Flip-up Helmet Safety?

[y0shi]

Let me start by saying I'm not trying to go down the road of DOT vs Snell vs the european ratings. The article in Motorcyclist was very interesting reading, but that's not what I want to ask.

 

I'm in the market for a new helmet. I wouldn't mind the added convenience of a flip-up, but I've noticed that no flip-up carries a Snell rating. What I'm wondering is why there aren't any flip-ups that are Snell certified. I don't think Snell has a seperate standard defined for flip-ups, but do they refuse to test them as a normal full-face helmet? Have any manufacturers submitted flip-up helmets for Snell testing? Or, worst case, does the chin bar on flip-ups fail to hold up to impacts as well as a normal full-face?

 

Anyone seen any info on this?

[canoehead]

At a recent motorcycle show, one of the vendors showed me a demo HJC flip up that he said would be Snell rated. I was told they used some titanium in the flip up mechansim. I just had a look at the HJC web site and don't see the helmet listed there, might be an indication they didn't get it into full production? The helmet certainly looked different than the run of the mill HJC flip ups.

[sideways]

I don't have any axe to grind about flip-front helmets. In fact, I'm thinking about a Symax because I'm miserable in my new Schuberth S1 (anyone want to buy a slightly used large white S1?).

 

However, since you asked the question, here's some food for thought.

This guy thinks flip fronts are probably a hazard, and that the manufacturers know it:

http://motorcycleinfo.calsci.com/Helmets.html#Helmets

 

Here's what Snell snay about it:

http://www.smf.org/faqs.html

Why won't Snell certify some types of helmets like flip up front designs?

Snell does not dismiss out of hand any helmet design that strays from the conventional. Snell does not point out any design specifications other than general requirements in our standards. We are however, always concerned with innovations and new designs that may effect the helmet's ability to protect the wearer, or in some cases the helmets potential to cause injury. At present the Foundation has not had the opportunity to test any of the flip up front type helmets for certification. We do not find any fault with these designs as long as they are used according to the manufacturers instructions and meet all of the requirements of the standard. We will also certify any size of helmet as long as it meets the same requirements as any other Snell certified helmet.

 

I noticed also today that flip-fronts are not allowed at the K Schwantz Suzuki School. Apparently somebody there thinks they aren't too hot in a race speed crash.

 

Good luck in your helmet search!

[mackerman]

FWIW, my take on the Motorcyclist article about helmet testing is that the Snell testing standard was not particulary user friendly, ie, the Snell standard actually allowed a higher level of energy to be transmitted to the head. It goes on to say that a "softer" helmet absorbed more energy, therefore passing less to the head upon impact.

 

Another article that you might want to review is here

http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/accessoriesandgear/fliphelmets/

It's a review of 7 different flip up helmets.

 

My personal for the last 4 years is a Nolan N100. I'm replacing it this year with another one as the helmet funk is approaching the lethel limits....

[KDeline]

My wife crash tested her Arrow flip up helmut at 60 mph. Worked fine, she still has a cute face.

[y0shi]

FWIW, my take on the Motorcyclist article about helmet testing is that the Snell testing standard was not particulary user friendly, ie, the Snell standard actually allowed a higher level of energy to be transmitted to the head. It goes on to say that a "softer" helmet absorbed more energy, therefore passing less to the head upon impact.

 

Another article that you might want to review is here

http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/accessoriesandgear/fliphelmets/

It's a review of 7 different flip up helmets.

 

My personal for the last 4 years is a Nolan N100. I'm replacing it this year with another one as the helmet funk is approaching the lethel limits....

 

My point was not about the Snell standard. Regardless of the validity of the standard, it's curious to me that no flip-up has Snell certification and I wonder if something inherit in their design makes them unsafe; that perhaps there is a flaw in having a flip-up chin bar that makes it weak. In the article you linked, it seems that the chin bar itself is sturdy, but perhaps the latching mechanism may come undone during an impact, especially the HJC (which I am considering since it will fit my large, sputnik-esqe head).

[Jim VonBaden]

FWIW, my take on the Motorcyclist article about helmet testing is that the Snell testing standard was not particulary user friendly, ie, the Snell standard actually allowed a higher level of energy to be transmitted to the head. It goes on to say that a "softer" helmet absorbed more energy, therefore passing less to the head upon impact.

 

Another article that you might want to review is here

http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/accessoriesandgear/fliphelmets/

It's a review of 7 different flip up helmets.

 

My personal for the last 4 years is a Nolan N100. I'm replacing it this year with another one as the helmet funk is approaching the lethel limits....

 

My point was not about the Snell standard. Regardless of the validity of the standard, it's curious to me that no flip-up has Snell certification and I wonder if something inherit in their design makes them unsafe; that perhaps there is a flaw in having a flip-up chin bar that makes it weak. In the article you linked, it seems that the chin bar itself is sturdy, but perhaps the latching mechanism may come undone during an impact, especially the HJC (which I am considering since it will fit my large, sputnik-esqe head).

 

I have read in several articles that SNELL doesn't test Flip-face helmets because they can't figure a reliable way to fairly test each type for the flip-front mechanism. Each type of helmet is different and presents the problem of finding a way to test the function and capability of the flip-face to stay down.

 

They also say that most would probably pass SNELL tests if they were to test them.

 

Jim

[mark lawrence]

I know Ed Becker, the managing director of Snell, well. Snell only tests helmets that are submitted by manufactureres for testing. No flip-up has been submitted. It's really just that simple. If they were asked, they would test the helmets.

[ben1364]

Yup.