Motorcycle Helmet Standards: Snell, DOT, ECE 22.05 and Sharp | Sportbike Track Gear

This is part of our "Truth About Motorcycle Helmets" series we have put together. All of the information in these videos is a blend of decades of personal experience, offering these helmets as a retailer and Q&A sessions with select helmet manufacturers intended to help you choose the best helmet for your budget and application.
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[@WRjockey]

The absolute most important thing is that a rider ALWAYS wears a helmet when on a bike - no exceptions. When I was 16, I once went for a 10 min. ride (dirt) and crashed - no helmet. Thankfully I was okay. I have always worn a helmet since then, every single time I swing a leg over a bike. Use a full face helmet, the best you can afford. What's in your head is irreplaceable.

[@sportbiketrackgear]

100% no one should be riding without a helmet. - Van

[@Sempaksemrawutofficial]

I’ll trust my head on any SNELL or ECE rated. DOT? Not so much Just a suggestion, it will be better if STG can elaborate also the kind of “torture” Snell and ECE organization does to helmets to ensure their safety

[@sportbiketrackgear]

This helmet project is one we will continue to update as time passes. Diving deeper into the helmet standards is something I am interested in doing for sure. While I personally prefer to ride in helmets built to Snell or ECE standards I do feel DOT only helmets from reputable brands (Bell, Shoei, Scorpion etc...) are capable of protecting in a crash. Good brands such as those mentioned have proven themselves and I do not feel they would compromise the riders safety by producing helmets unable to protect a rider properly. For the most part the DOT only helmets are entry level products. We do not sell very many of the DOT only lids here at STG. - Van

[@DmanGuitar327]

The 1 dislike is from someone who purchased a WOW helmet

[@cliff8675]

When I'm helmet shopping, it's ECE or Snell, no DOT only. Part of my take is, if they put up the testing costs, they expect it to rate. Also, I have several rides in Europe on my to-do list, so if I can work in one, I'd prefer to have a certified helmet ready to take with me.

[@BikerGirlTraveler]

Snell is a joke and they know it. If you are driving a car then fine. Snell is good enough. But I only wear either ECE or FIM helmets. DOT is worst than Snell. It seems like the DOT lives in a some fantasy land. I think that Brian from FortNine has it right when he explains Snell standards and how they added a standards (M2020R) only to be able to sell helmets in Europe. First they trashed the ECE standards saying they were unsafe and later adopted similar standards. It seems that Snell cares more about putting their certificate in every helmet possible to help their bank account, rather than saving lives. Here is a link to someone who had done his homework and actually explains the standards. And a video about the absolute joke the DOT standards are. Very good videos that if they don’t convince you of wearing ECE or FIM helmets, then nothing will. Some gave said that living in ignorance is a bliss. Smell BS: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bWfcpmRoac5meNE DOT BS and how manufactures regulate themselves: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZnO4qqNpfb1rmbs

[@sportbiketrackgear]

The first thing I want to know is has the kid in this video actually ever crashed a motorcycle? Their videos are well done and entertaining for sure. As I have said before if safety is a feature in a helmet that is important to you then you need to stick with the brands that have an established track record of producing quality helmets capable of protecting the rider. Using brands like Shoei, Arai and Bell as examples each of these brands has decades to time invested in producing helmets that have proven to protect the rider. When any of these companies design a new helmet safety is the top priority. I know this because I have had the pleasure of interacting with people from each of these brands for many years personally. It is also important to note I have spent countless weekends at the race track where these products have been put to the test in a real world environment. My Son Max and I have both put a few helmets to the test personally with good results. If you look at the helmets we wear you will quickly note they are always from the most trusted brands in the world. While there is some merit to the work this person has done with these videos I will add this information is far more relevant if you are shopping for helmets on Amazon with name brands like WOW and far less relevant if you plan to buy a quality helmet from a reputable brand. - Van

[@AudriusN]

You should look at SHARP rating as a comparative not an absolute value. They themselves insist on that. Best point in my view is ECE batch testing before shipping out. If batch fails it must be destroyed.

[@sportbiketrackgear]

Sharp is also only really relevant for ECE only helmets sold in Europe. Both Snell and ECE have their good and bad points IMO. It would be nice if we had some sort of Sharp equivalent over here in the US for helmets sold in our market. - Van

[@zyxwvutsrqponmlkh]

The Snell standard is worse than useless unless I'm in a tube framed race car. I am far more worried about angular velocities and bouncing off things at an angle than smacking my head into a pole twice on the same spot. To make a helmet pass Snell tradeoffs have to be made that diminish safety in other types of collisions. I'm sure they thought it was a good idea when they started but they know it's a rubbish test now and refuse to improve it.

[@sportbiketrackgear]

Given your expertise I suggest you reach out to both Shoei and Arai who both build Snell helmets for the US to explain how they are doing it wrong. - Van

[@zyxwvutsrqponmlkh]

@@sportbiketrackgear No, I expect them to read my comment on youtube and correct their ways.

[@raptorchris1]

You should have added that SNELL won't approve any modular helmet or a helmet with a drop down visor. Those helmets can only get An ECE and/or DOT rating.

[@sportbiketrackgear]

Snell 2015 is an excellent standard IMO, it is also designed using motorcycle crash data from the US which differs from that of Europe. Here in the US the average speed in a motorcycle crash is much higher than Europe's. I am comfortable riding in Snell or ECE helmets myself. - Van

[@bedmac2]

Your statement is not true. Snell has actually approved a few modulars over the years but it is rare. Mostly the manufacturers don't submit their modular helmets to Snell for testing presumably because their construction won't pass Snell's particular tests or the buyers don't require the Snell rating for the tradeoff of having a modular.

[@vicinitydigitaldesig]

I just read in a comment on another video, a comment that says the opposite and that DOT will never approve such a helmet.

[@vincentstark480]

What are you talking about when discussing DOT…? DOT is self-certified by manufacturers. You make it sound like DOT is a real standard and certification that matters…totally misleading. Snell, ECE, and Sharp are stratospheres above DOT.

[@sportbiketrackgear]

For sure the issue with DOT is the fact it is on the honor system. This is the reason I tell you to avoid any non reputable brands using the DOT standard. IMO a Shoei (or any other quality brand) with a DOT cert can be trusted. - Van

[@wesanderson5011]

Helmet certification standards are a highly controversial subject in motorcycle circles, everyone wants to believe their helmet’s certification standard is number 1 but at the end of the day it’s down to each rider to do their research, make their decision and the wear their (correctly fitted and fastened) helmet. Every time.

[@sportbiketrackgear]

Proper fit is more important than the cert is carries 100%. - Van

[@robertryanyabao157]

What are your thoughts on helmets bought in Europe that are DOT approved in the U.S, but does not come with the DOT certification and only comes with the ECE certification since it was bought in Europe? I bought an AGV Corsa R from Spain and it didn’t have the DOT sticker. Should I worry about getting stopped by police because it doesn’t have that sticker?

[@sportbiketrackgear]

A helmet built for the Euro market and the ECE cert is likely to be a bit different than the same model that is to be sold here in the US with the DOT cert alongside the ECE. What we typically see in the DOT and ECE helmets will be a little heavier (just a few ounces) as the helmet needs a little reinforcement to pass DOT. IMO the biggest problem you could be faced with when buying a helmet from Europe is warranty. If you have an issue with the helmet you will have to send it to Europe to get handled, none of US distributors will manage the warranty for a helmet designed for another market. It is highly unlikely anyone would check for the DOT cert if you got stopped and I feel the ECE only helmet is a safe option just like the DOT and ECE helmet. - Van

[@robertryanyabao157]

Sportbike Track Gear Thank you for the response! Just gave me some peace of mind.

[@martinfoster5163]

I’m from the UK bit lived in California for 22 years. I got stopped quite a few times by the highway patrol. They never inspected my helmet, ever, but I wore full face helmets even before you were required to wear any helmet at all. They’ll ask you for license and registration but that’s about it. They might even look at your bike but I doubt they’d ever question your helmet if it looks legit.

[@PMitchell106]

We need to be more specific with the nomenclature when it comes to these standards, it's not uncommon to call a helmet "DOT certified", but in reality the department of transportation does not "certify" anything about them.

[@sportbiketrackgear]

End of the day this is an honor system cert and the helmets will only be tested if they find a reason to do that. IMO with major brands like Shoei, Arai, Bell, etc... they are producing helmets that will pass the DOT and the ECE or Snell each of them offer. None of those companies will risk having helmets recalled because they do not pass DOT. - Van

[@martinfoster5163]

I bought a Bell Race Star online from the USA and shipped it to Mongolia where I live - there are no required standards or even helmet laws here. My race star is DOT and Snell approved. I bought it largely because the UK version got 5 stars on Sharp tests. I don’t care about Snell and even less about DOT. So are you saying Sharp tested a different Bell Race Star helmet than mine? (The euro version is also Snell M2015 approved, FWIW).

[@sportbiketrackgear]

Every brand can be a little different. For most of the brands the Euro helmets will be different from the US Helmet. The DOT standard differs from the ECE enough the new Scoprion EXO-R1 Air ECE helmet needed to be changed a bit to pass it. I am not sure if the Bell helmet is the same version for all markets or not. - Van

[@martinfoster5163]

Thanks for your answer, Van. Love your videos, by the way. Although we don’t have race tracks in Mongolia and “track days” don’t exist. It’s more of an adventure biker’s paradise. Anyway, I’m curious enough to contact Bell to find out.

[@rogerskeir1]

Thank you for your knowledge on products i greatly appreciate it

[@sportbiketrackgear]

You are welcome and thank you for watching! - Van

[@tonykartracer8032]

I don't trust DOT only unless it's from a reputable helmet company.

[@bedmac2]

This is actually the right way to approach it in my opinion. There is so much mythology surrounding the helmet ratings.

[@vicinitydigitaldesig]

I don’t understand.. This like watching the mainstream media! I brought a pretty costly and nice full face helmet, actually used by a GP guy, which is only DOT approved and it seems like a great helmet, so anyway.

[@baironmurcia1950]

I thought scorpion helmet were supposed to be only DOT certified but a couple of days ago I bought an exo-390 and it's only ECE22.05 approved is that correct.???

[@sportbiketrackgear]

If you are referring to the EXO-R320 Helmet it should be DOT only (helmets sold in the US). Now if you are outside of the US this may be a different model. - Van

[@app1mxh]

What color is more visable white or hi viz?

[@sportbiketrackgear]

I would say Hi Viz is most visible. - Van

[@SKITTLELA]

There are a couple decent videos on KZbin. I would say it depends on lighting and surroundings. I would personally choose white because it really stands out at night and contrasts with black, but either are much better than black, gray, etc. Ideally, I would say white helmet then hi-viz suit/gloves/boots/etc.

[@848evo4]

great series Brian, do you know if there is any difference between an aria DT USA helmet and an aria chaser X European helmet ?

[@sportbiketrackgear]

I do not know if there is a difference with this specific model, that said they are produced for different markets that require different safety standards so I would expect them to be different. The impact tests for Snell and ECE are very different. - Van

[@kinghimanshukumar7685]

Which is one dot vs. Ece Vs snell helmets and no problem powerful

[@sportbiketrackgear]

Do not buy DOT only helmets unless they are from a reputable brand. IMO both Snell and ECE are good certs, I am comfortable riding in either one. - Van

[@kinghimanshukumar7685]

What is Name Ece company helmet

[@kinghimanshukumar7685]

Which is one better Ece Vs snell

[@toddbrackett4277]

What is the difference between Snell m2015 and m2020?

[@sportbiketrackgear]

As I understand it the changes are very subtle between the two. - Van

[@toddbrackett4277]

@@sportbiketrackgear thank you.

[@bullast2046]

No mention of FIM cert… I’m surprised

[@sportbiketrackgear]

This video is a little old now to be fair. From what I have seen thus far (to be fair I could and should dig a little deeper) there is nothing game changing about the FIM. Seems to be an added expense more for the manufacturer than a value add for the consumers. - Van

[@bullast2046]

@@sportbiketrackgear of course, I looked at the publication date AFTER I commented… I may be mistaken but isn’t the FIM cert the only qualified helmets authorized on the world stage races? I’ve been away a while

[@HangOnHangOff]

So. STG people are tired of dumb people asking dumb questions and started a series of educational videos. Little did they know people who are dumb wouldn't watch video like this before they do dumb stuff. Good video and I feel people who are watching are people who already knows a lot on the topic and only here to confirm what they know.

[@sportbiketrackgear]

Thanks for watching! - Van

[@JimmieJohn]

It's like science yo!

[@MB-hd8tu]

Wait, why is the Sharp testing irrelevant for Snell certified helmets?

[@sportbiketrackgear]

Sharp is a UK based test for ECE helmets sold in the UK. The helmets sold in the US typically differ from the ECE helmets so they can pass the Snell standard (assuming they are certified to that). If the helmets are not the same the Sharp results are also not likely to be the same. - Van

[@MB-hd8tu]

@@sportbiketrackgear Gotcha. So Sharp only tests helmets that have already been ECE approved. Is it typical for manufacturers to produce two models of the same helmet, one ECE certified and one Snell certified? Or do they just market different models on each side of the Atlantic? I guess I could just go look for myself. I’ve never thought about that before.

[@cheik7664]

Hi I’m considering purchasing a drivin sprocket and chain kit off your site. However if I go with the steel it doesn’t come with the 39 tooth option unless I go aluminum. Any advice or help you can give would be great Thank u

[@sportbiketrackgear]

Driven does not produce the steel sprockets in all of the sizes they offer the aluminum ones. If it is not an option in the drop down odds are the steel is not available in that size. If you can let me know what your make, model and year is I can verify this is the case. - Van

[@cheik7664]

I have a 2017 zx10rr.. I can buy the 39 tooth separate on your site but not in the kit it looks like

[@sportbiketrackgear]

We can make the kit with the 39 tooth steel rear if that is what you want. You can call in to order it 888-784-4327 or order it online and add a note during the checkout asking for a 39 tooth rear sprocket in steel and our processing team will make the change to the 39. Please tell them I said this was cool. - Brian Van

[@cheik7664]

Thank you sir and your videos are great Very helpful and informative

[@bendover-yr4oq]

I heard snell is going away from my shoei rep.

[@sportbiketrackgear]

I have not heard this rumor, it would really surprise me to see Snell disappear. - Van

[@bendover-yr4oq]

Sportbike Track Gear I will find out Tuesday and ask where he heard or read that.. kinda why I brought it up to see if you had heard about it

[@victorboone]

Fim rating is standard now for racing helmets they are homologated helmets

[@broderp]

Someone said Snell has passed some brain buckets. Is this true? If so, how can a brain bucket pass the rating, but not a modular helmet? Seems fishy to me. Thanks for a very informative intro helmets.

[@sportbiketrackgear]

Our focus here is the full face helmet as we specialize in sportbike accessories and gear. That said I have seen Snell open face helmets and of course Snell full face helmets but never a Snell Modular. I will have to ask one of the brands what the reason for this is. - Van

[@brianmaclennan561]

So dot is good for nothing..

[@sportbiketrackgear]

I would not trust any DOT only helmet that is not from a big brand known for producing quality helmets. The cert itself is good, the issue is testing is not mandatory. This opens the door for off brand companies to introduce helmets into the market place without testing. Reputable brands will not take the risk of selling a helmet with a DOT cert that is not capable of passing the standard. All of the bigger brands are able to test the helmets themselves to ensure they pass before they are sent to get certified. - Van

[@jeffs.5882]

4 out of 10 DOT helmets fail. Thats 40% fella. They do their testing after the helmet hits the shelf. Anyone eatching this should go check out Ryan F9's video on the DOT cert. Snell and ece only for this husband and father of 2.

[@sportbiketrackgear]

Like I said my preference is Snell or ECE when it comes to helmet standards. IMO the DOT only stuff from reputable brands with history to support the reputation can be trusted. With that said I would not even consider using anything DOT only from off brand lines such as this WOW helmet. Bell, Scorpion, Shoei are a few examples of brands that have DOT only products I would ride in if my budget did not allow for more. (The Shoei GT Air helmet is DOT only and the reason their brand is included). - Van

[@TsvetanVR]

You said basically nothing in 5 minutes.

[@sportbiketrackgear]

You're welcome!

[@ducktape1ful]

Second

[@GuitarPlayerPain]

First comment. Also great video :D

[@sportbiketrackgear]

Thank you for watching! - Van