What helmet standard?

[Initial D.oug]

What helmet standard is legal in Canada? I'm looking at a helmet and it's stated as ECE standard. I wonder if that is legal in Canada. Anyone? VTwinVince?

[Dean]

I can't answer your question directly, but the Snell (http://smf.org/) organization might offer some help.


Dean

[Nick]

What will the helmet be used for?

Snell 'M' rated helmets are for motorcycling (designed for one large impact, and not much else after) and auto-X. Get an M2000 as a bare minimum. Current helmets will be M2005 rated.

Snell 'SA' rated helmets are for automotive use (designed for repeated-bashings against rollcage tubing in a rollover). Get a SA2000 as minimum or SA2005.

If you are just using it for commuting/leisure, then I don't think standards apply...I don't think there are roadside checks where they look for the snell sticker on your helmet.
For any sort of sport-riding/driving or competition use, then the Snell standards will apply.

[Al Canuck]

Nick summed it up pretty good.

BUT, I would like to add one thing to this, and any helmet discussion I've ever been involved with. If you have a $10 head, put it inside a $10 helmet. Words to live and die by.

I bounced my head off the tarmac at over 100km/h a few years back. I had a very nice, very new, very EXPENSIVE Arai helmet on my melon. It was the ONLY thing that saved me from serious injury. Very mild concussion, but nothing more. I had it X-rayed after, and it was TOAST. Not fun, but glad I had it.

Al

[Dean]

Snell 'M' rated helmets are for motorcycling (designed for one large impact, and not much else after) and auto-X.

Snell 'SA' rated helmets are for automotive use (designed for repeated-bashings against rollcage tubing in a rollover).

The Snell standards are designed like Nick mentions. But the helmets themselves will typically withstand both impact standards. That is, M helmets will pass the SA impact tests and the SA helmets will pass the M impact tests. Snell cross tests helmets to figure this stuff out.

There are three main differences between SA and M helmets. The first is the size of the opening for vision (for full-face helmets). M helmets have a larger opening because they have different vision needs than SA helmets. Secondly, SA helmets have to resist burning. And thirdly is the different impact tests Nick mentioned. Because of the eye opening standard, a helmet that meets the M rating can't meet the SA rating, and vice versa. A helmet can meet both impact tests. But once a helmet has been in an accident, replace it (according to Snell).

When I bought my helmet several years ago now, I wrote an article for the newsletter for the local BMW club. I e-mailed it to Snell to ensure I had my facts straight. The info I mentioned above was in the response.


Dean

[VtwinVince]

Helmets with a rating are for wussies. Real men ride with a beanie, preferably one that will fly off your head at the slightest hint of an impact. Just kidding, I'm a safety Nazi and my life was saved once by a Snell rated bicycle helmet.

[Initial D.oug]

I was looking at this helmet.Schuberth J1. Just for the scooter now but eventually for a sport bike.

http://www.webbikeworld.com/schuberth-j1/schuberth-j1.gif

http://www.webbikeworld.com/schuberth-j1/