SHARP helmet grading scheme

[JohnD]

Last year, after Motor Cycle News reported not only that helmet price had no relationship to performance and protection, but that the ACU scheme to licence them was corrupt, the Gov. promised to set in place a scheme to grade the perfomance of biker helmets.
The first report of the "SHARP" - Safety Helmet and Assessment Rating Programme - was announced recently. Right away. MCN noted that the most expensive helmet tested (£300-400) got only three out of a possible five stars, while 5-star helmets included one at only £60!

See the MCN report at: http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/Ne...?&R=EPI-101052

And browse SHARP at: http://sharp.direct.gov.uk/

So far, SHARP only deals with full-face, biker hats. Write to your MP to ask for it to be extended to all helmets ASAP! If you write to your MP, they MUST ask the Minister about your request, and the Minister MUST reply. You will not be ignored, but don't hold your breath!

JOhn

[AU N EGL]

So did they rate any Auto helmets or where they all Motorcycle helmets?

How did the FIA and SNELL ratings compair to the SHARP ratings?

[strider]

The only problem with all of that is that I can't find anywhere to buy this 5-star rated helmet for £59.99! It's a Lazer LZ6, shown here. I'm going to Belgium in a week or two, maybe I'll try there.

But I quite look the look of this one, which also picked 5 stars.

[strider]

Sorry, the link to the Lazer was incorrect. It's here. Not very special looking, but the main thing is that it will apparently do the job.

[JohnD]

AU,
A comparision of SNELL with SHARP would be of interest, but where can one find SNELL? Google finds no institute or body with that name.

John

[Eddy V]

http://www.smf.org/

[AU N EGL]

Eddy Posted it

SNELL - Snell Memoral Foundation http://www.smf.org/

[Chris Y]

Originally Posted by strider

The only problem with all of that is that I can't find anywhere to buy this 5-star rated helmet for £59.99! It's a Lazer LZ6, shown here. I'm going to Belgium in a week or two, maybe I'll try there.

http://www.bikersworldonline.com/sto...36&i=177601036

I just searched Google for it, and there it was

[strider]

Originally Posted by Chris Y

http://www.bikersworldonline.com/sto...36&i=177601036

I just searched Google for it, and there it was

Thanks, Chris, that's really helpful. I thought I had done a Google as well, but obviously with less success!

[JohnD]

Thanks for the Snell link!
Google failed me this time; I used Snell alone and with institute, agency, authority, board, group, etc.etc. but not "foundation". Haven't been able to go through it yet, but it looks more helpful than the British Standards Institute, which (I think) makes you buy copies of their standards documents.

John

[AU N EGL]

Originally Posted by Chris Y

http://www.bikersworldonline.com/sto...36&i=177601036

I just searched Google for it, and there it was

That is a MOTORCYCLE helmet. and not SNELL or FIA approved autoracing helmet. Most likey you can not use this helmet in autoracing on the Continent and definitely not in the US or Canada.

[Justin Moran]

Probably do for a trackday though?

[AU N EGL]

Originally Posted by C9/89

Probably do for a trackday though?

Nope Not in the US or Canada, M rated or Motorcyle helmets are not allowed for automobile use, even on track days.

M rated helmets have different crush zones more to a rolling accident on a motorcycle, not repeated head bumps that may occure in a car or a race car with roll cage.

also M rated helmets do not have the fire proof Nomex liner that SA ( Special Application ) or FIA approved car racing helmets do.


The Biggest difference is the crush zones in the helmets.


http://www.fia.com/en-GB/sport/regulations/Pages/Drivers'Equipment.aspx

Look at the Second and third items down. FIA standards for helmets

[bdwoody]

this is something i just dont get ,bike helmets hit the ground and save your head ,car helmets hit nothing but the headrest as most race cars have these fancy winged seats,and yet the car lid is 3 times the price?as for looks most bike lid are pretty colourful and yet the car lid is plain in most cases.

[AU N EGL]

Originally Posted by bdwoody

this is something i just dont get ,bike helmets hit the ground and save your head ,car helmets hit nothing but the headrest as most race cars have these fancy winged seats,and yet the car lid is 3 times the price?as for looks most bike lid are pretty colourful and yet the car lid is plain in most cases.

That is what ppl would like to think but it is just the opposite.

Most bike accidents dont hit their heads very much but bang the heck out of their bodies, then when just about slow down THEN their head hits the ground.

Motorcycle helmets also sit on you head differently then SA or FIA auto helmets.

vs SA/FIA helmets the drive gets gets bang around to the back of his seat. Plus if there is a FIRE.

Motorcyle helemts are made of fiberglass shells and high density foam to absobel the hit on the ground and slow the skull down in the foam material.

SA / FIA auto helmets are carbon / Kevlar or Kevlar / Fiberglass weave for lightness and strength. ( the Shell of the SA helmet is more expensive to make then the whole Motorcycle helemt) plus the crushable foam and liner is Nomex, a fire proof materail, again in most cases the liner is more expesive then the whole Motorcyle helmet to make.

The weight difference between a good M helmet and SA helmet could be as much as a kilogram lighter for the SA helmet.

Plus the design of the SA helmet is for sitting up right, not leaning forward as on a sport bike motorcycle.

The design on the shell is just paint.

[Justin Moran]

Just see plenty of bike helmets used for amateur trackdays here in the UK so these would be better as a 5star rating than a less protective lid. Dont deny, as a race marshal, the importance of head protection in any incident let alone a firey one! but most amateur trackday bods wouldnt necessarily be going fast enough to injure themselves that badly that one of these helmets wouldnt protect their brains.

[AU N EGL]

I have seen a broken neck from a 35 mph hit. Guys head snapped back so hard and hit the head reast.

The person is still a live as it was two small fractures, but could have died or become a paralized.

Each person to there own with in reason. I ware a HANS and harnesses as well. Even for track days.

[Justin Moran]

Originally Posted by AU N EGL

I have seen a broken neck from a 35 mph hit. Guys head snapped back so hard and hit the head reast.

The person is still a live as it was two small fractures, but could have died or become a paralized.

Each person to there own with in reason. I ware a HANS and harnesses as well. Even for track days.

Totally! Saved a Formula Ford driver earlier this year with a serious neck injury and had his mate join us recently on post with a new HANS device bought as a direct result of the earlier incident. No brainer really if you value your life.

[Eddy V]

If people would only realise to buy a decent product, not necessarily the cheapest or the most expensive.
You only have so many limbs, heads or other bodyparts.

[Justin Moran]

Originally Posted by Eddy V

If people would only realise to buy a decent product, not necessarily the cheapest or the most expensive.
You only have so many limbs, heads or other bodyparts.

How many heads do you have Eddie!?

[Chris Y]

I believe he's using "you" in the 3rd person plural. Grammar police says "Move along"

[Eddy V]

Usually none, I've lost mine a long time ago.
But, yes Chris is right.