What to check for in a DOT helmet?

[TerryWellsworth]

Hi friend,
Given below are some important points that one should give attention while purchasing DOT helmet.
1. The inner liner of the helmet is thick. The lining foam is about 1 inch thick. If you can't see the lining, you should be able to feel it.
2. A sturdy chin strap with solid rivets.
3. The helmet weight should weigh approximately 3 pounds as opposed to only one pound or less.
4. DOT safety standards do not allow anything to extend 2/10 of an inch from the helmets surface. This includes spikes and other decorations.
5. DOT sticker must be on the outside back of the helmets with the letters "DOT".

Thanks
Terry Wellsworth

[pushrod]

1) An inch of foam is a very rough measurement. "None" is what you really want to avoid.

2) I can't tell how the strap in my ARAI is attached. However, it is very sturdy, and has rather beefy hardware. And a nifty snap to hold the tail whilst I am riding.

3) "2/10ths?" Hmmm. The vents on my hat are easily a quarter-inch. Maybe they are a 'breakaway' design...

4) Add, "The DOT sticker should not be purchased at the table where all the other helmet stickers are found, and then stuck on the back of the hat."

Otherwise, a fair assessment of DOT helmet criteria.

[Jeff Cobb]

Originally Posted by TerryWellsworth

Hi friend,
Given below are some important points that one should give attention while purchasing DOT helmet.
1. The inner liner of the helmet is thick. The lining foam is about 1 inch thick. If you can't see the lining, you should be able to feel it.
2. A sturdy chin strap with solid rivets.
3. The helmet weight should weigh approximately 3 pounds as opposed to only one pound or less.
4. DOT safety standards do not allow anything to extend 2/10 of an inch from the helmets surface. This includes spikes and other decorations.
5. DOT sticker must be on the outside back of the helmets with the letters "DOT".

Thanks
Terry Wellsworth

Or you could see if it's listed by the MIC's HelmetCheck.org.

[The_AirHawk]

I think the MOST important thing is to ensure you have your $5.99 "DOT" sticker prominently placed at the back of your plastic Nazi Stormtrooper salad-bowl helmet, above all-else. Just so The Man don't hassle you none.

Полет на флете!

[acecycleins]

If you own a DOT helmet you have met your objective. So, it's not the DOT sticker that you should worry about. It's the fit. The Vega brand of helmets fit your entire desription, but for me they are not comfortable. I prefer HJC helmets becasue of fit. Since I don't roll on an Arai budget, I find the construction of HJC band to meet the $$$/comfort ratio.

[MOKE1K]

Agreed fit is what will really save you!

[Sachin]

The DOT in terms of motorcycle helmets refers to the Department of Transportation. It mandates that all the motorcycle helmets should be tested for safety issues. The DOT performs its own in-house testing on the helmets and then labels only those helmets that meet its standards. If at all you are thinking of purchasing a motorcycle helmet and you don't see a DOT approval label on it, it's better that you think again whether to buy it or not.

[Chongyoung]

Hey thanks for this information i never knew about this in future if any one of my friend or family is interested to buy DOT helmet i will surely suggest all this important points ,thank you very much.

[Shipping]

By the way...is there a law which says that "You should wear a helmet when you ride your bike" ????

[acecycleins]

DOT hasn't tested helmets in a decade or better in reality. They set a tolerance level to adhere by and the manufacturers are suppose to comply. So, don't believe everything you read about testing.
As for @Shipping- please ask better questions. Not all states have helmet laws. Easily researched.