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General SportbikesThis area is made for sportbikes in general. Posts that dont really belong anywhere else besides here. Questions can be answered and addressed to fully understand certain aspects. If your question is Manufacturer specific please post it there.
A $100 and a $500 helmet will offer about the same, if not the same, protection if they are both DOT certified, but the latter will be more comfortable, quieter, better ventilation, weigh less, more aerodynamic at high speeds, etc. I am not arguing this.
If a helmet loses most of its protection qualities after a ~3 foot drop due to the impact absorbing padding now being compressed prematurely before a serious accident. What's the point of getting a $500 helmet if some people go down once or twice a year, sit their helmet on their bike and have it fall off, or just throw it around? It seems most people would be buying multiple helmets a year at this rate.
...something has to be inside the helmet for the liner to be compressed.
I dunno about you, but I don't have a habit of putting anything other then my gloves in them. So if it falls... it's not gonna be damaged. Unless it's off like a second story or something.
more comfortable, quieter, better ventilation, weigh less, more aerodynamic at high speeds, etc. I am not arguing this.
Where did you hear this? I'm a degreed packaging engineer. I do foam cushion for a living.
Without a load in the helmet, a 3 foot drop IS NOT going to damage the foam.
Think about it - there is nothing inside the helmet that is going to crush the foam.
Anyone claiming otherwise is just trying to play it safe.
There is a possibility of shell damage, since a helmet has weight, but that is easier to inspect for.
Quote:
If a helmet loses most of its protection qualities after a ~3 foot drop due to the impact absorbing padding now being compressed prematurely before a serious accident.
At a given level you are paying for comfor and style.
More expensive lids then to use better materials and spend more time on the aero dynamics of the lid. Thus for prolonged rides they are more comfertable, quiet and stable.
But if all you are doing is burn outs and while giving soccer moms gang signs then opt for the cheaper model and spend the money you saved on good pair of riding pants.
...something has to be inside the helmet for the liner to be compressed.
I dunno about you, but I don't have a habit of putting anything other then my gloves in them. So if it falls... it's not gonna be damaged. Unless it's off like a second story or something.
+1.. a drop from your seat will not have a great impact on the shell. Granted You can crack a shell that way , and I have done it, and had to replace it. That is usually the lesson that new riders learn, and then they learn that the bike has a helmet holder, and use it...or take it with you. Many of us have had helmets stolen off a bike, so my advice is to never leave it on a bike to begin with.
Aside from that check out the Dot ratings and Snell foundation ratings system for information. Not all helmets are the same
What's the point of getting a $500 helmet if some people go down once or twice a year, sit their helmet on their bike and have it fall off, or just throw it around?
Whats the point of wiping your butt if its just gonna get poopy the next day, while wasting valuable paper resources? - Some people like that fresh clean feeling of security and will pay (and afford) a premium for it.
i personally handle my helmet as if its made of glass. i don't throw it around, hang it on the mirros or handlebars or put it anywhere where it could easily fall. at home i keep them on the floor so they can't fall off a shelf.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by WDPsellout
A $100 and a $500 helmet will offer about the same, if not the same, protection if they are both DOT certified, but the latter will be more comfortable, quieter, better ventilation, weigh less, more aerodynamic at high speeds, etc. I am not arguing this.
If a helmet loses most of its protection qualities after a ~3 foot drop due to the impact absorbing padding now being compressed prematurely before a serious accident. What's the point of getting a $500 helmet if some people go down once or twice a year, sit their helmet on their bike and have it fall off, or just throw it around? It seems most people would be buying multiple helmets a year at this rate.
There are some $100-$200 helmets out there that are just as quiet, safe, comfortable, lightweight and aerodynamic as some of the $400+ expensive ones.
Just because it's less expensive doesn't necessarily mean it's inferior. All low budget helmets aren't made the same. Some very good ones are the Scorpion EXO-400/700, SparX S07 (my lid), and GMAX GM68S.
Yes the issue is with the shell not the packing material as I recall. A micro fracture could form and over time expand thus at the point of impact open up and reduce your level of protection. Funny thing, they allso tell you not to hang your lid by your pipes!
The heat off the pipes can harden the materials and make them more birttle.
Long story short, keep your lid close to you. Because odds are even if some one doesn't steal it and it doesn't cook a dick like me will throw gummy bears in it just to mess with you.
The point of getting a more expensive helmet is the obvious. Only the proven can attest to the importance of a cheap or expensive helmet.
When I got hit, I was wearing my Dajiro X-11-I remember flying in the air, coming down from about 8-10 feet head first.
I looked at the ground, put my shoulder into it and still hit semi-head shoulder. I will never forget the softness of the helmet impact.
It was so soft, I got right back up and looked around for the person that hit me.
If I was wearing a cheap Bell helmet-the results might not have been the same, but from experience-Shoei has showed me a good thing.
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I've got a degree and 20 years experience designing cushioning systems for military equipment.
You can add to the conversation without being condescending. No offense, just because you have the experience doesn't constitute something you say as fact or true.
I wouldn't take financial advice from someone at Bear Sterns at this point even if they had been doing it for over 20 years.
A $100 and a $500 helmet will offer about the same, if not the same, protection if they are both DOT certified, but the latter will be more comfortable, quieter, better ventilation, weigh less, more aerodynamic at high speeds, etc. I am not arguing this.
If a helmet loses most of its protection qualities after a ~3 foot drop due to the impact absorbing padding now being compressed prematurely before a serious accident. What's the point of getting a $500 helmet if some people go down once or twice a year, sit their helmet on their bike and have it fall off, or just throw it around? It seems most people would be buying multiple helmets a year at this rate.
Both the DOT and SNELL tests are merely pass/fail tests. There isn't an equivalent grade associated with these tests. So let me ask you this. If you score a 70% on an exam, is that the equivalent to the person that scored 100% on the exam? After all, both are passing grades?
It's something to think about before talking about how all helmets with the rating are equal.
What is the point of buying an expensive helmet?
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