SHARP Ratings up

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Syltiz · #1 Post by **Syltiz** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 3:31 pm

http://dft-1-sharp.eduserv.org.uk/searc ... 0&x=29&y=3

back_marker · #2 Post by **back_marker** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 4:45 pm

Some interesting reading there, notably what is supposedly one of the best lids on the market scoring a paltry 3 stars. Take note Arai.

Confirms what I have always thought about Shark and HJC offerings considering their pricing compared to some others.

Syltiz · #3 Post by **Syltiz** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 4:48 pm

I am quite pleased about the Shark RSR2 scoring so well - I love the look of those helmets. Im off to Barcelona next weekend... (Motocard in Barcelona is the best motorcycle shop ever - puts the UK shops to shame) so I might be dropping some Euroes there on a new Shark RSR2

D-Rider · #4 Post by **D-Rider** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 8:11 pm

Yeah - mine got 5 stars

HJC HQ-1 Carbon

Samray · #5 Post by **Samray** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 8:19 pm

Mine were both rated near the top.....alphabetically.

but they fit my funny shaped head.

D-Rider · #6 Post by **D-Rider** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 8:24 pm

Do they offer full beard protection Sam ?

Samray · #7 Post by **Samray** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 9:59 pm

My confidence in their rating system took a dive when I saw the top rated AGV has a quick release buckle.

Gio · #8 Post by **Gio** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 11:08 pm

I'd never go and buy a helmet on the whim of some geezer who says they're good.

The damn thing has to fit properly in the 1st place.

Its daft
.

Samray · #9 Post by **Samray** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 11:21 pm

Can't fault their 'Helmet Guidance' section but I dont pretend to understand their rating system.

Paulh · #10 Post by **Paulh** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 7:45 am

Samray wrote:My confidence in their rating system took a dive when I saw the top rated AGV has a quick release buckle.

Why - I had a two of the earlier Shoei Raid 1's with the quick release buckle and quite a few crashes in them - they never came off.
D rings on the current version are easier to adjust but why are they any safer?

Not surprised to see the Nitro's scoring well though as they are popular with club racers over the last couple of seasons - I'd have one if they fitted.

Samray · #11 Post by **Samray** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 8:20 am

Paulh wrote:
Samray wrote:My confidence in their rating system took a dive when I saw the top rated AGV has a quick release buckle.

Why - I had a two of the earlier Shoei Raid 1's with the quick release buckle and quite a few crashes in them - they never came off.
D rings on the current version are easier to adjust but why are they any safer?

Starting point would be respect for this blokes opinions.

tc wrote:I mentioned earlier about the securing straps, and this is an area that can and does cause problems. Shoei were one of the first if not the first to introduce the seat belt type fastener, and this found favour with many riders as they found that their helmet could be secured with a gloved hand. Over time, many other manufacturers followed suit, but what often is not realized is that over time these straps will stretch and so they cease to be properly secured to the head. If you do have this type of safety catch, then make sure that you check the tightness of the strap on a regular basis, the last thing you want to do is put a loose strap to the test. With a double D fastener of course, the strap is tightened every time the helmet is put on, and personally I prefer this peace of mind even though it may not be as convenient as the safety belt type fastener.

A very logical argument I thought.
https://www.ridersite.com/viewtopic.ph ... c&start=30

Paulh · #12 Post by **Paulh** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 10:49 am

So adjust the strap if it becomes loose - whats the problem?

Is the fact the D ring strap is tightned every time any guarantee that people do them up right?

Samray · #13 Post by **Samray** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 11:03 am

Your choice. I've made mine.

Firestarter · #14 Post by **Firestarter** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 12:23 pm

Sam, so what you're saying is your choice would be based on a fastening type, not on how well the helmet did in withstanding an impact? I'd rather have a helmet that survived an impact well with a seat-belt fastener (that can be adjusted) rather than one that falls apart when dropped but has a d-ring.

It's impact testing that SHARP are conducting, on a properly adjusted helmet. My confidence in the ratings isn't changed, as the fastening method seems to be largely irrelevant to the process they're undertaking, so the fact that it's d-ring or seat-belt is never going to affect the ratings.

Unless there's a rating introduced based on how likely the strap is to part company, the ratings do what they say on the tin. And this is still a major improvement on the current pass/fail system of helmet testing - which I don't think pays attention to the fasteners either.

Samray · #15 Post by **Samray** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 12:43 pm

I said nothing of the sort.
They claim in that video to test the safety performance of helmets in a "more comprehensive and wide ranging " series of tests.
In fact they test but one aspect (impact) of helmet safety.
Their claims and results are misleading if they ignore the question of whether the helmet fits and is likely to remain a good fit or is likely to remain on your head when needed.
I consider quick release buckles to be a very iffy design feature, and would expect tests on buckles to reach the same conclusion if ever performed.

I also gave up biking for many a year when helmets were made compulsary