Save Your Head: Everything About Helmet Certification in Bali

In our previous article, we detailed which helmet model to choose, what to pay attention to when buying, and where it's best to get the most crucial piece of protection for riding a scooter in Bali (and beyond).

Today, we'll hear from experts at BaliMotion.pro about what helmet certification is, why it's needed, and what it can tell the buyer.

Let's start with the fact that helmets sold in Bali mainly adhere to two safety standards.

DOT – this labeling was introduced by the US Department of Transportation back in 1985 and has partially lost its credibility over time. To claim DOT compliance, manufacturers conduct their own tests and aren't even required to report the results to the department. So, motorcyclists have to trust the manufacturers' claims about their helmets' safety.

Sometimes, DOT officials conduct random checks, which not all helmets pass with flying colors. Although the tests are quite lenient. When testing helmets for safety, DOT drops them onto a flat anvil from a height of about two meters, and onto a hemispherical anvil from a height of one and a half meters. The helmet has a dummy head inside, equipped with various sensors. Of course, there are other tests, but this is the most indicative one.

DOT conducts tests with moderate impact force, as these types of accidents are most common on the roads.

Although DOT standards are outdated, they are still important as they have saved many lives and indicate a minimum level of protection that helmets must meet.

Another marking you can find on helmets in Bali is SNI. This is the Indonesian helmet certification standard. All helmets sold in Bali must have this certification.

In essence, they undergo no specific tests. The SNI mark simply signifies that the helmet is factory-made rather than handmade. More precisely, Helm SNI 1911: 2007 defines the technical requirements related to materials, design, and features that helmets must comply with.

These requirements include using durable materials that don't change with temperature fluctuations and don't irritate the skin. The helmet's design must also meet certain criteria, including height, ventilation, and fit. Full-face and open-face helmets have different technical requirements, such as ear protection, neck pads, shields, or chin caps for full-face helmets, and hoods, protective pads, straps, and much more for open-face helmets.

Two other popular global standards are not commonly found in Bali, but for those interested, we'll explain them as well.

Because the DOT certificate is considered too easily attainable, other private programs have emerged in the US market. The standards formulated by the Snell Memorial Foundation have gained the most credibility and popularity.

Under US law, the Snell standard is not mandatory for helmets to be sold. However, the results of its tests are a respected source of information on motorcycle gear safety, as Snell involves more rigorous tests than DOT: helmets are dropped from heights of 2.5 and 3 meters onto both types of anvils.

Bear in mind that helmets passing Snell tests also carry the DOT certification mark. Despite the more rigorous tests, experts worldwide claim that Snell's tests are somewhat disconnected from real-world road conditions and common accidents because the extreme load limits in Snell tests are very high.

In terms of realism and variety of tests, DOT and Snell significantly fall short compared to the ECE 22.05 (or ECE R 22.05) standard used in Europe. This is the certification that helmets must meet, as echoed across various motorcycle forums.

The ECE 22.05 standard is known for its progressive and comprehensive helmet testing aspects.

The helmet safety checks under ECE 22.05 involve several stages, which, although similar, differ from Snell tests. The European version controls the helmet's fit, coverage, visibility, compression resistance, and, most importantly, how the helmet absorbs impact. During tests, helmets are hit at a 90-degree angle to simulate curb impact. Additionally, they test the helmet for material aging, corrosion resistance, visor performance, and even the helmet strap.

Despite the availability of different safety standards, BaliMotion.pro experts advise focusing primarily on the manufacturer and the conditions in which you will use the helmet.

Dmitry, BaliMotion.pro expert:

In any case, it should be a full-face helmet. For riding a scooter at an average speed of 45 km/h in the city and 80 km/h outside the city, full-face helmets within the budget of 1.500.000 - 2.500.000 IDR will suffice.

If we consider speeds over 100 km/h on a sportbike, prices start at 8.000.000 IDR. And fakes do exist. As for counterfeits, European goods are mostly faked, while Indonesian manufacturers' helmets are not counterfeited.

The most important advice: avoid no-name brands for 150,000 IDR, regardless of the certification. Such a helmet will only protect you from flies.

Learn more and rent a bike on our website 👉 Balimotion.pro

Contact us 👇

▪️Telegram @Balimotion

▪️WhatsApp +62 819 624 412