Motorcycle Helmet Safety Ratings 2022 – 4 Best Certifications
Motorcycle helmet safety ratings will indicate how much security it can provide. And every helmet is different from the other. Plus, you will need to research for finding the best motorcycle helmet with safety ratings. Some motorcycle helmets are more durable and protective. Please don’t consider the appearance of the helmet only while buying it. Also, several other factors will make the helmet protective for the motorcyclist. And you must know which brand has authentic safety certifications. By doing so, you will make the best investment in the motorcycle helmet. Besides, motorcycle helmets are essential to wear in almost all states. And if you don’t wear a helmet, you might get a ticket or a hefty fine. Fortunately, helmets have lowered the death rates of motorcyclists. If you aren’t wearing a helmet, a head injury can lead to death. No doubt, it is essential as well as a beneficial tool for you while riding a bike.
Why Is Motorcycle Helmet Rating Important?
The motorcycle helmet rating is outstanding because it ensures the authenticity of a helmet to be safe. Without the rating or certification, you cannot have the guarantee to be safe in any crash. Best of all, the safest helmets will absorb the shocks from the harder surfaces and protect your head. In every possible way, the helmet safety ratings will make you confident to be secure while riding. Besides that, decent helmets will secure you from flying objects as well. And if you avoid wearing a helmet as it limits the visibility? Then it is your misconception because the top motorcycle helmet brands make enough room for the motorcyclist to view clearly from all the angles. However, there are high chances of injuries with a poor quality helmet with no safety certification. And poorly constructed motorcycle helmets will never absorb the shocks from roads or other harder surfaces. The Head is a sensitive part of your body, and you shouldn’t compromise on it. We must be thankful to the organizations of motorcycle helmet testing standards. The organizations of motorcycle helmet safety ratings include the following:
D.O.T.– Department Of Transportation
SNELL– Snell Memorial Foundation
E.C.E.– Economic Commission of Europe
SHARP– Safety Helmet Assessment And Rating Programme
Consequently, these organizations update their standards with time, and every organization has different tests than the others. Every organization has engineers that set the standards of quality testing. Now we’ll tell you in detail about the four best organizations.
Motorcycle Helmet Safety Ratings
4 Best Certifications for Motorcycle Helmet Safety
Here, we have explained each motorcycle helmet rating so you can decide which type of motorcycle helmet should you buy.
1 D.O.T. – Department Of Transportation
The D.O.T. – The Department of Transportation has made their guides to test the helmet. As we have mentioned above that every organization differs from others among its guidelines. And the D.O.T. certification is an organization of the United States. But all helmet brands do not have the D.O.T. certification, so they differ in terms of protection as well. Other than that, we cannot divide the categories of helmets. We have the prospect to research and know the specifications of the motorcycle helmet.
What Is The Role Of D.O.T.?
You must be thinking that this organization would test the helmets that arrive from various companies. But this is a misunderstanding that we will clear here. The D.O.T. – The Department of Transportation doesn’t inspect or test the helmets. Instead, this organization plays a more significant role than that.
The Department of Transportation is responsible for testing their products according to the specified guidelines. Also, they refine the helmets and motorcycle gear to meet or exceed the D.O.T. safety standards. On top of that, the D.O.T. tests the impact of resistance and field vision. Also, the Department of transportation has batteries that prove the helmet features to be cohesive. So when you buy a motorcycle helmet, it will be having a sticker of D.O.T., And that sticker indicates the motorcycle helmet safety ratings. Plus, the name of the D.O.T. The standard is FMVSS 218. Moreover, the D.O.T., the safety standard, has essential guidelines that almost every helmet manufacturer can clear quickly. Also, the Department of Transportation doesn’t test the helmet individual. This organization does check the helmet with the method of random sampling only; rarely any of the motorcycle helmets don’t pass the D.O.T. safety standards.
Is D.O.T. Standard Reliable?
Absolutely yes, the D.O.T. standards are reliable. However, D.O.T. safety standards have their guidelines that will provide you a protective headgear. Even in severe accidents, D.O.T. approved helmet will secure the head from injuries. Besides that, it is the best option to pick a D.O.T. certified helmet instead of buying a helmet with no certification. Best of all, this standard testing will require helmets to go through several hits by the technicians. Also, the motorcycle helmet approved by D.O.T. doesn’t break easily. And the D.O.T., a certified helmet, can absorb the impacts up to 400g. Additionally, D.O.T. The safety standard includes several tests, including the DOT FMVSS 218. And this test will indicate that all the parts of the helmet are secure as well as durable. Do you know why several professional riders prefer buying a D.O.T. safety standard certified helmet? Because this organization tests the impact resistance as well as the vision of the motorcycle helmet carefully.
D.O.T. Sticker
Besides, the D.O.T. certified helmets don’t always have stickers on them. And the reason for not having the labels is because meeting the DOT FMVSS standard is quite robust. So if the helmet looks durable but doesn’t have the D.O.T. stickers prefer choosing another helmet. Unfortunately, the only flaw of this organization is the involvement of other parties. This organization hires others to test the helmets. And some of the companies will pass the motorcycle helmets just for the sake of money. But as we said above, the D.O.T. standards are necessary so that every other motorcycle helmet safety ratings can meet that standard quickly. So there are no controversies about the D.O.T. safety standards.
Minimum 2 hits of each helmet to test the durability.
Engineers of D.O.T. are allowed to smack the motorcycle helmet on any part.
The D.O.T. certified motorcycle helmets can absorb the impact up to 400g.
Cons
The testing is not done independently.
Some people doubt the D.O.T. standards.
The features of D.O.T. aren’t entirely tested.
Less number of hits on the headgears.
No tests in optics.
2 SNELL – Snell Memorial Foundation
The SNELL is the best of all certifications. It has the gold standard that an ordinary helmet cannot pass easily. Plus, the snell memorial foundation guarantees 100 percent safety to the wearers. Besides that, no other certification can be compared with the snell memorial foundation. However, this foundation has a unique method of testing the helmets that other organizations don’t provide. The quality of the SNELL-certified helmet will ensure to absorb the hardest impacts.
What Is The Role Of SNELL?
The testing scheme of snell is impressive, and you will be surprised to know the impacts that SNELL helmets can absorb. It will require only 275gram of latter energy transfer. Usually, the other organizations have 400gram of latter energy transfer. The low grams ensure that the SNELL helmets will protect the riders in accidents from the robust impacts.
More than that, the SNELL helmets are designed for racing. Also, the SNELL certified helmets are easy to remove with gloves. Unfortunately, D.O.T. and E.C.E don’t have these credentials on their guidelines.
Is It Reliable?
Yes, it is reliable because SNELL has the gold standard of testing. Also, this foundation will test all the helmets independently. The engineers of SNELL will test the motorcycle helmets in several ways to ensure the best quality. Besides that, the SNELL tested helmets will make them robust enough to absorb the impacts. However, the mechanics of SNELL will smash the helmet in several parts. And the hitting indicates that all the parts of the motorcycle helmet are assembled rigidly. Also, the SNELL technicians will check the additional parts of the motorcycle helmets, including the lining and Bluetooth. In short, this certification is given to those helmets which don’t have any flaws present in them. Lastly, this kind of testing is much more expensive than others. Also, the SNELL certifications ensure that the helmets are safe in every possible way. Years ago, an incident in which the SNELL helmet caught fire. So now they focus more on the liners of the helmet.
The examination of helmets involves the internal and external material as well.
Profoundly impact resistance is provided by the SNELL certified helmets.
Cons
Time-consuming testing.
The expensive process of testing.
Some of the SNELL certified helmets aren’t made for the racetrack.
3 SHARP – Safety Helmet Assessment And Rating Program
Next, we have a sharp testing organization. It is one of the most reputable and recognized schemes of testing for motorcycle helmet safety ratings. This company started in 2007, and since then, it is testing motorcycle helmets like other organizations. This company also tests the motorcycle helmet as per their techniques and standards.
Best of all, the SHARP testing is based on lab research. And you know that lab tests are based on scientific research. Also, the public accepts and praises this kind of lab testing. Plus, SHARP helmet testing is quite different from the Department of transportation testing. This lab testing ensures that the motorcycle helmet safety ratings are safe for riding. SHARP will help you to make the best decision while picking the most reliable motorcycle helmet.
What Is The Role Of SHARP?
This organization is different and bought helmets from the manufacturers. And after purchasing the helmets in various sizes, they perform tests of impact on every helmet. The criteria include the effects of oblique and run 32.
Besides that, the SHARP tests the helmet at several speeds levels as well. While checking on different speeds levels, they can distinguish which helmet can survive through the harder surfaces. Plus, they test in reality by several car speeds, including BMW.
Is It Reliable?
Yes, it is reliable because the SHARP certified helmets go through oblique testing. The SHARP testing ensures that how much impact is exerted on the brain of a rider in an accident. And with this certification, there is a 60 percent guarantee that the rider’s head will be protected. Finally, the SHARP helmets will save you from severe injuries, and many top-rated motorcycle helmet brands have SHARP certification.
Lastly, we have the E.C.E. – economic commission of Europe that is much more predictable than the D.O.T. certification. The E.C.E. guidelines aren’t much older than the D.O.T., but they are more reliable. Also, the testing mechanism of E.C.E. is better than other safety rating organizations. Plus, the U.S. residents don’t have much information about the E.C.E. because it is a European company. The E.C.E. standard has a multi-national standard that is applied in several states.
What Is The Role Of E.C.E.?
More than that, the E.C.E. standard will protect the rider in accidental situations. The testing method for this foundation is time-taking. E.C.E. will inspect all the features of the helmet from its exterior to the interior. Also, it will do quality testing on each of the components of the motorcycle helmet to make it robust. And you can trust this helmet as it offers the best protection in all crashes.
Best of all, this foundation will test the optics. And it makes sure that the face shield is not easily breakable. Also, the shell material of E.C.E. certified helmets will be better than other motorcycle helmets. The Department of transportation – D.O.T does not offer the E.C.E. quality of testing. Besides that, the testing of E.C.E. is expensive as well as time-consuming. Also, it doesn’t grant the certification to helmets easily. After their examination, they consider re-checking the motorcycle helmets by other parties. And after double-checking, there is no doubt left about the quality of the motorcycle helmets.
Is It Reliable?
Yes, the economic commission of Europe quality testing ensures that the riders are safe. But the crashing speed of Europe is less in Europe among the other states. So the testing scheme of ECE 22.05 might be considered less effective in the fast speed crash. And the only flaw of E.C.E. is that it doesn’t deliver the high amount of energy of curbstone. Besides, the other foundation has a better amount of energy of curbstone than E.C.E. Also, the testing of E.C.E. is not comparable to D.O.T. and SNELL. Because the engineers only hit the helmet at specific parts. On the other hand, the SNELL certified helmets get several blows and hits on random areas by the mechanics. All in all, the E.C.E. motorcycle helmet testing requires several hours. And it is an expensive motorcycle helmet testing process.
Ensures the protectiveness and security of the rider.
Cons
Time-consuming.
Expensive testing process.
The energy rating is less for fast speed.
Impact resistance can be improved.
FAQs About Motorcycle Helmet Safety Ratings
Which Motorcycle Helmet Brands Have Safety Certifications?
Some of the best motorcycle helmets below have the safety certifications.
Shoei helmets
Arai helmets
A.G.V. helmets
Shark helmets
H.J.C. helmets
Nolan helmets
Bell helmets
Is The Snell Safety Certification Better Than E.C.E.?
The Snell certification is more reliable, and they make the motorcycle helmet much durable as well as protective. On the other side, the E.C.E. certification is advanced, and it is better the D.O.T. All in all, Snell certification is the best among E.C.E.
Do Motorcycle Helmets Expire After A Certain Time?
Yes, after a specific time, you must replace the helmet. Some of the companies recommend buying a new helmet after three years.
Conclusion
After reviewing the motorcycle helmet ratings, you will prefer buying a safer helmet rather than a good looking one. Besides that, I never consider buying a helmet that doesn’t have safety certification. Also, not to consider the reviews of other people while purchasing a motorcycle helmet. However, you rely on any of the motorcycle helmet safety ratings, including the D.O.T., E.C.E., SHARP, and SNELL. The helmets certified with these ratings will protect the rider in all possible ways. Plus, you will be more secure in any unforeseen situation. So if you are buying a helmet, you can have a sticker of certification that indicates the accreditation. So if the motorcycle helmet goes through any crash, it will protect your head from injuries. Other than that, the D.O.T., SHARP, and E.C.E. certifications are trustworthy as well. No matter which helmet you buy, never compromising on your safety. We hope that our motorcycle helmet safety article gives you enough information. Thank you for reading.
The motorcycle helmet rating is outstanding because it ensures the authenticity of a helmet to be safe. Without the rating or certification, you cannot have the guarantee to be safe in any crash. Best of all, the safest helmets will absorb the shocks from the harder surfaces and protect your head. In every possible way, the helmet safety ratings will make you confident to be secure while riding.
Here, we have explained each motorcycle helmet rating so you can decide which type of motorcycle helmet should you buy.
