Helmet ratings SHARP

[Lutin]

Here's a link to the Visordown.com website where there is a listing of helmets and their new SHARP (Safety Helmet Assessment and Rating Programme) ratings.

http://www.visordown.com/motorcyclen...ings/4951.html

Just thought you'd all like to know.

[z-weiser]

Checked this out - and am now glad that i changed from the arai condor (2 stars) to the Shark (4 stars!!)

some interesting results on there!

some of the more 'budget' helmets have done really well!

Z

[Dee Duble Yuh]

Hopefully this will put to bed the old notion that you have to spend more to get the best protection! The up-market lids from "old faithful" manufacturers like Arai and Shoei mostly gain 2 - 4 stars, a similar performance to the cheaper (but respected) HJCs. And the XR-1000 does worse than the cheaper Raid II !

Let's hope manufacturers take note and take steps to improve performance ratings. (But not at the expense of other things, like quietness, comfort, longevity and so on.)

[pete h]

Got this today via the e- mither, very miffed to see my expensive Arai RX7 is only a three star lid, but the considerably cheaper AGV S4 gets five. Not doubting the governments technical credibility for one moment, but I know which I'd rather have if I took a tumble.

" Today SHARP published its first ratings for 56 full face motorcycle helmets. A comprehensive list of ratings are available now from http://www.direct.gov.uk/sharp, where you will also find information to help you get the right fit when selecting your next helmet. Remember, the most important aspect of a helmet is that it provides the right fit for you. That's why it's vital you try before you buy. When you have a choice of helmets that fit well you can consider the SHARP rating.

We are still testing helmets and will be adding ratings on a rolling basis throughout the remainder of 2008.

We'll keep you informed as we publish more results over the coming weeks.

Best regards,
The SHARP Team
http://www.direct.gov.uk/sharp "

[sunnybrook]

I was relieved to see that my AGV Airtech scored quite well! It rumbles a lot in the wind but at least they think it's alright on impacts.

[Chad]

I was relieved to see that my AGV Airtech scored quite well! It rumbles a lot in the wind but at least they think it's alright on impacts.

ive been thinking of moving over to an
AGV they seem very comfy

[BIGROG]

It's a shame they only covered full face lids, lets hope they get round to listing open and convertables, I have used a Roof Boxer for a couple of years now as I don't like full face lids.

[Raven]

Apparently certain companies are throwing their toys out of the pram over the results...

[Muzz]

Yeah, and we all know which companies they'll be...

I've been saying it for ever, price does NOT equal safety, despite what the Arai saleman will tell you. It's far more complicated than that.

Anyway, expect the usual market-share/profit supporting hoohah trying to discredit these tests. Bah, humbug.

[sunnybrook]

It's the same argument with bicycle helmets. The ones that cost £20 in the shops might not have the wind tunnel-tested venting and airflow, won't be made of carbon fibre and excitingly angular moulded polystyrene, they'll be a bit heavier, and won't have fancy graphics or clever strap adjustment, but they've passed the same safety standards as the ones modelled on Le Tour riders, that cost £100 in the shops.

My bicycle helmet is an ordinary middle-of-the-road model, because it fitted my head and does everything I need it to do. I bought my Airtech because it had the right safety stickers inside, and because it fitted me better than everything else I tried - and I tried on every model of helmet that Two Wheels stocked!