Got this brochure with the rego renewal
On some helmet tests buy the RTA
Interesting to note the the THH -TS-41  a budget $100 or so Helmet nudged out the top brands in Protection from injury in a crash.
But didn't do as well as the top brands with fit and comfort ,but not buy much.

So i guess it comes down to what your ego can stand in the helmet stakes

Also some good info on how to select the right size helmet.

RTA Link
http://ols2.rta.nsw.gov.au/ebus/docs/rescat/pdf/6/1439/45094848mchelmets0310.pdf

Or this
http://ols2.rta.nsw.gov.au/myResources/RESCATPublicMenu.do?Action=RESCATDisplayResource&groupId=6

Maybe some smarter than me can actually put the brochure up rather than follow the link

Their tests are pretty artificial.  From second-hand experience, the Arai Vector is worth every cent, then some.

In the UK, they have a helmet testing scheme similar to the ANCAP Star rating for vehicle safety.

Check it out; http://sharp.direct.gov.uk/

Cheap helmets obviously have to be tested to the required standard to be sold here but, there is more to the safety of the helmet than the basic smacking of the lid from various positions with various objects!! 

The safety of the helmet has a lot to do with the innards too?! 

Ok they are designed to be a one hit item that should be trashed if it/you have had the misfortune to sample its protective qualities! But if you havent had an "OH F%#@*" moment or even an oops, just the normal wear and tear of everyday use, which in my case would be 5-7 days a week on average, is enough to compromise the fit!!?? 

Soooo the cheaper helmet would/could be false economy! The insides can deteriorate rapidly on the cheapy to the point of dangerously loose, or pathgenically dangerous from encrusted grot.

The dearer helmet has a far longer usage life (my Arai's have lasted easily 7-8 years) because the inners are replaceable! They wear, get stinky and compress, replace the pads and presto you have restored the cranium holding property of the lid. 

The cheap ones I wouldnt trust to encase the skull properly after 3 months of my sort of use. The shell will do the stuff (Supposedly  ) that got it its "Approval Sticker" but what standard the guts of it? And therefore the fit! You might only have a headache if you land on yer head, but what about your cervical spine?? Damage that and you'll be in more shit than a sewerage farm duck! If that thing can move around on yer bonce it wont be doing the job!! 

I know what I'll be buying! These helmet tests are woefully inadequate in relation to the REAL world!! 

Quote from: suzyj on October 08, 2011, 02:33:38 AM
Their tests are pretty artificial.  From second-hand experience, the Arai Vector is worth every cent, then some.

+1 on the Arai Vector

Quote from: dragonworld on October 09, 2011, 03:57:04 AM
The dearer helmet has a far longer usage life (my Arai's have lasted easily 7-8 years) because the inners are replaceable!

I'd watch out for that...

Because the inner shock absorbing material is basically polystyrene in helmets, it does deteriorate with time (whether it is used or not).
I was always told that the generally accepted life of a helmet is that they have a finite life of 5 years. After this, the polystyrene starts to lose it's absorbtion qualities and you could be in for a rude shock if you ever need to call upon it to do its job.
Your helmet could essentially look brand new, but need complete replacement if more than 5 years old.
Here's some info from a website that I stumbled across;

A helmet should be replaced about once every 5 years if it's been properly taken care of and hasn't been involved in an accident or some other impact. Helmets are made of materials which begin to deteriorate with age which gives them a limited life span. Just dropping your helmet from waist height onto a concrete floor could compromise some of the materials used in the construction of your helmet liner so take care not to carelessly drop your helmet or accidently knock it off your bike. If your helmet HAS been involved in an accident or some other first time impact, all of the safety features are compromised once the helmet has become distressed in some way.

The interior liner will start to deteriorate once it comes in contact with hair oils, body oils or fluids (sweat) and/or cosmetics. Glues, resins, and other materials that are used in the construction of the helmet will eventually break down which will affect the interior liner of your helmet and compromise it's protective qualities.

In order to make sure the protective qualities of your helmet last as long as possible, ensure you take care of it by cleaning the interior liner and keeping it in a safe place free from accidental falls and knocks when not on your head.

The way i see it is,

If you have a $400 helmet (any brand) that fits perfectly OR you can spend $$$$$ on a helmet that fits your head like a bucket...

I know which one i feel safer with.

MMM.....

   Interesting comments all.

   What I dont understand is how we have a relationship with quality and price, how come we think that if its expensive that it must be better than the cheaper priced product, wheres the evidence? The only thing we can rely on is standards.



  I'll leave it at that for now.






                                          Mmick

got a $100 head? buy a $100 helmet.
when you consider the RTA is a government organisation and they enforce the australian standard it would be difficult for them to rubbish a cheap helmet that passes the australian standard.
usually you get what you pay for, yes arai and shoei are pricey and some fancy graphics and showing off might play a part in pricing but you're kidding yourself if you think that every helmet that passes the standard are equal, it's the MINIMUM std after all, and the only real helmet std is snell

Seriously RTA and Helmet safety, really, come on guys they can't manage our roads or driver training.

How about giving the money wasted on printed matter back to us as a discount, so we can put it towards more protective wear. Or should hell freeze over, and RTA decide to put prevention before cure....put it back into driver/rider training.