Other questions about motorcycle helmet testing FAQs
Additional information covering common queries about helmet testing, standards, and safety considerations.
Can I ask for a particular model to be tested by SHARP?
Yes. Please use the ‘REQUEST HELMET TEST’ form on this website or Tweet us @SHARPgovuk.
When we decide which helmets to test, we take into account the popularity of a helmet judging by how many people have asked for it to be tested. So please keep your requests coming in!
From your list of suggestions, we then aim to test a variety of helmets based on their price, brand, type of helmet or key features.
What effect on star rating/safety do external additions like comms units or cameras have?
SHARP tests helmets “out of the box”, as sold, which means that if peripherals are supplied as original equipment, the helmet will be tested with them in place. This is line with tests for approval to UN ECE Regulation 22.06. SHARP does not test helmets with add-on equipment sold separately and fitted after purchase.
What testing has been done on deterioration of helmets with age?
SHARP only tests brand new helmets. SHARP is not aware of any tests that have been done on the effect of age on the safety of a helmet. Helmets are made of many different materials and manufactured in different ways. We recommend following the advice of the manufacturer about the lifespan of their helmet.
Does SHARP do a penetration test?
No. Helmets are rarely punctured in a road collision. The biggest risk is from the impact of a helmet hitting the road. While some standards do assess the helmet’s ability to withstand being punctured, we have concentrated on the helmet’s energy management, as severe shock to the brain is a more common cause of injury. The research underpinning SHARP, COST 327 (the most comprehensive study of motorcycle crashes ever conducted in Europe) found penetration to be a very infrequent cause of injury and therefore made no recommendation for such an assessment.
Does SHARP test the chin strap?
No. The SHARP assessment does not include any specific test for the chin strap.
Does an ACU gold sticker mean the same thing as a SHARP 5 star rating?
No. An ACU gold sticker is awarded by the Auto Cycle Union for helmets which have been tested by the ACU and found to be suitable for use in motorsports. If you want to race your bike, you must wear a helmet with an ACU gold sticker. A SHARP star rating is awarded after an independent assessment of the level of protection offered by a helmet, based on ordinary road use only. For example, SHARP tests helmets by simulating a rider crashing at 40mph onto a road with a kerb. On a race track, a rider may be going much faster and will crash onto a road that is smooth and free of obstacles. For this reason, ACU and SHARP conduct different types of tests.
