Helmets

[Zombie]

Bugger, bugger, bolox.

I've been informed that my lovely, only worn 5 times helmet is not legal.
WHY?
Because its only got the British Kite Mark on it and not the official Aussie one
I thought I'd go along to VicRoads and ask for the right sticker to put on, thinking that the requirements and standards will be the same if not better for the UK.
They nicely informed me NO! Saw a couple of men in blue (almost didn't recognise them without donuts ) and asked them that if they ever pulled me over would they fine me? Yes they would, cos as far as they are concerned my helmet is classed as a hat.
They did suggest that I get in touch with the importers and ask them for a sticker (- yeah right!! like they dont want me to part with another $400 for an identical bloody helmet).

Anybody here know the specifications of helmets?
How much the fine is?
Would it affect an insurance claim (if ever need one)?

Cheers.

P.S. Its a FM make.

[Felix]

Unless the importers can get you one, you are pretty much screwed. Ask them first. Other than that, if it was an Australian company that sold it to you (you didn't buy it in from overseas) then you could maybe take it to fair trading or consumer affairs as they sold you an item you could not use in this country.

[Smitty]

as he said....

it MUST have the AS sticker!
BS or Snell or M90 is no good without the AS sticker

brand? who cares if its legal in UK or Outer Uzbekistan
if the brand has an AS Sticker its legal in Oz

and the penalty in Vic
from memory, 3 Penalty points
and I think the latest is $110 per point
(the penalty value is done by regulation, that way you do not have to change the law. If you want to change the fine, a govt gazette publication is all that is needed)
so total...$330

buy a new helmet.....

[Glen]

I've been informed that my lovely, only worn 5 times helmet is not legal.

Where did you buy it from?

[red_dave]

It sounds all too hard...

I'd just get a new helmet and be done with it...

[MickLC]

Apparently manufacturers like Shoei make the helmets slightly differently for different markets to ensure it meets their varied crash testing requirements. So there's probably no chance of getting an AS sticker for a helmet that meets overseas standards.

[mattyv74]

Mate, a serious suggestion.
Go down to cash convertors, or eevn the op shop, and peel a sticker off a crapy helmet sitting there for sale.
But worth noting that I have been booked for doing most things on a bike, and have never had my helmet looked at.

[Yankee]

uh, what are the chances of getting pulled over by a cop that actually knows the helmet laws?? I used my american helmet for about a year before I got a new one and never had any dramas..... just depends how lucky you are feeling i guess??
it's BS, cuz it's about safety, and you are just as safe (if not safer) as anyone else out there with the little stupid sticker affixed.....
i know what i'd be doing, but it's up to you!!! is it a nice lid??

[MickLC]

Matty, have you ever pulled one of those stickers off a helmet? I did to an old one that I'd binned and the some of the silver backing stays permanently stuck to the helmet with the word VOID spelled out. So then you've got a sticker that says void and a helmet that says void.
Apparently the bit that stays on the helmet sticks like shit to a blanket too.

They obviously have already thought of that trick

[mattyv74]

well worth a try to get round that beurocratic crap.

[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.

The most dissappointing case I saw was a young lady who came to an L's course with her brand new Doohan rep which cost her $900 plus and she had peeled the sticker off because it looked ugly.

For reference don't buy a helmet from anywhere except a bike shop, check for the AS sticker and check the date of manufacture on the inside of the helmet, remembering they are only good for 3 - 5 years. After that they can look brand new but the styrofoam liner (the bit that protects your scone) will be stuffed.

I'd put this one down to experience. Go and buy yourself a new helmet and save the grief.

[HemiDuty]

You could just keep that helmet for track days, they didn't check mine for a sticker when I went, even if they did you would probably be ok since it has a UK one.

Maybe there is a way to get the sticker off old helmets without 'voiding' it?

[Phil]

Mate, a serious suggestion.
Go down to cash convertors, or eevn the op shop, and peel a sticker off a crapy helmet sitting there for sale.

usually when you try and peel one of those stickers off it comes out with the word "VOID" making it useless anyway.

i'd be going back to where you got it and getting them to sort it out. (that is unless of course you got it cheap overseas)

[photomike666]

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.

[tape]

The AS sticker is a "destuctible mark" similar to that used for sealing measuring equipment. There is no way of removing the AS sticker intact.

Alex, I would suggest ya blame the world's standards systems and buy a new "hat"... it sucks but it is in best interest of everyone that the helmets comply to Australian Standards cos there are some shockers from other countries that just don't cut the mustard.

Pinch Mikes or just use it a good excuse for a newbie....