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NEWS
Helmets ain't helmets
Here's something most bike dealers don't want you to know: some top-drawer motorcycle helmets can do more harm than good. But there could be a solutionDesigned for high-speed impacts, many expensive, hi-tech helmets have stiff energy-absorbing shells and liners which don’t deform and absorb impacts at lower speeds; tests suggest they can transfer dangerous levels of energy to the wearer’s skull.
There’s no doubt that helmets save lives, but research suggests that helmets designed for high-speed protection can lead to minor concussions that could add up to major health problems later, especially among off-road riders who typically suffer a lot of low-speed crashes.
A small company in California claims to have a solution. 6D Helmets has developed a helmet that incorporates an “Omni-Directional Suspension” (ODS) system between the outer shell and the liner.
More than 20 small hourglass-shaped dampers, essentially two tiny cups back to back on a rubber core, suspend the liner from the shell and provide a cushioning barrier against low speed impacts.
According to 6D, during a 7km/h impact, someone wearing one of its helmets typically undergoes 48g of acceleration -- compared to 78g for an average conventional DOT or Snell-approved helmet.
The threshold for a concussion in an adult male is around 60g. At 15 km/h, the point where conventional helmets typically start spreading impact energy efficiently, the difference is 97g vs. 127g.
The company says the ODS dampers can move in three dimensions and also provide protection during sliding or oblique (as opposed to direct) impacts by reducing the angular acceleration that can cause rotational brain injuries, which current helmets are not required to address during certification tests.
Although slightly heavier than a conventional helmet, carbon fibre and Kevlar in the new helmet helps offset any weight penalty. Separating the liner from the shell offers other advantages too, like superior ventilation.
As with all helmets, by law they’re intended for single-impact use, even though their unique design could probably survive multiple low speed impacts.
Although developed for dirt bike riders, a street version is being developed, along with a bicycle helmet. The ODS technology is also suited to skateboard and skiing helmets, and there’s been interest for use in military and Grid-Iron football applications.
Off-road versions of the helmets are expected to be in US dealerships by February, priced at about US$750.
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Written bySteve Kealy
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Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
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