Zeus Motorcycle Helmets FAQ

William "Pete" Snell was an amateur auto racer. He died needlessly in a racing event in 1956 when his then state-of- the-art helmet utterly failed to protect him. In memory of Pete a number of his friends, colleagues and fellow racers including Dr. George Snively, formed the Snell Memorial Foundation to try to improve helmet design and capabilities, and to encourage the development and use of truly protective helmets. (http://www.smf.org)

What is ECE 22.05:

The ECE 22.05 is a safety standard for motorcycle helmet and is used in over 50 European countries, including Germany, a country known for taking a hard line on personal protection.

What is FMVSS 218 or DOT:

FMVSS 218 or DOT is the official U.S. regulation or "law" for what we motorcyclists in the U.S. covering motorcycle helmets. In other words, a motorcycle helmet manufacturer would have to submit a helmet model to the following regulations to obtain DOT approval and the right to place the DOT sticker on the back of the helmet.

The Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) known as FMVSS 218 (49CFR571.218) describes in great detail the requirements for "DOT" certification of all helmets sold in the United States for use by motorcyclists. Helmets that do not meet the minimal DOT certification standards may not be sold as "motorcycle helmets."

How Do Helmets Work:

Helmets are consisting of four important parts;
‧ A rigid outer shell - The rigid outer shell when present adds a load-spreading capability, and prevents objects from penetrating the helmet.

‧ A crushable liner - Usually made of EPS (expanded polystyrene) or similar types of materials absorbs the energy of an impact by crushing.

Chin straps or a retaining system - The chin strap when properly buckled helps the helmet remain in position during a crash.

‧ Comfort padding – Give rider comfort and with good fit padding will helps the helmet remain in position during a crash.

How to Select a Helmet and Wear it Correctly:

‧ Determine your fit – Measure with a tape horizontally around your head at a height of 2.5cm above your eyebrows. Then choose the helmet size closest to your head.

‧ Try the helmet – Widen the helmet opening by pulling both chin strap and wear the helmet. If the helmet is not tight, it is too big for you. Choose a smaller size and you should feel tight.

‧ Check fitting – Make sure the inner lining fits securely around your head by pressing both your hands each side of the helmet and turn left and right. See if it can be move easily. If yes, choose the smaller size.

‧ Check retention system – Fasten the chin strap as tight as possible. Then put your hand at the chin area and pull upwards. If the helmet shows any indication to come off, do not use the helmet.

Can I Modify my Helmet ?:

No, it is very dangerous to modify your helmet. Action such as drill or cut the shell and EPS can seriously weaken the strength of the helmet.

We do not recommend re-painting your helmet or applied any petroleum based chemical because the shell can be damage the shell..

Should I Change my Helmet After an Accident:

You must destroy your helmet involved in accident and get a new one. The helmet protected you from an accident may still looks good, but the strength and absorbsion ability is weaken. Small crack on the shell may not be visible with naked eyes.

What is the Life Span of a Helmet:

The SNELL Memorial Foundation recommends a helmet life spend is 5 years. Therefore a helmet may not show any malfunction or damage for 5 years, we recommends discontinue using the helmet.

Which Standard is the Safest:

There is no black and white is which standards offer better protection for the rider. All standards are meant for the safety of a rider as long he/she ride within the speed limit.

How Do I Check My Zeus Helmet Information:

All our helmets have an ID number. In order to see it, you need to remove the liner and a sticker stick on the EPS. You will see the style number (model), production date and batch number.

Zeus Motorcycle Helmets

Who or What is SNELL: