[Z06] Racing Helmets
Pro
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 625
Likes: 0
From: Anaheim Hills CA
I use an Arai
http://www.araiamericas.com/Product_Tour.html
the GP-jet/F without the face lid on top
http://www.araiamericas.com/Product_Tour.html
the GP-jet/F without the face lid on top
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
Rob
There are a lot of good helmets out there.
Bell, Ari, G-force, Sparko. with Bell be the most popular.
The trick is to get a SA 2005 rated helmet not a M for motocycle helmet.
Most car clubs will not allow Motorcycle helmts and need the SA or Special Application.
Dont even look at helmets that say " Exceeds Snell ratings" Most of thoe helmets are junk.
SA2005 helments have a nomex liner and a kevlar shell making them light weight too.
Get a full face helmet not an open helmet. Bugs and things fly into the side window and hit you chin all the time.
It you can try some helmets on to get the best fit.
Most popular tend to be the Bell M2 or M3 . I use the G-Force Pro Force 1. Fits my mellon better then Bell helmets.
There are a lot of good helmets out there.
Bell, Ari, G-force, Sparko. with Bell be the most popular.
The trick is to get a SA 2005 rated helmet not a M for motocycle helmet.
Most car clubs will not allow Motorcycle helmts and need the SA or Special Application.
Dont even look at helmets that say " Exceeds Snell ratings" Most of thoe helmets are junk.
SA2005 helments have a nomex liner and a kevlar shell making them light weight too.
Get a full face helmet not an open helmet. Bugs and things fly into the side window and hit you chin all the time.
It you can try some helmets on to get the best fit.
Most popular tend to be the Bell M2 or M3 . I use the G-Force Pro Force 1. Fits my mellon better then Bell helmets.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,205
Likes: 5
From: Jupiter FL
Originally Posted by AU N EGL
Rob
There are a lot of good helmets out there.
Bell, Ari, G-force, Sparko. with Bell be the most popular.
The trick is to get a SA 2005 rated helmet not a M for motocycle helmet.
Most car clubs will not allow Motorcycle helmts and need the SA or Special Application.
Dont even look at helmets that say " Exceeds Snell ratings" Most of thoe helmets are junk.
SA2005 helments have a nomex liner and a kevlar shell making them light weight too.
Get a full face helmet not an open helmet. Bugs and things fly into the side window and hit you chin all the time.
It you can try some helmets on to get the best fit.
Most popular tend to be the Bell M2 or M3 . I use the G-Force Pro Force 1. Fits my mellon better then Bell helmets.
There are a lot of good helmets out there.
Bell, Ari, G-force, Sparko. with Bell be the most popular.
The trick is to get a SA 2005 rated helmet not a M for motocycle helmet.
Most car clubs will not allow Motorcycle helmts and need the SA or Special Application.
Dont even look at helmets that say " Exceeds Snell ratings" Most of thoe helmets are junk.
SA2005 helments have a nomex liner and a kevlar shell making them light weight too.
Get a full face helmet not an open helmet. Bugs and things fly into the side window and hit you chin all the time.
It you can try some helmets on to get the best fit.
Most popular tend to be the Bell M2 or M3 . I use the G-Force Pro Force 1. Fits my mellon better then Bell helmets.
I have a G-Force also and really like it. Fit is everything. You must get a Snell2005 rated helmet. You don't want an older (Snell2000) helmet, and definitely don't want a motorcycle helmet. What you will find as you look at them, they can get very expensive by adding a lot of bells and whistles that you probably don't need. Buy a good helmet -- your head is worth it. But you don't have to go for a bunch of graphics or other stuff that really adds nothing to safety. Try helmets until you find one that fits like a glove and doesn't pinch. And don't buy one that is too big. It must fit very snuggly and not shift when you shake your head hard from side to side.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 5,362
Likes: 3
From: Delray Beach FL
Definitely get a SA 2005 rated helmet. I use a Pyrotech when I drag race at the track. When I was looking, a friend of mine (16Again) told me, is my melon worth an extra $100 to keep it in one piece? When put that way, it was a no brainer. 
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 4,933
Likes: 30
From: San Rafael CA
Originally Posted by AU N EGL
It you can try some helmets on to get the best fit.
Most popular tend to be the Bell M2 or M3 . I use the G-Force Pro Force 1. Fits my mellon better then Bell helmets.
So long as the helmet meets the following criteria:
1) It is Snell rated (has the Snell SA2005 sticker inside) as AU N EGL said
2) It is a full face helmet (again as AU N EGL said)
3) To emphasize .. THE MOST IMPORTANT PART .... so long as you are meeting #'s 1 and 2 is FIT.
Different helmet makers that meet SA2005 standards can still make helmets for different heads ... some of us have wide heads with not very tall faces, some of us have narrow heads with tall faces ... find a helmet that fits you PERFECTLY as this will be the critical factor in determining how well the helmet protects you. FIT is EVERYTHING once you know you're meeting conditions 1 and 2.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 474
Likes: 14
You may want to try and see what you can try on locally. I've learned after buying three helmets that there are definitely different shapes for the manufacturers. The worst thing in a helmet is getting a pressure point. Shoei is more of a asian head type, arai is european head.. I have an "Arai head" so I bought their new gp5-w helmet and I really like it. This is my third Arai helmet. It has a good viewing angle, its designed for cars and is very comfortable (for me).
You should plan to spend at least $300 for a decent low end helmet. My Arai was $850, ouch! The only other advice I'll give is that you should get a snell 2005 helmet so its legal for the longest amount of time. You can still find deals on snell 2000 helmets which will still be legal/accepted for about 4-5 more years, but you have to decide which way to go there.
You should plan to spend at least $300 for a decent low end helmet. My Arai was $850, ouch! The only other advice I'll give is that you should get a snell 2005 helmet so its legal for the longest amount of time. You can still find deals on snell 2000 helmets which will still be legal/accepted for about 4-5 more years, but you have to decide which way to go there.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,665
Likes: 0
From: Rude, Loud and Aggressive! ECS Twisted Racing, "How fast do ya wanna go?"
Originally Posted by Subw00er
You may want to try and see what you can try on locally. I've learned after buying three helmets that there are definitely different shapes for the manufacturers. The worst thing in a helmet is getting a pressure point. Shoei is more of a asian head type, arai is european head.. I have an "Arai head" so I bought their new gp5-w helmet and I really like it. This is my third Arai helmet. It has a good viewing angle, its designed for cars and is very comfortable (for me).
You should plan to spend at least $300 for a decent low end helmet. My Arai was $850, ouch! The only other advice I'll give is that you should get a snell 2005 helmet so its legal for the longest amount of time. You can still find deals on snell 2000 helmets which will still be legal/accepted for about 4-5 more years, but you have to decide which way to go there.
You should plan to spend at least $300 for a decent low end helmet. My Arai was $850, ouch! The only other advice I'll give is that you should get a snell 2005 helmet so its legal for the longest amount of time. You can still find deals on snell 2000 helmets which will still be legal/accepted for about 4-5 more years, but you have to decide which way to go there.
Last edited by Bad Machine; Oct 8, 2006 at 10:43 AM.
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Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,058
Likes: 9,817
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Two others to look at are Simpson and Impact. Impact is the new company that Bill Simpson founded when he had his falling out with the company with his name on it. The Impact is a little less costly but I couldn't get one that fit as well as the comparable Simpson. Wherever you buy a helmet make sure you can try it on for a good fit. In my area a local company provides products to local circle track racers and I get most of my safety gear from them since they know the products they are selling and how they are supposed to fit. I tried 6 different helmets before I settled on the size Simpson I purchased.
Bill
Bill