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For anyone who wants more data, Virginia Tech runs a helmet impact testing lab and publishes results and rankings: https://www.helmet.beam.vt.edu/bicycle-helmet

For anyone who wants more data, Virginia Tech runs a helmet impact testing lab and publishes results and rankings: https://www.helmet.beam.vt.edu/bicycle-helmet-ratings.html https://www.helmet.beam.vt.edu/bicycle-helmet-ratings.html

Scoundreller 1y ago
If we used a similar methodology for testing cars, we’d be blasting watermelon heads from a cannon against windshields and sacks of potatoes against steering wheels. We’d benefit from more realistic models. But I guess our helmets would then cost $500.
- solardev 1y ago
  Is the methodology that bad? What's wrong with it? From their test protocol (https://vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/5e7e952d-8e1c-4926-b090-7898bb005e13/content https://vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/5e7...), it looks like they simulate a fall (with a model head inside it) against a target at an oblique angle, at six different impact locations and two speeds each. They go through 4 of each helmet model for the rest. It seems a lot better than nothing (which is what we had before them, at least outside of manufacturers own private tests). Their research was initially funded by the IIHS, the group that does the highway crash tests. How would you like to see it improved?
  - Scoundreller 1y ago
    Crash test dummy on a mechanized bicycle falling off/hitting stuff.
  - jq-r 1y ago
    I think the obvious problems is that majority of riders actually have hair and from my experience the chin strap isn’t very very tightly strapped (you want to speak normally I suppose). Hair gives you considerable slip area making the inner rotational liners redundant or maybe even too much.
    - trenchpilgrim 1y ago
      > from my experience the chin strap isn’t very very tightly strapped Not on a motorcycle helmet! The double D ring system forces you to cinch it tight, and it does not restrict your jaw or make it hard to talk. If you are experiencing this your helmet may be the wrong size. Most riders are picking helmets that are far too large.
      - jq-r 1y ago
        I was talking about the bicycle helmets though, I should have been clearer.
        trenchpilgrim 1y ago
        Oh yeah, most bicycle helmets seem to be stuck 20 years in the past. I mostly use MTB or skate helmets instead.
- 0xffff2 1y ago
  What does a good motorcycle helmet cost these days? I paid $500 for my then top of the line helmet circa 2010. Haven't ridden in over a decade but I'm surprised by the implication that helmets _don't_ cost $500.
  - trenchpilgrim 1y ago
    You can get a very safe ECE 22.06 rated helmet for $100-150. The more expensive helmets are lighter, more comfortable, have cool designs, and nice stuff like transitions visors or Pinlock anti-fog, but aren't really any safer until you get into FIM fhpre-02 rated helmets for MotoGP racing. (fhpre-01 is functionally identical to ECE 22.06) The days of having to shell out $600 for an Arai or Shoei for superior protection are past us.
    - 0xffff2 1y ago
      Wow. That's awesome! My helmet back in the day was indeed a Shoei. I don't recall for sure, but I don't think it was even the absolute most expensive model at the time, but it was about the cheapest helmet I felt comfortable trusting my life too.

Scoundreller 1y ago

If we used a similar methodology for testing cars, we’d be blasting watermelon heads from a cannon against windshields and sacks of potatoes against steering wheels. We’d benefit from more realistic models. But I guess our helmets would then cost $500.

solardev 1y ago
Is the methodology that bad? What's wrong with it? From their test protocol (https://vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/5e7e952d-8e1c-4926-b090-7898bb005e13/content https://vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/5e7...), it looks like they simulate a fall (with a model head inside it) against a target at an oblique angle, at six different impact locations and two speeds each. They go through 4 of each helmet model for the rest. It seems a lot better than nothing (which is what we had before them, at least outside of manufacturers own private tests). Their research was initially funded by the IIHS, the group that does the highway crash tests. How would you like to see it improved?
- Scoundreller 1y ago
  Crash test dummy on a mechanized bicycle falling off/hitting stuff.
- jq-r 1y ago
  I think the obvious problems is that majority of riders actually have hair and from my experience the chin strap isn’t very very tightly strapped (you want to speak normally I suppose). Hair gives you considerable slip area making the inner rotational liners redundant or maybe even too much.
  - trenchpilgrim 1y ago
    > from my experience the chin strap isn’t very very tightly strapped Not on a motorcycle helmet! The double D ring system forces you to cinch it tight, and it does not restrict your jaw or make it hard to talk. If you are experiencing this your helmet may be the wrong size. Most riders are picking helmets that are far too large.
    - jq-r 1y ago
      I was talking about the bicycle helmets though, I should have been clearer.
      - trenchpilgrim 1y ago
        Oh yeah, most bicycle helmets seem to be stuck 20 years in the past. I mostly use MTB or skate helmets instead.
0xffff2 1y ago
What does a good motorcycle helmet cost these days? I paid $500 for my then top of the line helmet circa 2010. Haven't ridden in over a decade but I'm surprised by the implication that helmets _don't_ cost $500.
- trenchpilgrim 1y ago
  You can get a very safe ECE 22.06 rated helmet for $100-150. The more expensive helmets are lighter, more comfortable, have cool designs, and nice stuff like transitions visors or Pinlock anti-fog, but aren't really any safer until you get into FIM fhpre-02 rated helmets for MotoGP racing. (fhpre-01 is functionally identical to ECE 22.06) The days of having to shell out $600 for an Arai or Shoei for superior protection are past us.
  - 0xffff2 1y ago
    Wow. That's awesome! My helmet back in the day was indeed a Shoei. I don't recall for sure, but I don't think it was even the absolute most expensive model at the time, but it was about the cheapest helmet I felt comfortable trusting my life too.