Thread: What helmet do you have/want?

Here are my current three.
Shoei X-11 is great, but a little noisy.
AGV Ti-Tech is a true racer fit. Excellent helmet.
HJC is SHELVED. It popped up on the DOT random test list.

If you don't know how DOT does their testing, they randomly buy units off the shelf to verify that the helmet passes. It is a very small sample. IF your helmet hits the list, chances are that A LOT of them are bad.


And the medusa helmet is the tits, abtech. Especially the mouth - Ooh, baby.

Originally Posted by clutchslip

Here are my current three.
Shoei X-11 is great, but a little noisy.
AGV Ti-Tech is a true racer fit. Excellent helmet.
HJC is SHELVED. It popped up on the DOT random test list.

If you don't know how DOT does their testing, they randomly buy units off the shelf to verify that the helmet passes. It is a very small sample. IF your helmet hits the list, chances are that A LOT of them are bad. Dump it!


And the medusa helmet is the tits, abtech. Especially the mouth - Ooh, baby.

That only addresses the frequency and selection of products that they test. It doesn't acknowledge the fact that their testing standards aren't exactly on a par with other organizations.

The tests that were failed by many helmets in the DOT process has to do with tests the 2 major worldwide testing organizations don't consider valid. This is why a Snell or BSI certified unit may in fact fail the DOT test. This is also one of the reasons that a helmet can pass the BSI certification yet fail the Snell testing. They have different passing criteria, nothing more, nothing less.

I believe it is up to the individual to examine the criteria that each organization requires and make an intelligent decision based on comparative information.

Originally Posted by abtech

That only addresses the frequency and selection of products that they test. It doesn't acknowledge the fact that their testing standards aren't exactly on a par with other organizations.

The tests that were failed by many helmets in the DOT process has to do with tests the 2 major worldwide testing organizations don't consider valid. This is why a Snell or BSI certified unit may in fact fail the DOT test. This is also one of the reasons that a helmet can pass the BSI certification yet fail the Snell testing. They have different passing criteria, nothing more, nothing less.

I believe it is up to the individual to examine the criteria that each organization requires and make an intelligent decision based on comparative information.

This confuses me, since you acknowledge that their tests aren't on par. I was always under the impression that DOT was the least stringent of the three. My AGV is not SNELL certified but it is BSI, which some consider a better motorcycle standard. So as to keep the peace. I will edit my post.

I probably have hit my head too many times in a DOT helmet to think clearly, anyway.

Originally Posted by clutchslip

This confuses me, since you acknowledge that their tests aren't on par. I was always under the impression that DOT was the least stringent of the three. My AGV is not SNELL certified but it is BSI, which some consider a better motorcycle standard. So as to keep the peace. I will edit my post.

I probably have hit my head too many times in a DOT helmet to think clearly, anyway.

Okay, the specific test the EXO-700 failed was when the helmet was frozen and then hit with the pylon while mounted on the head anvil. It failed by something like .2G sustained for 3 microseconds. According to the best available information for both SNELL and BSI, this test has no relevance in that a frozen helmet calls off all bets. Certain fiber/carbon compositions that are far superior in real life tests become brittle when frozen. The fact that the same helmet sustained both of the SNELL blows and far exceeded the baseline injury parameters is more important to me than the chance of putting my helmet in the freezer and landing on my head.

Interestingly, the same helmet after a change in the epoxy resin mix was able to past this same test without any problem. Although some may view this as a positive step, I'm concerened that the next round of SNELL/BSI testing will demonstrate that this helmet doesn't perform as well in "real life" situations, even though it passes the "frozen helmet" test. This is entirely driven by sales and end user perception.

who the hell came up with that test anyway. under freezing conditions I'm not gonna be out there riding anyway. we should take that guy's bike and freeze the tires then make him go for a ride with his frozen helmet on.

Originally Posted by CBR929RE

who the hell came up with that test anyway. under freezing conditions I'm not gonna be out there riding anyway. we should take that guy's bike and freeze the tires then make him go for a ride with his frozen helmet on.

Ah, you missed my last track-day....Burrrr.

Here was my point. DOT is the only one that randomly selects already distributed helmets. We don't know how many of those same helmets would also fail SNELL because SNELL and BSI don't do this random-off-the-shelf testing. Remember the big Motorcyclist article that questioned SNELL standards anyway.

None of the standards are perfect. And I just hope we make some further progress in protection. I wish the industry would get to F1 standards.

Originally Posted by clutchslip

Ah, you missed my last track-day....Burrrr.

might have been cold but was it below freezing temp?

Originally Posted by clutchslip

Ah, you missed my last track-day....Burrrr.

Here was my point. DOT is the only one that randomly selects already distributed helmets. We don't know how many of those same helmets would also fail SNELL because SNELL and BSI don't do this random-off-the-shelf testing. Remember the big Motorcyclist article that questioned SNELL standards anyway.

None of the standards are perfect. And I just hope we make some further progress in protection. I wish the industry would get to F1 standards.

Not true.

SNELL does perform random retail picks on all SNELL approved helmets and runs the same set of tests and HAS failed more than a few during this stage of the game. Check their site for the entire procedure end to end. It is much more thorough than DOT's procedures which require ZERO testing for the original certification sticker.

Originally Posted by SMF.ORG

Random Sample Test (RST)
Required testing and evaluation for all certified helmets. The Foundation acquires helmet test samples directly from stocks of helmets that are meant to be sold to the general public, usually from retail or distribution sources. The number of samples we will buy is based on the number of Snell certified helmets the manufacturer has produced. Snell technicians in Snell laboratories inspect and test each sample to check that the helmets used by the public continue to meet the Foundation's high Standards. If it is found that these RST helmets fail to meet the testing criteria, three more samples are obtained and tested to confirm the findings of the first tests. If any of these three follow up tests result in failure, The Foundation first demands that the manufacturer discontinue production of these helmets as Snell certified products. The Foundation will then continue to investigate the matter and determine a suitable course of action. These actions can range from requiring the manufacturer fix the problem and recertify the helmet, to a complete decertification of the manufacturer's certified product line. In some cases Snell will require that all Snell decals distributed to that manufacturer be returned.. This basically amounts to a full scale recall. Gratefully, this rarely occurs because of the procedures taken during the certification and Random Sample Testing.

My "old" X-11 in solid Black and the RF-1000 Diabolic 3 TC-5 I just bought today.
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p...s/HPIM1013.jpg

And from the other side.
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p...s/HPIM1012.jpg

Originally Posted by MSGT-R

You can take off the face shield and dunk your helmet in a five gallon bucket of suds (Woolite), rinse, then set in a lawn chair to drip dry. I wash my helmets and the training helmets all the time. The Woolite doesn't leave a perfume smell, and no soapy residue. It won't attack the materials that the helmet is made from.

Your advice is generally great, MSGT-R, but I am not so sure about his one.
First I almost drown when stuck the helmet in the bucket, then I slipped in the tub while rinsing, (good thing I had the hemet on though ), and now I've been setting in the lawn chair for hours and the the helmet and I are still dripping. And I think I am having a reaction to the Woolite...
Mabe I need a video?

Originally Posted by abtech

Not true.

SNELL does perform random retail picks on all SNELL approved helmets and runs the same set of tests and HAS failed more than a few during this stage of the game. Check their site for the entire procedure end to end. It is much more thorough than DOT's procedures which require ZERO testing for the original certification sticker.

Good call. Just testing. I'm like that, so watch out!


So, how about helmet aging?
What do you guys think?

Originally Posted by clutchslip

Good call. Just testing. I'm like that, so watch out!


So, how about helmet aging?
What do you guys think?

The literature I've read says 5 years. But I can't think of any helmet I kept wearing for 5 years (even in the wrong size, lol). What is everyone elses take? Is this 5 year mark legit? (Obviously, assuming no drops, no wrecks, and kept indoors and cared for properly).

Leelover

and hurricane:
you forgot the swim goggles, you dope.

Originally Posted by clutchslip

Leelover

and hurricane:
you forgot the swim goggles, you dope.

She's an MSF instructor, she should have been more specific!
And I'm sure she's seen people do more ridiculous things on bikes.

Leelover... what mind-altering substance are you smoking?

Take the helmet off first...

Originally Posted by MSGT-R

Leelover... what mind-altering substance are you smoking?

Take the helmet off first...

that makes sense...now!

I have been looking more and more at an AGV Stealth helmet. I know some people have the Ti-Tech, but can anyone comment on the Stealth, or just on AGV in general?

I have the chance to pick up a Stealth for a really good price, and I'm seriously considering it (given it fits, of course). My HJC isn't bad, but the longer I live with it the more I find to complain about!

There are a lot of AGV fans around here me included. I've had a few and really like them and the stealth is a higher ranked AGV helmet so if it fits it should be really good. IMO-aside from the weight of most AGV helmets in comparison to the Arai's (which I use now) my only complaint is the different face shields AGV tends to use, when the helemt gets discontinued or updated there tends to be a new face shield too, so if you get one and you really like it invest in a couple shields.

Originally Posted by for1only

There are a lot of AGV fans around here me included. I've had a few and really like them and the stealth is a higher ranked AGV helmet so if it fits it should be really good. IMO-aside from the weight of most AGV helmets in comparison to the Arai's (which I use now) my only complaint is the different face shields AGV tends to use, when the helemt gets discontinued or updated there tends to be a new face shield too, so if you get one and you really like it invest in a couple shields.

Great, thanks for the advice! Hopefully I can check them out this week at a local stealer.

What is the on hand availability like for sheilds for Shark, Suomy, and AGV?
I am seeing models I like from all these makers, but I wonder if I should stick with Shoei for easy availability of sheilds, etc.

You can buy shields right off the AGV website, plus I am guessing that you can buy their shields from any online retailer that carries them. I'm not sure about the others, but The Helmet Harbor - Helmets and Apparel at Great Prices would probably answer all of your questions for you!

Originally Posted by Leelover

What is the on hand availability like for sheilds for Shark, Suomy, and AGV?
I am seeing models I like from all these makers, but I wonder if I should stick with Shoei for easy availability of sheilds, etc.

I'd check with a dealer-I can only speak from experience on Arai's and Shoei's-which are consistent with use of thier face shields and AGV which is not.

Originally Posted by f1_hurricane

and of course you forgot to mention that the first time we tried it...ass

Okay, the Marine Corps way (bulletized):
* Take helmet off head
* Remove face shield and any radio equipment
* Wash helmet in bucket of suds
* Rinse helmet in clear water
* put helmet on lawn chair (right side up) in sun to dry (takes two days)
* reassemble helmet

Originally Posted by MSGT-R

Okay, the Marine Corps way (bulletized):
* Run 10 miles in full gear
* Take helmet off head
* Do pushups
* Remove face shield and any radio equipment
* Shoot something
* Wash helmet in bucket of suds
* More pushups
* Rinse helmet in clear water
* Shoot something else
* put helmet on lawn chair (right side up) in sun to dry (takes two days)
* Drink 27 beers in one night
* reassemble helmet
* Do PT

Fixed it for you...