Motorcycle Repair: Helmets, novelty helmets, bell helmets

Question
Hello.  I am familar with DOT standards with helmets.  But it seems that a "novelty" helmet has to provide some sort of protection.  What do you think?

Answer
Hi R.
 Helmets that are approved by the DOT and other testing and approving organisations, get that approval by meeting certain safety criteria.  That criteria cannot be met by novelty helmets.

While novelty helmets have that nice soft foam lining inside and an outer shell, a DOT approved helmet has that nice, soft foam PLUS a styrofoam shell that absorbs heavy impact stresses, PLUS the outer shell which is designed to ablate away in a slide as well as to provide direct impact damage up to 5mph.

In part, it is that styrofoam shell that makes the difference, but the outer shell also makes a difference.  Novelty helmets are almost always fiberglass, like you would get at an auto parts store, while a DOT approved helmet is usually a blend of fiberglass, "heavy" resin and, oftentimes, Kevlar reinforced.  Some of the older Bell helmets used steel reinforcement.  It is all the extras that novelty helmets do not have that makes DOT helmets survivable in a crash.

So now you see the difference.  If you knew that on this ride, you were definitely going to crash, which helmet would you choose?

Hope that helps clear your confusion.
FALCON