Street vs Off-road helmets

Boyscout1108 · 11-11-2006, 11:53 AM

Probably a simple question. Both Street and Off-road helmets can be DOT and SNELL rated, I think. If so what is the difference? Looking at the Off-road helmets it looks like it would be much easier to use the camelbak, because of the extended chin area. This would also be good for long distance road riding. Sorry if it's a newbie question, but I am just that.

license2ill · 11-11-2006, 01:35 PM

No tested differences. The eyeport is larger, the chinbar is extended, and a visor is attached on an off-road helmet, but they meet the same requirements for DOT or Snell. I've asked the director of Snell about the visors and chinbar shape, and if they relate at all to safety issues a while back, here's what he said:

"As for motocross type visors, I'm not really sure just what sort of hazard they might impose. I have not seen any reports identifying injury mechanisms associated with visors. Europe excludes these visors from their projections tests so, evidently, they have not seen a hazard with them either. Velcro is probably sufficient for bike helmets where the visors are much lighter and smaller and the shocks and vibrations transmitted to the rider are much less severe than in motocross. The appeal of plastic screws is that they will warp and break under stress but the visors themselves are flexible so we have also certified helmets with metal visor screws at times.

Arai, like some other leading manufacturers, does not wait for a new Snell policy to implement features that may make for safer helmets. Since our rules and requirements apply to all certified manufacturers, the directors here look for proof or, at least, a very persuasive argument that some new innovation will be beneficial before thay write it into the standards. I like to think that Snell is breaking trail in safety matters for the bulk of the industry but, frequently, it is the best in the industry who are breaking trail for us and our service is to force the rest of them to try to catch up.

We have not been able to associate any differences in injury hazard with chin bar configurations either. The most I believe anyone can demonstrate right now is that full face helmets, street and motocross types, provide a measure of facial protection in addition to the head and brain protection we demand of all helmets. Until we know a whole lot more, I lack the temerity to tell any rider what chin bar shape is best.

Thanks for your interest.

Ed Becker"

K1W1 · 11-11-2006, 02:41 PM

The main differences are comfort related not safety ralated.
MX style visors can cause helmet lift at speed and also some issues when turning your head to look over your should at speed.
Wearing goggles with an MX helmet in cold weather is much colder on the face than a visor on a steet helmet but in summer it can be cooler of course.
MX helmets probably tend to be noiser at speed.
It's really a horses for courses argumnent. If you are happy with your set up then that's all that really matters.

nelgallan · 11-11-2006, 05:10 PM

i have seen it stated on at least one mfg's website that the chinbar of their mx style helmet is NOT included in the snell testing. ive got the arai XD, which is completely snell approved, and love it.

license2ill · 11-12-2006, 01:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nelgallan

i have seen it stated on at least one mfg's website that the chinbar of their mx style helmet is NOT included in the snell testing. ive got the arai XD, which is completely snell approved, and love it.

That's only the case if the chinbar is completely removable, then it would be considered an open-face helmet, and not be tested against the deflection test, which, for Snell is the only difference between the two categories. Snell guidelines define that for their testing protocols, rather than the manufacturer. So if a non-removable chinbar is present, it must meet the deflection criteria. Same with a faceshield, which must meet the penetration requirement to receive the label/approval.

DOT doesn't test chinbars on any helmet against any requirement, nor faceshields. Snell tests those components when they are present and carry the expectation of being there while riding. BSI and ECE test them as defined by the manufacturer and will mark them accordingly, though the chinbar test protocols for those standards are slightly different than the Snell deflection test.

KillerPriller · 11-12-2006, 08:01 AM

what bike are you on?

I ride a GS Adventure with Tobinators lifting the screen up just a bit. With that combo, i can do long rides with a Shoie dirt helmet no problem. But in the rain... it sucks. Like getting a tatoo on your cheeks and nose.

For cold and rain, i have an Arai XD. sucks, hate wearing it. too low in the back, visor is too low, and the shield doesnt stay in the "up" position. makes my neck hurt. But otherwise its perfect when the rain is pelting or its cold.

To be frank, i like riding with a dirt helmet mostly for the visor. It catches wind sure, but its super handy keeping the sun out of my eyes.

nk

Shoie

XD (note how low the visor is)

11-11-2006, 11:53 AM	#1
Boyscout1108 ^OP Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Oct 2006 Location: Western Mass Oddometer: 110	Street vs Off-road helmets Probably a simple question. Both Street and Off-road helmets can be DOT and SNELL rated, I think. If so what is the difference? Looking at the Off-road helmets it looks like it would be much easier to use the camelbak, because of the extended chin area. This would also be good for long distance road riding. Sorry if it's a newbie question, but I am just that.

11-11-2006, 05:10 PM	#4
nelgallan oilfield trash Joined: Jun 2004 Location: back on the platform Oddometer: 1,609	i have seen it stated on at least one mfg's website that the chinbar of their mx style helmet is NOT included in the snell testing. ive got the arai XD, which is completely snell approved, and love it. __________________ 06 Kaw KLR650 “There are three things in life that people like to stare at: a flowing stream, a crackling fire, and a Zamboni clearing the ice.” http://nelgallan.smugmug.com/

11-12-2006, 08:01 AM	#6
KillerPriller Beastly Adventurer Joined: May 2003 Location: Paris, France via OC California Oddometer: 2,208	what bike are you on? I ride a GS Adventure with Tobinators lifting the screen up just a bit. With that combo, i can do long rides with a Shoie dirt helmet no problem. But in the rain... it sucks. Like getting a tatoo on your cheeks and nose. For cold and rain, i have an Arai XD. sucks, hate wearing it. too low in the back, visor is too low, and the shield doesnt stay in the "up" position. makes my neck hurt. But otherwise its perfect when the rain is pelting or its cold. To be frank, i like riding with a dirt helmet mostly for the visor. It catches wind sure, but its super handy keeping the sun out of my eyes. nk Shoie XD (note how low the visor is) __________________ nk Quo Vadimus? KillerPriller screwed with this post 11-12-2006 at 08:09 AM

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11-11-2006, 01:35 PM	#2
license2ill Banned Joined: Dec 2003 Oddometer: 715	No tested differences. The eyeport is larger, the chinbar is extended, and a visor is attached on an off-road helmet, but they meet the same requirements for DOT or Snell. I've asked the director of Snell about the visors and chinbar shape, and if they relate at all to safety issues a while back, here's what he said: "As for motocross type visors, I'm not really sure just what sort of hazard they might impose. I have not seen any reports identifying injury mechanisms associated with visors. Europe excludes these visors from their projections tests so, evidently, they have not seen a hazard with them either. Velcro is probably sufficient for bike helmets where the visors are much lighter and smaller and the shocks and vibrations transmitted to the rider are much less severe than in motocross. The appeal of plastic screws is that they will warp and break under stress but the visors themselves are flexible so we have also certified helmets with metal visor screws at times. Arai, like some other leading manufacturers, does not wait for a new Snell policy to implement features that may make for safer helmets. Since our rules and requirements apply to all certified manufacturers, the directors here look for proof or, at least, a very persuasive argument that some new innovation will be beneficial before thay write it into the standards. I like to think that Snell is breaking trail in safety matters for the bulk of the industry but, frequently, it is the best in the industry who are breaking trail for us and our service is to force the rest of them to try to catch up. We have not been able to associate any differences in injury hazard with chin bar configurations either. The most I believe anyone can demonstrate right now is that full face helmets, street and motocross types, provide a measure of facial protection in addition to the head and brain protection we demand of all helmets. Until we know a whole lot more, I lack the temerity to tell any rider what chin bar shape is best. Thanks for your interest. Ed Becker"

11-11-2006, 02:41 PM	#3
K1W1 Beastly Adventurer Joined: Oct 2006 Location: Dandenong Ranges, Australia Oddometer: 1,462	The main differences are comfort related not safety ralated. MX style visors can cause helmet lift at speed and also some issues when turning your head to look over your should at speed. Wearing goggles with an MX helmet in cold weather is much colder on the face than a visor on a steet helmet but in summer it can be cooler of course. MX helmets probably tend to be noiser at speed. It's really a horses for courses argumnent. If you are happy with your set up then that's all that really matters.