helmet brands

[jmcvey1]

I've searched and found a lot of discussion on full face v. 3/4 v. modular but not too much discussion on brands. I've seen people mention Bell and HJC as maybe their favorites but my question is,

Do brands really matter (safety wise) if its DOT certified? Or is it more of a question of style/comfort?

Amazon has $45 DOT approved helmets listed here

but also $100 bell helmets like this

and has anyone heard of/used the brand rockhard?


thanks all

[hamjam]

I have 2 of these
http://preview.tinyurl.com/d4m5xa2
and 2 of these
http://www.hjchelmets.com/prds_cl15.htm
I like these
http://preview.tinyurl.com/36llo2h

[motoman]

Spend the $100+ and get a decent helmet...........

[crazy steve]

Read this thread (and link) before buying..... http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread...ht=helmet+test

Dollars spent doesn't always equal better.

[crazy steve]

Well, bummer, the link is now dead...

But the short story is Motorcyclist magazine tested a wide range of helmets (both DOT and Snell, all price ranges) and had a head injury specialist and one of the originators of the Snell standard (who quit Snell over what he felt was an upgraded standard that was better than your head) to interpet the data. Their conclusion? The generally less-expensive DOT-only rated helmets did a better job of preventing possible brain damage. The least expensive helmets tested rated as the best protection.

Do note that DOT doesn't 'certify' anybodys helmet; a DOT sticker just means that the manufacturer is saying it meets that standard. But the DOT does buy and test helmets, you can check your brand/model here: http://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/testing/comply/fmvss218/

[dpotter58]

I have never heard of the brand you mentioned, never had a bell or the other. I have had several brands and settled on the HJC as I feel it is a good brand at a reasonable cost. i have a IC 33 (3/4) and a cl 15 (full face). The 33 is a little noisy but I couldn't justify the cost of the Nolans or the top line Arai's.

Helmets fit differently by manufacturer, I wouldn't buy one with out fit testing. If you have buddies with different brands ask how they feel about their's and if you can test ride with it.

As Steve said, more money isn't always better but cheap isn't the way to go. Other things to consider when buying is blue tooth / speaker capabilaties $$$

[MaximPhil]

That was a great article pity no longer available. Helemts are a very personal thing. Do your research and make your choice.
I have always worn 3/4 helmets , since before full face were invented
My current choice is a HJC Model IS33.
it is MOST important that the helmet fits you properly and is comfortable to wear. I suggest you visit your local motorcycle stores to try before you buy.
What ever you choose wear it often and enjoy the ride.
Phil

[jetmechmarty]

I bought a helmet that fit. Unfortunately, I didn't find an inexpensive helmet that fit. I'd have bought it if I did.

[fredintoon]

I've searched and found a lot of discussion on full face v. 3/4 v. modular but not too much discussion on brands. I've seen people mention Bell and HJC as maybe their favorites.

Hi Josh,
full face gives the best protection. Modulars are very nearly as good plus you can put them on while wearing glasses. 3/4 and 1/2 helmets only protect what they cover.
And it's like shoes, you gotta try them on to see if they fit. If your helmet ain't comfy that can spoil your whole ride.
I currently wear a Nolan modular because I got at a total bargain. Lucky for me it fits real good, the openable front lets me put it on without dropping my glasses and it's strap latch is a wonder compared to doubling through the D-rings.

[yamahansolo]

I kind of dis agree with the study. I read that n s magazine I think??? Any way I'm an avid watcher of motor go and super bike . I've never seen anyone on there ride with a cheap inexpensive helmet. And I think I remember something about that test being done for crashes under 30 MPH. And the dot only helmets splitting open above that.
I have 2 agv's made of carbon Kevlar and super light weight. One was 300 bucks on sale the other I got on sale for 80. Normally 300. It as a 2xl that didn't sell last year. Very comfortable but a bit noisy. Ill poke around for that article.

[Cobia]

Helmets

The best reviews on helmets that I found were here at Webbikeworld.com.

http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcyc...le-helmets.htm

Being somewhat budget challenged at the time I was looking to buy, I chose a Zox Azuma R for my full face based on their review.
http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/motor...ox-azuma-r.htm

Later I wanted a modular and again chose a Zox because of the good experience I had with the first one and the good review it got.
http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/motor...et/zox-nevado/

I found a supplier out of TN on ebay and got both of them from him.
The Azuma was like $79 and the Nevado was $89.

And although the have very good ventilation, I found myself not using them due to the FL heat. So, about 6 months ago I got an email from Motorcycle Superstore where they were closing out several models and among them was a Zox half helmet in bright orage for $29 incl shipping........
I couldn't resist and got their Banos STG model...
http://www.zoxhelmets.com/88-11061_en.html

I've tried on many different brands at the local shops and can attest that price doesn't always translate into comfort or fit.
A big determinant of comfort in a helmet is your head shape and how the manufacturer addresses that. Some brands cater to folks with rounder heads, other to elongated noggins, so you really should go to your local bike shop and try on different ones and see which fits you best. Then you can always go online and get the best deal outh there.

[jetmechmarty]

I have discovered that I need to try a helmet before I buy. Ordering my size on the internet does't mean I get a fit. I bought at least three helmets that didn't fit. How cost effective is that? I would have been money ahead by going to a dealer, finding a good fit, and paying up. Yes, some helmets are scary expensive, but how good is a helmet that doesn't fit properly?

[yamahansolo]

my 2 agvs are the same shell. One has an air dam and is called a stealth.its blue and sikee.its the same pattern as the one in this review. My other is called an s-4 same thing just no fancy aiedam. Its plain silver with 2 black stripes. Very Retro. The helmet got excellent reviews except for noise. I agree its very loud. The stealth was compared to other helmet weight and it ranks in the bottom 1/3 so its lighter than 2/3 helmets that were tested. The s4 is even lighter.
Sorry my Droid is changing words and changed motogp to motor go....

http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/motor...t/agv-stealth/

[Cobia]

Marty.....
And you know what they say, a helmet that doesn't fit right is less likely to be worn....
And, they didn't allow you to return them, even for a store credit ??
Once you discover the geometry of your noggin, WBW reviews are pretty good at describing the type of head a particular helmet is shaped for.

Chris....
That's a kick azz looking helmet, hope you got a good deal on it.

[crazy steve]

I kind of dis agree with the study. I read that n s magazine I think??? Any way I'm an avid watcher of motor go and super bike . I've never seen anyone on there ride with a cheap inexpensive helmet. And I think I remember something about that test being done for crashes under 30 MPH. And the dot only helmets splitting open above that...

Nearly all motorsports organizations require Snell-rated helmets, so that's why you don't see any DOT-only helemets being used. And it should also be pointed out that the inexpensive helmets makers aren't known for buying expensive advertising or giving sponsorship money...

As to the test procedure, they used the 'standard' that all helmets are tested under. The difference between Snell and DOT was the allowable damage to the helmet, with the Snell standard requiring less damage to the helmet shell. Where the problem came in was in order to reach that, the helmet protected itself better than your head.

They had a chart in the article that showed the chances of injury/brain damage/death according to how many gravities a human brain was subjected to upon an impact. I don't recall the exact numbers, but roughly over 300G you were dead, in the 250 range you could be a veggy, etc, etc. The Snell-rated helmets consistently generated higher Gs for the same impact, some of them over the 'fatal' amount. Even when some of the DOT helmets 'failed' (split open), they still had lower G numbers.

The other interesting bit was your age made a difference; younger heads could withstand higher Gs. As you get older, the amount of Gs for a 'given' injury went down, with the 'fatal' amount getting as low as 200Gs for a rider in their 50s+.

Motorcyclist took a lot of heat for publishing that article (at least one 'big name' helmet maker pulled all their advertising over it), but felt this info was important enough that they let the chips fall where they may...