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Originally Posted by J-RAD
You'll have a tough time convincing me that a "M" helmet offers inferior protection than that of a "SA" helmet. They both offer significant protection. Have you ever seen a Superbike rider crash at 120+mph? In addition, I know people that, when given the choice, prefer the "M" helmet to the "SA" due to their wider field of vision - I'm one of those (and I have both). Just my $.02.
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Hi,
Well, you make a point so far as it goes. For DE and Auto-X, it's unlikely you'd need the Flammability protection an SA rated Helmet offers. And, if the venue will permit an 'M' rated Helmet, you've jumped that hurdle as well.
But, an M rated Helmet is simply less robust, period. For one thing, every M rated Helmet I've ever seen comes with the disclaimer cautioning that if the Helmet is dropped or subjected to an impact, "
even though no damage may be apparent", that the Helmet should be considered compromised and replaced or at the least, returned to the manufacturer for proper inspection. I own 3 'M' rated Helmets (Bell, AGV, HJC) and they all came with this documentation. A Superbike rider may well crash at 120+mph, but I doubt the Helmet was reusable or even offered the same degree of protection that an SA rated Helmet would have.
Also, though this is argueably a subjective matter, I brought one of my 'M' rated Helmets (the AGV) to an Auto-X event which sanctioned 'M' rated helmets, along with my Bell M3. I found the wider field of vision in the 'M' helmet to be a detriment to maintaining good focus - it allowed too much nonrelevant data for my brain to sort through and my ETs suffered with each run in the AGV. In Solo or running Hot Laps on a Track, I actually prefer the more restricted view.
The SA Helmets are required by many venues for a reason, a good one. It offers superior protection - more than you may need? Only one way to prove that arguement and I hope none of us ever have to...
Happy Motoring!... Jim