arai vs bell helmets
#32
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what i dont understand is the pricing, is hjc any better or worse than a bell or arai but way cheaper? Im not looking to cheap out on my head and i hear people say how much is your head worth but i just want to know if they all meet Snell2010 cert what is the difference?
#34
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I've never heard of a mfr stating about how their helmet exceeded the tests and by what amount that was so it's purely anecdotal when someone says a helmet is better than another in safety sense.
The lightweight is something that can be quantified and in big time deceleration events lighter can help. 1 lb at 50g's is now 50lbs. Lift up a bag of dog food with your neck. That's just the difference of the weight of a light helmet and a really heavy helmet. Remember that there's a few more pound in the helmet and the head is a few more on top of that so every bit in that sense helps.
The differences.
Materials. Glass to CF for the shell, nicer liner materials etc.
Warranty. Some mfrs may not provide as good of a warranty. I know Arai has done a great job for the most part with people who've had liner issues. Stand21 is phenomenal in customer service after the sale. I've had no problems with Bell either. No eperience with others in after the sale situations.
Design/Build . Some companies are going out of their way to design/build the helmets and I'm sure that cost is seen in the higher MSRP
Whizzy bits. The whizzier helmets with things hanging off of them or more features will cost more because they have those 'value added' benefits even if it may not cost more to mfr.
Other standards.. Snell isn't the end all be all of helmet standards. Some like the latest FIA look to be much more difficult to pass. But that also makes the helmet's noticeably heavier. Stand21 had two shells side by side, one with the SA only rating and one with the new FIA rating. The FIA felt much heaiver. Mainly due to a couple of spots having to be up to twice as thick to meet the different standards.
Buy what fits. After you know it fits then work on things like weight, prices, looks.
#37
Drifting
Definitely more a matter of fit and comfort than anything else.... Arai is what works for me... thank god I love the design and quality of Arai helmets... I hate their price when compared to Bell and some other common brands. Personally i wouldn't venture in any esoteric brand however...
Last edited by FredC; 02-18-2011 at 10:27 PM.
#38
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I beleive the latest FIA helmets also come with a SA2005 rating (the standard doesn't mesh with the SA2010) Most organizations are just fine with the FIA rating. They might need to be reminded to look in the rule book though. SCCA, NASA and PCA are all okay with the FIA certification.
#40
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I can't. If you're looking for Stand21 Russell in their Georgia office is the man to talk to. GREAT service and I might end up getting one from him even though I don't carry them. He's about the only person I'd do something like that for.
I beleive the latest FIA helmets also come with a SA2005 rating (the standard doesn't mesh with the SA2010) Most organizations are just fine with the FIA rating. They might need to be reminded to look in the rule book though. SCCA, NASA and PCA are all okay with the FIA certification.
I beleive the latest FIA helmets also come with a SA2005 rating (the standard doesn't mesh with the SA2010) Most organizations are just fine with the FIA rating. They might need to be reminded to look in the rule book though. SCCA, NASA and PCA are all okay with the FIA certification.
Bill
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oopps. Well Chad is just as great too. They're in a great position to have a great product and a very good boss man in Yves back over in France. I hadn't talked to Russell in a while and can only wish him all the best.