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+1 rustbucket - the article was indeed a good one, but with no definite conclusions about the safety issue of DOT vs DOT and Snell. The physics involved in determining how effectively a helmet dissipates energy involve such a wide variety of uncontrollable variables that this is one of those arguments that even with NASA type funding behind a study still would leave great margins for dispute.
I will put in my 2c on the argument. All things being equal the helmet that fits the rider the most perfect will protect them the best. Perfect fit means very little movement before the head begins the crushing/energy dissipating movement into the helmet. This is so important because of the inertia gained by the head as it travels inside the helmet before beginning the crushing sequence of the protective shell can significantly increase the impact Gs.
This said the more expensive helmet lines tend to have more stock molds for different size heads and often, not always, provide for a much better fit and also more head forming padding in the liners which again aid to the perfect fit.
Shoei is king in the mold department now offering I believe 6 different mold sizes for different size heads. Many helmet companies use only one mold for the outer shell and change the inner to accommodate different size heads. This creates that alien look we see a lot when a small persons appears to have an extremely large melon. Shoei drops down its inner and outer shell to match the proportions of the head shape. Not saying you can't find an HJC or the like that fits you perfectly at all, but you are more likely to have success with the more pricey lines. My personal favorite Suomy Spec1R - Extreme. Never had a helmet fit so perfectly in all my years of riding, had many come very close, but I now understand how perfect a helmet can fit.
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