Crash Helmets

[hurricane]

My 5p worth from down-under... Point made by Winston Smith is that because the Evoline 2 folds back and stays there makes it safer - and as such is the only flip-face that is 'legal' in both modes in Australia.  But in general I find Shark of all form a very noisy helmet, but a great helmet for it's price. I cannot justify (with prices here) buying Shoei or Arai.

But my biggest gripe here is the stupid law that one can only legally use helmets that have the AS/NZ standards, which are not nearly to the European standards. And it's not enough to just have a stick-on label (as anyone can dupe that) - the AS/NZ standard label has to be stitched in to the inner liner fabric. This stupidity is another thing that costs us more: Many manufactures are left out because they don't see the market here big enough to justify the cost of all the helmets they have to give up for the destruction tests that lead up to certification. I really want a Shuberth C3, and almost bought one while at Louis in Munich last year - but for the crap laws spoken of above. What do I pay here for an Evoline 2 - about A$590 RRP. How does that compare to the UK?. Oh, and they only allow us the 'Double-D' clip strap mechanism here!.   

[Boomer]

Evoline 2 is £150 (220AUD) here because the Evoline 3 is out (£300, 440AUD)
I paid £220 just over a year ago for mine in the Moovit Black/Orange
http://www.helmetcity.co.uk/products/Shark-Evoline-Series-2-%252d-Moovit-Black%7B47%7DOrange-KOK.html

For all those with or considering the Schuberth C3,... have you seen the Sharp test results?
http://sharp.direct.gov.uk/testsratings/schuberth-c3
Does not do well on side impacts at all.

[pistole]

apparently modulars tend to suffer side impact tests because of their flip up mechanisms.

.

[Alfor]

C3 all the way for me!!

[Wirralmark]

C3 all the way for me!!

Me too. Bought his n hers with the Bluetooth collars. Gets more comfy each time I wear it. 

[Winston Smith]

I was under the impression that if the helmet has not been tested [ or failed testing] with the chin bar up, then it ceases to be a helmet under the relevant legislation, if riding with the chin bar up.
A friend of mine who is a M/C instructor always asks his 16 year old CBT trainees 'When is a helmet not a helmet?' Answer 'when you a'int got the chin strap done up'

Chin strap unfastened is an offence.  Flip front up isn't - would need a stated case to prove it wasn't a helmet at the time based on numerous points including relevant testing and use at the time.

[Rusty]

Good thread I have to say .... and for what it's worth .... I have had a number of Arai's over the years and for me they are the best in comfort, noise and fit.
I have not tried any of the others mentioned here so can't really comment.
The only comment I can make, and of course like all these things it's all very personal, is that a helmet, regardless of who makes it and what it is made of is inherently dangerous if it has a hinged chin to it .. ride it up ride it down it makes no difference to me but you are placing a fairly important part of your body in a "Casque" that if thrown onto or along the road is potentially liable to collapse at the very point of weakness and avail your face / chin / head to the tarmac that we all ride on    .... I don't care what anyone says or how comfortable you feel in the summer warmth stick to a full face helmet or run the risk of some nasty looking injuries. 

[Bryn]

Had loads of Synchrotec/multitec shoei's in the course of my job.... nothing bad to say about them.... only the lack of an internal sun visor, but I think that is now remedied with the latest incarnation....


Now retired and using Schuberth C3 for me and a C3 lady for the boss... very happy with them, but needed a bit of work doing on the recesses for the Autocom speakers... the standard recess isn't quite deep enough, and on our first trip was getting ear pain where the speaker was pressing on our ears....

A bit of pressing and prodding with the back of a teaspoon did the trick   

[Ros]

Hurricane:

Oh, and they only allow us the 'Double-D' clip strap mechanism here!

I spoke to the bloke at eh Shoei stand at the recent bike show in Milano, and I asked him about this because my previous Shoei had a clip (a bit like a seatbelt... dunno what you call it) and my brand spanking one had the double D.  he said that it was because they were safer and not likely to fail.  There is room for failure in the clip type apparently...

Winston:

I am at a loss over this 'legal to ride open' bit that everyone goes on about.

There is no legislation that says you can't ride with a flip front up.

I don't know for sure, but I understood that the flip helmet needs to be certified in both positions.  Most are not (or at least were not when I last inquired).

So in terms of legislation, the helmet must be certified (can't remember the BS) in order to be legal.  If you ride flipped up and it isn't certified as such, then you're not riding legally, surely.

[Rusty]

Ros ... To be absolutely honest I think you would be hard pressed to find a Traffic Officer who A. Knows the ins and outs of helmet legislation with certification and B. who gives a toss. My Traffic days are a while back now but the sensible approach for me was all about chin straps being fastened and clear visors .. so long as it is done up and you can see clearly through the visor then that to me is fine ... anything else and you are wasting your time. 

[Andy]

Find a helmet that fits and is comfortable will narrow your search, does with me, I never get beyond Arai shelf :-) Not the quietest of helmets but great fit (for me).

[Winston Smith]

Ros, don't confuse Type approval and Testing/Certification.  The ONLY legislation is  that a helmet must be worn, unless you are a Sikh, and wearing means it must be fastened.

Helmets are tested as full face, jet etc to homologate them to sell.  If they aren't certificated to EU or BS then they are illegal.

A helmet that has passed the tests is a helmet when fastened.  If it is being used in a different manner, ie flipped up when it is certified as a full face it would be for a court to decide if it was a helmet at that time.  Since the helmet legislation has been around since the 70's and there has been no stated cases, it speaks for itself that no-one is bothered.

It is similar to the Gold ACU labels that everyone seems to think a helmet has to have.  It is a requirement for track use only the old British Standard or EU ECE 22.05

[2kwacks]

I've always rated Arai helmets. at the moment I've 2 Arai chaser helmets, one the phil read rep and the other is silver with excellent graphics and if your not bothered about this years colours, their a fair price for a quality helmet.

some specs for you

•Super fibre construction (SFC)
•Wider aperture and visor (SAI)-for better peripheral vision
•Enhanced strengthening in lower section
•Improved rear air conductor creates 50% higher vacuum
•Larger side vents
•3 position chin vent with enlarged access
•Triple density inner shell
•Removable cheek pads and interior in up to 6 sizes
•Fully washable interior
•Lever release visor removal system (LRS)
•Aerodynamic, recessed visor holder system
•Patented, visor brow vents
•Aerodynamic 3D Pinlock® ready visor with de-mist visor lock
•Double 'D' ring strap-ensures correct strap tension at all times
•Pinlock® visor insert included

[Winston Smith]

With you on Arai's - and Shoei for modular helmets.

Here's mine!

[Rusty]

1 ....Well done Winny for your usual straightforward no nonsense clarification.

2 ...Like the Arai paintwork .... oooozes quality.