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What's the praisee for that article? (synopsis)Kevin Markwell wrote:I suspect this topic has been covered here in the not too distant past regarding the relative merits of the DOT/Snell ratings controversy as evaluated by Motorcyclist magazine, so I will leave it to interested members to check out the full story. I have to admit that as someone with a Mechanical/Biomedical Engineering degree I was fairly impressed with their analysis and logic -- enough so that I am now the proud owner of an $89.00 Z1R helmet. I like it very much.
I have the round (fat) head shape, so old Arais never fit me well, but I understand they have "expanded" there range of sizes to accomodate most any head now. I have owned Shoei RF900s (great all around helmet - survived a low speed get off that plunked the side directly on the concrete without so much as a daze, and Suomy Spec1z - very nice and light, but very noisy. I think Arai has done a wonderful marketing job and achieved their desired result by correlating the value of your noggin with their helmets, but I think they are taking advantage of our natural drive for self preservation. From the results of the tests though, it is apparant that there is not much necessary stuff going into their helmets worth an extra $400 and possibly what is going into them is too much of the wrong stuff. I could afford those pricier helmets if I really thought they were superior, but I am convinced they are not. Just food for thought.
http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/gearb ... index.html
(well - obviously not that PARTICULAR one - but one from the same maker... )
Shows what can happen when rushed and trying to get to the point. It's amazing to me how written answers can color the tone unintentionally. The irony is that people who know me say I'm too long winded in an attempt to be courteous. This is a consequence of checking in here while at work. I don't even have the time to apologize appropriately for my abrupt remarks. I just have to ask that everyone believe me that I was just trying to summarize the very long article as succinctly as possible.
) is that standards like the Snell are not measuring what happens in real-world accidents, and that some of the really cheap helmets protect just as well or often better than ones costing far more. The difference in price is often attributable to extras such as venting that are not really meaningful when it comes to protection. This is especially true now that a lot of the cheaper helmets are coming out of Korea and China, whereas Arai and Shoei are still made in Japan (with much higher labor costs).I came, I read, I bought a Caberg Solo too. The sun visor feature sold me. I have been a happy Arai Quantum user for many years. Mcollect, were you a Quantum or a Signet user? I haven't received the Caberg yet and I am wondering what head shape is is best suited for.mcollect wrote:Tried on many and ( shock) I bought a Caberg Solo. I love the fit and finish, it's fog free, Has a sun visor, and a QR strap as well as a Dring to lock it to the bike. After only 750 miles I still think It was the right choice.
I think you misunderstand me.Kevin Markwell wrote:Riceburner,
I don't have enough time to explain all of the physics and physiology right now, but you have fallen for the fallacy that a harder helmet is a better helmet. The best helmet would be a marshmallow that doesn't compress too far or come apart on contact. The worst helmet would be cast iron or similar uncompressible shell that allows your head to take the full blow and rattle around inside a few times before the jello of your brain comes to a stop. The Snell standard favors a hard helmet that can withstand two forceful blows of forces well above what would be expected in a typical, survivable street crash. This means that at lower impacts (in the range of what happens most often) the brain takes a harder shot than what a more compressible helmet would cause. At the extreme speeds and severe impacts at which the softer DOT helmets might break down, most people would die from associated injuries to neck, spine and internal injuries. So if the idea is to both survive the crash and stay stay out of the vegetable farm, the softer helmets make more sense.
Kevin
What size/color are you looking for? If my Caberg is everything I think it will be I have a new in-the-box never-been-worn black Arai Quantum in size XL that I may be willing to part with. I'l want to test the Caberg first. I don't need to test the Arai as I have been wearing an XL Arai Quantum for quite a few years and I know it works. The only thing I don't know is whether the Caberg is as comfortable. I'm fixated on its flip-up sun visor if it turns out to be comfortable and well-made.R4R&R wrote:I know my head fits the Arai Quantum helmet real nice. I would like to try the Z1R helmet but I can't find a local dealer that stocks them and I would rather not blindly order one (although they ARE cheap enough, it could be used as a spare helmet). If I can't find a Z1R to try then I'll probably go with the Arai. I tried the Scorpion and Shoei helmets and they just don't fit my head right. I think having a quality helmet that is comfortable to wear is important, no matter the price.
On with my mission of buying a new helmet.
The Quantum in XL fits me. I kind of wanted to go with a color scheme this time (I've usually had black helmets - they match any bike). If a black XL Arai Quamtum 2 comes along at the right price I'll take it.beemerphile wrote:What size/color are you looking for? If my Caberg is everything I think it will be I have a new in-the-box never-been-worn black Arai Quantum in size XL that I may be willing to part with. I'l want to test the Caberg first. I don't need to test the Arai as I have been wearing an XL Arai Quantum for quite a few years and I know it works. The only thing I don't know is whether the Caberg is as comfortable. I'm fixated on its flip-up sun visor if it turns out to be comfortable and well-made.
Good to hear you were a Quantum user. Me too.mcollect wrote:Lee I was a quatum user. The Solo was a little tight for the first few rides. Now it fits great except putting it on my ears get pulled down, quick pull of the strap flip the ears up and no problems. The sun viser is a great addition. Plus it is QUIET, good click adjustment on the face shield, but venting not as good as the Arai, but still OK.