell M2000 rating.

If I understand the ratings correctly, Snell tests to a higher standard than DOT and rates helmets based on intended use. The latest standard is 2005, so a Snell-approved motorcycle helmet would carry an M05 rating, and a Snell-approved helmet for a race car would carry the SA05 rating.

So, do I have this about right? Is a Snell-rated helmet better than a DOT-rated helmet? How so?

http://www.smf.org/articles/dot.html

robert

So it sounds like Snell does a better job of actually testing the helmets, whereas the DOT approval can go on anything the manufacturer wants to put it on.

Anybody have evidence, anecdotal or otherwise, that a DOT helmet isn't as safe as a Snell helmet?

1988RedT2 wrote: So, do I have this about right? Is a Snell-rated helmet better than a DOT-rated helmet? How so?

You have it as right as it is intended to be but whether Snell tests to a higher standard or tests the wrong things has been the subject of much debate. Here is a good recap...

Motorcycle Magazine: Blowing the Lid Off

For most of us - the sanctioning body says SA2005 so there is no choice except brand and features.

Have Snell 2010's hit the shelves yet?

jrw1621 wrote: Have Snell 2010's hit the shelves yet?

Yup last month. I was waiting for them. Finally got one last week through saferacer and their thanksgiving sale.

Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote:

1988RedT2 wrote: So, do I have this about right? Is a Snell-rated helmet better than a DOT-rated helmet? How so?

You have it as right as it is intended to be but whether Snell tests to a higher standard or tests the wrong things has been the subject of much debate. Here is a good recap... Motorcycle Magazine: Blowing the Lid Off For most of us - the sanctioning body says SA2005 so there is no choice except brand and features.

Wow. That's a great read. Thanks for the link.

In NYS, I think a hardhat could get a DOT rating. Witness some of the helmets the motorcylers wear.

Also there is the British Motorcycle Institute, Kind of a British Snell. Suomy helmets are put to that standard.

Wiki can be your friend on that one.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motorcycle_helmet

If he is young, which I am assuming he is, watch the weight. Neck injuries from heavy helmets on kids do happen. Spend a little more and get a little lighter helmet.

The very short version is - assuming actual proper helmets, not chopper dude "novelty" helmets - helmets that pass DOT only may offer less protection in high velocity impacts, such as the rider striking immobile objects. Helmets built to pass Snell will do this better.

On the other hand, building to pass Snell results in a helmet which subjects the wearers brain to greater forces during decelleration events of lesser severity, like a low speed tipover, or falling down the stairs.

As a street rider of going on 30 years, I favor gear which could be accused of being elitist or exclusive; An Arai DS and a Shoei X-11, Vanson Night Avenger and Comet jackets, an Aerostich Darien 2 piece, a Spidi mesh jacket, Held gloves, a Widder electric vest.

I use all of it, all year, and it all will last a long, long time. Having the perfect gear for every ride makes it more enjoyable, and "ATTGATT" - all the gear, all the time - is worth the trouble and expense the first time you slide to a stop, dust yourself off, pick up the bike and go off to have a nice talk with the car that hit you...

iceracer wrote: In NYS, I think a hardhat could get a DOT rating. Witness some of the helmets the motorcylers wear.

Some places will sell a DOT sticker. Very unscrupulous. So people can wear the Nazi style helmets and the military style helmets and get away with it. Cops on a road side inspection have no other way to check other than the sticker.

FlightService wrote:

iceracer wrote: In NYS, I think a hardhat could get a DOT rating. Witness some of the helmets the motorcylers wear.

Some places will sell a DOT sticker. Very unscrupulous. So people can wear the Nazi style helmets and the military style helmets and get away with it. Cops on a road side inspection have no other way to check other than the sticker.

In PA & Delaware there are no helmet laws so you can wear a knit hat if you want to. You see people with all kinds of silly E36 M3 on their heads from Nazi spikes to clown wigs. It's become a fashion statement like snowboarding hats.