Do inexpensive DOT-approved helmets protect better than helmets than expensive Snell-approved helmets?

The June 2005 Motorcyclist magazine addressed this controversy.  That issue contains a detailed article on an extensive test that was conducted on 16 different motorcycle helmets, ranging from the $89.00 Z1R  to the $700.00 Schuberth S1.

Their conclusion is that the inexpensive, polycarbonate shell Z1R transferred an average of 152Gs to the head-form, vs. 211Gs of the Snell-approved Scorpion EXO-700.

Also, the UK’s RIDE magazine tested 28 helmets in the May 2005 issue.  While the testing methodology was slightly different, they also found that the HJC AC-11 provided the second best impact absorption of the lot.  Could it be that a  helmet motorcycle doesn’t necessarily have to be expensive to provide good protection?

There’s much, much more to the story, and we strongly suggest reading both articles and studying this subject before you buy your next helmet.  One of the conclusions in the motorcyclist magazine article is that a softer polycarbonate DOT-only approved motorcycle helmet man.