Let’s go back to the very beginning.
When a student attends 1st Class Rider Training-Cardiff for a CBT. (Compulsory Basic Training) one of the first elements that we cover is the clothing and protective equipment, of which the Safety Helmet is the ONLY legal requirement. We spend a great deal of time making sure that each student is given all advice needed in order to make the right decision about choosing a Motorcycle Helmet.
It’s more than just picking one that matches the colour of your bike or your leathers.
EU Rule
The minimum standard was always denoted by the British Standards ‘Kite Mark’ sticker which was affixed to the outside of the helmet. But now that the UK has come under the EU Ruling the safety standard applicable to the UK is ECE R22-05.
The ’05’ is not a date but the paragraph within Regulation 22 that applies to the safe standard of helmets to be used in the UK.
This can be shown on the helmet in a number of different ways and is not always easy to find. Sometimes shown by a sticker on the outside shell of the helmet. Or this could be shown on a label stitched into the chin strap or a label stitched in the inner lining of the helmet. Always check that is shows ECE R22-05.
I have seen a student arrive for training with his own helmet, which on inspection had a label R22-04. This was bought outside of the UK and would not be deemed legal for use in Britain as it was not up to the 05 needed for UK.
So beware if you buy your helmet on holiday abroad or from the Internet. It must be R22-05 to be deemed to be up to the old British Standard. Also beware of buying a second hand helmet as you don’t know how it has been cared for.
There may be internal damage that is almost impossible to determine….until it’s too late.
Do it up!
To comply with UK Traffic Law, the helmet must be securely fastened. So for some reason with some (not all) young scooter riders who find that riding with the chin strap flapping, undone is ‘cool’, it’s not.
It’s illegal and in an impact the helmet would fly off their head leaving them exposed to any impact. Not so cool !
If you are riding with your helmet undone remember the wording of the regulations state it is an offence of ‘failing to wear a safety helmet securely fastened’. so the law sees it the same as if you didn’t have one on at all.
Fitting
If you buy you helmet from a reputable dealer then they will advise you as to the best helmet for you and help with choosing the correct fitting.
The helmet should be a snug fit but with no pressure points. Remember that the padded inner lining will ‘give’ over time and the helmet may get to feel looser so keep this in mind when trying on helmets to buy.
Care
Look after your helmet. After all it’s the only thing looking after your head. Do not use any abrasive cleaners on it. Warm soapy water would be sufficient. Don’t paint it. You don’t need to with the selection of colours and designs on the market but solvents in the paint can weaken the outer structure of the helmet.
Some helmets have removable liners to be able to be washed but check with the manufacturers information for details of your particular choice.
Make sure that the fastener works and the strap is not frayed or torn.
Something I have never understood, and I have seen it many times, is that when a rider gets off the bike he takes his gloves off and stuffs them inside his helmet for ‘safe keeping’.
Now bear in mind what is or could be on your gloves. Road dirt or they may be wet and damp, if you’ve been riding in the countryside they may be splattered with muck off the road and we all know what that is, and in the winter the roads are covered with salt and grit.
All this on your gloves so the last place you want to put them is inside your lid!
So the EU Rating is the minimum standard. But what is the SHARP rating all about?
SHARP
SHARP is the Safety Helmet Assessment and Rating Programme, and it provides an independent assessment of the protection a helmet could offer in an impact. SHARP uses a 1 – 5 Star rating system. The more SHARP Stars a helmet has the better protection it will give.
At SHARP they purchase helmets for testing from normal UK stock in motorcycle shops and dealers across the country, in a variety of sizes.
They carry out tests at three different energy levels (more than the current EU Testing requires).
Although all helmets must meet minimum legal safety standards SHARP tests reveal the differences in safety performance of motorcycle helmets available in the market.
Chosen at random from the SHARP information leaflet here are ten helmets that have achieved the SHARP Five Star rating.
AGV: GP Tech. A
ARAI; GPX5
BELL; M1, & M4R Carbon
BUELL; Turbulent
LAZER; LZ6
MARUSHIN; 777 Samura
NITRO; N1700VF
SHARK; RSR2
SHOEI; XR 1100
I acknowledge that there are more and also that this is not an exhaustive list. For full details check out the SHARP website.
Just remember…when it comes to choosing a helmet, it’s your head going in it so choose wisely and look after it.