ZRSledhead

Interesting read below. My sled helmet has a Snell Rating, my road race helmet is Snell SA. What are the differences between the SA and M standards? The Snell Memorial Foundation SA standard was designed for competitive auto racing while the M standard was for motorcycling and other motorsports. There are three major differences between them: SA standard requires pass a flammability test while the M standards do not. Generally speaking, SA and SAH helmets will have a Nomex lining and a yellow Nomex chin strap. SA standard allows for a narrower visual field than the M standard (Some SA certified helmets may not be legal for street motorcycle use). SA standards include a rollbar multi-impact test while the M standard does not. Open Face vs Closed Face Open face helmets are preferred in cars with air bags. This is because the airbag inflates into the same space as the chin/face protection on a closed face helmet, which pushes the occupant’s head up and back (ouch!) and lessens the effectiveness of the airbag. Closed face helps are preferred in cars without airbags due to the additional impact protection they provide. Changes to Snell 2015 SA helmet standards Snell 2015 SA helmets are now available in the marketplace (it was a slow start, but they are here now). We strongly recommend updating your helmet to a 2015 due to two significant changes that are incorporated in the Snell 2015 SA standards: 1) Head-and-Neck Restraint (HANS) compatibility across all helmets. This comes in the form of the pre-installed M6 hardware that was previously required only on helmets with a Snell/FIA rating (formerly known as the SAH-rating). 2) New impact testing is being used that mimics FIA-testing. Low velocity testing is now required; as is protection against lower impact points, such as strikes against window frames and other lower structures. Can I use a DOT helmet? NO. The DOT standard (meaning United States Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard #218) is considered to be lesser than current Snell Memorial Foundation standards from both functional and compliance perspectives. With respect to function, the DOT standard was developed in 1972 and remains virtually unchanged except for a minor revision to the testing process in 1988; whereas the Snell standard is revised every 5 years and is continually evolving based on new information on how to prevent brain injuries. For example, the latest 2015 Snell standard has significant improvements in low-velocity impact protection and low-lateral impact protection which DOT does not require. More important, however, is the issue of compliance with the certification standard. Snell independently tests samples of each and every helmet design before providing certification, and then performs ongoing spot-checks of each helmet design throughout its production life. Manufacturers who use the ECE R22-05 standard must also submit their helmets to an independent third-party for similar testing. But with DOT, there is no third-party verification or testing requirements, meaning that companies certify their own helmets. BUT DO THEY? NHTSA conducts random tests on about 40 sample helmets every year for compliance. During the years 2004-2008, NHTSA found 28% of so-called DOT-approved helmets failed performance testing. This is an unacceptable failure rate. Even without knowing you, we are certain you are worth the cost of a helmet that will actually protect you when you need it.

Personally, find it disturbing virtually none are Snell Rated any more. Guess with so many buying strictly on price thats what your gonna see. While recently looking to buy a new lid, tried on three identical helmets from the same mfg (HJC CL17), no two fit anywhere close to the same. If there is indeed any semblance of quality control in a safety item like that, how could that be possible? Perhaps I'm overthinking it but while wearing a Snell rated helmet a few years back, took a spill that saw me knocked unconscious. Couple peeps have said to me, helmet didn't do it's job, my take, if my melon took that much of a hit in a good helmet, would I have survived wearing a lesser one?

Long drain intervals are more about making it look more affordable / more attractive when you purchase vs making it live a long life. Same can be said about the oils n grades suggested are more about Cafe numbers vs whats best for your engine. JMHO

Ones that truly deserve to be there will walk.

Neither the Hercules or Coopers made any appreciable difference in fuel mileage on my '03 GM. Buddy put KO2s on his '14 F150, claims to have lost approx 2-3ltrs/100km on same driving.

None of the above (I'd give Coopers a sorta close second though). Hercules Avalanche X-treme SUV Traction coming out the ying yang n wear extremely well.

I ran a number of different skis on my former F sleds and always found myself coming back to the SLP-SLT. On the '07/08 found it perfect with Shaper bars but on my '11 with it's altered geometry, more comfortable with the smaller round bars from SLP. Combo of light effort and minimal to no darting combined with terrific bite makes it a ski you can live with mile after mile after mile.

Did you get a chance to pull fender liner n check?

As for the comment about rust, have customers with all makes sporting rust that is absolutely inexcusable. From what I'm seeing, later model GM's are leading the pack, my '11 was well under way in spite of being properly Krowned each year (paint was peeling from inside of rear fender edges / just started on both fronts). On milder winter days, drag hose outta the basement and hand wash, rest of the time it's run through touchless or spray wash. Body on my '03 sierra, could shove your fist through the rocker panels plus floor rotted right to the outter seat bolts on each side, yes it was religiously Krowned and well washed as well.

Be great if you'd post what is or is not in there.

There is an ad on Kijiji where a Ram owner talks about some sort of padding / felt on the backside of the fender he felt is the cause of his rust issue (both front fenders). I'll be pulling front inner fenders for a closer look before it gets Krowned in the fall.

Found a great deal on a '16 Laramie with 11k.

Good buy if it's as stated. http://www.kijiji.ca/v-snowmobile/gatineau/light-use-2015-polaris-switchback-800-pro-s-with-gps-gauge/1250615106?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

I don't see any insane Dodge deals out there, only inflated MSRPs plus a discount that takes you back to what you'd expect to pay for it (after dealing of course) in the first place.

Still good value for what you paid.

Odd about tie rod end failures, seeing little to none here in the shop except for Dodges which generally fail in the 60k range, same for front brakes. Traded my '03 1500 Sierra in at north of 300k having replaced only one inner tie rod.

Not surprised you came away unimpressed with the M&S AT2's. Many have reported premature wear, so so traction and cupping issues.

Went with Michelin Defender LTX M&S on my truck a couple of weeks back. The original tires treated me well n gave exceptional service life but there is no comparison with how much better it rides and drives on the new skinz. My only regret, not having bought them sooner. After shopping, price on the Michelins was within a pinch of other premium tires out there.

As appauld as they may be, those working along side him are powerless to see him either stay or go. You can guarantee no one is happy to see he's not gone.

^ Quoted for absolute truth. Said person just happened to be a police officer.

I find it disturbing the max an officer would have acted in such a manner. Does that make every police officer a scum bag? Of course it doesn't, grow up.

Wanna see just how badly we are lied to and minipulated? A little girl had tragically just lost her parents but all we heard about was the two street racers, never a mention that her father was impaired and behind the wheel. Nope, not so much as a word. Emmotionally charged n pushed by constituants, the bill sailed through. Closing a chapter in a fatal high-speed car crash last year that orphaned an eight-year-old girl and became an overnight byword for the hazards of street racing, two young men who pleaded guilty to dangerous driving were spared prison terms yesterday and sentenced to house arrest, probation and long driving prohibitions. In fact, neither of the accused were street racing, Mr. Justice William Gorewich told a packed courtroom, citing an agreed statement of facts by prosecution and defence. "This is not a case of road rage and this is not a case of racing." Moreover, the judge stressed in his ruling that when Rob and Lisa Manchester died in May of last year as they drove down Yonge Street in Richmond Hill on the evening of their 17th wedding anniversary, Mr. Manchester had almost twice the legal limit of alcohol in his system - a fact that did not emerge until several weeks later. Judge Gorewich described the case as one of the toughest he has ever had to deal with during his 40 years at the bar. "No one involved will ever be the same," he said in sentencing 22-year-old Ruben Rodrigues of Maple and Marco Gasparro, 20, of Richmond Hill. "The actions of these two young men altered the lives of so many that the ripple effect is impossible to assess. ... Both accused will live with the consequences for the rest of their lives." So too will the Manchesters' daughter, Katie, now in the care of her aunt and uncle. The little girl moved spectators to tears last August when she delivered a heart-wrenching victim-impact statement and spoke of being "mad at the guys who killed my parents." Recently toughened federal and provincial laws have taken aim at racers, dozens of whom are said to have died in Ontario during the past decade. Provincial legislation that took effect last Sunday permits police to impound the car and suspend the licence of anyone charged with driving faster than 50 kilometres an hour above the speed limit. Those parameters seemed to fit this case - at first. Citing witnesses, York police said at the time that Mr. Rodrigues and Mr. Gasparro may have been travelling at up to 140 km/h when Mr. Rodrigues's car broadsided the Manchesters' vehicle as it made a left turn. A blizzard of subsequent news stories suggested the pair were racing each other, rather than merely driving too fast. But according to the agreed statement of facts, Mr. Rodrigues and Mr. Gasparro were travelling at a maximum speed of 112 km/h in an 80 km/h zone. Mr. Rodrigues was driving the car that struck the Manchesters and in May he pleaded guilty to two counts of dangerous driving causing death. His friend Mr. Gasparro, who was ahead of Mr. Rodrigues as the pair sped northward on Yonge Street but returned to the accident scene to await police, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving. Mr. and Ms. Manchester, aged 46 and 43 respectively, were heading south and attempting to turn left when their car was hit. Subsequent tests showed that Mr. Manchester had a blood alcohol reading of .143 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood; the legal threshold is .08 milligrams. Neither of the accused had any drugs or alcohol in their system at the time, neither had been in trouble with the law before, both have voiced remorse and both lead productive lives, the court heard yesterday. Assistant Crown attorney Doug Kasko had nonetheless sought provincial prison terms for both.

To those that don't remember or not aware, push for this to become law was built on an outright lie / deception from the get go. (Queen's Park) Oak Ridges MPP Frank Klees tabled legislation today to shut down street racing. The Street Racing Bill, 2006 which received First Reading today will empower front line police officers to issue on-the-spot licence suspensions and vehicle impoundments to drivers they have reason to believe were involved in street racing. The Bill also bans the connection of after-market nitrous oxide fuel systems on all public streets and highways and provides for fines of up to $2000 and jail terms of up to 6 months for convictions. Klees has accused the McGuinty government of failing to act on legislation that he introduced in May of 2003 when he was transportation minister. That legislation was interrupted by the provincial election and was never reintroduced by the Liberals. Klees introduced the Private Member's Bill in memory of his constituents Rob and Lisa Manchester and in honour of their seven year old daughter Katie Marie Manchester who was orphaned when her parents were killed in an alleged street racing incident in Richmond Hill on May 27, 2006. "We can't legislate responsibility, but we can ensure that there are serious consequences for anyone who is willing to put innocent lives at risk. Street racing is a serious threat and our front line police officers need the authority to deal with this issue." said Klees during introduction of the Bill. "We can't bring back the lives of victims, but we can, and must send the message through our actions as legislators that street racing is illegal, dangerous and unacceptable in Ontario ".