NHTSA orders Carbon Fiber Helmet maker to stop making helmets

[hootmon]

The Florida based maker of Carbon Fiber helmets has been ordered to stop designing and making Motorcycle helmets..

Advanced Carbon Composites

[lragan]

Since I learned of the Snell Memorial Foundation, I don't use a helmet without a Snell label.

http://www.smf.org/

[a65bug]

Of course then you have the ongoing debate of Snell being too tough resulting in helmets that transfer more force than DOT only helmets.  Snell rating requires the helmet to be able to withstand 2 impacts in the same spot without transferring "X" amount of force on the 2nd impact.  In order to do that, the foam has to be pretty stiff, which makes the first impact transfer more force.  Some new testing has shown the DOT only helmets offer better protection since almost no accidents involve someone hitting their head twice in the identical place.

Of course my helmet is Snell rated because most of the nicely featured helmets come Snell certified, as most helmet makers will pay the Snell fees as part of their marketing efforts.  I just thought I'd throw it out there because it's something I've been thinking about as I've started browsing for a possible new helmet (I want one of those newfangled flip face ones).

[dgc67]

I have read that too.  The article I read suggested that for smaller, lighter (smaller head) riders a DOT helmet was better since their head lacks the mass to actually compress the foam and gain the resulting absorption of energy that a snell rated helmet needs to properly do it's job.

[lragan]

I have read that too.  The article I read suggested that for smaller, lighter (smaller head) riders a DOT helmet was better since their head lacks the mass to actually compress the foam and gain the resulting absorption of energy that a snell rated helmet needs to properly do it's job.

I am afraid no one will accuse me of having a small head, so I am probably best with the Snell "seal of approval".

I sold my flip face helmet because it disclaimed any protection to my chin and jaw.  If it doesn't protect what it covers, why not just wear an open face helmet with a shield? 

The HJC I was wearing when I went down last year at MOOTMAG7 worked quite well -- the helmet was a mess, including some rather impressive gouges in the jaw area, but I was unscathed.  So, I bought another of the same model, except blue instead of yellow. 

I hope blue works as well

[dgc67]

Blue HAS to be better.  I mean, it is BLUE!   

[Troystg]

[/quote]



The HJC I was wearing when I went down last year at MOOTMAG7 worked quite well -- the helmet was a mess, including some rather impressive gouges in the jaw area, but I was unscathed.  So, I bought another of the same model, except blue instead of yellow. 

I hope blue works as well
[/quote]

I was just happy you came out of it ok.  And you handled it and yourself VERY well!  And did you ever put the horns back on the bike?  I think they took the most abuse...   

[lragan]

Troy, there is a long list of things that were replaced, including the horns, the front fender, one side panel, the engine guards, and the windshield, maybe others.  The bike looks and rides as well as it ever did.  The horns were the least expensive things to replace, and, I believe, the single best safety mod of the bike.

And thanks for the kind words.  Much appreciated.