Rating System



CRASH awards a star rating from 1 to 5 for each motorcycle helmet, following independent crash protection and comfort assessments by independent specialist laboratories.

The rating system has gone through several significant changes with the aim of improving the level and clarity of information provided to motorcyclists. The rating system now provides a five-star rating system that better reflects the comparative performance beyond that required by AS/NZS 1698 or UNECE 22.05.

In the crash protection assessments, the helmets were rated based on their individual performance test results. The results were ranked and weighted based on their importance in reducing the risk of head and brain injuries in a crash.

A new test component was introduced in 2017 to the crash protection assessments to measure a helmet’s oblique impact energy management capability. The rating system was reviewed and redistributed as a result.

The crash protection ratings for 2017 onwards are as follows:

Energy reduction in a higher speed crash on a flat surface (30 per cent)

Energy reduction in a higher speed crash on kerb surface (15 per cent)

Energy reduction in a lower speed crash on flat surface (15 per cent)

Helmet's ability to minimise the rotation of the helmet in a crash (15 per cent)

Helmet coverage (10 per cent)

Oblique impact energy management (15 per cent)

The crash protection ratings pre 2017 were as follows:

Energy reduction in a higher speed crash on a flat surface (30 per cent)

Energy reduction in a higher speed crash on kerb surface (25 per cent)

Energy reduction in a lower speed crash on flat surface (15 per cent)

Helmet's ability to minimise the rotation of the helmet in a crash (10 per cent)

Helmet coverage (10 per cent)

Helmet chin-strap's strength (5 per cent)

Helmet's ability to minimise rebound (5 per cent)

For the comfort level performance, the helmets were rated using comfort features which were considered important by motorcyclists. These features were ranked based on results from a 2010 survey conducted by the European project COST 357–PROHELM (Accident Prevention Options with Motorcycle Helmets) involving 598 motorcyclists. The study found 71 per cent of the riders wore a helmet that was not of the right size and 69 per cent of the respondents reported discomfort using the helmet.

The most common complaints related to noisiness of the helmet, followed by complaints about the visor steaming up too often and to the ventilation system not working adequately. The remaining features are ranked in the following order: Aerodynamics, helmet weight, peripheral vision and visor's ability to seal out water.

In 2017 the comfort level rating system was also reviewed and redistributed. Due to these changes the test ratings from 2017 onwards cannot be compared to ratings pre 2017.

The comfort level ratings for 2017 onwards are as follows:

Operation and fit (20 per cent)

Visor’s ability to resist fogging up (10 per cent)

Ability to seal out weather (10 per cent)

Noise inside helmet (20 per cent)

Ventilation inside helmet (17.5 per cent)

Aerodynamic neck loading (10 per cent)

Helmet weight (5 per cent)

Peripheral view (7.5 per cent)

The comfort level ratings pre 2017 were as follows:

Operation and fit (20 per cent)

Visor’s ability to resist fogging up (20 per cent)

Ability to seal out weather (5 per cent)

Noise inside helmet (20 per cent)

Ventilation inside helmet (15 per cent)

Aerodynamic neck loading (10 per cent)

Helmet weight (5 per cent)

Peripheral view (5 per cent)

Click on the helmet name listed under full face/flip up, open face or dual purpose helmet tabs on the Test Results page to view the protection and comfort rating breakdown for each helmet.