Budget Friendly Race Helmets?

"i86hotdogs" (i86hotdogs) 09/17/2019 at 17:06 • Filed to: None

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Gotta protect that juicy melon

Tired of using loaner helmets SCCA at events. So I’m shopping for very basic entry-level open faced helmets. The least expensive Snell rated helmets come from companies like G-Force and Conquer. There is hardly any information or reviews on these helmets. They go from $115-$160 which falls right into my bud get.

Anyone use G-Force, Conquer, or other lesser known brands? Or should I stick with Bell or Simpson and pay the premium? I race 3-4 times a year, so it hardly will get used. 

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > i86hotdogs 09/17/2019 at 17:16

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How much is your brain worth once it’s scrambled?

WRXforScience > i86hotdogs 09/17/2019 at 17:17

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I like my open face g force helmet, been using it for autox and trackdays for the last 5 years without any issues or complaints. 

bob and john > i86hotdogs 09/17/2019 at 17:20

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>budget
>racing

you uhh....you in for a surprise. 

Thomas Donohue > i86hotdogs 09/17/2019 at 17:22

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See what certification is required by SCCA and any other organization/track you run at. And ke ep an eye on the certification level/ date....i.e. SA2010 certifications expire in 2022.

Should be an issue unless you get an old helmet on closeout.

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > i86hotdogs 09/17/2019 at 17:31

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I’ve tried a couple Conquerers and they just don’t seem to fit right. They are almost but not quite the right shape to go on a human head. I don’t have any experience with the G-Forces.

From my experience RaceQuip seems to get you the best bang for your buck in an entry level helmet. They are super popular in the groups I run with, especially the drift groups who are looking for closed face helmets to keep rubber out of their eyes (I can tell you from experience that rubber dust in your eye sucks).

SBA Thanks You For All The Fish > i86hotdogs 09/17/2019 at 17:37

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Clearly the budget should track the contents being protected... it’s like insurance.

And, sometimes, a Walmart melon IS the right price.

slipperysallylikespenguins > i86hotdogs 09/17/2019 at 17:37

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https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B017BE3AC2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I bought this one earlier this year. I’ve used it a few times without complaint. Certainly better than a borrowed one.

SBA Thanks You For All The Fish > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) 09/17/2019 at 17:39

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It’s practically a ‘brand’ for this guy...

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > i86hotdogs 09/17/2019 at 17:46

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I have a G-force open face that serves no purpose to me anymore since I ended up purchasing a full face helmet later on for track use since the open face couldnt be used for that. I would recommend one of the cheaper full helmets (got mine for around $200) just because I find they fit nicer and they have much more value for not a lot more cost. I like that I can use the full face for go karting as well.

If youre in the socal area and wanted a large sized open face helmet (bonus it has an oppo sticker already and I swear I dont have head lice) id sell it super cheap. Less than $100 for sure.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > bob and john 09/17/2019 at 17:53

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No, this is a fallacy. It is definitely a HUGE difference between racing on a budget versus just whatever it costs. One of the biggest eye openers was when talking to a guy with a C7 Z06, his one brake rotor (OEM) cost more than four brake rotors and a set of super agg ressive track only pads for my Miata. Things like that definitely matter. Plus doing HPDEs that cost ~$100 versus spending $400+ for the same amount of track time. Finding used wheels and other parts that dont necessarily wear saves a ton of coin. And yeah buying a helmet that meets the same safety standards but maybe doesnt have connections for vented air or a nice tinted visor or as comfy of padding is a solid way to save money.

Jordan > i86hotdogs 09/17/2019 at 18:26

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I’d get the best helmet you can afford. You only have one head.

i86hotdogs > bob and john 09/17/2019 at 19:06

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It’s definitely possible. Keeping a vehicle stock class  for SCCA rallycross has been relatively low budget so far. Annual membership is $80 or so a month, event registration’s $45, cheap but decently reviewed snow tires only set me back $180 for the set. I only attend fairly local events so I don’t pay for hotels or camping. I have a budget set aside for breakdowns, but haven’t had to dip into that yet. *anxiously knocks on wood*

i86hotdogs > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) 09/17/2019 at 19:06

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Having played collegiate football it’s not worth too much anymore /s

i86hotdogs > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 09/17/2019 at 19:08

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I’m in Ohio, but thanks for the offer! I don’t see myself taking the van to track days, so I’m good with the open face for now. 

i86hotdogs > Thomas Donohue 09/17/2019 at 19:10

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Good to know. Most helmets I see are Snell SA 2015 rated so they will be adequate for SCCA rallycross 

i86hotdogs > SBA Thanks You For All The Fish 09/17/2019 at 19:11

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I haven’t seen too many articles comparing the differences between the $200 and $500 helmets. Hence why I reached out here. Bonus points if the helmet has a watermelon wrap

Bman76 (no it doesn't need a WS6 hood) M. Arch > i86hotdogs 09/17/2019 at 19:43

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ECE22.05 is also acceptable. I have this Bell Qualifier DLX and it fits your price range:

https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/bell-qualifier-dlx-blackout-helmet

Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer > i86hotdogs 09/17/2019 at 20:19

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We use them for football ‘round here

Kailand09 > i86hotdogs 09/17/2019 at 22:12

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Zamp are basically rebranded Bell helmets. While really expensive helmets may perform better, realize if it meets Snell it’s not just trash.

I race with a Zamp, and so a lot of people I know. You can get them all over, I think mine is from summit.

Kailand09 > Kailand09 09/17/2019 at 22:19

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Also, as someone mentioned, check what snell rating is needed. I bought an SA2010 in like 2016 knowing my club accepts a snell rating for 10 years. I also knew I didn’t really want to keep a helmet for more than 5 seasons, so a 5 year overlap is an OK thing for me.

Last gen. snell helmets generally are really cheap, but we have to wait until 2020's come out for the 2015's to go on heavier discounts, and they go quick.

i86hotdogs > Bman76 (no it doesn't need a WS6 hood) M. Arch 09/18/2019 at 11:07

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I didn’t realize ECE22.05 is also acceptable .  

https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/afx-fx-76-helmet-solids

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