Smallest DOT Helmets

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Oct 10, 2013 | 06:23 AM

#61

harryscott

Novice

Joined: Apr 2010

Posts: 19

Likes: 0

From: Everett, PA

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThinkWired

1. I dont think anyone was preaching about safety, most of us were just saying that this helmet was not DOT. I dont care if anyone wears a helmet or not, I'm just saying, this helmet is not DOT approved. That said, I still wear it!

2. To say you dont want someone to preach about a safe helmet in one breath and then say that you're looking for a small DOT helmet in the next breath is a bit of a contradiction.

If you're looking for a small DOT helmet and that DOT rating is important to you, then pick another helmet because this one is not DOT approved.

Let me explain, the ONLY reason I want a DOT helmet is because I live close the state line and we neighbor 2 states that require a helmet, so I want be legal in those states. Don't need stopped over a helmet! DOT is not important to me other than for that reason!

Oct 10, 2013 | 06:59 AM

#62

jus2anoyu

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Aug 2008

Posts: 2,090

Likes: 7

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dew Me

Where does this info come from? Sounds hooky to me. It's incredibly easy to make a DOT helmet. Make any size/weight helmet you want, put a DOT sticker on it, and submit info on it to NHTSA. In other words, it doesn't even have to be close to DOT certifications to get the sticker. The helmet company can sticker anything they want. The real test is when the NHTSA tests that helmet at random. THEN you find out if it is real. IF the ACC "met" certification as you say, then they would have kept the sticker. I wish the ACC was DOT. I was sold on the ACC and reeeeally wanted to buy one. The materials used made it seem like the real deal. I'd love for them to try again, make a change towards DOT, do a new model, and slap a DOT cert on it. From what I have seen though ACC is just totally soured by it and is done. Makes me wonder what really went down. Obviously it isn't stopping Outlaw from trying again.

As I stated, a few years ago, they carried the dot stamp. Suddenly, they disappeared from the market. I was finally ready to buy one, and couldn't find them. Upon inquiring with a company that had some old stock that they were liquidating, I was told that they lost their dot stamp. 'met, but did not exceed specifications' the company filed bankruptcy. A new company making the same helmet, even using the same stock photos that the old company used, picked up the product line and manufacturing. The overwhelming recall and buyback destroyed the old company. Now, under the name 'head trip' they are making the same helmets and clearly stating that they are 'not dot compliant' upon speaking with a representative from the new company, she confirmed that these are the exact same helmet that met all dot standards just a few years ago. She also confirmed that the helmets missed the 'mark' by less than 1%.The damning issue was that nhsta deemed that they had to recall and buyback all previously sold 'dot' helmets. They bought back a few but eventually folded.

After having a close look at the head trip helmets (I now own one) the only thing suspect is the suspension liner. I think that the shell is plenty robust to withstand anything you could throw at it. The liner contains no Styrofoam type material, instead it has a firm yet compliant rubber like padding.

Either way, buy one or don't, I like mine!

Oct 10, 2013 | 07:09 AM

#63

jus2anoyu

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Aug 2008

Posts: 2,090

Likes: 7

And mine has a dot sticker on the back. If the cops want to be that picky, I'll throw em a donut and ride on....

Last edited by jus2anoyu; Oct 10, 2013 at 07:12 AM.

Oct 10, 2013 | 07:24 AM

#64

Street-Glide

Cruiser

Joined: Aug 2013

Posts: 101

Likes: 0

From: NJ

Quote:

Originally Posted by hynsonx

Heres the photos of me wearing each helmet.I did not start this thread to debate the safest or the helmet with the most padding.I thought that i could save some guys some money and time.When i bought the skid lid alot of people said that it was the smallest and the lightest dot helmet out there.When i received it is was not much different than my Harley helmet. I was disappointed.So the ak88 came along and after watching the video and going back and forth with a few emails i decided to buy one.I'm very pleased with the helmet...It is WHAT I WAS LOOKING FOR..

Looks good bro...might get one myself.

Oct 10, 2013 | 07:41 AM

#65

3/4 life crisis

Road Master

Joined: Apr 2008

Posts: 935

Likes: 1

From: Indiana

Vega XTS here. About half the price of Akoury.

Oct 10, 2013 | 08:25 AM

#66

TKDKurt

Elite HDF Member

Joined: Jun 2011

Posts: 3,832

Likes: 127

From: Coastal Carolina

Quote:

Originally Posted by simpkinst

And the DOT test is just another bunch if government crap.

They won't even test a helmet if it is under their minimum thickness. It could be the biggest crap styrofoam padding but it gets a chance.

The most high tech proven padding under the most advances carbon/Kevlar shell won't even be tested because its 1/8 inch too narrow.

This could offer ten times the protection of a styrofoam helmet, but that doesn't matter.

The reason that the low profile Outlaw helmets failed the DOT test wasn't just a simple measurement of the lining as suggested above. The recall notice (http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/cs...3E047-6695.PDF ) said that "The affected helmets fail to conform to the impact attenuation [that refers to insulating your brain from the force of the impact], penetration [that's the ability to keep a tree branch/car bumper etc from piercing the helmet and into your skull], labeling [because it said it exceeded requirements when it doesn't] and retention [the straps that hold it on your head fail so it's not on your head when you need it]. So don't kid yourself that the protection is just as good as a "real" DOT. It's not.

That being said, I kept my Outlaw despite the notice. But I did so with my eyes open. I know that it does little more than a novelty, despite the DOT sticker under the clearcoat and that's a risk I'm willing to take from time to time. I'm not advocating one way or the other and, as I said, I held onto mine. I just think that the decision everyone makes about the risks they will take should be educated decisions, not based on misinformation.

Oct 10, 2013 | 09:53 AM

#67

FenderGuy53

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Jun 2011

Posts: 2,023

Likes: 6

From: New Jersey

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3/4 life crisis

Vega XTS here. About half the price of Akoury.

Wow, had to get to the end of the thread before hearing "Vega".

I wanted to "try before I buy", so I took my short list (Vega, Fulmer and Daytona), which I compiled from the reviews here and on retailer web-sites, and went exploring.

I came away with the Vega XTS Naked (Gloss Black).

The Vega XTS helmet is DOT-approved, fits my oval head very nicely, is very comfortable, has minimal "mushroom effect", and costs under $60.

Oct 10, 2013 | 10:09 AM

#68

gearhead1937

Cruiser

Joined: Apr 2013

Posts: 207

Likes: 5

From: Iowa

Anybody have a pic of the inside of a Vega?? Videos on their website only show the outside... they seem very careful not to tilt it in a way to show the inside. Hate my T-70 outlaw, too round for my head. Looking for a more oval shaped helmet.