sm

Happy Holidays to you all...

My girlfriend wants me to put together a Christmas Wishlist, and I was thinking of a helmet for DE and Autocross events (amongst other things - Guru Chips, 968 CS wheel, etc.)

So which helmet would you recommend, and who has the cheapest price? She'll probably read this post

Thanks!

Ken

The best way to pick a helmet is to try a bunch on. They are all made with a different person's head as the mold, so some will fit better than others. If there's a motorcycle store near you, they'll have a large selection to try on. I'd start there.

adrial

I agree. You definetely want to try a bunch on and then pick the one that fits best...

I notice you're in NYC...I went to Stable Energies (http://www.stableenergies.com/) in NJ and tried on a bunch of Bell helmets...found the one that fit the best and then bought that one. They were very helpful and very nice. They're very involved in PCA racing.

Ski

So Adrial,,which one did you buy? I've been looking at the Sport II and the RS IV from KartMall,, Bell , $279 and $225 respectively. SA95 SFI31.2 certified.

adrial

I think I ended up with the Bell Sport II, but I'm not sure. The helmet is home and I'm sadly still at school...last final is tomorow. yay!


SA95? I know mine is SA2000...maybe the place you looked at didnt have the latest models? I would think they should though, cause I bought mine like 8 months ago.

That could explain the lower price though, mine was at least $300, I think closer to $325 or $350 though.

icat

[quote]Originally posted by Ken:
<strong>The best way to pick a helmet is to try a bunch on. They are all made with a different person's head as the mold, so some will fit better than others. If there's a motorcycle store near you, they'll have a large selection to try on. I'd start there.</strong><hr></blockquote>

For fit - maybe. But keep in mind that some autocross and most - if not all - DE events require an SA rated helmet.

Z-man

[quote]Originally posted by icat:
<strong>For fit - maybe. But keep in mind that some autocross and most - if not all - DE events require an SA rated helmet.</strong><hr></blockquote>
That's not true: for all NNJR Autocross and DE events, M-rated helmets are acceptable, while SA is recommended. (M = Motorcycle, SA = Special application, ie: track / autocross car usage).

That said, if you're going to get a helmet for autocross and DE use, I highly recommend getting an SA-rated helmet. It costs more, but does offer better protection for in-car accidents. IIRC, all of the helmets that Stable Energies sells (correct website is: <a href="http://www.stable-engeries.com)" target="_blank">www.stable-engeries.com)</a> are SA-rated.

For a good deal on non-brand name helmets, check out: <a href="http://www.racerwholesale.com." target="_blank">www.racerwholesale.com.</a> The have a line of G-Force helmets that are well priced and offer good protection.

Have you thought of open faced vs. closed face helmets? While I have an open-faced helmet myself, I also highly recommend getting a closed face helmet: it offers more protection.

Hope this helps,
-Zoltan.

txhedg

You definitely want to think hard about getting the SA2000 vs SA95. As it stands now, some of the various track groups (PCA Club Racing for one) are planning to phase out the acceptance of the SA95 helmets in the 2005/2006 time frame. The SA2000 should last you (as far as specs, anyway) through the end of the decade.

If you are ever near Wash DC, OG Racing has a whole wall of various brands that I stopped by to try on one day when travelling thru DC on business. Their prices are excellent, too, IIRC.

To echo some other earlier people's thoughts on helmets:

1) go with the closed face. You may be ugly now (I know I am), but wait 'till you see what you look like after taking a bite out of the steering wheel.

2) Get the SA not MA. There is probably not a big difference, but do you really want to find that out when you are belted into your car with a fire raging under the hood and starting to come through the dash? Nomex is a good thing.

Z-man

[quote]Originally posted by txhedg:
<strong>You definitely want to think hard about getting the SA2000 vs SA95. As it stands now, some of the various track groups (PCA Club Racing for one) are planning to phase out the acceptance of the SA95 helmets in the 2005/2006 time frame. The SA2000 should last you (as far as specs, anyway) through the end of the decade.
</strong><hr></blockquote>
Definately go with SA2000. Most places probably don't sell SA95 anymore. (SA2005 should be available sometime in 2004)
-Z.

ninefiveone

Heh heh... I just can't resist.

Simpson, don't you think you should be getting a Simpson helmet?

icat

[quote]Originally posted by Z-man:
<strong>
That's not true: for all NNJR Autocross and DE events, M-rated helmets are acceptable, while SA is recommended. (M = Motorcycle, SA = Special application, ie: track / autocross car usage).

</strong><hr></blockquote>

...uh, not to get picky, but I posted...

"For fit - maybe. But keep in mind that some autocross and most - if not all - DE events require an SA rated helmet."

Using the terms "some" and "most - if not all" pretty much says the same thing.
<img src="graemlins/yltype.gif" border="0" alt="[typing]" />

sm

Awwww, Hugh, I knew you would chime in. <img src="graemlins/a_smil17.gif" border="0" alt="[blabla]" />
Hope you had a nice weekend of <img src="graemlins/drink.gif" border="0" alt="[cherrsagai]" />

I will check out what Simpson (the company) has though.

And yes, I will be going for a Full Face helmet. I is ugly and unedumacated enuf.

Thanks for info.

Z-man

[quote]Originally posted by icat:
<strong>...uh, not to get picky, but I posted...
"For fit - maybe. But keep in mind that some autocross and most - if not all - DE events require an SA rated helmet."
Using the terms "some" and "most - if not all" pretty much says the same thing.
<img src="graemlins/yltype.gif" border="0" alt="[typing]" /> </strong><hr></blockquote>
Ok: sorry: I was just clarifying. Since sm is from NY, I figured he'd be doing NNJR events eventually...

Cheers,
-Z.

icat

Did I mention I got a Honda for Christmas!

5 HP Honda Powered Earth Auger - anyone need a 10 inch hole drilled?

Z-Man, I seem to be a bit touchy this week - or is that touched! At any rate have a Merry Christmas! <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

Thaddeus

Anybody here wear a helmet when they're just tooling around town? Might be funny.

I read an article from a guy once where he advocated doing this all the time... he wore helmets while driving ordinary cars because he thought cars in general were so unsafe.