Sharp rating

[MiniMatt]

So who wants to take a pop at the new government sanctioned ratings scheme?

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/News/newsresults/mcn/2008/June/9-15/jun1208-sharp-motorcycle-helmet-test-results/?&R=EPI-101052#helmettest

Notice that the £60 Lazer gets five stars and my shiny £200 Arai Condor gets all of two stars :D

Despite currently owning an Arai (and definitely feeling it's worth it due to comfort, noise, weight etc compared to cheaper brands) I've never been one to believe much of the marketing hype about safety. Curious how many tests and standards have to come out to show that the big names are no safer than cheaper brands before people will start to believe it.

How intelligent is the Sharp test? I guess the testing methodology reveals all, a plain impact penetration test for example will "prove" that a solid three inch thick steel lid will be absolutely the best protection available, although in the real world it'd probably turn your brain to mush and break your neck if you fell over at a standstill.

[14990]

I don't and wouldn't take any notice to that. Firstly if you are worrying that your lid isn't good enough, then chances are you'll be worrying about crashing thus reducing your confidence whilst riding and then probably increasing th chance of actually crashing.This means that if you are confident about your lid then you are less prone to thinking oh s**t what if! For instance i wear an Arai RX-7 Corsair, i believe this to be a very good, safe helmet. If you're honest with yourselves, you can't help but observe the fact that alot of professional racers wear them so that surely says something.

Also i heard from the horses mouth that with the RX-7, if you take the side pods that cover the visor mechanism off and place a sheet of bubble wrap underneath them, they go from 3 out of 5 to 4 out of 5 in the rating scheme!

In my eyes, that test is utter crap and i would denfinately not take any notice of it if i were to buy a new lid and i would chose another Arai regardless.

Take this how you will but it is my honest opinion

[Biker Biggles]

Rule one.
Best protection is offered by the lid that fits properly.
Rule two
No rule two.

[14990]

Biggles, i agree, i shopped around and tried almost every brand of helmet for my first one and my head fits Arai's best. I also get the dealer to fine tune the lide with all the interchangeable bits like cheek pads and skull pads.

The best fit is far more important than fashion

[stephen365]

Isn't it 'strange' how it's the manufacturers that haven't done so well that are rubbishing it!?
Don't see the problem with it - nothing wrong with impartial testing presupposing the test isn't fundamentally flawed. If it allows the average punter to compare and contrast, so much the better.
Agree on the point about making sure your lid fits properly though, so nothing wrong with using this as a guide and then trying on what scores well to make a final decision.

[Demonz]

Well its time to buy a new lid. No doubt I will be going with the test results over well recognised brand this time.

http://sharp.direct.gov.uk/search/results/?&sort=manufacturer&dir=asc