>From: Larry Joffe <spdrcr5@bigfoot.com>
>
>- --> ? I thought one of the key points of an SA helmet vs. an M
>- --> helmet was that it could absorb multiple hits...
>
>The ONLY difference between an SA and an M Rated helmet is the SA helmet has
>a Nomex liner. That is it. A friend of mine actually contact the Snell
>Foundation to ask this very question.
Not quite true. The only difference in construction may be a fireproof
liner, but the helmets have to go through different tests to get the M or
SA rating. From the FAQ on the Snell web site (<http://www.smf.org>):
==============
SA Standard was designed for auto racing while M Standard was for
motorcycling and other motorsports. There are three major differences
between them:
1. SA standard requires flammability test while the M standard does not;
2. SA standard allows narrower visual field than M standard (Some SA
helmets may not be street legal);
3. SA standard has rollbar impact test while M standard does not.
==============
So, some helmets may be able to get either of the ratings just by changing
the liner to a fireproof one. Other helmets (like some of the Bell or
Simpson auto racing helmets) may not be able to get a M rating because the
eye port is too narrow. And still other helmets may not be able to get a
SA rating even with a fireproof liner because they fail the rollbar impact
test.
Jim Ochi
jochi@ricochet.net
|