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As actual crash testing data is not exactly clear, I am curious to hear opinions on these helmets based on real world crash experiences from vital.
Try to refrain from voting if you don’t have first or second hand experience hitting the deck in these lids. I personally have had a few hard hits in the 6D ATR-1 that did not result in a concussion. Hoping this post will be based on crash experience rather than technology, weight, certifications, etc.
Poll
Be aware that these topics can get heated haha
Personally I ride with 6D since 2014. Had an Arai as well but prefer the 6D. Actually had a huge crash at a 6D ride day in Lommel back in 2015. Helmet was damaged so much that Bob Weber wanted to investigate it personally at his lab and he gave me a new one, been a fan since haha
. But more importantly, even though the crash was huge there were no injuries. Only a sore back and neck.
They made Bell and other brands step up their game. I had several ATR-1’s and now since last year an ATR-2. Also look closely which one fits your head perfectly. Normally I use the helmet for 2-3 years. I used to ride 100 hours a season, but nowadays it’s 20 hours max.
Thanks for the input! And yeah, I hope it doesn’t turn out that way. Really just want to have some real examples so people can make a more educated decision. I myself am considering going back to a 6D.
There are way too many variables to be basing your next helmet purchase off of anecdotal stories from posters on the internet, starting with the fact that everybody is going to have a different definition for what defines a hard hit and vastly different (and probably incorrect) recollections of what happened during a specific crash. The fact that independent laboratory data exists and will not be made public is a failure of our ethics and legal system, we as consumers absolutely deserve to know what that data says to help us make an informed decision when choosing safety equipment.
I voted ATR -2. I’ve been concussed in a Shoei and a Bell. Although the Bell was a long time ago ( I think it was a Moto 3 ) so that probably doesn’t count for this poll. It does seem big though I feel like a Pee-wee rider or the Great Gazoo, it’s big. Hard to compare crashes though, each one is apples and oranges
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DeCal Works Huge Plastic Inventory of UFO and Polisport kits.
Luxon 4-Post Bar Mounts
$189.95 - $239.95
Agree with all of that, just doing what I can to get a general idea to add to my own knowledge and opinion.
Has anyone ever brought up the idea of raising money on vital and through the moto community to go buy a bunch of new helmets and have our own independent lab testing done?
Testing ? You mean like line them up, hit em in the head with a baseball bat and see who remembers ?
Of all the helmets you’ve listed, it really comes down to which one fits you best honestly. They’re all good and definitely safe.
6D since they've come out. I have taken some nasty spills. I can't say the 6D worked vs another higher end helmet, but no concussion, just a busted visor.
Bob is the man. Everytime I go down to 6D in Brea they are really good to me. They gave my dad a killer deal on his ATS 2 street helmet. There's another kid who works there too who is really helpful but I'm forgetting his name.
I've hit the dirt a few times with my ATR-2 and knock on wood I've been good for the past couple years. I will be looking at other options though when the time comes because I bought it based more so on the stellar reputation they have and the killer deal the dealership gave me but sadly the more I rode with it - it became very obvious they don't fit my head properly. That was obviously my fault though, not theirs. Going forward I'll be making sure to try the helmet on WITH googles before purchasing.
Won't see me in anything but a 6D these days.
I wore 6D for years, great helmets, had a few concussions and knocked out twice in them. Ending up switching to leatt last year, from what I know they are the only company that releases the testing data paperwork, for what it’s worth. I just hate how basically all these helmets, regardless of the brand, are just made in China. Paying hundreds for these top of the line helmets just to be made overseas is crazy to me.
I had a pretty big one 3 weeks ago in which I shattered my ankle and smacked my head real good. I was wearing a fly formula, did not get knocked out or concussed. The fly helmet just fits me the best which is one of, if not the most, important things. I tried Fox, bell, and the 6d and none of them fit me well. Really the only reason I went with the formula.
The certifications are much more useful than anecdotal experience. ECE 22.06 includes a "low speed" impact test. If you are seeking the safest helmet I do not know why you are including models that don't have the certification.
Helmet safety is not determined by a Vital poll!
That’s actually an outstanding idea, does anyone happen to know the name of the lab that did the recent testing for Fly?
I didn't vote, b/c it's anecdotal and far too variable dependent to be conclusive... I only own two Fly Formula Carbons and haven't owned or crashed in the others mentioned, but anywho I tested one of my Formulas out head on with an oak tree at 24mph. Lost the front and headed a tree on my practice woods track with the chin and visor about 3 weeks ago. Didn't die. It hurt my neck a bit and deep bruised both palms but aside from a little brain fog for the rest of the evening and sore wrists (even now) I was pleased with the performance of the helmet. It literally knocked me on my ass backwards and the bike just kept going b/c it deflected off the bar and fork (I tried to eject but only ended up pushing the bike away and the result was me hugging and heading an oak tree dead on).
My SM-10 model helmet was the 2023 version and therefore is technically not 22.06 but the 2024 models are unchanged and are 22.06. So I would say practically my SM-10 is 22.06 or the equivalent of.
If I ever win the lottery I'm going to buy 250 of each helmet brand in varying sizes and send them to a 3rd party lab for testing. Then release the results so everyone can see.
For me personally with the limited information I have, these are the only helmets I would wear (in no particular order).
-Fly Formula
-Bell Moto 10
-6D ATR-2
-Leatt Moto 9.5
-A-star SM-10
Pit Row
Actually the 24 SM-10 has a revised chin bar but I believe that was more of a styling thing than needing to do it for the new ECE test.
Supposedly Fly have this info but won't release it. They go on to say, "one of the big brands is particularly bad" ,or "not a brand you would expect to be this bad", which is kind of annoying as that sheds a bad light on every other helmet brand other than Fly. It's a sly tactic, as if they were to name the company, then it only eliminates that one brand from the buying decision, where as now, the buyer is left wondering which brand it could be and feels more compelled to go with the Fly in case this "one bad brand" happens to be the alternative they were considering.
Agreed, I sort of understand them not releasing that info. Yet automotive OEM's release and brag about their crash test results.
I’ve seen people KO’ed in cheap helmets and expensive helmets. The one that shocked me the most was when my riding buddy got knocked out for about 5 minutes while wearing one of the “big named” expensive brands.
I too think that there should be an independent study conducted and released to the public. Much like what the NHTSA does for automobiles in the USA. To me I could care less if this adds 50-100$ to the cost of a new lid, if it helps me wear the safest Mx helmet available.
I'm on the 6d bandwagon however you're right, no fuckin way a helmet that is about $830 after tax should be made in fuckin China. That shit should be made in the USA, or if its gonna remain Chinese it needs to come down about $500.
If the helmet was made in the USA it’d be $1200. (And yes I do agree I wish more of the stuff we buy was still made here) 6Ds for us as well. Tried pretty much every top tier helmet minus Fly and always go back to 6D for the fit, protection, and light weight.
Lulz
I was looking at the replacement parts for the 2024 SM10's and the new chinbar vent/mouthpiece has 22.06 in its name. If you look closely at the 2024 version, the chinbar area at the front by the mouthpiece is a little shorter and slightly angled back more than the 2023 versions.
I wonder if the changes were needed to be ECE 22.06 or if they are only cosmetic changes and done only to be able to tell the 24 helmets from the older version that is not ECE22.06.
The 24 SM10 also come with the EJECT system. And a visor extension is available for mud races. I'm not sure if it comes with thee helmet or not yet. But they list the helmets weight both with and without the extension. That makes me think it might come with the helmet. My distributor will not have any for me until November sometime. But when I get some in I'll compare them to the current SM10 and come back and post.
I have not crashed in one. but it is the helmet I am wearing. I also have a 6D but its an older ATR-1. I prefer how well the SM10 and SM8 vent compared to the ATR-1. and customers say similar things compared to the ATR-2. I feel like there are some types of crashes that the 6D would be the best helmet to be wearing . And some that others might do better in. I would also love to fund an independent test if I ever won the lotto or had enough expendable funds.
Leatt helmets are worth a look too. They all have their little disc system. And Leatt has a lot of data and info that explain why their helmets are the way they are. and its info that should crossover to other brands as far as shape, and some other stuff they talk about.
It does come with the extension. I don’t believe they come with the eject system though. The old ones were also eject compatible though.
I didn't read through this, but wanted to say I have a Leatt 8.5 and the fit and finish have been great. I use hands free hydration and it's set up for that from new. I tried a Leatt helmet on around 2019ish and didn't like it, dug into my forehead and was pretty uncomfortable. Now the new gen is tied for most comfortable helmet I've owned.
I had a good crash this summer and cracked the shell, broke the foam inside and got a concussion. It was a nasty hit and I'm not sure a 6d would have been that much safer, maybe a bit though. I do however feel if I had a crappy department store helmet on when that crash happened that it would have been worse.
The worst crash I’ve had was in a cheap and old HJC helmet. I was on a motorcycle vacation deep in Mexico and they didn’t let me board the plane with my new Bell Moto 9. So thankful to walk away with no serious injuries
The info on both Alpinestars website and Parts unlimited say it comes with the EJECT system. It wouldn't be the first mistake I found on a website though. I grabbed screenshots and highlighted the info from both Alpinestars site and PU.
Seems like a good value if it comes with the extension and EJECT system. The price went up a little bit. But still would cost less than buying a current SM10 and buying the extension and Eject system.
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