Advice on imported helmets please.........

[Picquet]

Hi, Folks.
I have found a cheap supplier of Shoei helmets on `e-bay`. I can save ?130 on U.K. prices. BUT. They are marked with `SNELL` and `JIS` Standards and not ACU Gold or EC2250 as U.K. supplied lids are.
These helmets are manufactured in the same factory in Japan but are marked for local markets, I assume.
Has anyone any experience of imported safety equipment?

 

[osprey03]

Not too sure what SNELL stands for but JIS is Japanese Industrial Standard and is pretty stringent.

Just make sure they are not left hand drive .. :}

 

[Rolfy Dave]

If memory serves me corrrectly....

SNELL is one of the the standards used in the good old US of A...

My old Bell star helmets used to have the SNELL mark on them years ago...

It is an independant assessor from the government, which test all sorts of headgear used in sports & construction industries...

They test to a far higher standard than the American government. Using impact test of roughly 1.5 times the weight & energy used in the American standard tests. So if it has passed a SNELL assessment, it should be a very good helmet.

Its one of the standards required for race use in the USA....

I also think you have to have a BS kite mark on it for use in this country, although, I dont think you would have a problem unless you wish to actually race and have to have your kit checked by the scrutineers(or ask for it to be inspected by the local constabulary- "excuse me sir, can I check your helmet"???-at the same time as checking your number plate for size & cans for road use markings...LOL)...

I am also probably wrong in both counts, but there are loads more knowledgeable than me...

Best wishes,

Rolfy
:beer:

 

[derek kelly]

If you type snell into your search engine, it will bring up several options go to the one that says snell helmets safety, this shoul allay any fears.

 

[Supabird1100]

RiDE magazine did a bit on this a month or two back. The only difference is the shape of the hemet cos apparently head shapes vary in different parts of the world. The quality of the shell is the same, as is the strap but the helmet can vary in size by a few millimetres and the interior padding is made to fit the varying shaped heads of other nationalities.

If it fits you properly.....buy it !!!

Do an internet search for Gold ACU stickers....there was a place that was knocking 'em out for a couple of quid. Slap it on the helmet and nobody would be any the wiser. :}

 

[Punchy]

Not too sure what SNELL stands for but JIS is Japanese Industrial Standard and is pretty stringent.
Just make sure they are not left hand drive .. :}

The Japs drive on the same side as the UK

:-:

 

[osprey03]

The Japs drive on the same side as the UK

:-:

Smartie Arse :m

 

[Amsterdam]

You must be mad......

I tried on over a dozen before I found a comfy one, it's not a mailorder item IMO

Amsters

 

[ianrobbo1]

I tried on over a dozen before I found a comfy one, it's not a mailorder item IMO

Amsters

your right there Amster, :bow: another thing that Ive found, what "appears" to fit in the shop, may turn out to be noisy and ill fitting whilst on ones bike, unfortunatly they wont allow you to try before you buy, :bang: so you have to "guesstimate" and put up with what you end up with, a tough job in itself which, imho, is made nigh impossible by post

 

[Picquet]

Thanks for the replies folks.
I have tried the same make and model in my local dealer.
I also know that once you have made your choice and paid for a lid no one will do a refund. All suppliers seem to have a `no returns` policy on crash helmets.

 

[Codbasher]

My wife is selling her SHARK Air Fusion on e-bay, it was a perfict fit in the shop, but after 3 hours it hurts her forehead, so it has to go, bloody shame as its a nice looking helmet.

She bought a new HJC today which she says is far superior to the Shark, quieter, more comfy, I just hope this one is better over a few hours.