Motorcycle Helmet Safety Standards

Helmets meeting the federal standard generally weigh about 3 pounds.
Motorcycle helmet safety standards. The sharp helmet safety scheme does not provide certifications but instead assigns a star rating to european model lids. In regards to. Sharp is an independent crash helmet safety test funded and run by the uk government that puts ece 22 05 approved helmets through a more rigorous extra test and incorporating a rating system only available for helmets sold in the uk. Over 50 countries have adopted this helmet safety protocol and favor energy absorbing helmets like that of the dot standards.
Here s a little more information to clear up that alphabet soup of certifications. Helmets can pass one two or even all three standards so you may have a helmet that is just dot dot and snell or dot and ece approved. Always wear a helmet meeting the u s. The current federal standard fmvss 218 is required for legal road use.
We ve assembled a guide on the different things to look for when choosing the safest motorcycle helmet from motorcycle helmet types and safety standards to helmet fit and safety features. It measures standards and rates helmets with a star rating system instead of a pass fail result. For this guide we ll stick to the three main standards dot ece and snell 1. There are numerous styles of helmets but the three main designs are the full face and the helmet.
Motorcycle helmet safety standards explained. In this section we ll get into more details about what each helmet safety standard entails and its suitability for helmets rated by each body. The three common safety standards you need to know about are dot ece and snell. This stands for department of transportation not doin our thang but the standard is fmvss 218 the federal motor vehicle safety standard 218 motorcycle helmets and it is.
Depending on design unsafe helmets may weigh a pound or less. Dot is the u s. World motorcycle helmet safety standards there are numerous safety standards for motorcycle helmets in the market and it may look confusing to some new riders. Ece stands for economic commission for europe.
Recently a fourth testing body has entered the motorcycle helmet market. World motorcycle helmet safety standards. Here are some of the motorcycle helmet safety standards around the world. Department of transportation dot federal motor vehicle safety standard fmvss 218.
This is the standard safety rating for european countries. Helmets meeting the dot safety standard have sturdy chin straps with solid rivets. The most current safety standard is the ece 22 05. If you re ever in a serious motorcycle crash the best hope you have for protecting your brain is a motorcycle helmet.
It was created by the united nations. Unsafe helmets may have plastic buckles that can easily break in the event of a crash. Look for the dot symbol on the outside back of the helmet.