"KMarino" (KMarino)
04/17/2014 at 10:00 • Filed to: twowheelsbad
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"KMarino" (KMarino)
04/17/2014 at 10:00 • Filed to: twowheelsbad | 0
| 5 |
A few of my uncles and cousins and I are considering renting some motorcycles (Harleys, not street bikes) for a weekend ride.
I currently don't have a MC endorsement as I've never ridden a bike before. The Louisiana state police offer a course where you can ride one of there bikes and upon completion, get the MC endorsement.
In order to take the class, I need to provide a helmet. Since I also may want to AutoX or participate in a Track day in a car, I was wondering if it would be worthwhile to find a DOT and SN2010 approved helmet. Thus killing 2 birds with 1 stone. Has anyone had any experiance with this. Is there a major disadvantage to using a SN2010 helmet on a bike instead of a M2010?
Also any tips on best brands etc.
MINI COOPER POWAH!
> KMarino
04/17/2014 at 10:06 |
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SA Helmets pass all the same tests as motorcycles, with a fe more thrown in. the difference will be the eyeport, as its sometimes a different angle between bikes and cars.(though i imagine not bad with a harley vs streetbike) Bell, HJC and Simpson are all pretty good, for best eyeport id suggest Simpson Voyager or Bell Sport EV
http://www.ogracing.com/bell-sport-ev-…
http://www.ogracing.com/simpson-voyage…
KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
> KMarino
04/17/2014 at 10:07 |
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Yes, they won't let you take the class (Most of the time, they are particularly anal about requiring a Snell M helmet).
Snell SA helmets are designed to take smaller hits, and more of them, which is designed to keep things in check when rattling around a roll cage.
Snell M helmets include more neck support, since you won't have something like a HANS to support your neck.
And while your wallet won't like it, do NOT cheap out on a motorcycle helmet. You need one that fits perfectly, and sometimes that means expensive. You have to buy based on fit, not price. I wear an Arai Corsair V on the bike, and a Simpson of some description (I don't recall off the top of my head) in the car.
Otherwise, it's only good as a liquid brain container.
E92M3
> KMarino
04/17/2014 at 11:07 |
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I could be wrong but I don't believe there is a safe dual purpose helmet, and here's the difference. A motorcycle helmet is designed to protect you for 1 significant impact. Auto racing helmets are designed to protect you for multiple impacts. Some tracks do allow motorcycle helmets for trackdays. Most do not though. Most autocrosses allow moto helmets as the speeds are fairly low and a helmet is more of an liability requirement than a real necessity.
Reigntastic
> KMarino
04/17/2014 at 11:13 |
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You don't need to spend a lot of money on a helmet to get a good helmet. Fit however, as mentioned, is incredibly important. I always rode with a Bell ~200 helmet, and in the one time I was ever taken down by a mouth-breathing cager the helmet did its job perfectly, prevented head and neck injury, and I hobbled away with nothing worse than road rash.
The only impact point was my chin, so I would always suggest a full faced helmet.
desertdog5051
> KMarino
04/17/2014 at 11:34 |
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Many of the DOT approved helmets meet the same standards as the Snell rated lids. The only reason they are not Snell rated is the Snell Foundation charges a bunch of money to approve them and it is not worth it to many manufacturers.
http://www.smf.org/helmetfaq#aHow…