Scrap SHARP helmet ratings says leading scientist
A leading UK scientist with 30 years experience in helmet testing says SHARP rating system is seriously flawed
A LEADING safety engineer from Birmingham University* has spoken out against the SHARP helmet rating scheme, believing the system should be scrapped following the results of a recent scientific study.
Dr Nigel Mills, who has worked on helmet testing and design for 30 years, believes the European helmet testing system is flawed. During an intensive six-month study, Dr Mills found areas of concern, which has prompted the scientist to ask for SHARP ratings to be scrapped.
Dr Mills has pointed out three major factors within SHARP that are of serious concern. Speaking exclusively to Visordown earlier today, Dr Mills said:
"First, the impact velocities in oblique impact tests must be realistic; gentle impacts used to determine helmet friction coefficients differ from more severe impacts in which the helmet starts to roll on the road.
"Second, the test headform must simulate the human scalp and hair which allow significant helmet rotation. A test headform without scalp or hair responds differently and may overemphasise the friction of the helmet shell. The rotational acceleration of the test headform must be measured.
"Third, the pass/fail criterion must be set. Only ballpark figures for human tolerance to rotational acceleration are known. You might imagine that independent researchers had agreed on the details, and the industry was convinced of the benefits of these radical new tests. However the SHARP scheme was developed by the government Transport Research Lab for the DfT without public debate."
Dr. Mills criticises the oblique impacts in the SHARP scheme, as they don’t measure rotational head acceleration. Presumably to save money, they use a mechanics model, a friction coefficient and a direct impact test result to estimate the oblique impact performance.
Mills’ study shows the model is too simple, so the estimated performance parameter (a linear head acceleration multiplied by a function of the friction coefficient) is meaningless. They weight test results from different sites in a complex way to estimate how many lives would be saved by a particular helmet design. This overemphasises test ‘results’ at the sides of the helmet, and totally ignores impacts on the chin bar region. Hence he concludes that the estimates are meaningless.
Dr Mills feels that the British and European helmet standards could be amended to include tests for oblique impact protection, based on scientific consensus, with the design consequences considered.
* under review by a journal, available on perg.bham.ac.uk
Discuss this story
What to beleive now then. THE problem as I see it is that manufactures will start to develop helmets to get teh best SHARP rating, adn teh jury definatly seems to be out with regard to what teh best helmet looks and feels like. Once university paper is hardly 'the jury being out'.... Believe who ever you like. I think it is best to wear them for protection against the weather, debris and slow speed tumbles when you might knock your head on the ground. - they are fuck all use if your neck still snaps.
Posted: 16/06/2009 at 16:34
also, if you have a good lid, you're actually more at risk cos of the owd risk compensation, isn't that right FJS? That's why you wear one like this, isn't it?
Posted: 16/06/2009 at 16:40
It's quite simple really , everybody who has ridden bikes for a few years and had various sized crashes knows themselves which helmets are better than others. I have had quite a few accidents on road and track and I will only ever use Arai or Shoei. Nobody in a white suit from the government will ever convince me that a 30 quid polycarbonate (welded plastic!) is better than my 400 quid Arai!!!!!!!! Regardless of what the sharp tests say can you imagine what would have happened to Shinya Nakano (i think it was) when he came off his race bike at 200mph head first and just got up and walked away?? maybe the testers at sharp should actually ride a bike and see for themselves what the differences are between helmets. then you see if they would wear a cheap Chinese plastic lid ?? If theres only one thing I will spend my money on after my bikes its a decent lid. ARAI end of.
Posted: 16/06/2009 at 19:11
 Frolfl. User8blah, a £40 poly lid saved my life in a head on collision about twelve years ago. I hit the drivers pillar at a rediculous (combined) speed, right on my temple. It's where your skull is weakest, it's where Arai fit their thinest foam. If I'd been wearing a £400 RX7 (or whatever the equivalent was then) I wouldn't be typing this reply! Arai are aware of this 'X spot', but don't think it's worth compromising fit and comfort to protect it. 
Having followed the link in the OP, it occurs to me that Prof Tefalheid isn't calling for SHARP to be scrapped but rather to incorporate a rotational test modified to account for frictional differances between scalp and skull. He's after the legal standard European test being modified the same way. At no point does he sugest that SHARP should be scrapped or (as the article hints) that it's a poorer test than the others UK lids are subjected to. Having talked to some of the SHARP guys face to face I recon they'd probably be interested in incorporating his improved theoretical model into their test. Moreover, his (possibly missquoted) comments seem at odds with what SHARP have been at pains to point out- better chin bars, for instance, are credited in their ratings. Of course, "proffesor suggests tweaking successful consumer rating" isn't nearly as good a headline as "Scrap SHARP ratings".... The gen is that the SHARP test provides additional information for you to base your choice of helmet on, without reducing the requirement for helmets to meet existing test standards. It can't be anything other than a good thing. It isn't legally binding, so if you recon it's b*llocks just ignore it. Check out the (worthless) shiny ACU sticker instead, eh?
Posted: 16/06/2009 at 23:17
Oh good, I see this a day after ordering a helmet partly because it got 5 stars (though also its a good fit - barely a mil of jiggle room on my head, can't be "rolled off" - is well featured, got shops guy’s vote where i tried it on and has mostly positive reviews on the internets) So, what has people dogmatically convinced that Arai or Shoei are fantastic? (I feel qualified to ask, as an absolute n00b - come, convince me rationally to drop 3 or 4x as much on one of their lids as I have for one with what seemed to be an identical or better rating? Yes, the fit and finish aren't quite as good, but it’s still £100, not junk, and was acceptable by my own scruffy standards) I'd like to add more skeptical backchat, that the prof hasn’t quite got the point of what Sharp is certifying. I don't believe they particularly care about it moving around or rotating on your head a bit, so long as it still effectively attenuates severe shocks (or penetrating objects...) that could bruise the brain or injure the spinal cord... shouldn’t a little hair-based wiggle absorb a bit of extra energy, even? The existing standards are far less exacting, & just as questionable - controversy about Snell ratings for one. Sharp was partly brought in as a response to such uncertainty, to have a more modern & well researched alternative standard, & to show *how* good a helmet is, rather than just pass/fail. (helmets with ANY stars pass basic BSI and ECE... if they fail, Sharp don't bother testing) Note they don't only test chinbar protection, but also likelihood of a modular one popping open in a smash, leaving you with an open-face or worse... Also, science background. One dissenter can be right amongst crowds of dumb sheep. But it's not normal; see for example the MMR vs Autism debacle.
Posted: 18/06/2009 at 00:42
Welcome to the forum fella . Fwiw I think the guy's being seriously misrepresented just to buy a decent headline. There's a link to his uni website in the article, with public access to some of his research. An improved rotational model could be cheaply and effectively incorporated into most modern tests, which is what he seems to be after. Scrapping Sharp would be pointless from his point of view- he needs a test framework to incorporate his ideas into. On a less serious note, it'd be interesting to see what effect different hairstyles have in a collision. Would stubble (many bikers shave their heads) increase friction enough to be measured? Would longer hair have the opposite effect? Would either be a good or bad thing? Can you imagine the headline- "Bald heads kill!" Maybe we could all run out and buy Arai mullet wigs  .
Posted: 18/06/2009 at 01:34
A poper fitting helmet is the safest type of helmet regardless of manufacturer. I can't wear Arai for example... just don't have an Arai shaped head so they could be £10,000 and 75 SHARP stars and they'd still be useless for me. 
Posted: 18/06/2009 at 08:33
Can you imagine the headline- "Bald heads kill!" Maybe we could all run out and buy Arai mullet wigs .
They do, and frankly I am disappointed that a sensible poster like you is unaware of this and has it seems failed to [purchase the relevant Arai Mullet wig.. disappointed in you
Posted: 18/06/2009 at 08:50
Would stubble (many bikers shave their heads) increase friction enough to be measured? Would longer hair have the opposite effect? Would either be a good or bad thing? Can you imagine the headline- "Bald heads kill!"
It would kill the fat balding mid-life crisis summer weekend sportsbike market stone dead.
Posted: 18/06/2009 at 08:54
Would stubble (many bikers shave their heads) increase friction enough to be measured? Would longer hair have the opposite effect? Would either be a good or bad thing? Can you imagine the headline- "Bald heads kill!"
It would kill the fat balding mid-life crisis summer weekend sportsbike market stone dead.
No it wouldn't. It would do wonders for Hair Transplant clinics though.
Posted: 18/06/2009 at 12:33
Here we go again, another SHARP tests are crap because I've got an Arai lid and it didn't get any stars. I wear mine all the time and I'm alright jack - durr well obviously! If Arai's had performed well in the tests, SHARP would be the best thing in the world. Like mrsparkle, I'm new to biking, and bought my first lid based on SHARP results, simple fact is the type and model of lid I have has been tested in some way - doesn't matter how, but some tests have been carried out that helped influence how I spent my (nearly) 200 notes. IMO rather than whinging about SHARP, manufacturers would be better spending some time and money actually improving their product, which I'm sure they are, and comments like those in the article will hopefully allowers the testers to review the way the tests arecarried out. and FWIW, I note that Arai have a truely excellent customer service policy, I've read lots about people sending helmets back and getting exchanges FOC, which yes is good, but does that not indicate why the prices are higher? Its not always pay for what you get....
Posted: 18/06/2009 at 13:38
also, if you have a good lid, you're actually more at risk cos of the owd risk compensation, isn't that right FJS? That's why you wear one like this, isn't it?
Thank god man!! I thought I was the only one who had one of these. Great helmet
Posted: 18/06/2009 at 20:10
Here we go again, another SHARP tests are crap because I've got an Arai lid and it didn't get any stars. I wear mine all the time and I'm alright jack - durr well obviously! If Arai's had performed well in the tests, SHARP would be the best thing in the world. Like mrsparkle, I'm new to biking, and bought my first lid based on SHARP results, simple fact is the type and model of lid I have has been tested in some way - doesn't matter how, but some tests have been carried out that helped influence how I spent my (nearly) 200 notes. IMO rather than whinging about SHARP, manufacturers would be better spending some time and money actually improving their product, which I'm sure they are, and comments like those in the article will hopefully allowers the testers to review the way the tests arecarried out. and FWIW, I note that Arai have a truely excellent customer service policy, I've read lots about people sending helmets back and getting exchanges FOC, which yes is good, but does that not indicate why the prices are higher? Its not always pay for what you get....
Arai have made their reputation through road and circuit racing. I'll take it you've seen the latest Sharp results? You wear what you feel comfortable with and I'll do the same.
Posted: 18/06/2009 at 20:30
I dont think it's a case of SHARP bashing, it's more that there are know limitations to the testing undertaken (or not as in certain aspects). I wasn't a fan initially, but having had a large amount of corespondance with one of the guys running the tests I have more confidence in what they have done, but there are still areas that raise questions. At the end of the day, all tests are trying to recreate and repeat 'real world' incidents, which are in reality far too varied to model every aspect of, so they are taking a best fit type approach, which is fair enough. Their interpretation of COST327 is something that I am not in agreement with, in that it does not distinguish primary impacts from secondary grazes from sliding, so I beleive that the spread of impact zones as used by SHARP is innacurate. I also have issues with them not including for chin bar tests, which COST327 makes specific note of as being a major area of concern. As with most of these things, you can choose to ignore it totally, follow it blindly or use it as one of a number of sources of information on which to base your own decision. I prefer the latter, that way I can only blame myself if i'm wrong (assuming my head still works at that point)
Posted: 19/06/2009 at 12:39
This comes from the cnut who was member of the group making money from the worthless old BS Gold stickers. The Sharp test must have cut into this old tosser's profit margin.
Posted: 19/06/2009 at 13:51
i must admit i bought a new helmet because my old one scored low with the chinbar remaining shut.
Along with great looks, superior comfort, excellent fit, and quiet the Sharp ratings played an important part in my last helmet purchase. Bell
Posted: 19/06/2009 at 15:01
Not quite FJS, what your fave stalker is refering to is Schuberths pathetic claim that Sharp used the 'wrong' size of helmet in it's test. Since other, cheaper, Schuberths scored higher I'm a bit dubious about that. Much more likely (as I posted in a bit more depth a while back) is that the multi-cell construction of the foam inner doesn't take a hit as well as a continous (and incidentally less expensive) inner does. Their importer bleated that Schuberths test facilities were far better than anything available to the Sharp team, without actually giving any indication of what, where or how these facilities operate. See Tim Cummings' article in TWO for a classic example of how not to carry out an investigative report.
Posted: 24/06/2009 at 21:36
I started out with an Ikon Mainframe in a XL, which was rubbish. It was loud, fogged up while riding and came apart. After that an AGV Dragon in a XL to wear to the store and back. Then I bought a Shoei RF-1000 in a XL. Better quality, but still loud as hell and like the Ikon, it felt like having side blinders on. Then I bought my first S1 in a XXL, because they are known to run small. Turned out to be a perfect fit. Very plush on the inside, even though it felt very solid on my head. Optics were spot on and the reversable internal sun visor solved the two-visor problem. It has a tight fit around my neck, which along with the chin skirt, helps make it so quiet. My S1 pro is a tad bit lighter than the S1 and comes with a pinlock visor, no fogging ever. It's visual opening is so large, that can see my shoulders while riding without having to turn my head. SWEET. It's a little heavier than some helmets, but that's due to it's larger shell and additional internal padding. My only complaint, it came with D-rings and not a buckle fastener. That's it.
Posted: 24/06/2009 at 21:39
Not quite FJS, what your fave stalker is refering to is Schuberths pathetic claim that Sharp used the 'wrong' size of helmet in it's test.
Lets hope one doesn't have the 'wrong' sized head.
Posted: 24/06/2009 at 21:46
Funny you say that Flo, because I seem to remember that article. And they stressed that it was very important to make sure that the helmet fit properly. Every Schuberth sizes the same, except for the S1 for some reason. So it it quite possible for them to have had the wrong size. We can sit here and argue about which helmet is the best all day, but for what? The owner is the one who has to wear it. If you like your helmet for you, I love your helmet, for you. Do your own research and spend as much as you think your head is worth.
Are you really that gullible? How much is your head worth? The S1 is a fantastic lid with some great features, but it's construction, as tested, is less efficient than some cheap thermoplastic helmets. Instead of holding a hand up and admitting that it's a compromise to enable those features to be fitted, the firm tried to discredit the entire testing process. That does all of us a terrific disservice, but may be fair enough from a business perspective. What really annoyed me was the way the TWO article took everything offered by the manufacturers (in Schuberths case, just the importer) as some kind of gospel, while questioning every part of the Sharp test, even it's operational concept. We were fed manufacturers propaganda dressed up as journalism. It was a poor effort at best, willful dissinformation at worst. Some basic research shows that protection and cost aren't closely linked in motorcycle helmets. That's as true accross the pond with the Snell ratings as much as here with our ones. Sharp offers a chance to rate the protective qualities of each helmet on sale, the one thing that you can't guess in the shop or gather from testimonials.
Note that I'm not claiming that any helmet is 'best', like you say, pick the one that suits you, but don't swallow the feeble whining of wealthy firms who've been found wanting when you're making your choice.
Posted: 24/06/2009 at 23:47
Schuberth just started advertising in magazines as of late. Everything that I said about the helmet is first hand knowledge, not something that I read in a magazine or on a forum. I don't know what an Arai or a Dainese or any of the 1000's of other helmets are like, I just know about the ones that have been on my head. Gullibility is thinking that just because a govt agency says good or no good on a helmet is gospel. Here in the States we have DOT certifications, which are useless. I have seen those brain bucket German WWII helmets DOT certified. Come on now, they are about as safe as a Yankees cap, but it passes DOT standards.
Posted: 25/06/2009 at 00:32
I just bought my 2nd Schuberth S1 (S1 pro this time) regardless of SHARP's rating of 2 stars. Every magazine and person that I know never had anything bad to say about the helmet, it's funny that it got such a low rating. If safety conscience BMW uses them as their in-house helmet, then I think that I'm ok having it on my head. What size do you wear? And what size of other helmets did you use?
More trolling.
What I was referring to is that I wear a medium XR1000, which is labelled as 57-58. I would like to buy a Schuberth, but there isn't a 57-58, only a 56-57 and 58-59.
As such, I was wondering if anybody with a Schuberth could tell me what the fit is like compared with other helmets. As usual, you have completely failed to understand the situation FJS, and discredited yourself yet further (if that is possible).
Posted: 25/06/2009 at 08:34
What I was referring to is that I wear a medium XR1000, which is labelled as 57-58. I would like to buy a Schuberth, but there isn't a 57-58, only a 56-57 and 58-59. As such, I was wondering if anybody with a Schuberth could tell me what the fit is like compared with other helmets.
Go and try some on then, you lumpen headed tosser.
It's really simple. Wander into some glossy motorcycle emporium that stocks Schuberth and ask to try them on. Only you will know if they fit you. Asking random strangers what size and other helmets they had as a way of assessing them for your suitability is entirely pointless. Sharp: Helmet Guidance
Posted: 25/06/2009 at 09:39
Cool Hand Chuck wrote (see) I just bought my 2nd Schuberth S1 (S1 pro this time) regardless of SHARP's rating of 2 stars. Every magazine and person that I know never had anything bad to say about the helmet, it's funny that it got such a low rating. If safety conscience BMW uses them as their in-house helmet, then I think that I'm ok having it on my head.
They get the feckers for next to nothing!
You wouldn't by chance be interested in purchasing a toll bridge over the Sevren? Want a real laugh...try and get a tour of the Schitberth factory...
Posted: 25/06/2009 at 09:52
What I was referring to is that I wear a medium XR1000, which is labelled as 57-58. I would like to buy a Schuberth, but there isn't a 57-58, only a 56-57 and 58-59. As such, I was wondering if anybody with a Schuberth could tell me what the fit is like compared with other helmets.
Go and try some on then, you lumpen headed tosser.
It's really simple. Wander into some glossy motorcycle emporium that stocks Schuberth and ask to try them on. Only you will know if they fit you. Asking random strangers what size and other helmets they had as a way of assessing them for your suitability is entirely pointless. Sharp: Helmet Guidance
No it's not pointless...I find it takes several hours on the bike to really assess whether or not a helmet fits properly.
I was not about to order one on line based on somebody's recommendations, but it would have helped me to hear about somebody else's experiences of switching to Schuberth from another manufacturer. Anybody with a Schuberth; ignore FJS rider...I would still like to hear about your experiences...he's just doing his trolling thing. Calling other people a troll is just his latest take on it...he probably thinks he's being clever and ironic. FJS I am going to start a new thread asking people about their experiences with Schuberth...because as usual, you have ruined this thread. If you are not, as you claim, a troll, then stay out of it. If you have an experience with Schuberth then please do take part.
Posted: 25/06/2009 at 10:05
If you are not, as you claim, a troll, then stay out of it. If you have an experience with Schuberth then please do take part.
If you were less of a shit-for-brains you would remember what people have already posted. And others will be able to recall your endless bleating about fucking helmets in other threads, troll.
Posted: 25/06/2009 at 10:15
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