Question:
I just got back on a bike in August after 25 years and borrowed a helmet, German style. It looked cool.
So I go online to buy one for myself and order a cool looking leather DOT rated helmet. When it arrives the thing looks like a giant mushroom on my head, my friend says to send it back but I’m thinking I need a DOT type for safety. It looks big because the padding is about 1″ thick.
Can I get a cool looking helmet that is safe? Should I keep the DOT helmet even if I look like a mushroom?
Bob
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Bob, the short answer to your question is that a helmet DOES require a certain amount of thickness to meet the DOT ratings. Whether this makes it ‘uncool’ visually, is more of a personal opinion.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration NHTSA, 14 percent of riders use helmets that do not comply with the DOT rating — defined in the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 218.
These non-conforming helmets are often ‘novelty’ type helmets made for fashion over function.
For me, there’s no way I would ride with a helmet that does not meet the DOT standards. But, many riders choose to ride without a helmet.
In 2006 the NHTSA performed there standard impact test on 9 novelty helmets and zero of them passed. Actually, none were even close. For the impact attenuation portion of the test , the average novelty helmet imparted 989g on the test subject. The minimum allowed to get DOT approval is 400g. In addition, many of the novelty helmet straps broke during the test… under relatively light loads [132 pounds vs. the required 300 pounds].
My point is this:
It’s your decision what type helmet you wear. Just realize that most novelty helmets do very little to protect your head in an accident. So, choose accordingly.
David
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20. December 2010 at 5:01 pm
Welcome back to riding Bob.
I must say that I’ve never heard of a leather DOT “approved” helmet, but, if you think looking “kool” is more important than riding safely and wearing the proper gear that may just help save your head from injury not to mention possibly costing you family thousands and thousands dollars in hospital bills/funeral expences.
Be that as it may I would say that if your just getting back into riding after a 25 year layoff I would hope you have realized the difference in traffic in that time. Not to mention your lack of skills as a returning rider.
I would also look at your state helmet law to be sure you know what their requirment is. So far there are only 2 states with no law, IA and IL. Check the following link to see your state requirment,
http://www.bikersrights.com/states/50state.html
Please take note that DOT is not just the sticker on the back but must have the manufacturer label sewn in the liner.
Here in Vermont if you are stopped, (and yes they do do helmet checks), it could mean you will be paying a hefty fine, around $170.00
So buying a shorty style Dot helmet for say $40.00 or so, or, paying $170.00 fine is your choice but, for some protection (vs a full face or 3/4 style) and not having to pay the local PD your heard earned $ $ I’d say it’s pricless.
As I always tell my students during my MSF classes… Some education is better than none. So as a returing rider I’d love to hear back from you that you’ve signed up for A MSF-USA.ORG BRC or ERC class. And what you thought of it..
Ride Safe – Ride Often
Dave.
29. December 2010 at 8:26 am
DOT approval is nice. What about ECE 22.05 and Snell?
21. January 2011 at 11:20 pm
If you have a $10 head, then by all means wear a $10 helmet.
19. December 2010 at 8:40 am
If it is not DOT approved yopu may just as well wear hair jel.