Washington – The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is warning motorcyclists to avoid wearing a line of helmets that does not meet federal safety standards.
NHTSA’s compliance test (.pdf file) for 5X5/SA-08 motorcycle helmets – manufactured by South El Monte, CA-based Tank Sports Inc. – found the helmets failed to meet penetration requirements for head protection. The outer shell and the inner liner in three out of four helmets were penetrated in safety tests, according to a NHTSA press release.
NHTSA predicted Tank Sports sold as many as 14,000 of the helmets, and the company declared bankruptcy before completing a recall. The helmets are most likely not being sold in stores anymore, but motorcyclists who own them should discard the helmets immediately, the press release stated.
