Arai RX7 Corsair SHARP testing - Page 4

**JerryXt** · 04 Jul 08, 08:59 PM

interesting this thread came up again today. I bought a new (to me) mag -Motorcycle Sport & Leisure. It has an article on Sharp testing and centres on a visit to the Arai test facility in Holland.

Reading the article, three points stood out:

Sharp testing is performed at specific points on the shell. These points are published, so if you're making helments, just add a little more material at those points and you're away.
No testing is performed on the chin area - at all!!!
Each point is tested once and only once.

In my (limited) experience of being a crash dummy, the chin and temple areas were smashed repeatedly on the road. This simple test isn't included in the Sharp test.

The article concludes with the statement that Snell rating with random impact points is the one that manufacturers fear most.

**NedLudd** · 04 Jul 08, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simon A

P.S wear ear plugs if it's too noisy!

I use the highest SNR-rated earplugs on the market (or at least that I know of), the Soft FX with an SNR of 39, and I find my new Arai Viper GT's noise very uncomfortable at much above 80mph. How anyone rides above about 20mph without plugs is honestly beyond me.

**Norfolkngood** · 06 Jul 08, 02:07 PM

Richard Hammond was wearing a GP5-X Arai allthough this is a car lid I use one on the bike and find it very good also the GP5-X HAS 5 STARS in the sharp test!

**theoldbuzzard** · 09 Jul 08, 01:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NedLudd

I use the highest SNR-rated earplugs on the market (or at least that I know of), the Soft FX with an SNR of 39, and I find my new Arai Viper GT's noise very uncomfortable at much above 80mph. How anyone rides above about 20mph without plugs is honestly beyond me.

In no way am I going to suggest that you shouldn't wear ear plugs.....but, I've been riding bikes since 1968 and, although I've tried wearing ear plugs, I just can't get on with them. Even the most recent and expensive types which I've tried I find uncomfortable after a fairly short time and I hate the feeling of disconnection that they give. I just seem to muff so many gear changes when I'm wearing ear plugs.

Set against that the fact that, as an Air Traffic Controller, I have an audiogram every 2 years and after 40 years of riding without ear plugs I still pass my licence medical with no problems does seem to suggest that there may be some level of marketing involved here.

**NedLudd** · 09 Jul 08, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theoldbuzzard

In no way am I going to suggest that you shouldn't wear ear plugs.....but, I've been riding bikes since 1968 and, although I've tried wearing ear plugs, I just can't get on with them. Even the most recent and expensive types which I've tried I find uncomfortable after a fairly short time and I hate the feeling of disconnection that they give. I just seem to muff so many gear changes when I'm wearing ear plugs.

Set against that the fact that, as an Air Traffic Controller, I have an audiogram every 2 years and after 40 years of riding without ear plugs I still pass my licence medical with no problems does seem to suggest that there may be some level of marketing involved here.

I'm honestly amazed, and deeply envious. If I don't wear plugs (and since I'm used to them, I hear the deeper noises through them fine) I am deafened by the roar at A-road speeds and would have tinnitus after a ride for hours. As I've said above my new Viper GT is the worst helmet I've ever had for wind noise and I'm going to try a Schubert after this.