· Shock Absorption Test
· Penetration Test
· Strap Elongation Test
· Retention System Effectiveness Test
· Field of Vision Test

Suomy U.S.A. elected to bring in its helmets under both the D.O.T. and
the B.S.I. 6658 Type A Certifications. B.S.I., British Standards Institute,
is one of the largest and most prestigious testing and certification organizations in the world, providing inspection and rating services for major manufacturers worldwide. B.S.I. provides its top 6658 Type A Certification only after batch testing each production run, PRIOR to
release to the public. Should any helmet fail any test, the entire batch
is rejected.

What does this mean to you? It means that when you purchase a Suomy helmet that carries the B.S.I. 6658 Type A kitemark, you can be sure it comes from a batch of helmets that has met one of the most exacting standards in the world. Moreover, the B.S.I. standard is based on real-
world accident and performance data, resulting in a helmet that delivers maximum protection, without being stiff and heavy. In fact, a B.S.I. certified Suomy helmet may be as much as 300 grams lighter than its
Snell counterpart, which is manufactured for other OEM brands.


The helmet is first thermally conditioned because the test must be taken at temperatures that range from -20 to +50 degrees Celsius. The helmet is then put on a dummy head, which weighs as much as an average real head, and the areas of the product to be tested are marked. The dummy head is equipped with sensors that record the data at the moment of the imapct. The test calls for a free fall from a pre-defined height (heights and shock absorption coefficients vary according to standards). The resulting deformation coefficients and the damage sustained by the shell are analysed and check to certify that the percentage of absorption of the energy of the impact is within the parameters of the standard.


The penetration test calls for a steel point of an established weight to fall on the helmet from a height of three meters. The standard requires the test to be repeated twice, and the steel point must not pierce the shell.
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This test measures the stretching of the chin strap and the resistance of the fastener on the shell after a blow of predefined intensity. At the end
of the test, the dynamic elongation sustained by the part must not be greater than what is laid down by the standard.
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A wearing test verifies that the helmet, with the strap properly fastened, will not be knocked off by a blow, and that it does not undergo
rotation, which could also make it come off or cause damage to the
head and neck.
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Another very important safety test is done on the visors, using the
optical bench. The purpose is to measure any optical distortions of the visor, using laser beams. This test is to ensure that visors do not reduce the peripheral vision requirements for helmets and, more generally, for driving.
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