Helmets

[javaman]

You can spot a bodgey sticker a mile away. Once you peel them off the top and bottom are screwed because the void wording will show up on both. You'll never be able to use it at a track day or training course etc.

DAMN!!! There goes the cheap shoei I was about to buy in Thailand Glad I read this post though

AND HOW DO YOU EXPLAIN THE SAFETY OF HARLEY-STYLED HELMETS ?? They have AS stickers you know ....

[Glen]

You can spot a bodgey sticker a mile away. Once you peel them off the top and bottom are screwed because the void wording will show up on both. You'll never be able to use it at a track day or training course etc.

DAMN!!! There goes the cheap shoei I was about to buy in Thailand Glad I read this post though

AND HOW DO YOU EXPLAIN THE SAFETY OF HARLEY-STYLED HELMETS ?? They have AS stickers you know ....

Correct Weight. The standard only really tests for impact resistance on the top of the shell, so even though you might lose the bottom half of your face, that clearly isn't a problem to those that know better than us.

[tape]

Harley styled helmets???? I take it you mean open face helmets?

As long as you hit the ground where there is protection they are safe...

Why is there MX helmets approved for road use? Those extended chin guards would rip your neck back and snap it...

Not too many HD riders think about falling off, gawd I hope my brother doesn't read this...lol

T had a AS approved plastic based Lazer helmet when she had the accident and it saved her beautiful head.

I dunno why I'm rambling for anyway?

[Glen]

Zombies hat was purchased in UK when we lived there. We were hoping that with a group this size someone might know where to "acquire" a sticker from It's probably that most wouldn't notice what sticker is on, but there is always a chance. It's just a shame to lay waste to a perfectly good lid.

Unfortunately Zombie's buggered as far as legality goes. Provided the helmet is safe it really only matters a toss if you're worried about getting pulled up and booked or if you try and do something where they check helmets though. Until the dough's available to replace it with something of a similar quality you'd certainly use it rather than picking up a shitty one with a sticker.

[aardvark]

Here is a post I put up on the old Yahoo forum in February, 2003.

"As I have previously mentioned, I was looking at importing a helmet from the U.S. It's a model that is already sold here, and is both DOT and Snell approved.

I had some simple questions. Could I legally import it? Could I use it? And what be the legal/insurance consequences of using the helmet within Australia.

Shouldn't be too hard to find out you'd think? Think again... here's what happened.

Spoke to the traffic adjudication people of my local Police. Their response was that as far as they knew, a helmet had to meet Australian Standards, but they had no idea if a helmet being imported (one the same as a model already sold here) could be used?

So, ring and speak to the Dept. of Transport. Spoke to 2 people there before being given the number of Standards Australia. Spoke to 2 people there, who had no idea, and gave me the number of NATA (National Australian Testing Agency, or something to that effect). Spoke to someone there, who said that they'd have someone return my call. The person who returned my call said he didn't know, and that I should speak to the RTA Crash Lab in Sydney (The people who test all helmet batches being imported.) Spoke to a bloke there who wasn't sure, so in the end was put through to Derek. What a legend. After 3 days of stuffing around, he gave me the low down. And, bare with me, I know this is getting lengthy, here is the end result.

In simple terms, the answer is NO! You cannot legally ride with an imported helmet, and you have no recourse as far as insurance is concerned if you do wear one and suffer brain damage etc. in an accident!

I wanted to know, why this would be the case. Especially since the helmet is the same model as one sold here, and meets Snell and DOT approvals.

Firstly, Australian Standards require that helmets sold in Australia have certain penetration capabilities. They use a 3kg spike and drop it on the helmet from 3 foot or some such thing. Snell and DOT testing does not incorporate this.

The helmets are manufactured and imported in batches. Each batch destined for Australia (1,000 helmets, 10,000 helmets, who knows?) must be tested, and the Australian Standard approval is assigned for that batch only. As Derek explained, manufacturers often change the density of inner liners, shells, and even the composition of helmet components. So, each batch has to be individually tested.

The standard is also a test of the process of importing the helmet and the Q.A. involved with that process.

So, I asked, can I get a helmet tested. Well, yes. But, 8 helmets must be tested out of a given batch and testing costs are likely to cost several thousand dollars. Let me give you the strong tip. I ain't buying 9 helmets, just so I can wear one.

Anyway, that's where the saga ends. Anyone thinking they might like to import a helmet from overseas, think again. If you still want to do it, consider the insurance and legal consequences."

[Smitty]

T had a AS approved plastic based Lazer helmet when she had the accident and it saved her beautiful head.

Jan had an AS approved Lazer helmet that she was wearing when we had our 'off ' on the Toyrun. It was a big accident and the helmet smacked the road...hard. The helmet 'died' and she did not...
(the piccies are in the Toyrun 'Off' topic posted here)
what more can i say....
get an AS approved helmet!

[Zombie]

Thanks for the info guys. Im not saying that AS helmets are not safe or anything and I trust those, its just I trust the British Kite Mark more. Personnally I think they have the toughest safety standards, the AS might be equal to the BKM, I dont know, thats what I was hoping your answers would tell.
The Policemen said that customs should've cut the straps off my helmet when it came in, bloody glad they didn't, I might need it when go visit rellies!
So looks like I'd better get a new one, great, SHOPPING! If I can find one thats blue and silver with a seat belt buckle/quick release (hate those D rings), and XS.
OK another brain twister: How about leather pants and boots? I know they are not a legal requirement so theres none of this testing stuff, but is it OK to import, being an animal product? Its just that I've looked and looked and can only find about 3 pairs of ladies boots and the pants are mostly fashion crap. The UK sites I've browsed are as well stocked with ladies as mens. Also they cheaper including postage

Cheers

[Smitty]

OK another brain twister: How about leather pants and boots? I know they are not a legal requirement so theres none of this testing stuff, but is it OK to import, being an animal product? Its just that I've looked and looked and can only find about 3 pairs of ladies boots and the pants are mostly fashion crap. The UK sites I've browsed are as well stocked with ladies as mens. Also they cheaper including postage

Cheers

mate
importing leathers is fine (there is NO Aust standard on them)
you might even get 'em in no duty or GST

leathers in Oz....?
see here ( I was bored.... )
http://69.90.170.150/~ksrcau/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=391
we have done our best to list all the local guys
think Dan made it a sticky as well (Dan, did you..?)

hth

cheers

[Neka79]

hmm every lid ive crashed in (agv,arai and axo) and im still as pretty as i started out.....thanks lids!!
however i did take the AS sticker off the axo the day i got it (cos its so ugly) and i never once got picked on it, including 3 track days, and various times pulled over!!
it still has the AS label on the inside tho...

[Glen]

If I can find one thats blue and silver with a seat belt buckle/quick release (hate those D rings

Without trying to sound like someones mother, I'd ideally avoid the seat belt fasteners.

As Aaardvarks post mentioned each batch of helmets gets tested when they come in. I used to deal a bit with an importer of one of the more popular brand of helmets and the statistics on the failure rates of the mechanical fasteners are pretty ordinary ie something like one in eight.

The double D's can be a pain but they are absolutely the best option from a safety point of view.

[gizmo]

I was sure the AS is harder to pass than the Snell test? I remember reading in a bike magazine a few years ago & I'm sure the Aussie test was harder than the snell testing?

[Neka79]

i thought SNELL was the top rating worldwide?? and yea, those D rings are heaps better than seat belt types....

[T]

My laser had snap clip locks i love them they were so much easier to do up and undo but ................. my new lid has those blardy D rings. My new lid Tape bought for $170 is a Nitro N510-V ( Pictures attached).

It comes in Red, black , silver, white
Blue, Black Silver, white
Black Silver and White

Just in case you were interested Alex.............

oh yeah btw....... how did your test go???

[Smitty]

i thought SNELL was the top rating worldwide?? .

neka
the SNELL certification is about equal to the AS test with one main diff...
the AS test is continuous-

"For the first 10 batches of any helmet in production, four out of every 400 is put to the test. These are intensive, destructive tests and any batch which fails is summarily dismissed and returned to the drawing board.
Until these tests have taken place and been passed, the helmet cannot be certified.

On the other hand, once a particular helmet type has passed and been certified, after 10 ‘successful’ batches, testing is scaled back to four helmets in every 1000.

Where the helmet continues to pass the tests, certification is continued.

If any change in design, materials or any other feature of the helmet occurs, it must be submitted again for testing and verification. Once passed, generally batch testing begins again at the four in 400 ratio.

This ongoing batch testing sets the Australian testing and standardization requirements apart from those in other countries because it is proactive; it seeks to prevent or reduce the possibility of product failure. "

The actual tests are the same. (as per the SNELL and Standards Aust sites)


hth

cheers

[aardvark]

I was sure the AS is harder to pass than the Snell test? I remember reading in a bike magazine a few years ago & I'm sure the Aussie test was harder than the snell testing?

From the RTA Crash Lab:

Australian Standards require that helmets sold in Australia have certain penetration capabilities. They use a 3kg spike and drop it on the helmet from 3 foot. Snell and DOT testing does not incorporate this.