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tweakxc03 · 10-11-2010, 08:20 AM

So I've been reading a little on quality of protective gear online. I stumbled across the SHARP rating system for helmets over in the UK.

They say that there is as much as a 70% difference in protection from "1 star" to "5 star" helmets.

I did some looking and "5 star" helmets are bringing prices of anywhere from $250 to $600.

I know that you want to buy quality gear for riding. At what point does this become excessive for the purposes of riding on the road? Meaning, is there some point where you reach overkill vs. cost?

pushrod · 10-11-2010, 09:19 AM

All I can say (seeing that we don't have the SHARP system here in the States) is that you should buy the most expensive hat you can afford.

If it doesn't fit right, it isn't worth anything. If it's really cheap, it'll fall apart.

As I've stated several times, my grotesquely shaped melon requires me to buy ARAI long-oval hats. Which makes shopping easier, but it puts a hurt on the wallet!

trenttheuncatchable · 10-11-2010, 11:50 AM

If you wear a helmet you're already riding safer than a lot of people. If you wear a full-face helmet you're doing even better. You don't have to spend tons of money on a helmet (unless you want to). Find one that fits right. If you stick with the major brands (among others, HJC, Scorpion, Shoei) you should be fine.

I have a Vega full-face helmet that I bought five years ago that is very comfortable and quiet, and has a wide enough visor opening that I don't have to struggle to put my glasses on while wearing the helmet. I recently bought the (supposedly) same helmet (same model name, size, etc), but it was obviously different once I got it in the mail. Less comfortable, louder, and narrower at the visor. So just get a known-brand helmet that works for you.

sarnali2 · 10-11-2010, 01:15 PM

The old saw used to be "if you have a $10 dollar head, get a $10 dollar helmet."

I wouldn't go that far but there are vast differences in quality and comfort. Find a name brand helmet that's comfortable for you and just pony up. If you ever need it you'll be glad you did.

xoithitquay · 11-09-2010, 09:36 PM

If that's too much - do you have a hammer? Do you know which end of it beat-against an object? Take the lever off (you'll need an 8mm or 10mm wrench or socket for the pinch-bolt), noting the relation to each-other of the small punch-marks on the end of the shifter-shaft and lever clevis, and and whack the thing back-into shape between the hammer and a hard surface (such as an anvil or metal table, or even a cement curb, in a pinch).

MOKE1K · 11-10-2010, 04:40 AM

I agree fit is super important when considering a helmet. No matter what you pay for it. Full face, cause I like my face.

Morbo the Destroyer · 11-10-2010, 05:18 AM

Just don't waste your money on one of the cheapass $99 Chinee helmets. You'll just have to replace it in a few months when it falls apart. And you might get a nasty rash on your noggin from the methylethylechorlide residue they leave in the liner.

acecycleins · 11-10-2010, 07:28 AM

I'm a pretty cheap SOB when it comes to purchasing items for the ride, but my average helmet is about $220 or so. I typically like HJC helemts, but have owned helmets from AGV to Vega. I don't get on the track any longer so I am happy with DOT helmets and if they have a Snell rating it's just bonus.

giavims · 11-12-2010, 03:09 AM

You could. Some of the higher end ski racing helmets are similar to motorcycle or snowmobile helmets because the skiers need to have protection from impact at speeds over 70mph. However, for the average recreational skier, a DOT rated helmet is usually overkill. They are heavy and can limit vision and hearing. If I had to choose between wearing a motocross helmet and no helmet at all while skiing, I’d choose to not wear a helmet.

acecycleins · 11-12-2010, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by giavims

You could. Some of the higher end ski racing helmets are similar to motorcycle or snowmobile helmets because the skiers need to have protection from impact at speeds over 70mph. However, for the average recreational skier, a DOT rated helmet is usually overkill. They are heavy and can limit vision and hearing. If I had to choose between wearing a motocross helmet and no helmet at all while skiing, I’d choose to not wear a helmet.

Snowboarders routinely use MX helmets in competition.

10-11-2010, 08:20 AM	#1
tweakxc03 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 4	Helmet Overkill? So I've been reading a little on quality of protective gear online. I stumbled across the SHARP rating system for helmets over in the UK. They say that there is as much as a 70% difference in protection from "1 star" to "5 star" helmets. I did some looking and "5 star" helmets are bringing prices of anywhere from $250 to $600. I know that you want to buy quality gear for riding. At what point does this become excessive for the purposes of riding on the road? Meaning, is there some point where you reach overkill vs. cost?

10-11-2010, 09:19 AM	#2
pushrod Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Baja 'Bama Posts: 3,478	All I can say (seeing that we don't have the SHARP system here in the States) is that you should buy the most expensive hat you can afford. If it doesn't fit right, it isn't worth anything. If it's really cheap, it'll fall apart. As I've stated several times, my grotesquely shaped melon requires me to buy ARAI long-oval hats. Which makes shopping easier, but it puts a hurt on the wallet! __________________ You would not understand, this is not how I am... I have become - Comfortably Numb.

10-11-2010, 01:15 PM	#4
sarnali2 Aging Cafe` Racer Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Sittin' down by my window, lookin' at the rain. Posts: 8,132	The old saw used to be "if you have a $10 dollar head, get a $10 dollar helmet." I wouldn't go that far but there are vast differences in quality and comfort. Find a name brand helmet that's comfortable for you and just pony up. If you ever need it you'll be glad you did. __________________ "Carpe` Throttelum -Loud Suits Save Lives" "All the BMW riders in the room, I want you to leave. Now. Out. "

11-09-2010, 09:36 PM	#5
xoithitquay Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 1	If that's too much - do you have a hammer? Do you know which end of it beat-against an object? Take the lever off (you'll need an 8mm or 10mm wrench or socket for the pinch-bolt), noting the relation to each-other of the small punch-marks on the end of the shifter-shaft and lever clevis, and and whack the thing back-into shape between the hammer and a hard surface (such as an anvil or metal table, or even a cement curb, in a pinch). __________________ ps3 game download downloading ps3 games

11-10-2010, 04:40 AM	#6
MOKE1K Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Kalapana, Big Island Posts: 3,956	I agree fit is super important when considering a helmet. No matter what you pay for it. Full face, cause I like my face. __________________ "YOU CAN'T BOLT ON SKILL" "The only thing limiting your bike, is you" We survived Bush you'll survive Obama! "the most fundamental fact about the ideas of the political left is that they do not work. therefore we should not be surprised to find the left concentrated in institutions where ideas do not have to work in order to survive." --thomas sowell

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10-11-2010, 11:50 AM	#3
trenttheuncatchable Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 834	If you wear a helmet you're already riding safer than a lot of people. If you wear a full-face helmet you're doing even better. You don't have to spend tons of money on a helmet (unless you want to). Find one that fits right. If you stick with the major brands (among others, HJC, Scorpion, Shoei) you should be fine. I have a Vega full-face helmet that I bought five years ago that is very comfortable and quiet, and has a wide enough visor opening that I don't have to struggle to put my glasses on while wearing the helmet. I recently bought the (supposedly) same helmet (same model name, size, etc), but it was obviously different once I got it in the mail. Less comfortable, louder, and narrower at the visor. So just get a known-brand helmet that works for you.

11-10-2010, 05:18 AM	#7
Morbo the Destroyer Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 1,309	Just don't waste your money on one of the cheapass $99 Chinee helmets. You'll just have to replace it in a few months when it falls apart. And you might get a nasty rash on your noggin from the methylethylechorlide residue they leave in the liner.

11-10-2010, 07:28 AM	#8
acecycleins Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: North Georgia Posts: 4,125	I'm a pretty cheap SOB when it comes to purchasing items for the ride, but my average helmet is about $220 or so. I typically like HJC helemts, but have owned helmets from AGV to Vega. I don't get on the track any longer so I am happy with DOT helmets and if they have a Snell rating it's just bonus. __________________ "Slack" - a state of being in which everything flows smoothly.....a frame of mind so at ease that the universe naturally cooperates.

11-12-2010, 03:09 AM	#9
giavims Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 1	You could. Some of the higher end ski racing helmets are similar to motorcycle or snowmobile helmets because the skiers need to have protection from impact at speeds over 70mph. However, for the average recreational skier, a DOT rated helmet is usually overkill. They are heavy and can limit vision and hearing. If I had to choose between wearing a motocross helmet and no helmet at all while skiing, I’d choose to not wear a helmet. __________________ ps3 game download downloading ps3 games