Ban quick release helmet strap

[Biga]

I've lost 2 friends this year on the track due to this quick release helmet strap.
One during CMRA race and the other during a track day because the helmet flown out their head when they crashed (unfortunately on the same track and the same turn)
CMRA already banned this gadget starting now and I hope others will follow

Track or street. Doesn't matter.

Operator or passenger. Doesn't matter.

I have seen and experienced more times than I care to recount the importance of quality protective equipment. If you can afford a motorcycle, you can afford the gear.

Make the decision to take your life into your own hands.

Let's get these off the market. The words HELMET and QUICK RELEASE do not belong together. The act of voluntarily removing your helmet should be time consuming and uncomfortable. It's the only way to be reassured that you won't have it involuntarily removed.

Ride safe my friends. Rubber side down.

 

[Karbon]

Oh shit didn't realize they sell this garbage. People are that lazy they can't take the 3 secobds to weave a helmet buckle i guess

 

[Honey Badger]

Well, pretty sure that one isn't DOT approved, none the less anything else. Anyone using it can see that you're relying on some flimsy plastic pieces to hold your helmet on.

The quick releases I've seen that meet or exceed the standards either have metal from end to end and/or long ratcheting type straps.

They probably are banned, but most of the time we expect people to wear a safe helmet if they're heading out on track - it is your head after all. :thumbdown

Sorry for the loss of your friends.

 

[gixxerjeff]

Oh shit didn't realize they sell this garbage. People are that lazy they can't take the 3 secobds to weave a helmet buckle i guess

^^
This sums up my thoughts on this perfectly.

 

[Corb]

SNELL is a CAR racing standard that has been adopted by the motorcycle industry for lack of any other better option.
A quick release makes perfect sense inside a roll cage.
Obviously not so much on two wheels.
Even on touring helmets I think is a bad idea, although I've me plenty over the 12years I've sold helmets for a job that disagreed.
I would never have one on any of my helmets, I know that.

 

[Killin_ix]

Interesting.

I'm all for using what came with my helmet. I trust things that were tested and certified. Obviously this attachment is not.

 

[gixxerjeff]

A quick release makes perfect sense inside a roll cage.

True.
I raced a modified at Petaluma speedway for years. Even my 6 point harness had quick release, just twist the knob. (never had a quick release on my helmet tho)
Obviously cars and motos are completely different animals with completely different hazards.

 

[BayAreaRick]

Question for clarification. Does this post at all also include the SHOEI Emergency Quick Release System that's embedded into their premium helmets? (X-Twelve, GT-Air, etc.)

 

[senpai71]

What about the buckle that comes with Schuberth helmets? That's quick release, and as far as I'm concerned, it's fantastic:

 

[Johndicezx9]

Not sure why a racing organization would have allowed them in the first place.

I also think the age of the plastic/resin must be factor.... :dunno

 

[Marcoose]

So very sorry for your losses, Rod.

What about the buckle that comes with Schuberth helmets? That's quick release, and as far as I'm concerned, it's fantastic:

Same here. I own a LS2 modular "grocery getter" helmet, and it has the same quick release system. I'd to hope and believe an OEM quick release buckle is better than an aftermarket. :dunno

 

[gixxerjeff]

Not sure why a racing organization would have allowed them in the first place.

This point crossed my mind immediately.

 

[Corb]

Question for clarification. Does this post at all also include the SHOEI Emergency Quick Release System that's embedded into their premium helmets? (X-Twelve, GT-Air, etc.)

No that a very different thing.
That system is designed to remove the cheeckpads from inside the helmet. That way the helmet can be removed from the wearer without much strain on his neck [as in the wearer was in an accident and the condition of his spine/neck is unknown]

 

[Marcoose]

Not sure why a racing organization would have allowed them in the first place.

Because CMRA.

 

[kuksul08]

How does this quick release buckle attach to the helmet straps? Do you just loop it through there or....? The factory straps are stitched on with strong thread and multiple bar tacks.

 

[FourThreeSix]

I'm pretty sure SNELL wouldn't want their name attached to anything like that.

 

[Whammy]

I race Honda Challenge with Nasa and id never entertain using one of these in a car.

 

[bpw]

Since they are neither DOT nor Snell approved , aren't they already effectively banned from use in competition or on the street?

Using "Snell" on the package is pretty shady since I am pretty sure SNELL doesn't certify stand alone chin straps.

 

[El Feo]

helmetsinc.com isn't exactly the place to shop for the safety minded

They don't assert it's Snell approved. If you look on their website, they merely state that it is compatible with Snell approved helmets.

Nevertheless, Snell should write them a cease and desist.

This is the first image of the description:

Given that the failure led to the termination of the guarantee, it's one of the few times where a lifetime guarantee is not quite long enough.

 

[Starpower]

Wow, this is news to me. I've been using these for over 20 years and they have all been metal to metal clasps. They make a solid click when engaged and I just can't see how they could pop open as it takes 2 fingers to release the 2 latches (one on each side for redundancy) and there is no way your neck or collar is going to do this. I certainly can see where you could not latch it properly or fully not paying attention to the clearly heard click and it would fail. One could also mess up a conventional strap system too, missing a ring for example. Any safety system will fail if not used as intended.

Never-the-less, this will be my last one.