Can you

[TerryMiller]

Tell me any practical difference between these Snell Rated full face helmets other than the obvious $440. Safety, comfort, etc.

I'm thinking of taking the bike down an urban expressway to work and thought a Snell rated full face helmet might come in handy for the trip. It might make night travel a little better too since any prescription eye glasses would work behind it.


Shoei X-Eleven 539.99
Shoei TZ-R 273.99
Arai Rx7 corsair 557.96
Arai Vector 376.16
Bell Apex 189.95
HJC AC-12 215.99
HJC CL-15 116.99

[CDouthitt]

Might I add a Scorpion Exo-700 to that list? It's $199, lightweight, lots of vents, removable liner, and lots of options for visors. Snell and DOT rated.

Scorpion Exo-700 (http://shopping.scorpionusa.com/F4BD78EED51D4762989F1184B1165B96.asp?cat_id=FBF05A C4DB8843C1B0FF76893F5540D5&pc_key=63CEDEC906F0422B9B7B3B8D4EDE8B19&retpage=%2FF4BD78EED51D4762989F1184B1165B96%2Easp&nm=Street+Helmets&spath=Home+%3E+Equipment+%3E+Helmets+%3E+Street+He lmets&path=Home+%3E+Equipment+%3E+Helmets+%3E+Street+Hel mets&sc_id=BA810DD8D05E45DE9775CCFD47532A83)

[TerryMiller]

Might I add a Scorpion Exo-700 to that list? It's $199, lightweight, lots of vents, removable liner, and lots of options for visors. Snell and DOT rated.

Scorpion Exo-700 (http://shopping.scorpionusa.com/F4BD78EED51D4762989F1184B1165B96.asp?cat_id=FBF05A C4DB8843C1B0FF76893F5540D5&pc_key=63CEDEC906F0422B9B7B3B8D4EDE8B19&retpage=%2FF4BD78EED51D4762989F1184B1165B96%2Easp&nm=Street+Helmets&spath=Home+%3E+Equipment+%3E+Helmets+%3E+Street+He lmets&path=Home+%3E+Equipment+%3E+Helmets+%3E+Street+Hel mets&sc_id=BA810DD8D05E45DE9775CCFD47532A83)

Is that a personal recommendation?

[dwarthog]

www.webbikeworld.com is your friend.

LOTS, of helmet reviews.

[TerryMiller]

www.webbikeworld.com is your friend.

LOTS, of helmet reviews.

Thanks very helpful.

[MegaGlide]

Snell helmets are tested to a standard.
DOT takes the manufacturer's word for it.
It used to be that the DOT standard would keep you from getting a headache in a low speed upset, while a Snell helmet would keep your skull from splitting like a ripe melon in a high speed crash.
That was back when dinosaurs roamed the earth, though, so I don't know if that still holds true today.
The testing thing still does, though...

[LittleBear]

Go to a ***** dealer and try them all on. Then go get the one that fits you the best and has the features you want. Price should not be an issue.
Back in the early "70's Bell had a poster, If you got a $10 head get a $10 dollar helmet. Back then a Full face Bell with Snell rating was around $70 and a el-cheapo DOT was about $10.

Again, just buy what fits good and has the features you like.

[MegaGlide]

Go to a ***** dealer and try them all on. Then go get the one that fits you the best and has the features you want. Price should not be an issue.
Back in the early "70's Bell had a poster, If you got a $10 head get a $10 dollar helmet. Back then a Full face Bell with Snell rating was around $70 and a el-cheapo DOT was about $10.

Again, just buy what fits good and has the features you like.
That's like the best idea ever.
No matter how high-falutin', it ain't gonna do you any good if it's uncomfortable and you ain't wearin' it.
Kinda like the .44 Mag left at home isn't nearly as effective as the .32 in your pocket.

[8-Ball]

so... you did get it...

[CDouthitt]

Is that a personal recommendation?

Yes, the wife and I have one each...There is someone else here that has a Scorpion helmet as well...but I forget who.
-C

[16X9 Shooter]

HJC CL-15 116.99

I have one. I like it.

[hornrocker]

Terry, I found this on the web, biggest answers are near the end of the article:

"Motorcycle Helmet Ratings
Posted in Science, Product Reviews, The Store, Motorcycling on August 27th, 2006 by Chip Gibbons
I was checking out motorcycle helmets yesterday and learned a thing or two.

The store where I was browsing had a sign by the helmets which said something like “Ask for assistance in trying on helmets. If you drop it, you bought it.”

I thought that was a rather strange given that helmets are, well, supposed to be durable and impact resistant.

The saleswoman explained that helmets are in some ways similar to airbags in cars. They are designed to absorb a heavy impact ONCE. Once they’ve done their job, they’re toast and you need a new one.

Helmets are also marked as Department of Transportation (DOT) approved. Others also have the Snell approval. This article explains the difference and has some surprising (well, maybe not) things to say about the DOT stamp of approval.

The DOT performs a straight forward impact test. Using a simulated head placed inside a helmet, testers drop the helmet from a height of ten feet. The head cannot receive more than 400 G-force units on impact. A G-force unit measures the force of gravity exerted against an object in motion.

Now here’s the kicker with DOT rated helmets–manufacturers don’t need to test their helmets in order to claim a DOT rating! A helmet manufacturer simply needs to feel that a helmet is meeting the DOT specifications to brand it as “DOT rated.” The DOT might occasionally pull helmets to perform testing, but the majority of helmets sold as DOT certified do not undergo any level of testing.

I wonder what the DOT does if they test a helmet and it doesn’t pass.

The Snell certification stands in rigorous contrast to DOT specifications. Helmet manufacturers voluntarily submit their products to the Snell evaluation service and pay for the testing procedures. These procedures are extensive and include seven test types, from impact to shell penetration tests to flame resistance testing. The type and degree of testing is dependent on the type of helmet and its application.

Snell cites the following areas as critical in helmet safety:

* Impact management: how well the helmet protects against collisions with large objects;
* Helmet positional stability: whether the helmet will be in place, on the head, when it’s needed;
* Retention system strength: whether the chin straps are sufficiently strong enough to hold the helmet throughout a head impact; and
* Extent of protection: the area of the head protected by the helmet.

Snell Memorial Foundation, Inc. ( 2005). 2005 Standard for Protective Headgear, 4.

In short, Snell offers the highest certification standards regarding helmet safety. But a buyer will pay a higher price for Snell certified helmets, as the added costs of production and testing add to the overall value of the helmet.

See also: Snell Memorial Foundation and
Wikipedia entry, which explains how Snell operates. It’s a great example of a private foundation doing a much better job of policing standards than the government has done."

Hope this helps

[TerryMiller]

Thanks everyone,

I'm probably going shopping Saturday after riding. I read almost all of the webBikeWorld reviews of Snell rated helmets. I'll take the personal recommendations into account and try on some helmets.

[TerryMiller]

I ended up with the EXO-700. It's the only helmet that they could make fit. I needed an XL helmet with XXL cheekpads and they only stock the replacements for the EXO. Everything else is special order.

And before ya say it, I already know I have more mouth than brains.

[CDouthitt]

Now that you've had it for a while...what are your thoughts...

[TerryMiller]

I've only worn it a few times and the longest ride was 50 miles so it's difficult to say much.

It's still loud in there so I need ear plugs with the helmet. It doesn't feel heavy at all. I'm pretty sure I could wear it all day.

I wore it 50 miles in the pouring rain through stop and go traffic. Temp was in the low 60's. With rain gear and the helmet I could have gone all day. Either my glasses or the visor fogged when stopped so I needed to lift the visor a little.

[CDouthitt]

I've only worn it a few times and the longest ride was 50 miles so it's difficult to say much.

It's still loud in there so I need ear plugs with the helmet. It doesn't feel heavy at all. I'm pretty sure I could wear it all day.

I wore it 50 miles in the pouring rain through stop and go traffic. Temp was in the low 60's. With rain gear and the helmet I could have gone all day. Either my glasses or the visor fogged when stopped so I needed to lift the visor a little.

Are you using the clear visor, or a tinted one...the clear should be a no-fog...or at least hard to fog (mine only fogs up when the temp is around 50 or below).

[TerryMiller]

Clear, that's why I think it could have been my glasses. It might have been colder that day too. I know it wasn't in the 40's though.

I do know I'll never ride for any distance in the rain without it again.