About two and a half years ago a Mesquite thorn instantly took out the front tire of my KLR at 50 mph. The only thing I remember of the accident was the sound of my full-face helmet sliding down the highway an inch and a half from my face. The helmet was sanded down quite a bit but my face and head were fine; statics are meaningless when in that situation. Ordered the same HJC helmet as I know they work.
You all know I was going to toss in here. Here it is:
Spend sixty seconds thinking about every crash scenario you possibly can. Use your imagination and do it up good. Pick outlandish situations, pick simple drops it doesn't matter.
If you really want to stretch it, take the time and ask everyone you know. Riders, non riders, you're Aunt Matilda. Ask them all to come up with some situation where someone crashed a motorcycle.
Now tell me one instance where the rider was safer without a helmet. 'Nuff said, I'll be in my office if you need me.