View Full Version : Would this helmet from overseas be street legal here?
Truthman
04-09-2006, 08:55 PM
G'day,
I came across a full-face helmet called a Casco Viper MX at:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=10718
Anyway, nobody seems to sell them in Australia. I was just wondering if somebody bought one online and wore it here on the streets, would it be legal? Does the law require helmets to be Australian standards approved?
I know it is probably a stupid question, but I thought I would ask anyway...
By the way, here are some reviews on the helmet too:
http://www.bikemagic.com/forum/forummessages/mps/dt/4/UTN/66626/last/1/V/1/SP/332177698976342661344
http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=218327
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Reviews.aspx?ModelID=10718
Anyway, I have been considering one of these or a Specialized Deviant:
http://www.thebikebarn.com.au/liverpool/images/Hel_Deviant.jpg
I do all-mountain riding, including light-freeride, so I need a well ventilated lid...
At the moment I am probably going to go for the Specialized...
NCR600
04-09-2006, 09:10 PM
If there is no Australian Standards sticker, it is not legal to use on the street.
That does not mean it is not safe, legal for racing, or that it wouldn't pass the standards tests though.
j5ive
04-09-2006, 09:33 PM
Hardly a full face. That thing is going to do squat when you actually hit something. Do yourself a favor and buy a 661, TLD, Giro or anything else decent. Even the specialized feels a little shitty. Looks good, but go try one on, its basically an xc lid with the jaw.
the specialized deviant is a very nice helmet maybe not as padded or protective as thing like 661's or TLD ones but im getting one and i do DH and FR stuff just because its so comfortable
|Matt|
04-09-2006, 10:04 PM
I heard that the Protec dirt lids and similar (661, TSG) aren't up to Australian standards for Bicycle helmets?
Is that true?
Truthman
04-09-2006, 10:14 PM
Thanks for answering my question :)
By the way, I already have a pretty solid full-face, which is great for going down the hills... But for going up the hills it gets hot... That's why I want a well-ventilated one, for more all-day all-mountain riding...
I just like the concept of the Casco Viper MX.... of riding up the hill with the chin guard strapped to your camelbak, then hitting the trails with the chin guard on.
alpinestar12
04-09-2006, 10:23 PM
I'm pretty sure all helmets sold in Australia are legal - in reference to stpzeroridah's comment on dirt lids - I'm assuming they are sold in Aust.
Binaural
05-09-2006, 06:44 AM
Hardly a full face. That thing is going to do squat when you actually hit something. Do yourself a favor and buy a 661, TLD, Giro or anything else decent. Even the specialized feels a little shitty. Looks good, but go try one on, its basically an xc lid with the jaw.
I agree, it's similar to the old Giro helmets with detachable jaw - more an XC hat with extra protection than a DH helmet. Should be fine for all mountain style riding.
If you can't get a sticker advertising Australian safety standards then check the helmet's test standard - ASTM, Snell and so forth - and your helmet will certainly have a compliance sticker for one or more of those. The Australian standards are unusually tough by world standards though - check this link here (http://www.helmets.org/standard.htm) for more info. No copper is ever going to bother checking your helmet sticker, and if you have a separate helmet for DH already then there should be no problems.
Well I just happen to have brought a Casco Viper MX a few weeks ago from Chainreactioncycles.com and couldn't be happier with it. The basic helmet is very well made, with a rather tough aluminium roll cage built into the helmet. The snap on jaw protector is very solid and feels like it would do a nice job a keeping my face intact. Now there is no way it offers as much protection as a normal full face helmet, but it offers a lot more than your standard helmet in the way of lower face protection.
I tend to ride around with the chin gaurd strapped to my camel back, when I feel like hammering down hill, it takes all of a few seconds to snap it into place.
As for compliance, it meets EN 1078 standard, which is one of the accepted international standard that will allow helmets to be used in races in Australia. But I believe this means its ok for XC racing, I don't think it is acceptable for a downhill. As for riding on the road, since it doesn't meet the Australian standard its not ok, however I wear mine all the time, and can't imagine a police officer will pull you over and check your helmet for the relevant sticker. It might lead to some interesting issues if you crashed and got injured though...
If you want to know more just ask.
Derek Yates
05-09-2006, 08:10 AM
I heard that the Protec dirt lids and similar (661, TSG) aren't up to Australian standards for Bicycle helmets?
Is that true?
All 661 open face helmets sold by Sportz Australasia to bicycle dealers in Australia have Australian Standards compliance. The standard allows you to ride on the road and public spaces and be covered by the standard level of protection. This also is a requirement TAC insurance cover, so be aware of that if you do ride on the road.
There is NO standard for mountainbike off road or DH use. The level of protection tested by the AS is only for a regular bicycle rider (your average mum, dad and the kids). In particular there is no test for back of the head protection, facial protection or high speed impact. Only Full Face helmets covered by the Moto Australian standard have a higher level of 'tested' protection. The biggest issue is that many helmets 'may' be up to a certain level of protection but as they are not tested they do not have AS approval.
The AS is a very strict standard and for what it covers it is excellent. Keep in mind the additional costs of these tests and design refinements are what contributes to higher helmet costs in this country.
Best regards,
Derek
As for compliance, it meets EN 1078 standard, which is one of the accepted international standard that will allow helmets to be used in races in Australia. But I believe this means its ok for XC racing, I don't think it is acceptable for a downhill. As for riding on the road, since it doesn't meet the Australian standard its not ok, however I wear mine all the time, and can't imagine a police officer will pull you over and check your helmet for the relevant sticker. It might lead to some interesting issues if you crashed and got injured though...
If you want to know more just ask.
It will have significant effect on outcomes from legal proceedings resulting from injuries received while wearing a helmet without a Oz standards sticker. It is up to the wearer to decide whether this is worthwhile.
It will have significant effect on outcomes from legal proceedings resulting from injuries received while wearing a helmet without a Oz standards sticker. It is up to the wearer to decide whether this is worthwhile.
I assumed as much, but I feel a lot more comfortable wearing this helmet ridding down a steep rocky trail than I did with my old XC lid. On the road, you are far more likely to end up injured and in a position to be involved in legal proceedings. But, I'd still feel more comfortable wearing this helmet than a $50 piece of foam from K-Mart that has the Australian standard sticker. I was told that the reason this helmet and the similar Met Parachute were not sold in Australia is because the testing cost is $10,000 and the importers don't feel that the sales volumes would be large enough to warrant this testing expenditure.
There is no way I could wear a full face helmet trail riding in Townsville, and I think this helmet is a perfect compromise for off road use.
Truthman
05-09-2006, 12:18 PM
Just tried on a Specialized Deviant, and it doesn't fit my head too well, and the way it has been manufactured seemed poor... The Netti AXN felt much better, but it's not as ventilated... So I think I will be sticking with my current setup for the time being...
Also came across the law for helmets:
http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/rulesregulations/downloads/p15.pdf
http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/rulesregulations/downloads/roadraustr_dl1.html
256 Bicycle helmets
(1) The rider of a bicycle must wear an approved bicycle helmet
securely fitted and fastened on the rider’s head, unless the rider
is exempt from wearing a bicycle helmet under another law of
this jurisdiction.
Offence provision.
Note Approved bicycle helmet is defined in the dictionary.
Interestingly, it is also an offence to ride without a bell or similar device!
Truthman
05-09-2006, 12:35 PM
By the way, I once had an accident with a car door that was opened on me while riding past, I was knocked out cold for about 20 minutes, and the helmet suffered some minor damage. Anyway, the helmet I was wearing was one made for inline-skating, it was made by the company Rollerblade, I got it for inline-skating on skateboard ramps. I don't think it was Australian standards approved for cycling. Anyway, the police never checked it... The helmet felt and fitted much better than my bike helmet at the time. Anyway, the car driver did get fined. Thankfully I didn't suffer any serious damage to my head/brain... though I did have some minor dental damage and some other stuff that were all taken care of by the car drivers insurance.
Oddjob
05-09-2006, 02:45 PM
I was told that the reason this helmet and the similar Met Parachute were not sold in Australia is because the testing cost is $10,000 and the importers don't feel that the sales volumes would be large enough to warrant this testing expenditure.
There is no way I could wear a full face helmet trail riding in Townsville, and I think this helmet is a perfect compromise for off road use.
I could of sworn that the MET Parachute was available in Australia.
Anyone know what the story is if you buy a helmet that has been approved for use in Australia from an overseas online retailer?
NCR600
05-09-2006, 04:53 PM
I could of sworn that the MET Parachute was available in Australia.
Anyone know what the story is if you buy a helmet that has been approved for use in Australia from an overseas online retailer?
You can't buy an Australian standards approved helmet from overseas.
The Australian standards stickers are sent to the factory that manufactures the approved helmet, stuck on then the lot are shipped to Australia, or that is the way it worked with motorcycle helmets.
As previous posters have said, the Australian Standards are tough and very expensive to get the helmets tested for. We don't get all the models, colours and sometimes sizes that the rest of the world gets because of our expensive standards tests. Most countries recognise Snell and some other standards as being equivalent to their own standards. Not Australia.
If it has no Australian Standards sticker, it is illegal for road use, even if it is an identical helmet to one sold here.
julianwisbey
05-09-2006, 07:03 PM
I heard that the Protec dirt lids and similar (661, TSG) aren't up to Australian standards for Bicycle helmets?
Is that true?
no there not up to austrailan standards i have 3 protec lids and i have brought 2 in australia and none have the sticker which implies its not up to standards
bazza
05-09-2006, 08:08 PM
the standards should nut judge what you are using off road.
ask on here for peoples opinion. dont buy shit/dodgy brands and if you think the helmet is going to be a problem go with a reputable brand.
AS is bullshit tough for smaller helmet companies to get approval or low volume sale helmets in without putting the cost of the actual helmet right up.
so basically use your best judgement when choosing a helmet. if its a dodgy shithouse brand dont buy. if its a good reputable brand and its mainly doing off road use than go for it.
however for road riding / regular commuting i would go with an AS helmet, simply because this is the sort of thing that AS check. contacts with a road surface. not rocks and trees and those nasties.
if im wrong i dont care. this makes sense to me so im going to go with it hahah.
Venciferus
05-09-2006, 09:01 PM
Protec lids now come with Australian compliance sticker, you could just take out the sticker from a crappy K-Mart helmet and stick it in yours.
Pffft no doubt Krap-Mart helmets would be much much much worse in a stack compared yo Protec and the like style lids, most of the K-Mart helmets are about 2 cm thick, no padding just the foam stuff and you could break them with your bare hands.
angrygecko
02-12-2006, 09:25 PM
This is an interesting matter, cuz I am looking at getting a Bell X-Ray - of which is sold online by torpedo7.com.au, but according to my LBS, they can't get it in because it's not released to Australia..
http://www.bellbikehelmets.com/images/products/large/XRay_mattecopperTitanium.gif
I'm still going to buy one - the Australian law stuff doesn't bother me.
I wonder what would happen legally if you purchased a crappy k-mart helmet, removed the AUS sticker from it and placed it on your import helmet?!
:D
shenanigans
02-12-2006, 11:47 PM
fashion police would eat you for breakfast with that piece of work.
Knight
03-12-2006, 12:17 AM
I assumed as much, but I feel a lot more comfortable wearing this helmet ridding down a steep rocky trail than I did with my old XC lid. On the road, you are far more likely to end up injured and in a position to be involved in legal proceedings. But, I'd still feel more comfortable wearing this helmet than a $50 piece of foam from K-Mart that has the Australian standard sticker. I was told that the reason this helmet and the similar Met Parachute were not sold in Australia is because the testing cost is $10,000 and the importers don't feel that the sales volumes would be large enough to warrant this testing expenditure.
There is no way I could wear a full face helmet trail riding in Townsville, and I think this helmet is a perfect compromise for off road use.
Yeah, that's why MET Para-Chutes aren't available here. I have one, bought overseas and I find it very well ventilated but a bit more protection than an open face. I was informed by a lawyer who did a case in a bike and car crash. If your helmet does not have an Australian Standards sticker, it is not legal in Australia. HOWEVER, your helmet will carry a sticker that states it has met or surpassed standards in the country it was sold in. If these meet or surpass Australian Standards (determined by a part of the numerical code) it can be successfully argued that the helmet is legal in Australia. Correct me if I'm wrong but there was a precedent according to this lawyer.
Anyway, good luck and hopefully you won't have the need to find out about the legalities of the Australian Standards sticker.
ovadahill
03-12-2006, 12:25 AM
.....I'm still going to buy one - the Australian law stuff doesn't bother me.
I wonder what would happen legally if you purchased a crappy k-mart helmet, removed the AUS sticker from it and placed it on your import helmet?!
:D
I wonder what would happen if you pranged your head wearing the non-Australian standards helmet and sustained significant injuries. I think the Australian law stuff would not be bothered with supporting any claims for compensation.
I don't care much about the technical details that make the Australian Standard for helmets tougher than other countries as long as the lid I put on my head will give me the best available protection, even if it means wearing a motocross helmet for DH or freeride use.
But then I consider my head to be worth far more than a cool looking import helmet.
dr.matt
03-12-2006, 01:04 AM
I wonder what would happen legally if you purchased a crappy k-mart helmet, removed the AUS sticker from it and placed it on your import helmet?!
:D
the AS stickers cannot be removed from a helmet fully intact, to prevent such a thing. i remember reading a article on helmet testing once. im sure on a full face helmet, the chin area of the helmet is not tested. one of the many arguments used against full face helmet wearers by open faced ones. (for motorcyclers)
Anyone know what the story is if you buy a helmet that has been approved for use in Australia from an overseas online retailer?AFAIK some helmets have had to be modified slightly to pass AS's, so even though the OS models may look identical, unless it has the sticker on the inside you can't truely be sure.
angrygecko
03-12-2006, 11:57 AM
The helmet is not going to be used for serious shizzle - its just for commuting to work. From what i've heard, the main reason behind many helmet manufacturers not bringing their helmets into Aus is simply due to the excess cost of having to put them through testing - apparently its quite expensive here.
Well, im looking for a mtb helmet, not a full-face, to be used for general riding - I want one that doesnt make me look the fool, has decent ventalation, fits well and isn't too expensive...
angrygecko
03-12-2006, 11:59 AM
im sure on a full face helmet, the chin area of the helmet is not tested. one of the many arguments used against full face helmet wearers by open faced ones. (for motorcyclers)
Im not talking about a full-faced helmet, I already have a full-face... :rolleyes:
Randy Rhoads
03-12-2006, 02:50 PM
I heard that the Protec dirt lids and similar (661, TSG) aren't up to Australian standards for Bicycle helmets?
Is that true?
TSG and Protec definetely arnt.
As for fullfaces, arnt a lot of them not roadworthy because they have to go through tests and full faces cramp your vision more than normal helmets.
My friends fullface doesnt have the Australian standard sticker and its a Bell "Bellistic" which are pretty popular.
PyletSnviper
03-12-2006, 08:52 PM
i just got a fox flight icon fullface from the us..... it might not have an australian sticker as such but considering you can use it for motocross in the us i think i could get away with it here on a pushy :p ..lol
With regards to the Met Parachute, from what I remember the reason it didn't get tested was cause it wouldn't fit into one of the testing machines (something to do with a vent in the wrong place or not being big enough for some apparatus...)
bennyboy
04-12-2006, 09:59 AM
TSG and Protec definetely arnt.
yea my LBS had some of them in stock and i went to buy one and they didnt have any. he said that it was becasue the dealer told him that they were AS certified but they wernt so he had to send them all back.
your mum
04-12-2006, 10:54 AM
the law requires you to wear a helmet, the cops can't do anything if its not AS approved. But retailers by law can only sell AS approved helmets.
And Pro tec have 2 dirt lids that have passed the standards tests and should be available this month.
Your Mum, you seem to know about this, can you tell me if I'm reading/interpereting things the wrong way?
http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/rulesregulations/downloads/pts1-21.pdf
256 Bicycle helmets
(1) The rider of a bicycle must wear an approved bicycle helmet
securely fitted and fastened on the rider’s head
http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/rulesregulations/downloads/dictnry.pdf
approved bicycle helmet means a protective helmet for bicycle riders that is approved, for the Australian Road Rules, under another law of this
jurisdiction.
http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/roadsafety/bicycles/index.html
Bicycle helmets
NSW cyclists and passengers must wear an approved bicycle helmet while cycling. Approved helmets are marked with an Australian Standard Approved Notification.
So if your helmet isn't AS approved, that'd mean it's not legal? Which would attract the same fine as not wearing one at all? Not sure on that...
:confused:
j5ive
04-12-2006, 05:00 PM
Which protec helmets have finally been approved?
They are just as safe as anything else out there. I love mine. Great fit.
roxy12
04-12-2006, 05:10 PM
Which protec helmets have finally been approved?
They are just as safe as anything else out there. I love mine. Great fit.
there is one type of protec that is aproved, the skate one isnt, but thats the one everyone loves.
Ive seen a guy smash his head on the coping at a skate comp and the helmet only had a small crack. good shiz
your mum
04-12-2006, 10:44 PM
Rik all I know is one day a cop was hassling me in the city and wanted to check out my helmet (which is'nt approved) and I told him the same thing and he left without checking it.
Oh and by the way, I'm not in n.s.w. I'm in VICCO the greatest state in the country!!
angrygecko
04-12-2006, 11:55 PM
Well all this talk of cops and legal action has turned me off purchasing a helmet not meeting AUS standards. What other helmets exist out there that dont look camp, fit well and dont cost an arm and a leg?? Only looking to spend about $120 or so... PLEASE HELP MEEEE!!! :eek:
Nudespoon
05-12-2006, 03:13 AM
Hi dude - i tried the helmet in England - i think these are a german company that manifacture them, If this is the case then I would say the Aussie standard is fine. The Germans are pretty staunch with safety standards and fromn the feel of the full range of them - I tried one that looked like this they are very very good. they were being sold by the ex UK Womens DH champ in Scotland. They are a nice compromise that blends protection with breathability, and they are alot better designed with the Giro Switchblade and feel more sturdy than the MET Parachute. Look wise cant be beaten for the full blown stormtrooper mfka helmet moreso than some dh lids.
Ned0:D
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