UK Helmet Testing Program

[oldndumb]

Looks like the Brits are taking the initative to test and compare helmets starting in Spring of 2008.

//sharp.direct.gov.uk/

One convenient feature of the web site allows you to can sign up for notification of test results as they are published.

[RDE]

Yep your right all helmets are to be tested and given a star rating 1 being lowest 5 being top. This initiative was championed by Motorcycle News and will hopefully provide a more transparent safety rating allowing us to make an informed decision on our next new lid.

There might not be too much of the old grey matter swilling around in my scull but what there is I want to keep.

[steventhechef]

That's a great effort from the UK govt. It would be nice to be able to look through the hype and BS to get the real answers to the relevent questions.

[F4sSprintST]

Hopefully POLITICS won't screw things up too much


Remember - you can't design a helmet to do everything best.


High speed -vs- low speed impacts represent a design conflict

Single impact -vs- multiple impacts represent a design conflict

Weight -vs- protection

protect best for the 20% worst case crashes or the 80% common crashes?

and other criteria. So somebody has to decide what is most important, and hopefully back it up with the science

[DaveM]

OND,
that looks like it will be very interesting, I am keen to see how my Suomy pans out.

cheers,
DaveM

[pushr0d]

I was having pretty good luck with my "Cheesehead" helmet. You know, the kind the Packers fans wear. I fitted a chinstrap and a visor to it, and it worked well enough.

I had to give it up - every time I turned my head to look at something, the hat would try to twist my neck!

That, and a couple of the holes in the cheese would start to whistle at around 50mph

[MVP44]

F4sSprintST makes a great point - The argument really has never been about which helmet is best, but which helmet/design protects best against which accident. Snell rated - better for high speed one off impact - DOT better for low speed multiple touch

Way over simplified I know - but what we ought to be able to do is buy a helmet based on the amount of Gs transmitted from the impact to the brain and the type of accident the helmet is best suited to resist. Then we can decide based on riding style which accident we are more likely to have thrown our way - play the odds better if you will.

Who am I kidding - I am still immature enough to buy the graphics I like

[oldndumb]

Originally Posted by MVP44

F4sSprintST makes a great point - The argument really has never been about which helmet is best, but which helmet/design protects best against which accident. Snell rated - better for high speed one off impact - DOT better for low speed multiple touch

Fair comments but you need to look at the site and read their test protocols. They may not be perfect, but IMO it will be an improvement over the Snell and DOT, and an additonal resource for those that value their noggin.

pushr0d, your chin strap is too loose.

[F4sSprintST]

Well, I design cushioning for a living. Packaging Engineer.

G forces transmitted to the brain is DIRECTLY related to being able to slow down the impact over a distance.

Hence, more cushioning would lower the gee's (provided it's the right design), but would make the helmet larger and heavier. A larger, heavier helmet represents more strain on the neck, which is a problem. See the trade-offs?

Certain foams would work well for lesser impacts, but would overload and bottom out on more severe impacts. Change to a stiffer foam, and you'll protect on the severe, but ratchet up the gees on the lesser impacts.

We all like simple answers, but there really isn't one.

[oldndumb]

Again, look at the site.

They are not redesigning helmets or postulating new methods of keeping our brains from being scrambled. They are just going to present an additional resource for evaluating and comparing helmets currently on the market.

I see that as a good thing and am glad they are doing it.