The reasons behind your helmet purchase. Let us kn

Hello All,

I am working with a team of graduate students at the University of California, Davis researching motorcycle helmet safety. Our goal is to understand how helmet safety and personal design preference affect your decision when purchasing a new motorcycle helmet. We would love hear your reasons regarding your recent helmet purchase, safety certifications, and other personal preferences that may influence your purchase.

Your answers to a short 12 question survey ( here ) will help us better understand what matters most to you when purchasing a motorcycle helmet. In addition, 4 random survey participants will be chosen to win a $25 amazon gift card! We appreciate your feedback!

A couple of observations.
1. I think comfort is very much related to safety. If a helmet is uncomfortable, it does not fit correctly and will not provide the best protection.
2. Where I live, ventilation is very important, yet it was not a category in the survey.
3. Weight is also an important consideration for most riders. Lighter means less strain on neck muscles.
4. Noise. Touring and other long distance riders place a premium on noise levels, as a great deal of wind or road noise accelerates fatigue.
5. The ability of a full face helmet to defog quickly is important to some.
6. How about the ease to change visors?
7. Some riders have different helmets for different riding conditions.

If all you really want to know is how aware people are of the Snell rating, then I suppose the instrument is fine. Otherwise, I think it is to general.

As I understand the purpose of the Snell Memorial Foundation is to certify helmets for many sporting activities, not just motorcycling. In keeping with that narrower mission Snell certified helmets are designed for racing rather than street riding. Some optional equipment available on street helmets will make them ineligible for Snell certification, such as internally movable sun visors.
Bill

Is there a company or industry that is sponsoring this questionnaire?

In regards to Snell & in a nutshell as I understand it, the Snell standard for the drop test had been for a more impact resistant helmet (Ie, a harder helmet plastic shell). The DOT standard has been, and still is as far as I know, for a more impact absorbing helmet. The Snell standard has changed to be more akin to the DOT standard, ie, for a more impact absorbing helmet. and I think their drop test weight is now the same as the DOT standard, but they use a different shaped impact instrument.

The study seemed slanted towards Snell so maybe they are a sponsor? Regardless, Snell certified helmets are excellent, although my current helmet isn't Snell (because it has a visor). I tend to doubt that small differences in the helmet standards have an effect on rider safety so just find a helmet that you like and wear it.

Working from memory here but to be DOT certified a manufacturer just certifies that their helmet meets the standard. Snell Memorial Foundation actually requires that a manufacturer submit a number of exemplars of each helmet and then Snell performs the testing and if they pass issues the approval.
Bill

No mention of full face in the survey.
I wouldn't even look at an open face helmet.
After that I look for a good fit which is why I dont purchase online.
I'm ok with SNELL or DOT and some have both.
Colour, vents etc just help to narrow down the decision
My 2 cents

What say all Full Face or Open ?

Full face and modular. Modular is easier because I wear glasses.
My understanding is that most "quality" helmets provide about the same protection. The price goes up depending on comfort and other features not necessarily related to safety.

Full face for sure.

Had a left turner that got me in 2006 and while I didn't whack my head (much), I did wind up with a fat lip and the face shield on my full face helmet was scratched up. Hate to think what would have happened without the helmet.