Motorcycle Forums

Having studied the SHARP testing regime they are a VERY good guide as to how helmets will protect in the real world in real accidents. The testing is also identical between helmets and so gives an excellent comparison as to how helmets will protect in the same accident conditions.

There are many stories of how epensive helmets have saved people in an accident and also many tales of how cheap helmets have failed. There are also many tales of how expensive helmets have failed in an accident and cheap helmets have protected.

What you need to remember is that the price is largely irrelevant. That comes about due to manufacturing costs, image, sponshorship deals, artwork etc etc.

A cheap helmet achieving 5 stars will protect better than a very expensive helmet achieving only 2 stars in a very high majority of accidents (flukes will always occur that differ from the norm)

The fact that it is a cheap helmet may mean that the quality of lining materials may be lower ie become sweat sodden and stinky in a shorter time and not stand up to washing therefore requiring earlier replacement. It may mean a chin strap buckle may become rusty due to lower quality (although not structurally weaker) metal. The visor may be less scratch resistant than more expensive models etc

The SHARP rating does not consider cost of materials, paintwork, packaging, shipping, image or any other such thing. It is just a DIRECT measure and comparison of protection in identical circumstances.

Obviously a proper fit is key to how well any helmet will perform. The SHARP rating cannot control how well your head fits any helmet.

Please don't think you are getting better protection by spending large sums. Also remember that real world crash and accident types lead to very different head impacts than race track incidents. The SHARP testing fully considers the head impact types with data taken from large amounts of data from real world crashes/head impacts.

To all - get the best fitting helmet you can. Ride sensibly and lets just keep enjoying two wheels while the nanny state still allows it

Spondon Rubbish

Sorry Spondon but your Arai plug is mis guided and factually incorrect.

Having been involved with the SHARP rating from the beginning through invitation as imorter as all importer/manufacturers were. The SHARP tests were specifically created for Motorcyclce Helmets and no others. All tests were developed working with information gathered over the years specifally on motorcycle accidents throughout Europe. Having recieved helmets from unlucky individuals who had crashed but were very happy of the helmets performance and how it protected them. Not one of the helmets we recieved (20+) had an impact on the front but impact were on the sides or rear of the head crown.

On a personal note, I am very sad in which Arai construct thier helmets. In my opinion (and many others) are the finest built helmets and the quality is 2nd to none. BUT!  The Arai phylosophy of having a extremely hard external shell with a one internal liner (although varible density - does this mean your head is equally as strong everywhere??? I think not.) is out of the dartk ages of motorcycle helmets and it at least 25 years behind the times. It is like the old cars used to build the car on a chassis, you could crash the car into a tree and normally because of this strength the car could be rebuilt.......but none of the energy had been removed and the occupants dead. Modern cars are built with a strucure that will absorb the energy of the impact, yes the car is destroyed and written off but occupants had a better chance of survival they same applies now with modern helmets. I enjoy a high quality item but I need to know that it will do its job when needed and know that there are better performing helmets out there!

AGV S4

Ok guys come on, you want to tell me where you got that blue with white stripes agv helmet. Have looked everywhere and can only find white with blue stripes. Hope you ain't teasing me with stuff I can't buy.

Nexx XR1R Carbon

This list is surely incomplete without the lid MCN says is the "Best Road Helmet I've Worn", the Nexx XR1R Carbon Nexx XR1R Carbon