prins@cornell.UUCP (Jan Prins) (08/20/85)
> >Buy a Snell approved helmet! > > --Darryl Richman, INTERACTIVE Systems Corp. Just to keep things complicated.... At least one review article on motorcycle helmets suggested that the demanding requirements of the Snell test are biased towards race-track speed motorcycle and car crashes. These conditions are less representative of motorscooter operation, I would think. The less stringent DOT standard can often met by helmets that are "softer" and impart less impulse to the user's head in low-speed crashes. Apparently the difference is sufficient to reduce head and neck injuries in those situations. It's the morbid problem of optimizing worst-case vs. expected-case protection. There may be helmets specifically designed for motorscooters. Snell approved helmets are usually more expensive. But then, the only advice I ever received about helmets was "If you have a $10 head, buy a $10 helmet". Jan Prins prins@cornell (UUCP, ARPA, Csnet) prins@crnlcs (BITNET)
darryl@ISM780.UUCP (08/21/85)
/* Written 5:19 pm Aug 19, 1985 by prins@cornell in ISM780:net.cycle */
Just to keep things complicated....
At least one review article on motorcycle helmets suggested that the demanding
requirements of the Snell test are biased towards race-track speed motorcycle
and car crashes. These conditions are less representative of motorscooter
operation, I would think.
/* End of text from ISM780:net.cycle */
Perhaps so, but the Snell '85 standards now separate the car racers
from the motorcyclists. The Snell M85 standard should be more
represntative of what motorcyclists will need. BTW, helmets can't
possibly hope to help you survive a high speed impact into a stationary
object (e.g., 55 mph into a concrete barricade, head first); instead,
they help you survive falling 5 feet onto the ground, head first. With
some luck, your body will be able to absorb all of the energy it takes
to slow you down horizontally.
--Darryl Richman, INTERACTIVE Systems Corp.
...!cca!ima!ism780!darryl
The views expressed above are my opinions only.