Australian helmet regulations & other related questions

Jimmy · Postby **Jimmy** » Sat Sep 06, 2008 1:33 pm

I'm looking into buying a new helmet in the not too distant future. I have found a few which i really like (Simpson and Bell) but they are manufactured in the US. In terms of motorsport regulations in Australia, are these helmets appropriate? I wonder because if i imported one, it wouldn't have the Australian approval sticker, would it? (I think that's what it is called...)

They say they are "Snell 2005 Certified". What is that and is it relevant in Australia?
If it is not appropriate for motorsport because it is not Australian approved, is it possible to get it approved?

Sorry, but i know jack squat when it comes to helmet regulations. All i know is it has to have a D.O.T. sticker.

And onto my next series of questions:
1. Can a motorsport helmet (designed for car) legally be used on a motorcycle? (on the street and track)
2. Can a motorcycle helmet legally be used in motor racing?

Jimmy.

Fatty · Postby **Fatty** » Sat Sep 06, 2008 1:41 pm

if he misses this thread and doesn't reply, send a PM to Fattima as he has imported helmets from the USA and knows a thing or 2 about the regulations, IIRC.

marcusus · Postby **marcusus** » Sat Sep 06, 2008 6:58 pm

Although I'm not doing any heavy competing, my Bell snell 95 certified helmet always passes scrutineering at club track events and the like.

Matty · Postby **Matty** » Sat Sep 06, 2008 7:02 pm

http://www.camsmanual.com.au/pdf/genera ... Q308_1.pdf

Personally I would never buy a helmet without trying it on first for a test fit. Different models and brands are built to different shapes, some will be very uncomfortable on your head. (Not to mention getting the size right)

Keith · Postby **Keith** » Sat Sep 06, 2008 7:47 pm

Any helmet with an Australian Standard sticker on it is legal for motorcycles. No helmet without the sticker ( even if the sticker just peeled off 5 minutes ago ) is legal in NSW.

Jimmy · Postby **Jimmy** » Mon Sep 08, 2008 1:01 am

The snell rating is fine for Australia. It is a worldwide standard.

They will probably have a British standads on them as well. Most Bell do. That is fine in Oz also.

Those standards both exceed Oz standards.

I sell all this stuff for a living.

I use a BELL K1 Sports. Excellent helmet. Not to pricey. It has Snell and British standards.

Cheers
Brett

So if i import one and it has the Snell Approval rating but doesn't have an Australian standards sticker, are you saying that this is legal in Aust? I don't want to spend a lot on a helmet only to find i can't use it.

And out of curiosity, do you sell Simpson helmets? In particular the Diamondback? What about the Bell Star? I can't decide on Gloss Black or Matte Black

I'm looking at doubling it up as a motorsport/motorcylce helmet.

Jimmy · Postby **Jimmy** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 8:53 pm

BiX, i plan to get into some form of competative motorsport in the not so distand future. A road bike is on the agenda as well. Speaking of which, check this link out. Its the KTM 1190 RC8. That is one sexy piece of kit. But at a price of $27,990 its a tad expensive!

Cheers Brett. The specific helmets which interest me are the Bell Star and the Simpson Diamondback (i just realised the Diamondback is the same helmet that Stiggy uses but I saw it first!) in matte black or gloss black. I'd also be looking at getting a dark tinited visor to replace the clear standard visor.

jerrah · Postby **jerrah** » Thu Mar 17, 2011 8:44 am

With motorcycles if a helmet doesn't have the Australian standards sticker it is invalid for use regardless of other standards it may have passed.

I'd check with CAMS or AASA.