"Jayhawk Jake" (jayhawkjake)
02/16/2014 at 17:52 • Filed to: AUTOCROSS
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"Jayhawk Jake" (jayhawkjake)
02/16/2014 at 17:52 • Filed to: AUTOCROSS | 1
| 21 |
Thanks to some persuasion by you opponauts and a coworker, I'm finally going to bite the bullet and go autocrossing this year.
As such, I will need a helmet. I don't want to spend a whole bunch of money on one, so I'm reaching out to you: What's the best budget helmet to take autocrossing? I'm open to options from 'cheap and crappy but works' to 'not super cheap, but great bang for your buck'.
I literally have no idea where to begin, the only helmets I've ever bought or worn have been bicycle helmets, and even then the last time I bought a helmet was easily 4+ years ago.
signintokinjalol
> Jayhawk Jake
02/16/2014 at 17:55 |
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I'm scared of ordering one online, what if it doesn't fit me?
I'm also interested in knowing...
Bandit
> Jayhawk Jake
02/16/2014 at 17:58 |
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In before "buy as much helmet as you think your head is worth" comments.
americancarfanboi
> Jayhawk Jake
02/16/2014 at 17:59 |
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Correct me if I'm wrong, but both SCCA regions I've competed in loaned helmets for free. I don't know what organization you're trying to run in, but other than that typically speaking any DOT motorcycle helmet is acceptable for autox and a fairly decent one can be had for $100. Snell helmets are typically more expensive, but if you plan on running any competitive track events or hill climbs they are usually required.
Suby555
> Jayhawk Jake
02/16/2014 at 17:59 |
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If you order anything from revzilla.com it's free return shopping. So you can keep trying one till it fits.
In terms of a cheap helmet, a g-force open face will be snell legal and cheap.
Clown Shoe Pilot
> Jayhawk Jake
02/16/2014 at 18:04 |
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what's your head worth? you think you might eventually do more than auto-x?
If you think you'll just auto-x and never go further, a full face motorcycle helmet should run you $150 or so. Depending on the organization you're running with, you may or may not need a Snell approved helmet. The car club auto-X (bmwcca, pca, etc) usually want to see a Snell M2005 or M2010 certified helmet. Next year it'll be M2010 or M 2015 and your old M2005 won't be acceptable any more. If you're not required to have any Snell rating, you can pick up a DOT approved motorcycle helmet for $50.
If you think you might eventually do something really silly, like go Lemons racing, go ahead and spring for an SA2010 helmet from the start.
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Jayhawk Jake
> americancarfanboi
02/16/2014 at 18:06 |
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Yes, I can loan helmets at both SCCA and the group I'll go with, but I might as well buy my own.
I'm not that cheap. What Snell helmet would you recommend? The local SCCA chapter requires a Snell approved helmet
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Jayhawk Jake
> signintokinjalol
02/16/2014 at 18:06 |
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Suby555 recommended revzilla.com with free return shipping above
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Jayhawk Jake
> Bandit
02/16/2014 at 18:08 |
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Yeah, but what does that mean?
Put yourself in my shoes for a second: I literally know nothing about motor-racing or motorcycle helmets. I don't want to just go out and buy the most expensive helmet I can find on the assumption that it will be the best. So great, I'll buy as much helmet as I think my head is worth but I don't know what helmet values are beyond the MSRP, and even then I have no idea what I'm doing.
Agrajag
> Jayhawk Jake
02/16/2014 at 18:09 |
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Just make sure it is SNELL 2010 rated. DOT alone is not good enough. I spent the better part of a month painting this up, only to find out about SNELL ratings later on.
The cheapest I've come across is around $150.00
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Bandit
> Jayhawk Jake
02/16/2014 at 18:10 |
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I have no clue on helmets. I was just being a smart ass.
jovimon7
> Jayhawk Jake
02/16/2014 at 18:17 |
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Just bought this on Ebay, $279.99 w/ helmet bag and free shipping. SA2010
beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard
> Bandit
02/16/2014 at 18:19 |
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My head is worth $13500 plus change.
Delta Five Nine
> Jayhawk Jake
02/16/2014 at 18:22 |
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Pyrotect makes a good, cheap SA2010 helmet that is still lightweight and has a few features like taking Bell tearoffs if you ever desire to use them. Local SCCA here uses them for loaner helmets, and I bought one over the winter at wholesale price. As I think you found, SCCA required a SA or M rated helmet of some year so DOT won't cut it, and ultimately it's not worth the question when an open face Pyrotect is sub $200 at full retail price.
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Jayhawk Jake
> Delta Five Nine
02/16/2014 at 18:48 |
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Is this the one you were referring to?
That looks just about perfect! Thanks!
XJDano
> Jayhawk Jake
02/16/2014 at 19:02 |
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http://www.soloperformance.com/Helmets-and-Ac…
this guys has a trailer and sells this stuff at out local auto-x and goes to the nationals yearly and such. I have been out of the auto-x stuff since wife & kids, I got the HJC and works also for motorcycle riding.
Looks like about $135 or so
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Delta Five Nine
> Jayhawk Jake
02/16/2014 at 19:04 |
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Yep, that's it. The FSAE team I'm on (University of Kentucky) bought a SA2005 Bell at the same time I bought a SA2010 full face Pyrotect from a guy closing shop locally, and the Pyrotect is actually nicer than the Bell (though the Bell is older, obviously). SCCA hasn't started back up yet so I haven't gotten to put it through it's paces fully but it seems great so far.
I used an open face Pyrotect loaner last year for an autoX. One thing to note is the open face feels a little top heavy since there's no weight in the front at the bottom, but it's really not that bad and especially not for short autocross runs.
Fleischwagen
> Jayhawk Jake
02/16/2014 at 19:32 |
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I love my HJC AR-10II, bought mine last year for Autocross as well. Didn't wanna catch cooties from the loaner helmets that smelt like foot cheese :/
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Fleischwagen
> Fleischwagen
02/16/2014 at 19:35 |
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PS, I'd buy one in person just to be sure it fits ok. The shop that I purchased mine form mostly deals with high end Porsche stuff but have tons of safety equipment available
Gizmo - The Only Good Gremlin, but don't feed me after Midnight
> Jayhawk Jake
02/16/2014 at 22:04 |
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I agree with Clown Shoe Pilot, you need to ask yourself some questions first. Is AutoX all you'll be doing for the next five years? Have you ever AutoX before with a full face helmet? Is your sitting height in the car going to change with a helmet on? There are probably more, but let's start here.
If you're new to AutoX AND new to wearing a helmet AND not planning any other motorsports for a couple years then an openface helmet is probably best for you. An open face will give you the greatest visibility and be a little lighter than a full face. And since you're new to AutoX you're gonna need to be able to turn your head quickly and have wide open sight lines.
Since this is all new to you, I'd also recommend you take your car to your local motorcycle racing shop and ask them to help you figure out what size is best for you. Once you know the right size, then take it out to the car and strap in with the helmet on to see if you'll need to make adjustments to you daily driving position to accommodate the helmet. Don't laugh, my cycle shop told me to do it and I scoffed until I tried to sit in the car with the hardtop on and found I had to lower the seat another inch and a half to get in - totally different perspective looking out the window. And AutoX races in the rain, so half my races were with the top up!
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Jayhawk Jake
> Gizmo - The Only Good Gremlin, but don't feed me after Midnight
02/16/2014 at 22:14 |
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Thanks for the tips. I actually was thinking to go to a motorcycle shop to try on some helmets to find the right size.
I'm not too worried about fitting in the car, I'm short and sit low.
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Jayhawk Jake
> Clown Shoe Pilot
02/16/2014 at 22:16 |
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I don't plan on doing anything beyond AutoX, but I'll be sure and get an M2010 helmet.