Originally posted by: herbiehancock
Originally posted by: VanTheMan
As long as the helmets aren't damaged and they're DOT or (preferably) Snell approved, they should be as good as any other helmet. I always like to try gear on before I buy, though. Especially with helmets, you can never tell if they're going to fit you right without trying them on and moving around.
Helmets cannot be sold in the U.S. without them being DOT approved, so that issue is rather moot. On the other hand, I tend to value my brain a bit more than what the DOT requires a helmet to pass and will only purchase a Snell approved one.
Why? Part is because of the testing procedures used.....Snell actually tests helmets while the DOT depends on manufacturers testing their own helmets and reporting to the DOT that the helmet passed....no verification of testing is required.
A snippet of DOT vs. Snell testing procedures/requirements for passing/certification:
It's easy to get lost in the scientific jargon when trying to sift through the testing process of both standards. Simplified, DOT and Snell assess each helmet by placing it on a head form that is equipped with sensors. The helmeted head form is then dropped from a specific height onto a steel anvil, and the severity of the impact is recorded.
Both standards drop the head forms on flat and hemispherically shaped anvils in order to simulate different types of impacts. However, Snell also uses an edged anvil that specifically tests the integrity of the helmet's shell.
DOT and Snell test each helmet two times at four different impact zones. DOT drops their helmets from a 6-foot height on the flat anvil and from a 4.5-foot height on the hemispherical anvil. Snell on the other hand, drops the helmets from a 10-foot and 7.5-foot height on both anvils, which simulates a more severe impact.
Although their testing process is very similar, SMF requires their certified helmets to withstand a greater impact and absorb more force than the DOT standards.
In order for a company to claim that their product is Snell approved, they have to submit five helmets for testing. Four of those helmets are tested and one is saved as a sample product. If the helmet design passes the tests, the manufacturer enters into a contract with Snell. This contract allows SMF to buy helmets from the manufacturer and test them on a continual basis in order to ensure quality.
DOT certification, however, is less regulated.
The manufacturer performs their own tests and determines whether their helmets are DOT approved. Even though the manufacturer doesn't have to report their findings, the government does occasionally conduct limited tests or spot checks. Nevertheless, allowing each company to test their own equipment and not make them report their results means that the DOT certification is done by the honor system.
In 2001, DOT performed one of their spots tests on 40 helmets. There was a 20 percent failure rate with the AFX, Fulmer, HJC, M2R, NEXL, and THH helmets. Again, after the data was published, it was up to the manufacturer to bring their products into compliance.
While there's no guarantee a DOT-approved helmet has actually been tested, the purchase of a Snell-approved lid ensures that the product has been evaluated under scrutiny. A Snell-certified helmet also meets and exceeds the DOT standards.
The DOT standards are important because they outline the minimum requirements all motorcycle helmets must meet, which has already saved countless lives. But if you want to make sure your helmet has been tested impartially, then buying a helmet with the Snell sticker on it is a dependable alternative.
Thanks, but I'll stick with Snell certification and bypass only DOT helmets.....and there are lots of reasonably priced Snell-cert'd helmets out there.