The big bad controvercial helmet testing article

[OreoGaborio]

I remember a while back this article was posted up & there was alot of controversy about it... I'm not looking to stoke the flames again, but I can't find the thread that talked about WHY it was so controversial. I remember hearing something about how one of the guys involved in the testing was a former SNELL employee or something along those lines & did the testing in a way that skewed the results... something like that... and I remember some Press Releases arguing it's validity as well.

I obviously can't remember all the details as to why, but I do remember alot of people chose to ignore the article & some turds on another forum are being little bitches because I told em they shouldn't believe everything they read. Can anyone shed some more light on that? Maybe link to the thread or the "rebutals".

Link to article: Motorcycle Helmet Design, Helmet Standards and Head Protection - Gear Box - Motorcyclist Online

[Doc]

The ZR1 Strike may have tested well but it is uncomfortable.

I'll keep my AGV and try not to hit my head too hard.

[benVFR]

Stop wasting your time. Motorcyclist's article was not properly reviewed scientific research so it says very little.

But most people have no grasp of science and think everything the media comes up with is Gospel truth. So if they want to believe it let them.

Heck why waste your money on a DOT helmet. If motorcyclist says DOT is better then SNELL then obviously an illegal brain bucket is even better and not wearing a helmet at all will make you invincible.

It doesn't even sound like there is a lot of debate about it. DOT is 30 years old and has not been kept up to date. All the other standards are very very close to each other.

I just read the article again. Ok so the big issues were they fail to mention the actual DOT limit allows a higher force to hit your head then any of the others. The other factor that Snell and others put forward was that the DOT helmets give you less shock in a low impact crash, but all the standards keep you below the limit for injury in those crashes. Whereas the harder helmets stay below the limit in harder crashes whereas the DOT helmets will fail and give you major injuries. I do believe I emailed the Snell director and posted his email in that old thread confirming this.

e.x.

Moderate hit - DOT helmet 150G, SNELL/ECE helmet 200G. (Both fine, no injury)
Hard Hit inside Snell/ECE requirements but outside DOT requriements - DOT helmet 1000G , Snell helmet 200G (DOT rider is a vegetable, SNELL/ECE rider walks away)

[Karaya One]

Well, I just ordered a Shoei Multitec today. BUT - I'm already a veg.

[Kitt]

hjc ac-12 carbon

[OreoGaborio]

hjc ac-12 carbon

thanks for the help, that's exactly the information i was looking for

[slaps76]

I've read helmets are more dangerous, and they'll snap your neck. Professional racers could really learn something from bar-hopping Harley riders.