Sharp Rating

[dayz]

im sure alot of you have heard of it by now just thought we could share opinions;

http://sharp.direct.gov.uk/

New contravertial testing by the government showing common 350+ quid helmets getting 3 stars and newer brands getting 4 or 5 stars for only 70 quid. I did do a search for similar topic, didnt find anything, as seeing as my head hit the floor the other day, looking for a new lid

looking at new belgian company Lazer (who also make my exhuast? :s) all their helmets have quite snazzy designs, and all score atleast 4 stars, none going over the 150 quid mark.



opinions?

only thing i dont like is they all have the quick release jobby, instead of the old school double-d

[Bladerunner]

Best thing I can say about the Lazer helmet, is have a look at one and try it on, you'll soon realise why it's so cheap.

Also with the SHARP ratings, it's worth considering that the AGV S4 got 5 stars, but the AGV Stealth only got 4 stars. Problem is they are the same helmet, the Stealth just has a stick on vent on top, sort of makes a mockery of the test, it's currently causing lots of arguments throughout the trade

Most importnat factor is fit, try some on. Personally I wear an Arai and wouldn't want anything else, but opinions vary........

[jon_piscitelli]

Totally sureal, think it all comes down to personal choice.

I've got the Arai Astro-R and AGV Stealth as a back up lid, the AGV is much better when it's hot and sunny, great ventillation, whilst the Arai is better in the winter / rain....like i said down to personal choice just make sure to get your head measured properly

[Funky]

The sharp ratings are supposed to be more ecologicaly valid, with the areas of the helmet most likely to hit the ground carying more weighting etc. It is causing alot of controversy but I personally feel it is a good thing.

How they do the testing has not been revealed which has added to the controversy but I think it is mostly to prevent manufacturers creating special helmets to specifically past the test.

I'd probably go by the sharp rating for safety but then pay the extra for added extras, e.g. removable lining, vents that work etc.

[Tomahawk R1]

The sharp ratings are supposed to be more ecologicaly valid, with the areas of the helmet most likely to hit the ground carying more weighting etc. It is causing alot of controversy but I personally feel it is a good thing.

How they do the testing has not been revealed which has added to the controversy but I think it is mostly to prevent manufacturers creating special helmets to specifically past the test.

I'd probably go by the sharp rating for safety but then pay the extra for added extras, e.g. removable lining, vents that work etc.

I agree with Funky, It can only be a good thing that benefits us all.

I have an Xlite lid, £210 it has 4 stars on the sharp test. Although i will buy another Lid with 5 stars and use the xlite as a back up.
Also, They have not tested every helmet on the market yet. Its just the major manafacturers kicking up a fuss as a few of their top line Lids got low ratings.

[deej]

lazer have been around for years,frankie chili used them when he was racing and as far as im aware have nothing to do with the exhaust manufacturer with the same name

the sharp tests sounded good in principle but does seem to have fallen down on a few things like the agv example above.

[dayz]

yeh at the end of the day i wanted to discuss the rating system more than my personal choice in helmets. ofcourse the best way is to find ones i like/can afford then try them on to see which ticks the rest of the boxes. Deej i dont suppose u know where the best place around cornwall is with the biggest stock of helmets?

i thin kit is wise to keep testing methods a secret for the reason you gave, i dont know the exact details of the new or old system of testing but i have picked out the fact that the new test does some tests the old one didnt but leaves some others out, at the end of the day it will be beneficial for everyone, anything that keeps the manufacturers on their toes and keeps the marketplace competative

[deej]

umm i'd guess gt then damerells if you want a wide selection of decent kit
personally i'll only ever buy arai so would travel the extra distance and go to plymouth where theres hein gericke or gt with them in stock. guess its a case of how much youve got to spend and what you want but i'd say you would get a much wider range and a day out too if you go to plymouth