For years, adventure motorcycle helmets have been surprisingly difficult to compare when it comes to independent safety testing. But that’s beginning to change, with more adventure helmets undergoing rigorous testing and receiving SHARP safety ratings.
Take the Schuberth E2 flip-front adventure helmet, for example. It recently achieved an impressive four-star SHARP rating, along with a 100% chin-bar latch score. That means its chin bar remained securely locked during every relevant impact test, a reassuring result for those of us who favour the convenience of a flip-front helmet.
And the popular Arai Tour-X5 adventure helmet achieved a four-star rating as well. But what exactly do SHARP’s ratings tell us about a helmet’s ability to protect your head in a crash, and why are adventure helmets only now receiving more attention from SHARP? To answer that, it’s worth understanding how the testing scheme works.
What is SHARP helmet testing?
Launched in 2007 by the Department for Transport, SHARP (Safety Helmet Assessment and Rating Programme) is an independent UK helmet testing scheme designed to help motorcyclists make more informed buying decisions.
Every motorcycle helmet legally sold for road use in the UK must meet an approved safety standard. SHARP goes further by independently testing helmets to compare the impact protection they offer.
Each helmet model undergoes 32 impact tests, using different speeds, impact locations, and surfaces. The results are combined to produce a rating between one and five stars, with five representing the highest level of protection under SHARP’s assessment.
It’s an important distinction because two helmets that meet the same legal safety standard won’t necessarily perform identically in a crash. And the difference isn’t always reflected in their price.
Why haven’t more adventure helmets been SHARP tested?
If you’ve ever searched SHARP’s database for an adventure helmet, you might have wondered why the choice of independently tested models has been relatively limited. There are a couple of reasons.
Firstly, adventure helmets aren’t recognised as a separate category within SHARP’s database. Instead, conventional adventure helmets with fixed chin bars are classified as full-face helmets, while those with flip-front designs fall into the modular helmet category. As a result, adventure helmets can be harder to identify when browsing the ratings.
And Historically, SHARP has focused its testing on traditional full-face helmets because they’re the most widely used type among motorcyclists, meaning adventure helmets have received a little less attention.
There’s also the way SHARP selects helmets for testing. The organisation doesn’t have the resources to assess every motorcycle helmet on the market, so it considers several factors when deciding which models to put through its tests.
And one of those factors is you. Motorcyclists can request particular helmets for testing through the SHARP website. The number of requests a model receives helps inform the selection process, alongside factors such as popularity, price, brand, and helmet design.
So, while it isn’t simply a public vote, riders have a genuine opportunity to influence which helmets get tested. And with adventure biking being so popular, it’s encouraging to see more adventure-specific models receiving ratings.
Does a five-star rating mean it’s the best helmet?
It’s important to understand what SHARP’s ratings actually tell us.
The scheme assesses impact protection, not comfort, ventilation, wind noise, clarity of vision or how pleasant a helmet is to wear during a 10-hour day in the saddle. Those things still matter, particularly when you’re travelling long distances.
And a five-star rating doesn’t automatically make a helmet the best choice for every rider. A helmet that fits properly, feels comfortable, and doesn’t distract you with excessive noise or buffeting can also make a valuable contribution to a safer, more enjoyable ride.”
Instead, the SHARP rating provides a valuable additional piece of information to factor in when choosing your next lid.
How can you get your adventure helmet tested?
If you own an adventure helmet that hasn’t been rated by SHARP, or you’re considering buying one and would like to know how it performs, you can request that it be tested. Simply visit the SHARP website and complete the online helmet test request form.
The number of requests SHARP receives for a particular model helps inform which helmets it assesses next. It doesn’t guarantee your chosen helmet will be tested, but it’s a simple way of making your voice heard. And the more adventure helmets that undergo independent testing, the better informed we’ll all be when choosing our next lid.
There’s one final thing worth remembering. Even a five-star helmet needs to fit correctly to offer the protection it’s designed to provide. A helmet that’s too loose, uncomfortable, or the wrong shape for your head isn’t a sensible choice, regardless of its rating.
The best approach is to find a selection of helmets that fit properly, offer the features you need, and fall within your budget. Then use SHARP’s independent ratings to help make your decision. After all, when it comes to protecting your head, having more information can only be a good thing.
Find out how your motorcycle helmet performs, explore the latest ratings, or request a helmet test HERE.
