Buy your helmet by its actual Safety Rating, not Brand Image

[Lope]

I just had to share this information, its so good!

I previously asked on a local forum about buying a second cheap helmet, and the okes really disapproved of the idea.
The argument that always wins with me is when they compare the cost of medical bills and rehab, the concept of spending less on a helmet is ridiculous.

Now one of the guys has just posted a link to an amazing website called Sharp (not to be confused with the brand of helmet, Shark)
They test helmets beyond the minimum legal safety standards, and reckon in the UK at least 50 less people would die each ear if they had the best helmets available.
Whats amazing about this website is you no longer have to guess and just hope that since you're spending the most you can afford on a helmet its going to protect you. Some helmets provide way better protection for less money.
I was really surprised at some of the info.
This was my response on the forum below.

===============================
Racefan: Thanks for the link! so informative! from now on I'm only buying and recommending helmets that have been tested on Sharp. Otherwise you're just guessing and going by brand image, which is useless.

Very interesting site, but wow, the test speeds are low!
http://sharp.direct.gov.uk/about-sharp/ ... st-speeds/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
8.5m/s is only 30km/h

My new HJC CS12 got a massive 2 stars out of 5. I was so stoked with it. I guess its still decent. Its such an awesome fit.
http://sharp.direct.gov.uk/search/details/?id=19" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Wow, my Shark S650 is a much better helmet! (4 stars)
http://sharp.direct.gov.uk/search/details/?id=151" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Wow, Sharks are really good... not just a name
http://sharp.direct.gov.uk/search/resul ... 0&x=34&y=8" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

HJC only has 1 helmet with 5 stars, and 1 with 4 stars
http://sharp.direct.gov.uk/search/resul ... =0&price=0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

---------
Other brands I recognize...

Arashi, about as good as HJC
http://sharp.direct.gov.uk/search/resul ... =0&price=0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Shoei is similar to Shark, but so far Shark seems better

So far Arai doesn't seem any better than HJC! (very surprising since Arai are regarded as the best and cost like R6k upwards)
http://sharp.direct.gov.uk/search/resul ... =0&price=0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

AGV seems to be the best (of the brands I recognize)
http://sharp.direct.gov.uk/search/resul ... =0&price=0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Wow, Lazer seems as good as Shark... I almost bought one, but a sales guy convinced me Shark is better (he said "whats this lazer shit , if you want a proper brand helmet thats going to protect you, get Shark!" lol)
http://sharp.direct.gov.uk/search/resul ... =0&price=0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[VfRTeddy]

then you wont be buyin for comfort for deff
used to work in a bike shop an sharp test is good to have a lok at but dont take it like the bible cause as u say arai's dont score high but they are amazing ive seen helmets crashed at 120mph plus an the rider is still alive they dont score high cause some of the tests arnt really applicable to real life but yer sharp tests are good but dont just buy according to them

Cheers
Ben

[abrmoto]

SHARPS is a load of bollox, does not test real world.

There is only one or two brands I would stick my head in, and they aint cheap, but if you had had the crashes I have had and still can type this you would know what real testing a lid is like!!

Your money, buy what you like, but is your head inside it, dont forget that.

[alexwitham]

Shoei/Arai, period.

[VfRTeddy]

shoei XR1100 or arai viper GP/ RX7 GP only things i will be buyin for my next lid after a sh1ty AGV S4 lol
Ben

[Neosophist]

I have a Schuberth C3 as I usually ride in a flip-top and Schuberth S1 Pro for long journeys and track days.. (it's quiet as fook compared to anything else i've used and it has anti-roll off design designed to stop it comming off in a crash.)

[viper_biker]

I guess my Hayden RX7 is for the bin then... Anyone know of the local Lazer supplier???

Not a dig at you Lope, but the SHARP test has been about for a while and no-one recognises it. The helmet that fits your head best and you can best afford is the best helmet for you.

[alexwitham]

I had a shark helmet in 2007 (S500 in matt black), I dropped it from knee height and the visor mechanism broke (stupid ballbearing flip design) I wrote to shark who took 5 months to refund under warranty/guarentee.
Would never buy from shark again, if its that frail at a drop from sub knee height, imagine an accident at 50mph+.
I have bought a Shoei XR-1000 since and love it.

[Drunkn Munky]

Ive always had AGV and Arai, theres enough real world proof that these lids work no matter what the sharp test says and thats good enough for me.

[Lope]

Just because a bunch of people survive crashes with helmet X it doesn't mean you can say anything conclusive about it than "it might be a good helmet" real world accidents are chaotic and lab tests have repeatable results.

But I do think u have a point. So I'd say 'buy a good brand and model with a good Sharp score' :)