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Re: Lids

Posted by sgtslag on May 31, 2012; 3:48pm
URL: http://vintage-and-classic-hondas.81.s1.nabble.com/Lids-tp4021818p4021995.html

Dr. Hurt addressed the issue of helmet protection in accidents, in his infamous study.  His comments stated that the DOT rated helmets (from the mid-80's) offered great protection in an accident, he even commented in a 2005 interview with Motorcycle Consumer News Magazine (PDF link to interview), that the $80 Pep Boy's helmets offered fantastic protection (DOT rated).

Helmets manufactured for Europe's ECE standards, are not marketed in the USA, as the ECE standard is somewhat different than the DOT, so they sell DOT/Snell versions of their helmets here.  If you want an ECE rated helmet, you will need to order it from a European vendor, and have it shipped here.  I would recommend you review the standards of the US DOT, and the European ECE ratings, and test methods.  They are very similar.

The bottom line is G-forces transmitted to the head/skull, in a crash.  The old Snell standards allowed many, many more G's to be transmitted to the head, due to the sharp anvil test (shell had to be hard enough to withstand this impact, which meant more G's to the skull), which is no longer part of their current testing standards protocol.  The current Snell testing methods, and G-force requirements, are quite similar to the DOT requirements.

Dr. Hurt's study demonstrated that G-force transmitted to the skull kills, by scrambling the jello-like brain tissue, and by tearing the blood vessels that supply the brain.  The challenge is to soften the G-forces, on impact, without creating a helmet so large, and heavy, that just wearing it will injure you.

After the DOT/Snell/ECE ratings, it's all about comfort, and style.  The protection factor is taken care of, so long as the DOT/Snell/ECE rating is legitimate.  Cheers!
1979 CB750K (sold, 2012, but not forgotten)
1983 Kawasaki 440 LTD Belt Drive (sold, 2011)
1993 Kawasaki Voyager XII