How good is your lid

3 Stars - Arai Viper GT

My Arai Chaser has 3 stars .
At the price of around £400 I hope its good enough .

Steve f

Maybe price isn't a guarantee of quality? I looked at the search filters and set it to 5 stars and up to £150 and it came up with about 8 helmets that fitted the bill.

Here's the results - Under £150 - 5 stars

I can't see how a Nitro Aikido @ £70 (5 stars) has two more stars than an Arai Viper GT at around £350 (3 stars)
What are we paying for I ask myself if the main purpose of the helmet is to protect my head if I fall off? Something it very wrong here.

Phil Littler wrote:

Maybe price isn't a guarantee of quality? I looked at the search filters and set it to 5 stars and up to £150 and it came up with about 8 helmets that fitted the bill.

Here's the results - Under £150 - 5 stars

I can't see how a Nitro Aikido @ £70 (5 stars) has two more stars than an Arai Viper GT at around £350 (3 stars)
What are we paying for I ask myself if the main purpose of the helmet is to protect my head if I fall off? Something it very wrong here.

Very good point Phil
What are we paying for ??

Steve f

The price is not relevant to the test results.

Many disagree with the method of testing - In particular Arai claim that the test requires shell strength in areas which , in their experience (and they must have a lot) , do not require it.
Some manufacturers construct their helmets to pass the test whereas Arai make what they feel provides the most protection.

It may be worth looking at the test procedure to make a decision on whether it offers a suitable guide in the real world.
There has been much disagreement over this test and its results.

Shoie XR- 1100 5 Stars
At the end of the day there is no point wearing a five star helmet if it is not comfortable. Fortunately mine is very comfortable. From what I have read many manufacturers do not agree with the Sharp test. So do you get what you pay for. I think we do.

Dave

A helmet is just a helmet - from my experience at crashes there is only a point up to which they will stop serious head injuries. Your brain suffers the same concusive effects as a boxer when it suddenly decelerates /stops quickly against the inner skull cavity.

Moral is - ride so you don't need to use it.

You can buy the best on the market and still suffer fatal head injuries. Very often it is body impact on hard object that kills.

Don't go by price alone - a fancy paint job will add at least £100 to cost of helmet, extra vents etc. will put price up. So you could have £50 shell with lots of extras taking price to £300+.