[FR]

Not to bring y'all down on this topic, but I can't help it. I just looked at the WERA and AMA rulebooks, and both organizations are still allowing Snell 2000, and DOT 2000 helmets, not more than 5 years old. USCRA is specifying a Snell 2005 rating for either next year or 2007, as Aaron pointed out, with no mention of a DOT or ECE rating.
If any of you haven't read the Motorcyclist Magazine article about the safety ratings of modern helmets, you owe it to yourself and your wallet to do so... here's the link.

http://motorcyclistonline.com/gearbox/hatz/

FWIW, I wrote an e-mail to the rules guy, Chris, asking whether USCRA would consider any of the other safety ratings based on the information from the research conducted by MM.

I'm not a USCRA member, but planned on joining next season.

FR

 

[A.D.]

Good luck, I've been fighting this one from the beginning as well..

Cheers, A.D.

 

[aaron]

I think Helmet updates are good. I just like consistency.

Aaron

 

[UngaWunga]

Someone ask this on the USCRA line. There was a short discussion about this earlier in the year, about accepting ratings other than snell and DOT, because of the Motorcyclist article.

 

[joe c]

they take the eu standards now.

jc

 

[texmawby]

fr,

did you look at the 2006 wera rulebook?

i haven't, but the guys at tech all last year said they were going to 2005 rating.

tex

p.s.- it's gonna suck droppin'500 on a new arai.

 

[jbranson]

Is Arai the only thing that fits your funny shaped head?

I'm done spending big money on Arai...after that helmet article...I'll get what fits and looks the way I want....with removable liner...cause price has nothing to do with how well it protects...in fact often the more expensive helmets tested worse.

so there.

JohnnyB

 

[FR]

Yeah, this article really sheds a new light on helmets. I've always suspected that there really wasn't much difference in protection levels among the manufactures, logically there shouldn't be if they all pass the same test. What I didn't realize was that the Snell Foundation had gotten too absorbed with themselves in their mission to stay relevant in the industry. And the manufacturers using the Snell rating to bump up prices and antiquate their "old" models in favor of the new ratings, that aren't realistic anyway.
It's not about consistancy, and it's not about the old argument of putting a "$10.00 head in a $10.00 helmet" anymore.
We're smarter than that, and shouldn't need to be told by even a well intentioned race organization that we need to all buy new helmets because the one we bought last year is obsolete.
As I said, I looked at the WERA and AMA rules for 2006, and they're not showing a requirement for Snell 05. Yet.
Nothing against Arai either, but knowing that I may in fact crash while racing, and knowing that if I do I'll have to replace the helmet if it shows any damage at all, am I going to buy a $500 helmet or a $200 helmet that offers the same protection? (DOT/Snell 2000)

Sorry for the long post.

FR

 

[texmawby]

now i got a big noggin! it ain't jd big, that's freakish huge, but it's big. i wear a xl arai quantum. i don't know about shape and all. never tried a signet arai. i tried other manufacturers helmets in xl (suomy, agv, shoei) they won't even fit. no one ever had a xxl of those brands sitting around so i never tried it.

the arai fits nice and it's what c.marsh wears. i want to be like c.marsh so i do every thing he does. i don't want to be like clancypants, so i don't wear hjc.

hopefully i'll get some major graduation money, if i do graduate, then i can afford a new arai.

i just saw what you wrote fr. i'll put a post re: wera and snell 2000 or 2005 out to mongo.

peace out homies,

tex

 

[jbranson]

Arai won't protect you when I turn loose my jack hammer and skull fuck you.

Ok...yeah, that was out of line.

Not sure if I can spring for Arai any more....gotta spend 5 bills to get a removable liner.

PRESTO!!

JohnnyB

PS....DOUBLE PRESTO!!!

Edited by - jbranson on Dec 14 2005 2:16:50 PM

 

[ROSKO]

Anyone recommend a good and reasonably priced m2005 helmet? Or should I print that label and stick it on my $12- pro-tec?

BORN TO LURK, FORCED TO WORK.

 

[FR]

I'm happy with my KBC. Got it from motorcyclecloseouts.com or something like that. It is a 'glass shell, and as such shows every nick or scratch. The new Icon helmets did well in the MM test, and I think they're not too much $.

FR

 

[UngaWunga]

I really like my HJC helmets. Plus I think DeCamp can get them for y'all cheap.

 

[jbranson]

Rob...I'm thinking about going to HJC...seems a lot of value for the money. Have you worn Arai in the past....was wondering how you would compare them.
JohnnyB

 

[UngaWunga]

Naw, I wore Shoei helmets. HJC quality is almost to Shoei quality, and much cheaper. The only problem I have with my HJC is when I turn my head at speed, sometimes the visor flips open. Which tells me I shouldn't look behind me on the track.

Vents work well. I have a LT-12, and need to pick up a new one for this year as well.

 

[jbranson]

Hey Shoei is as good as Arai from what I can tell. I think Arai is mostly name. Although the different head shape sizes are nice for freak-heads....and we have a few of them here...myself included. I wear the Signet...for horse heads....the Quatum is for ballon heads.
JohnnyB

 

[UngaWunga]

yeeeahhhh..... HJC LT-12 XL here.
and it's snug. So I've got more brain cells that I can kill off before it matters, compared to our smalled headed bretheren...

 

[jbranson]

Hehehe...freakin freakin small heads...ehhhh...they make me sick those small heads.
JohnnyB

 

[monkey]

the hjc definatlt works. have had a few arai's .... i prefer them over the hjc only because i like the puffy cheek padding

hjc's have more room in the cheek zones. i don't know... i do like the price of the hjc's

matt

 

[paced_haste]

I used HJC for a few years, and liked them. Last year I got a Suomy, and it's definitely higher quality. The Suomy has also been much better for racing situations; for example, the shield is harder to move, and doesn't blow open like the HJC when you look behind at speed. (as Unga mentioned)
I have not tested either one extensively, but apparently the euro standards are much higher than DOT ones.

Z