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I understand all that is being said here, and agree.  I appreciate everyone's input.  I've been around helmets a long time - mostly on the dirt side, where you actually PLAN to use, rather PLAN to NEED the helmet.  I was very picky about what helmets we wore - especially my boys.

So understanding the basics of DOT and SNELL approval, my questions have only been partially addressed - my inqiring mind is more wondering why couldn't a non-DOT standard helmet be as good as or perhaps even better than an off the shelf DOT helmet???  Chief addresses this issue, I think, that there are some out there, at least overseas (not china-cheap-made US novelty stuff, but european higher quality stuff).  If they've been certified by their standards that's one thing, but we still have something like skull crush with no certifications.

I sure agree with Troll - fully clothes are sure better than "no-clothes".  I saw TWO bikes the other day, (sport bikes) with riders dressed similarly to your Gold Wing guy, and they were flat out flying up between lanes of stopped traffic on the freeway - and they both had GIRLS on the back - similarly un-dressed.... (can't fix stupid, right Reo??).  (a lot of old riders and a lot of DUMB riders, but not many old - dumb riders.... )

I guess my bottom line take-away is I think there [i]surely could be and probably ARE [/i] helmets that are just as safe as - or perhaps much better than, the standard DOT certified helmet, (let's say a Bell or something).  This skull-crush for example is made of kevlar, same stuff as our USGI boys combat helmets, I think, and the padding is made of NASA-inspired padding designed for the purposes of absorbing impacts, so I've read.  As opposed to plastic or fiberglas, and EPS, commonly used in cheap beer coolers.   HOWEVER, if a company isn't willing to buck-up and support any type of testing, how would you ever trust that their helmet really is safe at all?  I guess for now, if I'm going to bother to wear a helmet, and especially if I'm going to spend money on a new helmet, I can't justify wearing something that hasn't been somehow proven to be effective to some degree, be it DOT or SNELL ...or at least maybe Myth-Busters or something...   ;D

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Posted by 49Reo

- August 16, 2012, 14:05:14 PM

Quote from: Troll on August 16, 2012, 13:49:05 PM
. Saw a guy today....sandals, cargo shorts, wife beater and a baseball cap on backwards....on an 1800 Wing.

Well, as the saying goes, ya can't fix stupid...

Regards and such,
49Reo

Posted by Troll

- August 16, 2012, 13:49:05 PM

The standards in Europe are different than those here in the U.S. The German standard, T.U.V. is MUCH stricter than the D.O.T., and the almost universal C.E. standard for body armor has no counterpart here. No matter what, any helmet is probably going to be better than none, and dressing better, over all would help, too. Saw a guy today....sandals, cargo shorts, wife beater and a baseball cap on backwards....on an 1800 Wing.

Posted by chief

- August 16, 2012, 12:21:15 PM

having lived in Europe, I know there are many, many lids without dot certification which are perfectly capable of providing the level of safety we need. In Tn, we are not restricted to dot certs. So we have a wide range of choices.

you need to follow the state law. but I would not rule out non- dot helmets if they are tested by other facilities and are legal. in fact I do wear such helmets routinely. that's my choice... you need to make yours.

Posted by waltervl

- August 16, 2012, 11:04:27 AM

Indeed, it is better that your helmet is crushed than your skull.....

The energy of the impact needs to be absorbed by the helmet and breaking the helmet is absorbing energy

Posted by Troll

- August 16, 2012, 09:13:32 AM

If nothing else, the requirement by those states with mandatory helmet laws would preclude you from wearing a non-DOT helmet in place of the legal version. The reasoning behind the heavy layer of EPS inside the helmet is to absorb and spread out and impact over a large area to prevent narrow point trauma to the skull. The fibreglas shell is designed to eggshell on impact, further mitigating the shock. The idea that the shell should stay intact in a crash is just simply wrong.

Posted by testpilot

- August 16, 2012, 08:35:06 AM

Skull Crush refers you to this: "If you prefer the DOT look, we offer an incredible selection of Biltwell & Daytona DOT rated helmets." This implies the Skull Crush either did not pass DOT testing or the manufacturer chooses not to get them certified. The best certification is SNELL which surpasses DOT. All SNELL helmets will pass DOT. Some manufacturers go through the trouble of getting both certifications.

Although the Skull Crush is a really cool looking helmet, I would steer clear. I fact, it's so cool looking, if I had one, i would specify in my will that I be laid out in it for my funeral. Just kidding.

http://www.smf.org/helmetfaq

Posted by greenbarn

- August 15, 2012, 22:42:48 PM

I read the review on the skull crush helmets over on the product review board, and then went to the skull crush dot com site, and then spend about an hour searching the web for information. Still don't know a whole lot more than when I started.

I have been looking for a new helmet, tried on several at the local bike shop, and so far can't find any that I like the way they fit any better than my old Simpson. They all sit way up high on my noggin, and just aren't all that comfortable.

skull crush stuff looks enticing, with it's low profile. I never considered a non-Dot approved helmet, thinking the "novelty" helmets are inferior. However, the tech info on the skull crush stuff seems impressive - carbon fiber, kevlar, energy-absorbing ensolite padding, etc. I'll have to admit it sounds better than plastic/fiberglass/styrofoam.

So what's the opinion, do the high tech skull crush helmets provide less / more / the same protection as the Dot standard?? Obviously, all Dot helmets are not even equal - For example I would consider a $100 Bell helmet better than a $40 "brand X" dot helmet.

I don't want this to turn into another version of full face vs. half helmet debates, but What are your thoughts?

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