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Helmets: Are cheap ones cheap or dangerous?

I agree with Chris. A rigid strong fiber glass helmet that can keep me from getting a scratch on the head area is useless if I die from the brain impact. I wear a Sharp tested 5 star helmet (USA rated DOT) that did same my life with no brain damage.
 
1. Buy the most "stamped" helmet where you can.
2. Buy the most expensive helmet which you can afford or think they are good.
3. Cheap helmets can also be safe. (comfort is another parameter altogether)

The above 3 sentences are independent and they are all true and they do not contradict one or the other.
Personally, for long distance and highspeed tours, I wear always my Shoei.

For that 5 min ride to get a Bread from the shop, I may wear nothing (illegal here).
Yes, I know many accidents happen 5 mins away from destination.

Life is a chance, stay home if you are uncomfortable with risks.
:p
 
I really like the sharp star rating system used in Europe. It test the real world usage, not just lbs. of force. The big thing I see on the flip ups is that the attachment and locking device be metal not plastic.



SHARP Motorcycle Helmet Ratings


SHARP Flip-up Helmet Ratings Below


More: See our full Motorcycle Helmet Review Index

Make Model SHARP Rating*
AGV Airtech 4
K3 4
K Series 3
S4 5
S4 Stealth 5
Ti Tech (wBW Review) 4
GP Tech 5
K4 4
T-2 (wBW Review) 5
Airoh Leox 3
Speed Fire 4
SV55 S 4
Force 3
Arai Astro (wBW Quantum II Review) 3
Condor 2
GP5x 5
RX-7 (wBW Corsair V Review) 3
Viper GT 3
Chaser 3
RX-7 GP (wBW Review) 4
Quantum II (wBW Review) 3
Arashi Galaxy 3
Sonic 3
Turbo 3
Viper 4
Daytona 1
Bell M1 5
M3R 5
M4R 5
M5X 5
M4R Carbon 5
M5X Carbon 5
Box BX2 4
BX5 Hurricane 4
BX4 2
BX3 Dagger 2
FX-1 3
BX-1 4
FZ-1 2
BZ-1 3
Buell Turbulent 5
Caberg Konda (Review) 5
V2R 5
V2 407 5
CMS GP-4 (wBW Review) 1
GP-5S 1
Dainese Airstream 1
D181 2
Performance 4
Duchinni D801 4
D701 4
D409 4
D419 4
D909 4
Givi HPS40.1 3
Grex R1 4
RF2 4
Harley-Davidson FXRG 4
Laguna II 1
HJC CL-ST 3
CS-12 2
CS-12N 3
FG-14 3
FG-15 4
FS-10 (wBW Review) 3
FS-10 Carbon 3
HQ-1 (wBW AC-12 Carbon Review) 5
IS-16 (wBW Review) 2
CS-R1 (wBW Review) 1
FS Max (wBW Review) 3
IS Max (wBW Review) 3
Kawasaki Ninja 4
KBC VR1X 3
VR2R (wBW Review) 2
Force RR (wBW Review) 1
Magnum 1
TK8 1
XP3 3
Lazer Fibre Pro 4
Fibre D1 4
LZ 6 5
Tornado 2
Vertigo 4
Breva 4
Marushin Tiger 5
RS1 Carbon 5
Ikusa 4
Samura 5
M401 2
Shivan 4
Nitro N1700 VF 5
N330VX 2
N755VX 4
N810VX 4
N820VX 4
N1430VX 4
F347VN 3
N1600VN 4
N510V 3
N1000V 2
Aikido 5
NS-FF 2
Nolan N62 4
N84 4
X802 4
Nuvo SP2 4
NZI Convert III 1
Premier Monza 4
Roof R010 Diversion (wBW Review) 4
Daytona 3
RST Cobra Vent 4
Race Vent 3
PC1S 1
Fusion 1
Schuberth S1 Pro 2
R1 (wBW Review) 2
Scorpion EXO 450 (wBW Review) 3
Shark RSF 2i 4
RSI Carbon 4
RSI (wBW Review) 4
RSR2 (wBW Review) 5
S 500 Air 4
S 600 4
S 800 4
S 650 4
RSX (wBW Review) 5
RSF 3 (wBW Review) 4
RSR 2 Carbon 5
S 700 4
S 900 4
Shoei Raid II 4
XR-1000 (wBW Review) 3
X-Spirit (wBW Review) 4
Qwest (wBW Review) 5
X-Spirit II (X-12) (wBW Review) 5
SparX S-07 (wBW Review) 3
Suomy Extreme 3
Gunwind 3
Spec 1R (wBW Review) 3
Takachi TK-30 2
Urban N20 (wBW Review) 3
V-Can V190 4
Vemar TAI2K 3
VSREV (wBW Review) 2
VSSEV 1
VTXE (wBW Review) 2
VXP 3
Jiano (wBW Review) 3
Viper RS 40 3
RS 66 3
RS-33 4
RS-44 4
X-Lite X601 4
X602 4
X701 4
X1002 4
X801 4

* Scale of 1-5, 5 is best.


NOTE: Unofficial list. See the SHARP website for more information.
Helmets listed in order of SHARP test date within brand.
 
Here is a really good site where in Europe they did independent testing and reviews with regards to crash safety. Go to this website, plug on your helmet and see the reviews

SHARP Helmets - THE HELMET SAFETY SCHEME

Overall, some of the cheap helmets performed well...and some really expensive helmets performed poorly.

Here are the helmets I recommend and that I believe got high scores..that I also have used for an extended period of time

Shoei X-11 (old) or Shoei X-12
Shoei RF1000 (old) or Shoei RF1100
Bell Star
Scorpion EXO 700 (old) or Scorpion EXO-750

EDIT...Looks like someone beat me to it
 
On a longish journey I would still pick the most comfotable helmet I could find and this usually means one at the higher end of the price range. To my way of thinking comfort plays a big part in safety.
 
Rocker66 said:
On a longish journey I would still pick the most comfotable helmet I could find and this usually means one at the higher end of the price range. To my way of thinking comfort plays a big part in safety.
Click to expand...

Absolutetly. Just because there is a top of the line helmet for a good price but it doesn't.
fit right doesn't make it a good deal...it can actually make it more dangerous.

Everyone has different shaped heads, and different brands cater to different shaped heads. You have to try them on and find out which helmet types fit for you.

For instance, I know that head fits well in a Shoeis and S, some Arais, Bell Star (in a small), Bell RS-1 (in a medium) and Scorpion EXO 700 and EXO-750 helmets, the new AGVs, and Sharks. I know that my head type does not fit well with HJC, KBC, Icon, Speed and Strength.
 
To me, DOT approved is DOT approved, and Snell approved is Snell approved-doesnt matter if it is a $100 or a $700 helmet. If the helmets are DOT approved, the helmets passed at least the minimum standards for the minimum speeds, and we all know after a certain speed if our helmeted head hits the pavement, the head is going to pop like a melon. I had an HJC helmet which protected my head when i had to hit the ditch a few years ago or become hood ornaments for stupid people drag racing a truck and car around a blind curve. When I hit the slick clay ditch the bike automatically went down with my head hitting the asphalt at 35-40mph. Went and bouth a scorpion exo 900 which is supposed to have better rating then the HJC.
 
Fit?
This video shows a PROFESSIONAL racer, who has custom fitted (sponsored) helmet and at the exact unfortunate conditions, it came off.
I believe his helmet must have cost much more than any of ours.
Yes it is an accident. We do what we can to minimise the risk, even if we have to pyscho ourselves spending more means more safety.
May he rest in peace.

[video=youtube_share;FuOBUFe9YtA]http://youtu.be/FuOBUFe9YtA[/video]
 
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