Helmet Certifications

[JeepFreak81]

So I guess I didn't realize till recently that there are really 3 certifications for helmets. DOT - Snell - and ECE. I've heard of the former 2 but had no idea what the ECE was all about. Decided to look it up and found a short but interesting explanation of them.

http://silodrome.com/snell-vs-dot-vs...rds-throwdown/

So, for anyone that knows more about this than me...what should we be looking for? I'm gonna need a new helmet soon (mine's past 5 years old) and I always used to buy Snell certified.

Opinions?

[JeepFreak81]

Just found another great article that I'm reading right now....good info here! - http://www.webbikeworld.com/eicma-20...-standards.htm

[markk53]

Biggest point - GET ONE THAT FITS RIGHT! The fit, when new, should be very snug, but not headache tight. If you get one that fits perfect when new, the soft padding will break in a bit and it will be too loose.

Fit is more important than certification to start. For road use any name helmet with DOT is fine, even the sub-$100 helmets from the likes of Vega, AFX, Fly, M2R, Z1R, and any other that most dealers will carry.

ECE is European and is about the equvalent of the current Snell standard for motorcycle helmets. The fact is DOT may be a voluntary thing, but any helmet manufacturer sold through a wholesaler and dealer will not risk being sub-standard. That and DOT specs are every bit as good as Snell or ECE for road use. If you plan to race in the U.S. buy a Snell certified helmet, and you can get them for like $100!

For most riders a new helmet WILL squish your cheeks in. That's part of a good fit. The padding will break in and get looser. Squished cheeks mean nothing, it's how the helmet fits your head. Besides odds are you may be able to get thinner cheek pads if needed, even on the cheaper helmets.

One trick is to see if the helmet liner can be replaced with a smaller size (thicker) liner if needed or if it is at the bottom of the sizing. Or vice versa if the helmet is extremely snug, can it go larger on padding.

I recommend you get one where you can return it easily if you find it doesn't fit right. You can either get a different size or a different helmet easily. Nothing worse than a week turnaround time for some on-line order. I always shop in stores and at races/shows for the helmet type and fit, look on-line for reviews and pricing, then go to my favorite shop and tell them what I want and what I would like to pay for it. I usually get within $10 of the best on-line price and better service.

How do you know if you have a good fit? My recommendation is to sit and watch TV or read for about a half hour while wearing the helmet. If you don't get any "hot spots" (places where the soft liner has compressed to the point where the hard liner is actually cutting off circulation in the scalp capillaries, giving a burning sensation) the helmet is a good fit. Dealers/shops do not like dirty bug covered helmets coming back for exchange, nor do the on-line sources. Thus the TV test - no bugs no dirt.