This entry was posted on Wednesday, February 25th, 2009 at 7:14 pm and is filed under Helmets, Motorcycle. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.
February 25, 2009
I’m a member of an online riders group blog site and I recently got involved in a heated discussion about motorcycle helmets.
It all got started with a question about a “Novelty” motorcycle helmet constructed of Carbon Fiber. The cost for this motorcycle helmet was $130.00 in the novelty style and $185 for a DOT-approved rendering.
The discussion got started with a couple of uneducated posts stating that “Carbon Fiber is the best.” I checked the web site of the subject helmet retailer and their ad copy says “Like wearing nothing at all.” I know they were referring to the weight advantage carbon fiber offers over competing shell materials but this guy was looking at buying the non-DOT style helmet and my argument was that it really would be like wearing nothing at all if in an accident.
His rational was that this Carbon Fiber helmet could stop a bullet so it had to be better than a DOT-approved motorcycle helmet design made of fiberglass or Polycarbonate. This got me going because these idiots were not taking into consideration the need for impact absorbing material which this novelty design did not have.
Then the discussion got going in the money direction…it cost $135 so it’s better than a less expensive DOT-approved helmet and “Only spend as much on a helmet that you think your head is worth.” It drives me nuts when people don’t use facts in there decision making.
Wear a motorcycle helmet or don’t wear a motorcycle helmet but why fake wearing a motorcycle helmet? I provided the facts and figures on the DOT and Snell certification processes and the EU and British versions too. I’m certain that if Carbon fiber were superior that racing governing bodies would require its use. The key to any design is its impact absorption ability. Nobody would remove the crumple zones from their car, disable the seat belts and air bags and believe they would be pulverized in a severe impact. Sure, the outside might sustain less damage but the contents would be soup for sure.
They finally said, “Live and Let Live” I say let’s keep “Live and Let Die” a movie and wear a DOT-Approved helmet if you choose to wear a Motorcycle Helmet. The debate goes on!