So, what helmet do you wear?

I sell helmets for a living (509, Shoei, and HJC) and consider myself pretty highly educated on all things helmets. The list of articles a member posted above is good reading from a bygone era of Snell testing methodology that has lead them to change how they approach safety. That was a good thing. In general Snell helmets are heavier because they have a thicker shell while ECE helmets are lighter because they have a thinner shell. ECE's philosophy is shell construction that gets impact energy to the part of the helmet (EPS liner) designed to dissipate that energy as soon as possible. Snell philosophy was always geared around protecting your head from multiple impacts in the same spot as well as high degrees of puncture resistance. This resulted in thick (heavy) shells that were often quite rigid. The Snell 2015 standard is more in line with DOT/ECE so you'll find a lot of Snell approved helmets that are lighter than 5 years ago but still not as light DOT/ECE lids. You'll also find that Snell helmets tend to hold up better (cosmetically) in get-offs. This is deceiving however because, as we all know, once you bonk your head your helmet is (or should be) done as it can no longer protect you in that spot. Shoei actually offers a free helmet inspection service if you're concerned.

An example of how light ECE helmets can be is the new HJC RPHA Pro 11. It's only 3.2lbs! The ECE only model is even lighter because the US DOT required the shell to be a little thicker. If you're in the market for a $450 track lid the RPHA 11 Pro can't be beat. 

The single biggest advantage of Snell is that they secret shop the products they certify. They will actually go and buy helmets off the shelf and retest them to ensure the mfg is building to their standard. ECE nor DOT do this and only require the MFG to send them helmets to test post-production. Zero independent verification. The risk of liability seems to keep the helmet mfg's pretty honest however..

Shoei hand-makes in Japan every helmet they manufacture. It takes nearly 7 days to build a Shoei. The only part of a Shoei that requires help from a robot are areas where laser cuts have to me made for vents and etc. Even the decals are laid by hand (the same way decals are applied to model airplanes and etc) which is why there is such a large upcharge on Shoei's with graphics. Shoei also has their own wind tunnel and thoroughly tests every model to minimize lift, buffeting, and drag. I don't want to sound like an infomercial here but this is why your Shoei will feel lighter on your head at speed (where it matters) than it does at a stand still or in hand. They also build their helmet internals to cater to whatever region of the world they are being sold in. North America typically has intermediate oval head shapes and Shoei designs around that fact... go try one on and see for yourself, nothing fits like a Shoei!!

Photochromatic shields are an interesting topic. There's pretty much 1 MFG for all of these shields and Shoei rejects 90% of the ones they receive for failing to be 100% optically correct, not changing quickly enough, or any microscopic imperfections. Companies like Bell just accept them all and send them out the door and that's why they are much cheaper and readily available. When you get a PC shield from Shoei (they are always on backorder) it's not going to have any compromises in performance due to mfg variances.


HJC makes great lids for the money imo. I'll put their fit and finish up against any comparably priced Bell or LS2 helmet any day of the week. They have tried to emulate the Shoei fit and finish in just about every compatible model, RPHA to RF1200 and X-Fourteen, ISMAX2 to Neotech, IS-17 or RPHA ST to GT-Air, FG-17 to the Qwest and now the new RF-SR, and the RPHA-X to the VFX-W and have come pretty close.
The HJC FG-17 btw is the Industry's most under-rated helmet IMO.. you just don't find many $200 Snell approved helmets with Fiberglass construction not to mention the CL-17 which is a $150 Snell approved polycarbonate helmet (and HJC's #1 selling motorcycle helmet)..

A couple of words on MIPS and/or 6D technology. Pure Gimmick & Marketing BS. Neither Shoei, HJC, or any other brand still considering the merits of this approach have been able to produce or reproduce any of the claims made by MIPS concerning them being any safer than traditional multi-density interlocking EPS foam. All helmets inherently slip a little during impacts at any speed.. it's as if they invented a solution to a problem that doesn't actually exist just to give sales guys something to talk about with customers. They aren't very comfortable either imo...

Here's an interesting study that says EPS liners last much longer than recommendations.

www.helmets.org/helmetlineraging.htm

Personally, I subscribe to taking care of a helmet and getting a long life from them. But I also like to stay relatively modern with technology and even fashion to some extent.

Wot75 makes many good points based on industry experience.  The study I posted is real and supports my engineering experience, but like anything else, longevity assumes certain levels of care.  Wot75's testing recommendation sounds like a great idea. 

Just got one of these guys as a Christmas present:

ICON: The Watch Keeper

I think I have a problem
It's never enough!

Simpson M30 gloss black with Dark tint. It's really dark for the Floridas bright sunny days. After eye surgery, I'm a little sensitive. It's very comfy, the total field of view is great and it's really compact.

Guys, could you please post links so others can buy it too?

I just bought my RPHA 11 Pro Venom helmet. I would post a pic but I dont know how. I am a new member.... I have questions about the RPHA 11....

If you are on a computer, click "add image to post" and then upload. It's easy.

But we prefer you just post a link to where it can be bought, read reviews, etc etc. retail links.