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I am probably ready for a new helmet as the one I'm using is a few years old and as well as few generations old in terms of helmet tech. I am looking around at some different companies, Fly, 6D, Bell etc and wondering if the brand new tech is worth the upgrade in price. I know we have an older thread on this, but have there been any published studies on this?
If it's one thing I'm willing to spend money on, it's to protect my brain, but I'd like to know what I'm buying instead of just choosing the one with the most acronyms in the model name.
With the new tech comes less weight (from helmets I have tried). That alone is a win/win.
Just my opinion. This thread will have the usual Arai/shoei haters and Airoh lovers.
Lighter weight is for sure nice, but in terms of comfort I don't mind my current model. In terms of safety, I don't know how much is matters.
The Japanese brands don't fit my head well so really not even considering either Arai or Shoei just based off that alone. Also never been able to try on an Airoh so won't be going that direction either.
be sure to try on a TLD. i wore Shoei for many years and i regret not trying a TLD sooner
To answer more technically the MIPS tech helps prevent a rotational brain injury which is one of the worst you can have so the answer is it worth it would be yes. I wear a FLY personally and they have their own helmet tech (adaptive impact system) that is similar to the MIPS tech. Go to a local motorcycle dealer and try some on. Brands usually keep the same models for a few years but change the designs every year so you can find outgoing designs on sale to make room for new ones. That’s when I score mine.
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Thank you, I was trying to understand in layman's terms what MIPS did and why I should care about it
As far as Europe is concerned, the norms for helmet certification have changed a couple years ago (to ECE-22.06). They used to test them on 6 impact points, it is now 12 impact points. It was easier for manufacturer to create lighter helmets back then, as they only had to focus on said impact points. They could then disregard the rest of the helmet. Since then, some helmets gained a little bit of weight over here ... For me, going for the lighter helmets is a big no, but that is a personnal opinion.
I was in the market for a new helmet this past year went with Arai after trying on every top of the line helmet made except Arioh. I've using bell for the past 10 years just didn't want to drop 900$ on a moto 10. Honestly you just need to go and try all of them on they all fit way different depending on your head. All the dot Snell approved helmets will be a little heavier than the mips helmets Aswell.
I agree with what JAKEDOWN492 said, get something with some sort or rotational protection mechanism. MIPS is very common, Fly, 6D and Bell have their own versions (Bell use MIPS on many models too). I also wear a Fly Formula and can recommend it, they sell it in a few different shell constructions which is nice because you can basically get the same safety for at any budget. Fly also use "Conehead" Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) liners, which is a great and simple concept that allows the EPS to have non linear response and be tuned to the type of impacts the helmet will see. They use a combination of different foam densities to make it so the energy absorption is progressive. Its like having a linkage for your head suspension. There may be other brands using Conehead but Fly Formula does for sure. I think 6D might achieve a similar thing with their system, but they dont have any low to mid budget options that I am aware of.
https://www.strategicsportsltd.net/conehead
Virginia Tech Helmet Lab has been doing interesting work.
The do not have motorsports helmets listed but I think they would if someone donated the helmets. I think they need 6 of the same model to conduct the experiment.
Barry Miller, PhD
Director of Outreach
Helmet Lab
bmiller21@vt.edu
Mark Begonia, PhD
Director of Testing
Helmet Lab
mbegonia@vt.edu
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Thanks for posting this, I will fire off an email later to see what it would take to get some actual third party testing done. These things are usually long processes and cost much more than you would hope, but I'll report back if I hear anything.
Yes I fully support all the new tech. I recently had a big get off on my downhill bike wearing the new Bell Full 10, (the bike version of Moto10.) It broke is 3 spots during my crash and I had no knockout or symptoms of concussion. On the other hand I broke 5 ribs, 2 compression in my back and separated AC should.
I’m a believer and I’ll get a Bell again or see if there is something better? I currently have Bell Moto10 but just got the new 6D.
I see no reason why someone would buy a new helmet without the ECE 22.06 certification. There have been helmets available with this for over four years now, yet there are still $800 helmets without it! Several are ECE 22.06 models are less than $300. Check the sticker or chin strap on the helmet!
Certifications are the only objective comprehensive test standards available with medical direction behind them. Without the certification proof, it may as well be the Emperor's New Clothes. The 2024 Fly Formula S Carbon's accelerometer tech looks promising, but how effective it is in application I don't know. I've seen no evidence that advertised tech decreases performance, but exactly how much benefit for that added cost is unclear.
What specifics of the ECE 22.06 certification make it a necessity for you?
I'm in on the 6D tech. Like everyone else, without taking comfort into consideration it's hard to know what helmet to go with due to the lack of test results.
From a common sense point of view, I'm an Arai doubter. Yes, I understand that they are supposed to be hand made and are high quality helmets but without any current tech built in I personally can't see a reason to buy one. Even if an Arai fits my head great, there are other options out there in the same price range that also fit great that have better built in safety features. What solid info does anyone have to convince me otherwise?
1. Why buy a helmet without it? Cost is not a factor, example here, $59. At that cost, why even wear a helmet without it?
2. Low-speed impact test, rotational/oblique impacts... ECE 22.06 is the most comprehensive certification. Snell M2020D is the only certification with a tougher requirement for linear impacts, with two impacts at the same point, but does not have the low-speed test.
ECE 22.06 is the minimum. Demand it!
If you have $10 head buy a $10 helmet
I hope I’m not the only one who mentioned that
6D. Jus sayn’
That’s horrible. I’ve done it, same injuries. It takes time, but it rarely keeps us from doing it again later. We are a unique species
You do know Arai are snell approved which is the one of the most difficult and expensive certifications to get right ? They are one of the safest helmets out there.
Pit Row
Snell is an older test that doesnt relate to offroad crashes. Making the helmet very rígid.
Snell is the opposite to the newest ECE test.
Incorrect. Depends on which specific Snell rating the helmet has. M2020D vs M2020R. Furthermore, the new Snell M2025 standard will likely be a lot closer to the rotation protection offered by ECE 22.06 compliant helmets. Hopefully we start seeing that rating on the market soon.
Thanks for the info.
Will look for the latest Snell and Ece ratings when shopping for a helmet.
I'm pretty nerded out with Most the brands as a former rep and current dealer sales guy, send me a DM and I'll educate you on Fly, Fox, Bell, Shoei, and Arai, and just let me earn your business with my time.
If anyone mentions snell ratings, you're beyond obsolete. Snell is a 1950's road racing tech based off skipping on concrete.
Helmet companies like Fly and 6d are exceding everything so far it's ridiculous. For us, the slow stopping fast impact is knocking us out, we learned our brain rotates 7mm internally within our cerebral spinal fluid before a concussion state happens, so MIPS and 6d increased that absorption capacity by 100% with 14mm of full range absorption; 7mm in any direction.
Now we have to figure out how to absorb compression impacts. The winner will always be fly as multi-layer EPS liners of the past (Arai and Shoei) are designed for high speed, and these guys designed conehead EPS tech to spread impacts both vertically and horizontally. The first helmet using dirt data for dirt riders. 6d lead the way, and FLY perfected it. It cost em 10 million to do it too. Unfortunately, guys behind the counter don't care enough to explain it to you, or have the personality to get your attention.
Sorry for the rant, but ya. Buy a Formula, 6d, or Bell spherical.
If y'all want the anatomy breakdown of any of these helmets, feel to email me.
Oh and dealers make the most money on bell.
McPherson.Ryan.p@gmail.com
I have a 6D ATR2 and love it.
Light, comfortable and feels good to have the extra protection.
I thought the Bell Moto 10 still isn't ECE 22.06 certified?
Bell clearly states 22.06 for some of their helmets, but not the Moto 10. Plus, the images don't show it marked 22.06.
Not opposite, but diverging goals. Like suspension - plush for the small hits, bottoming resistance for the big ones. There are road helmets that meet both. I have not seen any dirt helmet do both ECE 22.06 and Snell M2020D. Even the Shoei has a EU version that meets ECE 22.06 so they can sell it there, but it's not Snell like the other markets' model, including USA.
Incorrect sir . Snell 2020 cert helmets meet a tougher standard for testing a helmet's structural integrity that are completely up to date .
Among the certifications available, I'm personally the least keen on snell when it comes get offs at MX speeds. Still looking for an answer on how Arai is worth the money when they are sold at a premium price but yet are way behind other helmets when it comes to proven safety features...as in they have none.
Tech aside, my 6D helmets are the most comfortable helmets I have worn in my 45 years of this fun. I do trust the tech they have put into their systems, but they are amazingly comfortable too.
Conehead technology is not exclusive to Fly or Fly moto helmets. It's a shape of dual layer EPS, that is specific to the factory that produces these helmets. I won't claim it's better or worse than anything out there, but they use Conehead in many other helmets in the market, both bike and moto. If you look at the Virginia Tech ratings for bicycle, styles with Conehead aren't at the top of the list. I'm not saying it's bad, but implying that Conehead is some sort of wonder technology isn't accurate. Same goes for their Rheon technology.
ECE 22.06 is the latest test and the most data driven information on what helmets are "safest" in the market. Safety also comes down to how the helmet fits the user, how its worn and most importantly how it's crashed in. One helmet is not the "safest" for all riders and all crash scenarios.
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