Did you know? - SHARP helmet testing.

... That the SHARP helmet testing system is regarded as the most thorough retail Motorcycle Helmet test?

This is because they test your helmet against 1 impact at 18 mph,

Food for thought.

[mikerj]

You might want to read this. They are tested at 3 different speeds for each impact point.

[dizzyblonde]

Sharp tests aren't unknown news.

However, they are dubious tests, as very expensive helmets Shoei for example, come out with really low ratings, as opposed to Shark for example. I needed a new lid recently and usually buy Sharks, but nobody had one to fit me, so had to buy a HJC, which is dire as far as the tests go.
I've had one Shark go down the road and bounce my head on the tarmac and it didn't look buggered, not that I used it after that.

As long as they do their job I'm happy

[mikerj]

Originally Posted by dizzyblonde

Sharp tests aren't unknown news.

However, they are dubious tests, as very expensive helmets Shoei for example, come out with really low ratings, as opposed to Shark for example.

Just because a more expensive helmet gets a worse score doesn't mean the test are dubious. If the test method was changed slightly and the more expensive helmet scored better, would the test still be dubious or would it suddenly be correct?

[ophic]

Test are just tests - simple and quantifiable. What may be dubious is how well the tests relate to real world crashes.

My shoei qwest is 5 star, and it was expensive

Originally Posted by ophic

Test are just tests - simple and quantifiable. What may be dubious is how well the tests relate to real world crashes.

There was a piece written about this a while ago by the people who produced the stats for the Sharp people to develop their tests from. They basically said the testers misinterpreted their figures and results which meant they devised tests that bore little relation to road accidents.

I ignore Sharp tests altogether, they mean nothing when a 50 quid cheapie thermoplastic lid scores more stars than an Arai that has had millions of pounds worth of development and 30 years of experience of making the best helmets in the world thrown at it.

Well until there are tests to prove the above, if i was buying for safety then the sharp test is the only thing i have to differentiate between helmets currently.

I buy for comfort and cost myself.

[andrewsmith]

Originally Posted by Lozzo

There was a piece written about this a while ago by the people who produced the stats for the Sharp people to develop their tests from. They basically said the testers misinterpreted their figures and results which meant they devised tests that bore little relation to road accidents.

I ignore Sharp tests altogether, they mean nothing when a 50 quid cheapie thermoplastic lid scores more stars than an Arai that has had millions of pounds worth of development and 30 years of experience of making the best helmets in the world thrown at it.

As lozzo.

Nolan/ Xlite are the only manufacturer that don't supply lids for the test.
Again I'd rather trust my knowledge of the lids and buy a X701 (A 5 year+ design) over a £50 thermoplastic lid

[mikerj]

Originally Posted by andrewsmith

As lozzo.

Nolan/ Xlite are the only manufacturer that don't supply lids for the test.

AFAIK all the helmets used in the SHARP test are bought via retail outlets to prevent any "special" ones being supplied by manufacturers.