Racing Helmet
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,464
Likes: 2
From: Cedarburg, WI
Racing Helmet
Just thought I would ask a question. I need a helmet for drag racing. I also don't have one for my Harley....Wisconsin doesn't require one and I mostly drive around town. But I would like to have one for trips and interstate. Any recommendations or possibility that one helmet will serve both purposes? Or, should I forget that idea right away! The Harley helmets say that they meet DOT requirements. I've read for drag racing you need SA2005. Thoughts or suggestions please!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 947
Likes: 1
From: Lower Lake Ca
Buy a auto racing helmet,SA2005. The Motorcycle helmets are designed to withstand one hard impact, whereas the auto helmets are designed to withstand a series of impacts. That's why the auto helmets cost more as a rule.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 8,222
Likes: 0
From: Norfolk VA
I would personally be comfortable with an SA rated helmet on a motorcycle, but it's not going to have the DOT approval on it, so if as long as you don't have the nanny state looking over your shoulder, you should be fine. I wouldn't want an M rated helmet in a car.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 7,604
Likes: 8
From: Belleville Il
Just a little food for thought (from a guy thats been riding over 40 years) You are about 4 to 5 times more likely to need a helmet around town as you are on the open road!! The analogy I like to use is toe tell a person to go out and get about 15 feet from a brick wall put your head down and run full speed into it. Usual response is hell no.Well the impact to your head even a 20 - 30 mph is about 4Xs as severe. Many many more hazardous opportunities in town with all the cell phoned stereo isolated totally distracted motorized morons out there!! Think about it!! I love my vets and I love my bike (a 108 hp Triumph Sprint ST) I want to stay around to enjoy them all,,,Hope you do to!!
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,058
Likes: 9,820
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
DOT helmets are certified to a lower standard than the Snell Standard but you have to have the sticker to be legal in the states that require a helmet. Since your state doesn't require a helmet it shouldn't care if you have the sticker so a good brand SA 2005 (Bell, Simpson, G Force, etc.) should fill the bill for both of your applications.
Bill
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 947
Likes: 1
From: Lower Lake Ca
Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 330
Likes: 33
From: Milwaukee WI
Just a little food for thought (from a guy thats been riding over 40 years) You are about 4 to 5 times more likely to need a helmet around town as you are on the open road!! The analogy I like to use is toe tell a person to go out and get about 15 feet from a brick wall put your head down and run full speed into it. Usual response is hell no.Well the impact to your head even a 20 - 30 mph is about 4Xs as severe. Many many more hazardous opportunities in town with all the cell phoned stereo isolated totally distracted motorized morons out there!! Think about it!! I love my vets and I love my bike (a 108 hp Triumph Sprint ST) I want to stay around to enjoy them all,,,Hope you do to!!
I saw a study once on motorcycle deaths, and the speed was found to not be much of a factor. It was the vertical drop that killed. Always wear your helmet, on your motorcycle AND bicycle!