Bucknut2006

I will be participating in a few local track days and want to have the appropriate helmet for such events. Any recommendations on what I should be looking at?

Sorry if this is in the wrong section.

Wren

You have to go try them on or order several different sizes/brands and return the ones that don't fit.

For instance- Bell has never made a helmet that fits my head, but Simpson has some that fit just right. Bell makes a great helmet, but it just isn't right for me.

2K3Z06

Full face, something with a large eyeport. the lighter the better. Best to try on, each helmet fits just a little different. Something snug, but not tight enough to cause headaches.

I have a Simpson Bandit, but don't wear it much. The eyeport is small (for open wheel cars) kinda sucks on the peripheral vision, I tried the Simpson super voyeger, and use it now.

Used Arai helmets back in the biker days, great helmet but expensive.

Check out the Bell M3, I like their fit also.


Have fun at the track.

Lancer033

SA05 that is comfortable.....try on different brands. I like Simpson.

jaa1992

I bought an open face 10 years ago when I first started.
I replaced it back in November with a Bell full face and I'm getting used to it.
I like it, it fits well even with a communicator in my ear when I instruct.

As others said find an SA05 that fits. We are lucky at NASA-SE events that a vendor is there with a few different styles and plenty of choices in sizes at the track.

BEZ06

You're in the perfect section to ask such a question!!

I agree with the previous posts about trying on a number of different helmets - proper fit and comfort are very important.

Helmets are made/tested to DOT and Snell specs. Two common Snell certifications are "M" and "SA". The "M" is for motorcycles, and the "SA" is for Special Applications - which is essentially for motorsports.

So, what you want is a Snell SA helmet. Take a look at this site and click on "Certified Helmets":

http://www.smf.org/


Depending on the type of helmet, Snell does the certification testing every several years. The Sa certifications have been done every 5 years, and the most recent was in 2005 (if you look on that website linked above you can see that they have already done the M certification testing for 2010 - I guess the SA testing will be later in the year).

Although some groups or tracks that sponsor track events might accept an M certified helmet, or some even just a DOT helmet, many will require that your helmet is SA certified.

Usually they only accept a helmet that has a certification not older than 2 testing periods, i.e. you'll probably need an SA 2000 or SA 2005 helmet.

So....I would recommend that you get an SA 2005 helmet that fits good, and probably full face. You should meet most all sponsoring groups requirements for almost 10 years, but you'll need a new helmet before then anyway!!

Bob

NOSLO6

As folks above has said, the most important thing to do is try a few on before buying. You'll have your helmet for a long time so take the time to find one that is comfortable on your head. All of the name brands will offer excellent safety so shop for comfort and field of vision.

Bill Dearborn

Try a lot of helmets. Some of the helmet makers have stopped making specific sizes in their lower priced ($270 to $450) helmet offerings. You get a choice of S, M, L, XL and so on. Each size fits a range of head sizes. This can make it hard to get a helmet that fits properly. I have a nice Simpson Closed face helmet that is probably a little large for me but when I tried the next smaller size my cheeks were squeezed so tightly that they were forced between my teeth if I opened my mouth. I tried several Impact helmets that had the same issue. Previously I had an Open Face Simpson that was my specific size and fit like a glove and I do miss it.

Bill

Bucknut2006

This is really good information guys. I really appreciate the detailed post BEZ06 Just need to find a place around here that sells various motor sports helmets.

vettehardt

I prefer the open face since I have glasses. Get the newest date you can find. Most sanctioning bodies allow 10 years. My helmet expires in May so I also need a new one before the season starts. I think I will go with a SA hemet this time. I had an M and it was fine for what I do (NCCC autocrossing), but later on I may do some other racing that will require an SA helmet.

vettehardt

If you look down further in the posts, MSI is having a sale on their pytotec helmets. I am considering their proflow open face SA helmet.

BEZ06

I wear glasses too, but I much prefer a full face helmet. I do have to take off my glasses, put on my helmet, then stick my glasses through the helmet to get them back on.

I really like the "modular helmet" concept, but so far none have been tested and certified to SA specs. I hope that later this year a number of manufacturers will submit some for SA 2010 certification.


.



You can see on the helmet above that not only does the visor flip up, but the whole front of the helmet can swing up so the chin-bar is up out of the way when you put on the helmet. I think it would go on over glasses, then you could flip the front down and have full face protection.

I don't know whether any manufacturers will try to SA certify any modular helmets, or if they would meet the Snell SA specs, but I'd like one if it were to be SA approved.

Bob

Gary2KC5

I skimmed the posts above so I hope I'm not repeating anything...

The M rating is for motorcycles as long as the date code is current I've never seen a club PCA, BMW, NASA, Audi, etc. have a problem with them.

M also means you drop it and its toast...a single impact only hat.

SA are race helmets.

I don't think HANS devices will work on open face helmets either if you thnik that might be in the equation too.

I just got a new Simpson Stingray because I decided to get a head and neck restraint.

gkmccready

Money buys lightweight and some comfort, but anything SA-rated should be as safe as the next. Try on all the helmets and just because you're a large in one brand doesn't mean you're a large in another. Some brands fit different head shapes, too. When I first started autocrossing I bought an HJC and was pretty happy with it. These days I wear Bells on both my motorcycle (M helmet) and in the car (SA helmet). They're priced fairly and quality product.

vettehardt

I don't see why a hans won't work with an open face. The chin bar on a closed face doesn't contact the face. All the force would be applied on the forhead and chin strap. It would be the same for a closed as an open face. It should work if you have the attachments on the helmet. Anybody know differently?

AU N EGL

Go up to Discovery and try a few on

http://www.discoveryparts.com/

showroom at:
1591 Hwy 85 North, Fayetteville, GA 30214.

C66 Racing

Good advice posted by BEZ06 above about Snell ratings. While not all clubs may require SA certified helmets today, I feel that the regulations are getting more and more stringent every year. I wouldn't want to spend money on a helmet that might not meet my clubs regs in a few years.

Many good helmet options out there. I'm partial to Simpson and have had good luck sizing with tape measure and buying over the internet. Currently using a Sidepro Shark with Simpson installed HANS device attachment points. Previous to that have used two Bandits over the years.

Gary2KC5

No you must be right...I read something that made me think...mmm I guess that means the restraint doesn't work with open face helmets.

Because you questioned it it went back and read the owners manual and mounting instructions. I could not find anything that states it wouldn't work on open helmets.

I also check the FAQ section on their website and it states that it will work on any santioning body approved helment.

Sorry for the misinformatin and thanks for questioning the statement.

gtpvette

I just bought my first helmet in a long time. I was at the SCCA Double National at Homestead,, there were two vendors with a large selection of helment and both with very good prices. Thank god I did it this way,,, I ended up trying on a lot of different helments until I found one that fit well,, it's an XXL. Yep,,, I've got a fat head!

Charley Hoyt

Everyone has given great advice. The only other thing I would add is that I recommend that you go to the Bell web site and read their recommendations on "fitting helmets". They say that most people purchase helmets that are too large. A proper fitting helmet will fit snugly around the top of your head (fore head level) and you should have visible compression of your cheeks. It goes into greater detail and is well worth reading. Then you really need to go try helmets on and see what fits you the best. The other thing that is important to know is that many helmet dealers will come way down from the advertised price. For example I was looking to purchase a Bell M4 Pro and I found two places that came down from the ~$550 list price to $410.

Best of luck in your search.

Charley