I been wearing a novelty helmet for over 15 years and have never been stopped all around the country. Just bought a Head Trip and love it because it is the lightest and smallest DOT out there that I know of. It fits great, it doesn't look too bad and it will provide better protection. So wear what you want knowing that you might get some grief from some LEO's.

As far as telling the difference between a novelty and even the Head Trip, it does not take a rocket scientist. Just put them side by side, hell I can look at you wearing it and tell the difference. I am sure most LEO's can look at you and tell the difference, just depends on whether or not they want to take the time to mess with you. All they have to do is give you the ticket, it then becomes your job to prove the helmet legal or not.

Anyone that says they cannot tell the difference is too blind to ride! I don't like a lot of laws actually MOST laws, but they are legal as far as our liberal society and the average citizen is concerned.

Join the secession movement and let's start a country that actually follows the constitution and will allow you to carry a gun anywhere.

 

Got to love the helmet discussions! Almost as good as the "klunk" or oil threads.
Here's the deal, it has been medically proven that while wearing a helmet can decrease a severe head injury by 38% (i think that's the number), it INCREASES the risk of severe neck injury by 36%. It's darn near a draw. Add to this that the government tested 694 (ish) DOT helmets in a 14 year period and only 200-something passed. So knock yourself out, strap that bad boy on....but do the research first to ensure your getting something that will in fact protect you. Flames, scallops, and skulls shouldn't be the first thing you look for when buying a helmet.
Keep in mind though, all four government test for a helmet to comply involve a headform in NO relation to your neck. I fully believe a helmet will protect my head, it's the injury to my neck I consider.

 

Thanks Spur...I hear everything your saying and appreciate your input.

Here's the question's I ask of you as a Head Trip "DOT" helmet owner. (I own 2 of their NON DOT helmet's & love em!)

1. - Does your "DOT" Head Trip helmet have all the reported proper Ansi/ Snell & DOT cerification's permanantly affixed to the inside & outside of the helmet?

2. - Did you find ANYWHERE on the ACC Head Trip website that states something official, i.e. referencing a NHTSA "standard" that the Head Trip helmet is "certified" by NHTSA or any governing agency for helmet DOT standards? All I could find was Head Trip's "claim that it's a "DOT" helmet.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not bad mouthing you or Head Trip, I just want to see something official.

Here's something "official" from the NHTSA about novelty helmets.

NHTSA helmet testing of substandard and "novelty" helmets has revealed that these helmets have common characteristics that can be detected by visual observation. While the agency cannot state that any helmet with these characteristics will not meet Standard 218 without testing the helmet, over 20 years of helmet testing has revealed that it is almost certain that such helmets will not meet the Standard.

The characteristics of these helmets are: So, let's review this...

The ACC Head Trip "DOT" helmet you have DOES in fact have a thin liner LESS than 3/4 of an inch (it's 5/8 of an inch to be exact) as well as a retention system consisting of thin nylon straps and lightweight D-Rings.

So here's my point...

The NHTSA tells us what the common characteristics of a novelty helmet are and how they can be recognized, yet ACC Head Trip is manufacturing an alledged DOT helmet that has 2 of the 3 common, novelty helmet characteristic's?!?!?!?

How do you know you're really getting a properly certified DOT helmet when the NHTSA doesn't have TRANSPARENT specification?

MUDDY WATER'S BROTHER!!

 

It is up to the manufacture to self certify it's own helmets. NHTSA will not certify anything, it just sets the standards that the helmet manufactures must adhere to.

 

1-When you come to Tennessee, you had better have a real DOT approved helmet. Helmet stops are frequent and they are familiar with the difference between fake and real. They don't care what is legal where you are from. They enforce the laws here.
2-You can buy a good new legal DOT helmet for $45.
3-The difference in weight is about a pound.
4-I have been riding for 40+ years and have never locked a helmet to a bike and never had one stolen.

See how much you save when you pay a $65 fine and court costs.

I really don't understand why someone would want to wear a goofy looking plastic bowl on their head and run the chance of paying a fine. It just don't make much sense to me. To each their own and I guess saying ride safe is out of the question.

 

I recieved a ticket in Mississippi sat. pm. The only reason he pulled me over was to check my helmet.

 

As gofer said it is up to the company. If they are lying, they will pay the price. They admit their liner is new and a patent applied for. Their dot lining is significantly different. Any company can make false claims and apply a sticker. At some point you have to trust someone. Most standards are very old and technology has moved on. Living causes death.

 

Sorry, but my take as a former LEO and 50 year bike rider is that any reason presented for not wearing a helmet goes back to the same sort of lame excuses I heard back when seatbelt use was first mandated. "They are uncomfortable; They infringe upon my freedom; I know someone who would have died if he/she had one on;...."
Waah, Waah, Quit crying and put the approved helmet on as it is the law in most places. Don't try to show how smart you are or how you got away with wearing a non approved helmet. It would always put the wrong appearance out if I stopped someone & saw that he was attempting to flaunt the law.
If you don't like to wear one, contact your senator or representative and express your concerns.

 

The main thing they look at is the cheezy chin strap on the non DOT helmets and they do pull you over in Oregon for just a helmet and you leave your bike if they decide you don't have a proper helmet.

 

Once a LEO always a LEO, I'm not doing it. Sounds like sour grapes, if I have to wear one everyone else should. Why does it bother people what others choose to do. If safety is such a concern you are kidding yourself that a helmet makes a big difference at 70 mph with your feet 4" off the ground.