Founded after the untimely death of auto racer Pete Snell in 1956, the Snell Memorial Foundation was founded to create a safety standard for helmets. Pete was wearing a helmet at the time of his death, yet was inadequately protected.
The Snell motorcycle helmet testing is very detailed and thorough. It uses more tests and steps than that of the Department of Transportation, and is performed by Snell, and not by the manufacturers themselves.
An important test in the Snell motorcycle helmet testing battery is the peripheral vision test. Complete peripheral vision is important for all riders, and the testing ensures that it is not blocked in any way.
The next round of testing is the performance tests. These are what help to ensure that your helmet will remain intact, and will do its job should you ever be in a fall or accident on your bike.
To ensure that the helmets do not break down after they are used, helmets are subjected to heat, cold, and wet before they are tested. This will check for any breakdown after normal use.
The Snell motorcycle helmet testing also includes several different types of impact testing. This is designed to ensure that during an impact, the helmet will minimize any damage to your head.
There has been some criticism of the Snell testing. Manufacturers argue that it is very expensive. Others argue that the testing is too rigorous, and that the helmets need not be so tested to be proven safe.
When you are buying a motorcycle helmet, you will know that any product that meets Snell motorcycle helmet testing standards has been held to a very high safety and protection standard.
Tags: Snell Memorial Foundation, Snell Motorcycle Helmet, Snell Motorcycle Helmet Testing, Motorcycles
