There are some deals around on helmets now that they are bringing out new versions to comply with the ECE 22-06 safety standards. Does anyone know if there is anything in the new standards that really might make a worthwhile difference and thus make it worth going for the helmets that comply with them or is it in reality nothing that is likely to make any difference?
A new set of standards that apply specifically to modular helmets. Helmet accessories such as integrated sun visors will have standards that they will need to meet to pass testing. The testing procedures themselves have been overhauled with the latest science being applied to the process. The impact tests will see harder and faster impacts being created as well as low-speed impacts too. There will also be a new angle rotation introduced to the impact test. The visor will now face a penetration test of a steel ball being fired at it. If Bluetooth communication kits are offered with the helmet, the helmet will be required to pass testing with and without it installed.
Smoke and mirrors, ECE 22-06 is a minimum standard (which IMO is sh*te). If you are riding anything more powerful than a 50cc twist and go, look for additional testing to higher standards. Andy
I'm not sure how its smoke and mirrors. Surely the point of any standard is to set the minimum accepted level of safety so customers can know that what they are purchasing has met the standard and then they can start from there according to their own preference and budget.
Depends on your level of interest but you tube has a plethora of folk giving their view on this. One I'd personally trust is However on your question one helmet made on one day may be marked ece22.05 whilst the same helmet made the next day could be marked ece2.06, so long as it passed the test.
I use an X-Spirit 3 (I think that’s the one - the one prior to the X-SPR Pro). I was going to get the X-SPR Pro but I read something about the visors being different so I thought I might try the GP RR. That’s when I noticed some deals on the 22-05 as they are bringing out their 22-06, hence the question. I did see a comparison of the old and new Shoei that seemed to indicate a slight increase in weight, so perhaps they made some changes for 22-06 (or just for the new model regardless of standards). With the deals available I’m tempted to try a 22-05 GP RR. The reason for a new lid was for a custom paint job but I might also get another one as well at the lower prices I am seeing.
I’d seen that and other descriptions of the different tests, etc, but I was more interested in whether or not this actually translated into anything important from a safety perspective. I have a feeling that this might affect helmets at the lower end of the market more than the top-end integrated helmets.
Once upon a time, I hit my head wearing a lid certified to the old 22-05 standard. Consequently, I took a funny turn and swapped my BMW for a Ducati 1000 SS. I can only blame Shoei’s inadequate protection for this bizarre behaviour. Also, the new (22-06) rotational impact test is a worthwhile safety gain. “Minor” rotational impacts are associated with dementia many years after the event. Why else did I avoid the heady danger of being a multimillionaire footballer?
Well I was going to buy a plain 22-05 to use for a custom paint job but then I saw a Soleluna 2021 for a good price and accidentally bought it. Which of course means I could get a 22-06 if I want for the custom one… but I’ll probably go for the 22-05 at the current prices. #winwin
