by "TheTurbochargedSquirrel" (thatsquirrel)
Published 09/27/2017 at 09:25
by "TheTurbochargedSquirrel" (thatsquirrel)
Published 09/27/2017 at 09:25
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So I need to replace my old SA2005 Bell helmet for next year and have been looking around all year thinking about what I should get. I hate shields (they fog up, get smudged, and get in the way) and would just grab a basic open face helmet from a name brand (the name brand just makes me more comfortable and I am willing to pay more to feel better) but my involvement with Formula Hybrid requires that I have a closed face helmet.
So anyway, I need to get a new closed face helmet. A cheap basic model would do everything I need it to now but I intend on using this helmet for the next 8-10 years and trying to drive everything I possibly can. The helmet needs to be able to meet any possible future requirements. This means HANS mounting points are a must. No HANS points, no buy. I also need to be able to add an intercom into the helmet at a later date. Because I prefer a open face helmet but my current racing activities require a closed face helmet I want the biggest eye port I can get.
This brings me to the GT5. It appears to be Bells option for being able to add anything you could want at a later date. Its sculpted and drilled for HANS posts (though the posts themselves have to be added later), claimed to be designed so you can easily add an intercom, and designed for the addition of a drink tube (pretty cool) and forced air (probably never going to be in a car with a cooling system). Being a GT style helmet it has the big eye opening and as a bonus it comes with both the shield and the visor shown above. Sounds like exactly what I want. I can use it with the visor most of the time and still have the shield when I go to Formula Hybrid or run in one of the many organizations which require a full face helmet.
Anyone have any experience with this helmet? Any experience with other Bells newer than SA2005? Any other recommendations? My budget is a rather flexible $600 to get a quality piece of kit which will last until SA2015 expires.
"Brian McKay" (brianmckay)
09/26/2017 at 21:55, STARS: 0
We don’t know what you’ll ride or drive. I don’t like those dorky visors which other objects or vehicles can hit and apply force.
"TheTurbochargedSquirrel" (thatsquirrel)
09/26/2017 at 22:06, STARS: 1
Most of what it will be used for in the next 2 years is autocross in my hardtop Mini. I need a full face helmet with shield for Formula Hybrid which is open cockpit, open wheeled cars though it is not wheel to wheel. Beyond the next 2 years once I am out of school I want to get involved with stage rally as well as AER, Chump Car, LeMons, and basically anything else. If it can be raced I want to try it. The goal is to buy something nice which might be overkill for now but will become exactly what I need in 4-5 years.
I like the visors because they are out of the way unlike the shields but still provide some small level of sun protection if needed.
"MM54" (mm54mk2)
09/26/2017 at 22:06, STARS: 0
I’m looking to pick up a helmet in the spring, but having no means to do anything outside of autocross and track days, my requirements are sadly a bit lighter. Looks like quite a helmet, though!
"TheTurbochargedSquirrel" (thatsquirrel)
09/26/2017 at 22:12, STARS: 1
For me right now it would just be Autocross and Formula Hybrid. It’s overkill for that but I intend on keeping whatever I get until the Snell 2015 rating expires which means that it needs to be ready for when I get out of school in 2 years and want to get involved in stage rally and every other kind of race car I can possibly get my butt into.
"Little Black Coupe Turned Silver" (littleblackcoupe)
09/26/2017 at 22:24, STARS: 0
Check out Black Armor Helmets. They are carbon fiber, and a quick glance shows they meet everything you’re looking for. I know you can add com and a drink tube later, and it comes with HANS for I think an extra $75.
"TheTurbochargedSquirrel" (thatsquirrel)
09/26/2017 at 22:31, STARS: 1
Interesting. Carbon is hilariously overkill but they do cost the same as the Bell...
"ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com" (ita97)
09/26/2017 at 22:35, STARS: 0
I have no experience with Bell helmets, but any SA2015 helmet will have HANS mounting points from the factory. I’ve run a couple of G force full-face helmets and been quite happy with them. They make a nice helmet at a good price point, and they fit the shape of my head well. The shape of your head can have a lot to dot with what brand of full face helmet you like. I think my new one is a GF3, or whatever thier current SA full-face model is.
Speaking of HANS devices, when it comes time for one check out a necksgen REV. They are probably the most comfortable and the easiest entry/ exit head and neck restraint device out there right now. They’re also slightly cheaper than a HANS, and they work with a wider variety of shoulder belt and seat setups.
"TheTurbochargedSquirrel" (thatsquirrel)
09/26/2017 at 22:46, STARS: 0
It seems HANS posts are something they often forget to mention in the listings for helmets. I’ll have to take a closer look at Geforces stuff. I am mostly leaning towards Bell because the only helmets I have ever used have been either Bells or Peltors.
"Little Black Coupe Turned Silver" (littleblackcoupe)
09/26/2017 at 22:47, STARS: 0
Exactly. And they are so light weight!
"RacinBob" (racinbob)
09/26/2017 at 23:17, STARS: 0
I have a bell M5. Used to have a Bell open face about 10 years ago. Bottom line for me is to leave visor open unless on fire, then you can close it.
I would stick with M5 closed face helmets, just leave the visor open.
"RacinBob" (racinbob)
09/26/2017 at 23:32, STARS: 0
Why closed face is better. Keep it open until fire.
"RacinBob" (racinbob)
09/26/2017 at 23:38, STARS: 0
"RacinBob" (racinbob)
09/26/2017 at 23:40, STARS: 0
"RacinBob" (racinbob)
09/26/2017 at 23:44, STARS: 0
Found the article on Charles Espenlaub whose suit and helmet are above.
https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/articles/fighting-fire/
"RacinBob" (racinbob)
09/26/2017 at 23:45, STARS: 0
"TheTurbochargedSquirrel" (thatsquirrel)
09/27/2017 at 09:28, STARS: 0
About damn time kinja. I have only been trying to get this to pop back up for 30 minutes.
"E92M3" (E46M3)
09/27/2017 at 09:33, STARS: 1
Isn’t the M5 a motorcycle helmet?
"deekster_caddy" (deekster_caddy)
09/27/2017 at 10:20, STARS: 0
Damn, now I can’t remember if my helmet is Bell or Simpson. But I have an open face helmet anyway, so I’m not much help. As far as I’m concerned both brands are great at what they do, get whichever helmet fits best. We got an ‘xxl’ size and it feels tight on my face, but I have a really big head. Drag racing, I think Snell 2005. I got pretty much the cheapest thing I could get with a Snell rating, since I don’t go that often. Got tired of borrowing motorcycle helmets from friends that were too damn small...
"OKcarburetor" (okcarburetor)
09/27/2017 at 12:26, STARS: 0
I had to buy a new helmet tow years ago and wanted one of these. In fact, I wanted several off Bell’s offerings, but every god damn helmet was sold out except the Simpson Bandit. I needed a helmet for a race in the next two weeks, so I was forced to choose.
Ok, my rant is over. I love Bell helmets.
"TheTurbochargedSquirrel" (thatsquirrel)
09/27/2017 at 12:37, STARS: 0
I currently have a Bell M4 (the SA20XX model designed for auto racing) which was passed down to me from my grandfather. Bell does not make the M series anymore though. I personally use a full face balaclava which covers everything except my eyes any time I am wearing my helmet. For me a shield in a fire is a bit of a trade off. Sure it helps stop fire getting in from the front but it doesn’t do anything if the fire comes from below.
"TheTurbochargedSquirrel" (thatsquirrel)
09/27/2017 at 12:47, STARS: 0
2015 wouldn’t have been the best time to be in the helmet market because everyone was trying to replace their SA2005 helmets. That was before SA2005 got its 2 year extension through 2017. This weekend is my last event until March so I can afford to wait through a backorder if I need to.
I like my current Bell M4. It’s pretty comfortable for a closed face helmet. It has nothing on my dad’s old Peltor though. That helmet is so comfortable it’s like you aren’t wearing a helmet at all. There’s a reason the Peltor was THE standard for a rally helmet for ~20 years.
"RacinBob" (racinbob)
09/27/2017 at 20:48, STARS: 0
You are right, M5 is bike, sorry I was working from memory.
My helmet is a actually a M4. Granted, the tech inspectors also see M4 and always ask if it’s a bike helmet.....
BTW - for SA2015, the M4 has become a M8.....