by "BeaterGT" (beatergt)
Published 08/23/2017 at 11:53
by "BeaterGT" (beatergt)
Published 08/23/2017 at 11:53
Tags: helmet
; head protection
; not the halo
STARS: 1
I know some of you Oppolites do autocross/ road rallies/ track days and the lot so where did you get your helmets? Are they motorcycle helmets? Approved for all uses? And, if daring enough, what did you pay?
"crowmolly" (crowmolly)
08/23/2017 at 12:01, STARS: 2
Regarding motorcycle helmets:
!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!
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.
Go for something with a Snell SA rating for car use. Just to be on the safe side. Not because you’ll necessarily need roll bar protection but because some events may require an SA helmet in the rules.
"deekster_caddy" (deekster_caddy)
08/23/2017 at 12:02, STARS: 0
I had my local speed shop order a Simpson helmet for me. I drag race occasionally for fun, current Snell rating helmet required for all ETs under 14 seconds. I didn’t get a helmet with a face mask, it just has a little visor and no chin guard. I imagine you can get one from Summit/Jegs etc. I think mine was $120. They expire after some years, find out what the requirements are for the racing you are doing.
editing to add - mine was something like this: http://simpsonraceproducts.com/snell-sa2015/cruiser-snell-2015/
editing again to add - holy crap their helmets are big money! I’m not sure how much mine cost, it was a few years ago. I don’t think it was more than $200 though.
"Bman76 (hates WS6 hoods, is on his phone and has 4 burners now)" (bman76-4)
08/23/2017 at 12:03, STARS: 0
Revzilla.com
I bought a Bell Qualifier (specifically the DLX Blackout). It’s ECE22.05 certified so you can AutoX in it.
It was about $150 and came with both a clear and a tinted visor.
"nermal" (nermal)
08/23/2017 at 12:04, STARS: 0
Check with the organizers of the events you plan on running. Some will allow motorcycle helmets, some will not.
Summit Racing is a good place to start for car helmets.
"XJDano" (xjdano)
08/23/2017 at 12:06, STARS: 0
http://www.soloperformance.com/
They are local to Stlouis and I bought it at an auto-x.
"LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com" (limitedtimeonly)
08/23/2017 at 12:08, STARS: 1
I went to a local motorcycle shop this spring because I wanted to get something that fit my head shape well, and I also wasn’t sure about sizes depending on brand. For autocross it has to be Snell rated (not all motorcycle helmets are), and I found a place that carried some models that were Snell rated.
I thought about an open face, but went with closed because that was readily available, and if I ever want to play on a track that requires closed-face, I’m covered. Some people also find the visor helpful with wind when in convertibles or even windows down, but I removed the visor since I wear sunglasses anyway.
Since I had spent the time there and wanted to support the local business, I had the shop order the helmet that I wanted (based on the floor selection, but I wanted a different color and size combo than they had in stock).
I bought a HJC CL-17. Paid $150 plus tax at the local shop, could have saved about $10 online. The weight savings and extra venting from a more expensive helmet just did not seem worth it unless I was to use it for motorcycle riding.
"e36Jeff now drives a ZHP" (e36jeff)
08/23/2017 at 12:10, STARS: 0
I got mine at a local speed shop. BMWCCANJ requires a closed helmet, but we can run with visors up/off. I keep my visor open most of the time, but I keep it on just in case it rains. 100mph rain hitting your cheek is not fun.
"AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC" (addictedtom3s)
08/23/2017 at 12:12, STARS: 0
How is HJC? I was looking at helmets and found that they’re really well priced. My only concern is you don’t hear about them as much as Simpson, Bell, Arai, and Schuberth. I know they’re all rated to the same standard but I also don’t want to risk a safety item like a helmet. Or am I just falling for the marketing ploy of the more well known brands?
"AkursedX" (akursedx)
08/23/2017 at 12:15, STARS: 0
I bought an SA2015-rated G-force open-face helmet for autocross. I bought it off of Amazon for $152 (The best price I could find.)
"Little Black Coupe Turned Silver" (littleblackcoupe)
08/23/2017 at 12:15, STARS: 0
I got mine from a (now closed) local motor sports shop. It’s only for cars (SA rating) since I have no plans of motorcycle riding/driving. Also, not all track day groups accept motorcycle rated helmets. It’s a super basic Racequip that I got a great deal on because it was open box and had been used for a couple ride alongs at a track day or two.
I’m going to jump up to a carbon fiber one for my next one, once the 2020 ratings come out. Looking at Black Armor right now.
"TheTurbochargedSquirrel" (thatsquirrel)
08/23/2017 at 12:15, STARS: 0
saferacer.com is a good place to go for motorsport safety gear.
"Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)" (rduncan5678)
08/23/2017 at 12:20, STARS: 0
I got my autocross helmet from Saferacer since they had an SCCA discount and had the exact one that I wanted. I like the open face helmets because they are much more comfortable and are perfectly fine for me since all I do is Autocross. But that website also had a good collection of the closed faces.
I figured out which helmet to get based on the loaner helmets in my local SCCA region. I just tried one on that was really quite comfortable and went with that one. I paid $152 after discount with free shipping.
"Future next gen S2000 owner" (future-next-gen-s2000-owner)
08/23/2017 at 12:28, STARS: 0
1st helmet, bought the cheapest new SA rated I could find online, open face. Pryotect. was about 100 bucks. Didn’t fit well gave me a headache. ~90 Used solely for autocross.
2nd helmet, Went to a motorcycle store, bought the cheapest black helmet with a snell 2010 rating. One of the best fitting, most comfortable helmets I think I’ve ever owned. Scorpion ~125 Used for autocross, Bonneville record attempt and as a backup for motorcycle riding and drag strip runs.
3rd Helmet Bought at the same time I bought a motorcycle, DOT only AGV Horizon. Hated it. Build quality was bad as well and fitment. Tried it on in the store, but not long enough. ~350
4th helmet and current. Shoei RF1200. Bought the cheapest version I could find on Revzilla after trying on about ten different models in a motorcycle store. ~450. Motorcycle stuff only.
Go cheap for an autocross only helmet. Make sure you try it on. Do the duck walk. Check with your sanctioning body in everything you want to run SCCA allows SM and SA for autocross but road course days may not accept SM helmets in a car.
"LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com" (limitedtimeonly)
08/23/2017 at 12:37, STARS: 0
I think it’s mostly marketing, and the rest is incremental improvements at greater cost. I think of it this way: One could have gotten a Lotus Elise or a Toyota MR-2 Spyder at one point. The Elise (as I understand it) would provide driver feedback and handling performance that a dedicated user would appreciate, but the MR-2 would also be very good, and cost less.
A lot of people use HJC, and they are tested and safe. Head shape makes a big difference, I have heard that they fit round heads best (true in my case), so people buy other brands due to fit. But mostly, I understand people who ride motorcycles for extended trips appreciate the slight difference in weight, aerodynamics, and features that make paying more for the other brands worth it to them.
My HJC has been fine, but even autocrossing six days and doing a novice school, I’ve probably only worn it a total of 8 hours since purchase. Big difference from a motorcycle rider.
"thejustache" (thejustache)
08/23/2017 at 12:49, STARS: 0
After years with an HJC modular helmet for my motorcycle it was time to get something new. I wanted something Snell rated so I could potentially use it in a car for Motorsports events as well, and I had a pretty tight budget. I ended up with a Scorpion exo r410 for around $140. I was a little leary buying from a brand I didn’t know, but after watching and reading a bunch of favorable reviews I went for it. I’ve been wearing it almost daily on my bike, and I have to say I’m quite happy with it. It feels very sturdy and well built, fits comfortably for me and has the Snell 2015 sticker I need to get on tracks for the next 5 years.
Edit: There is a different between Snell SA and M ratings, and the scorpion is only an M. That said the places I’d likely be using it in the next couple years don’t specify what they require, so as it’ll serve mostly as a motorcycle helmet for me I figured it was worth the trade off for the price.
"BeaterGT" (beatergt)
08/23/2017 at 12:53, STARS: 1
That looks like a great choice, I used to have HJC helmets when I rode dirtbikes too.
"BeaterGT" (beatergt)
08/23/2017 at 13:05, STARS: 0
Yeah, that’s what prompted me to ask. Some of the prices are insane!
"Kailand09" (kailand09)
08/23/2017 at 14:01, STARS: 0
I bought a Snell rated zamp helmet from summit. It’s basically a Bell off brand.
I went for the previous Snell year (2010) when they were trying to unload them. I think it cost me $150 or less.
Most racing bodies allow a year rating for ten years, meaning mine will last until 2020. By then I should probably buy a new helmet again anyway.
"BeaterGT" (beatergt)
08/23/2017 at 14:02, STARS: 1
I saw the Zamps, they looked like a good helmet for the price. I ended up going with an HJC that would allow me to do karting, track days, and motorcycle rides.
"BeaterGT" (beatergt)
08/23/2017 at 14:12, STARS: 1
Went with the HJC-17, found one new for $100 in that awesome Wine color. It will also let me compete in karting, motorcycle rides, drag racing, and track days at NJMP so thanks again!
"LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com" (limitedtimeonly)
08/23/2017 at 14:14, STARS: 0
Great! Glad I could help.
"Hammerdown" (hammerdown32)
08/23/2017 at 14:23, STARS: 1
That’s what I use on the bike and it works great. HJC also has the slickest visor removal system I’ve seen. I regularly swap from my smoked visor to a clear one and can do it in less than 30 seconds.
"ateamfan42" (ateamfan42)
08/23/2017 at 15:41, STARS: 0
A number of replies have mentioned getting Snell rated helmets, which is a good idea. Just be aware there are multiple Snell ratings. For things like autocross, “M” rated helmets (for motorcycles) are usually fine. Many track days and similar will require SA (sport auto) helmets, which are generally more expensive. Autocross with karts might require the K helmets, depending on the specific club.
"BeaterGT" (beatergt)
08/23/2017 at 15:49, STARS: 0
I looked up all the events I plan on attending in the near future and an M rated Snell was sufficient (thankfully!)