Don't tell the truth about helmets...

[black hills]

Okay, okay. That's enough!

Let's get back on topic.

The point of this thread is that Catterson is a total dick.  And the emails prove it. He was all about the big story until it was his ass in hot water, and then he didn't have the spine to back up his staff, and so he canned him to save his own ass.

Douche.

he knew what he signed up for, is this supposed to be a big suprise???

[02Tac]

The issue I found, via research a few year,s ago boils down to this. Snell cerified helmets are harder to be able to handle harder / sharper edges impacts. The result being that in less sever hits they actually transmit more energy to the head than a DOT only helmet.

[ChrisZRX]

Exactly.  Snell standards are designed to take two hard hits to the helmet on the exact same spot.  The problem is that it is extremely unlikely that you'll hit your helmet in the exact same spot twice.  Consequently, a Snell helmet is harder than it needs be, and more force will be transmitted to your head.

Pass on Snell.

[Mydlyfkryzis]

I still don't get this argument. All Snell Helmets are compliant with DOT.

A Snell Rated Helmet is a DOT rated helmet.

Snell = DOT (However, DOT does not equal Snell).

 The Motorcyclist Magazine test was not really scientific, but the real result was that a DOT helmet with softer cushioning was better the a DOT helmet that was harder.

 Those cheap chinese DOT rated helmets may have tested better, but when straps cushioning wear out, and EPS liners aren't fitted right, the apparent advantage, to me, is gone as a better made helmet (Snell or Not) will provide protection long after the cheap helmet starts falling apart.

A better check is to find out if injurys are actually greater on Snell Helemts versus Non-Snell Helmets (Remember, in the US,m all legal helmets are DOT).

I like a Snell rating because I know the helmet is tested and made to a standard. A DOT only helmet is probably not tested, and may actually not meet the standard.

Buy a well made, good fitting helmet (Snell or Not) and you will be safer than if you buy a really cheap DOT rated helmet that is made poorly.

Most people here spend big bucks on quality tires, not buying the much cheaper, DOT approved China made tires, yet a $400 well made helmet is about the same as one set of good tires. the helmet will outlast the tires too. Stop being cheap, and give the helmet the same scrutiny you give the tires.

[naustin]

If you were in Catterson's shoes, and your bosses told you to fire him, you would have fired him. You're going to sacrifice your job as editor in chief of a motorcycle magazine and all of the perks that go with it on principal to protect a freelance contract writer?  No one is going to do that.  I'm sure the guy that got fired knows it wasn't Catterson's decision and he was gone either way.  Douche or not, you would have done the same thing. Doucheness has nothing to do with this one.

It's called integrity.   Some people have it, most don't.  

The job before my current one, I was put in a similar situation.  I refused to behave unethically, and I was shown the door.   It worked out just fine, with s better job, and my old boss ended up looking like a fool.

So yeah.  But, I guess I'll never be the editor of a bike rag.  I'm no good at whoring myself out and stabbing people in the back.  

[ScottB]

Honest question - does either standard address longevity?  We've all heard "replace after 5 years" and I think I read somewhere that Arai says their helmets can go 7.  Is this based in evidence, or another motorcycle myth?  As a follow up, does five years refer to time on your head (or riding seasons) or time from production?  

Thought I'd throw out another dead horse to beat.  But really - I read through the webbikeworld review and did not see this addressed.  Is there something to it?

[sagerat]

I haven't read "Motorcyclist" since my subscription lapsed in 2007.  Catterson's self-indulgent columns plus their fawning articles of any bike they ride plus their absurd long-term garage reports (hey, put on 27 miles this month and bolted on a new exhaust pipe" made the rag unreadable.

I did like Jack Lewis's writings, admittedly, and Jamie what's her face had some nice articles, but mostly it was just a mediocre mag at best.  Now I just read "Motorcycle Consumer News" (the American "MCN") and "Rider" for its touring suggestions.

[02Tac]

Honest question - does either standard address longevity?  We've all heard "replace after 5 years" and I think I read somewhere that Arai says their helmets can go 7.  Is this based in evidence, or another motorcycle myth?  As a follow up, does five years refer to time on your head (or riding seasons) or time from production?  

Thought I'd throw out another dead horse to beat.  But really - I read through the webbikeworld review and did not see this addressed.  Is there something to it?

For me, it is not a time frame issue, it is a fitment issue. With use the foam compacts and the helmet no longer fits as it should.  When it starts getting loose I replace it. This is always well under the suggest 5 year mark.

[Dave.TX]

I still don't get this argument. All Snell Helmets are compliant with DOT.

A Snell Rated Helmet is a DOT rated helmet.

Snell = DOT (However, DOT does not equal Snell).

Every dollar has fifty cents in it. However, every fifty cents does not equal a dollar.

I can't stand Motortrend magazine and since Motorcyclist is in the same family I guess that's why folks don't like Motorcyclist either. Motortrends car/truck/whatever of the year just rotates every few years around the same manufacturers, never hitting the same one in consecutive years. That's why manufacturers don't do any significant upgrades the same year as their major competition (Ford/Chevy/Dodge/Toyota/etc). ? Of The Year is a joke, it's only there for ... dare I say it ... advertisers!

[county]

I remember really good arguments over Snell v DoT....a lot of fun IMO.  Especially seeing people get really pissed


Sorta debunked that "if you got a $10 dollar head, get a $10 helmet" thing.   I think that the guys with the $800 helmets were on the Snell side of the arguments  

[black hills]

years ago there was a segment on a news show, maybe 20/20, that adressed tthe DOT standard. They glues two salad bowls together with a piece of styrofoam in between. it passed the DOT test. should I trade the Shoei or Arai for a salad bowl?????

[Prubert]

Okay, okay. That's enough!

Let's get back on topic.

The point of this thread is that Catterson is a total dick.  And the emails prove it. He was all about the big story until it was his ass in hot water, and then he didn't have the spine to back up his staff, and so he canned him to save his own ass.

Douche.

Not to worry, Catterson will be leaving soon.  There is a new sheriff in town....

[bomber]

If you were in Catterson's shoes, and your bosses told you to fire him, you would have fired him. You're going to sacrifice your job as editor in chief of a motorcycle magazine and all of the perks that go with it on principal to protect a freelance contract writer?  No one is going to do that.  I'm sure the guy that got fired knows it wasn't Catterson's decision and he was gone either way.  Douche or not, you would have done the same thing. Doucheness has nothing to do with this one.

This is true, for most who need their jobs --

It does not mean, however, that Catterson did not continue the abysmal job Boehm did, and drove the oldest American motorcycle magazine into the ground, because they both did . . . .

I cannot imagine anyone doing a worse job.

[naustin]

he knew what he signed up for, is this supposed to be a big suprise???

If I read the OPs link correctly, the writer who was fired had been with Motorcyclist longer than Catterson.

[county]

years ago there was a segment on a news show, maybe 20/20, that adressed tthe DOT standard. They glues two salad bowls together with a piece of styrofoam in between. it passed the DOT test. should I trade the Shoei or Arai for a salad bowl?????

   Yeah, you are one of those Snell guys...

[black hills]

   Yeah, you are one of those Snell guys...

yea, but now that I have been enlightened I'm looking for hte best Salad bowl. ANy suggestions??

[county]

yea, but now that I have been enlightened I'm looking for hte best Salad bowl. ANy suggestions??

Just look for the DoT label and the $10 price  

[black hills]

Just look for the DoT label and the $10 price  

I wonder how the old german army helmets do in the tests??

[Cablebandit]

 should I trade the Shoei or Arai for a salad bowl?????

Only if you want your salad tossed.

[sprint_st]

I've had Bell, Bieffe, Shuberth, Arai, Shoei and one certified POS of unknown origin, probably China.  All I get now are Shoei's because that's what my head says fits best.  All I use is full face too.  Why?  As I skipped down US52 on my back I heard the sound of my helmet scraping and banging on the asphalt.  I actually laughed because I KNEW those sounds could have been my skull.  Snell, Shoei or whatever that European standard is, just get a decent helmet that fits.

My RF1100 cost about $280 but I would have bought a new Bell for a $100 less if I found one that fit as well or was as comfortable.

Oh yes, add me to the Catterson sucks group.  Wasn't a fan of Boehm either but he was still light years better than Catterson.