What are the Snell Motorcycle Helmet Testing Standards?

Saturday, January 31, 2009 ·

By Frank Medley

The Snell Memorial Foundation is an organization designed to promoting helmet safety standards, and testing helmets to make sure they are safe. It was founded after the death of auto racer Pete Snell, who died in a 1956 despite the fact that he was wearing a helmet.

The Snell motorcycle helmet testing standards are more rigorous that even those of the Department of Transportation. Unlike the DOT, the Snell testing is done in their own laboratories, and not by the manufacturers.

One of the most important parts of the Snell motorcycle helmet testing is the vision test. This is especially important for full face helmets. It ensures that when riding, a motorcyclist has complete peripheral vision.

The next round of testing is the performance tests. These are what help to ensure that your helmet will remain intact, and will do its job should you ever be in a fall or accident on your bike.

To ensure that the helmets do not break down after they are used, helmets are subjected to heat, cold, and wet before they are tested. This will check for any breakdown after normal use.

Another important part of Snell motorcycle helmet testing is the impact tests. These are performed in order to ensure that in the event of an impact, the head is as protected from injury as possible.

There has been criticism of some of Snell's testing methods. Many believe they are too expensive to be reasonable for most manufacturers. Others believe that they are excessive, and aren't needed to prove a helmet is safe.

When you are buying a motorcycle helmet, you will know that any product that meets Snell motorcycle helmet testing standards has been held to a very high safety and protection standard.

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