What Makes A Good Helmet?

James

Staff member
After a "heated" discussion in the chat we're bringing it in here for more input.

Like I said what makes a good helmet (or as Buckrun would say melmet :smirk:)? Are $500 helmets better then $100? If yes, are the $400 better?

What justifies a $400 helmet? Less weight, better materials, better craftsmanship, better design/protection, better fit, brand name, looks....

Or are all helmets created equal and I just got screwed on my Moto 8?
 
:popcorn: Inquiring minds want to know...

but i am still really confused as to why that conversation got so heated so fast in chat :picard:

I don't think it got "heated". You and I would like justification and validation that there are true differences in safety and protection.
 
I don't think it got "heated". You and I would like justification and validation that there are true differences in safety and protection.

:thumb:

i got a cheap helmet. i havent had to use the safety part but as far as comfort goes its just fine... ive never owned a expensive helmet so i cant really compare as far as that part of this discussion goes. thats why im so curious on the subject.

as for looks that can pretty much be left out of this subject because i would wear a helmet with pics of a turd on it if it was gonna save me money.
 

James

Staff member
I don't think it got "heated". You and I would like justification and validation that there are true differences in safety and protection.
Wasn't there a magazine that did a study on this, I just vaguely remember something about it? It would probably have been in either Dirt Rider or RacerX as those are the only ones I get.
 

James

Staff member
as for looks that can pretty much be left out of this subject because i would wear a helmet with pics of a turd on it if it was gonna save me money.
:thumb: Like I had said, I personally will find a brand and helmet model that I like and trust, then get the best looking one out of that bunch. However I'm sure that there are people out there that will buy a helmet just for looks, doesn't matter if it's $50 or $500.
 
I agree with Rack, I didn't feel that it got all that heated. I am curious though as to the differences in say a cheaper $75 helmet and a $400 dollar one. I don't really care to hear opinions either. I mean actual facts. test results. I mean if you are going to replace a helmet after ever crash. I don't see a reason to buy a $400 dollar helmet. Prove to me why. If I am off basis,,,then I will be the first to admit it and start saving my money.

And I would also like to add one thing. This should also be taking to account... the riding style as well. I mean someone riding SX A level pro would be going 60ft in the air vs. a trail rider that never leaves the ground short of rolling over a log.
 
I have the mag that did the study but don't remember which one and brands and models were basicly left out.. None the less..

Just because helmet meets snell and dot does not mean it is a quality helmet.. Fitment, materials and exceding snell/dot is what sets these helmets apart.
I'm not saying hjc is not a bad helmet because it actuly is a decent helmet compared to say ajc and vega or off brands sold at wallyworld or tractor supply.

Lets take a bell moto 8 vs hjc. The bell moto 8 is contrusted with better shell material, designed to exceed snell and dot. it's also designed for better ventlation and facial impact resistance. Along with the fact it is shipped with a spare visor [not any safty issues but still nice] and two sets of cheek pads. THese cheekpad are diffrent allowing a more presise fit which makes the helmet safer. I know of several people who ride very fast and have crashed resulinting in knockouts. Switching to a higher quality helmet has eliminated any knock outs so far. Me fitment safty and ventalation are worth the money.

You can spend your money how you want but In my opion these helmets are worth it to me vs risking being hand or iv fed for the rest of my life..
 
I agree with Rack, I didn't feel that it got all that heated. I am curious though as to the differences in say a cheaper $75 helmet and a $400 dollar one. I don't really care to hear opinions either. I mean actual facts. test results. I mean if you are going to replace a helmet after ever crash. I don't see a reason to buy a $400 dollar helmet. Prove to me why. If I am off basis,,,then I will be the first to admit it and start saving my money.

And I would also like to add one thing. This should also be taking to account... the riding style as well. I mean someone riding SX A level pro would be going 60ft in the air vs. a trail rider that never leaves the ground short of rolling over a log.

trail riders are more at risk then say a mxer..

reason ebing you have intrusive crashes. Smashing into a rock or a protruding stump puts you at greater risk then you think.
 
My lid was fairly cheap. I got it because I liked the design (flat black w/ blue flames & skulls), the price ($130), and it's got a removable liner. Unsnap it, and throw it in the washing machine, and while it's out, it's easy to check the interior foam to make sure it has not been damaged. I bought my kids HJC at first, but since have upgraded a little. I do agree however, the more expensive the helmet, the lighter it will be.

Scorpion link;
http://shopping.scorpionusa.com/C55D9C025BA44D11A3713BF0D546303C.asp?cat_id=FBF05AC4DB8843C1B0FF76893F5540D5&pcs_key=8F65DF389C5C44D6B55FDA974234B007&retpage=%2FF4BD78EED51D4762989F1184B1165B96%2Easp&nm=VX+24+Hellraiser&spath=Home+%3E+Equipment+%3E+Off%2DRoad+Helmets&path=Home+%3E+Equipment+%3E+Off%2DRoad+Helmets&sc_id=C3F3080A59354D62AC5CECC14F7EF8C7
 

James

Staff member
Ok found it.

Click Here to read the full article at Dirt Rider

Dirt Rider:
At the end of all of this, there are a few things that we know for sure. First, and most important, is that your helmet is a disposable piece of safety equipment that must be replaced after you use it. A mild crash can compress the foam even if the shell and the internal surface of the EPS look fine, and if you were to hit it in the same or similar location again, it may not do its job. Next is fit; you must have a properly (and uniformly) snug fit so that the helmet stays on your head, in position, in the event of a crash and it should be tight so that the head can't bounce inside during a violent hit. Some speculate that up to 80 percent of riders wear a helmet that is a size too big.

One more consideration you must make is price. These tests show us the price of a helmet has nothing to do with how well it will protect your head (that graphics package absorbs zero Gs), but often you can be paying for better materials, better fit and finish and for the helmet passing additional standards. No matter how much you pay, just wearing a helmet is a step in the right direction.
:noidea:


The test results are attached.
View attachment dirt_rider_helmet_chart.pdf
 

James

Staff member
:thumb: Like I had said, I personally will find a brand and helmet model that I like and trust, then get the best looking one out of that bunch. However I'm sure that there are people out there that will buy a helmet just for looks, doesn't matter if it's $50 or $500.
:lol: Ok I was reading some reviews and look what I found.
"I owned a bell about 14 years ago but then changed brands due boring styles. The moto 8 looks great and feels even better. I had a fox V3 before and this hemlets blows it away by looks and comfort."


:shocked: I'm just shocked that people would buy something as important as a helmet on just looks.
 
Thanks CDA :smirk:
Hey I was just sharing....:noidea:

But I will admit I will spend more money on a helmet do to that fact that they use better materials then others. You cannot (or can you) put a price on your head. My sports doctor always told me that he can put a body back together, but not the brain.

When my kids were younger, I put them in cheaper helmets because their melons would grow too fast and be into a new one before they threw any dirt on it. Plus they were riding at slower speeds and would not suffer a great impact to the head when going down.

I have had a few helmet sponsors back in my trail riding days and have taken a few good hits to the head and seen the differences in how each lid survived. I currently have 4 lids in my possession from 4 different manufactures (Answer, One Industries, Shoei & Xtreme) and they all fit nice and have the protection that I need to feel confident each time I pull the bike down from the stand and hit the trails whether it is a slow cruise, or I shift into 2nd gear and let it hang out there.

Meter ran out..Carry On!
 
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