[rich8566]

Time to buy a new helmet as my SA2005 is out of date for HPDE track duty. I'm currently tracking a stock 235i with only one upgrade which is a set a square wheels and track tires. No cage and no HANS device. I need advice on which helmet to buy.

[csg]

My recommendation is to visit your closest track shop and try some on. I had to drive over an hour to get to my closest one and I'm glad I did. I would have chosen a ~$700 helmet if I bought online, and ended up spending more like $300 on a helmet that was slightly heavier but fit WAY better. I'm not positive, but I believe my helmet is an HJC AR10. I didn't need anything light, high tech or any of that. I do about 2-4 HPDE weekends per year.

[NEUE02]

You can get some great deals on SA2010 close outs. I got a Bell M4 for 50% off. I've always been happy with that model because of the large eye port which is helpful if you wear glasses.

It's hard to shop online for a helmet but most places have liberal return and exchange policies.

[Legal Bill]

I took a look at my old helmet last night and realized I had the same problem.

[i8ur911]

Like csg said, get to a shop that has some helmets and try them on. No one will be able to recommend a helmet as everyone's head is difference and most people's preference is going to be different.

[FSociety]

Snell 2010 Approved on Ebay and Amazon for $100-130

[DYoung]

I was in the same position last month; helmet expired and an event coming up in April. I looked around for a SA2015 helmet but many models seem to be back ordered until late April or May.

So, I found a reasonable deal on a SA2010 Bell helmet from OG Racing. It arrived last week and I'm really happy with it. It's definitely lighter than my last helmet and it fits really well.

http://www.ogracing.com/bell-rs7-sa2010-helmet

[blanquito]

I plan on doing the two day M school toward the end of summer and using their freebie helmet for any subsequent events ...

[bryan_G01]

Cant go wrong... i just ordered a new one and got it in 2 days.


http://shop.racequip.com/c/sa2015-sf...racing-helmets

[bimmer813]

Originally Posted by bryan_e90

Cant go wrong... i just ordered a new one and got it in 2 days.


http://shop.racequip.com/c/sa2015-sf...racing-helmets

+1 for Racequip stuff, I've had two of their helmets and they've been great for me, not to mention a killer value.

[wjones14]

I ride a motorcycle so I just use that helmet. My last two helmets have been HJC. They're high quality, relatively light, plenty of airflow, quick release visor, washable inner pads, Snell 2010/DOT, allow eyeglasses/sunglasses, and are comfortable.

Like others have said, you do need to size them at a local bike shop - although you can take a chance going through Motorcycle Super Store since they do have an exchange policy.

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...eamline-helmet

[zipphreak]

Arai GP-5W. Nice wide eye port for us blokes with glasses Not the best graphics either.

It is pricey but you drive a BMW Is your head really worth that $200 discount helmet made in China. If you have never crashed car or motorcycle with a helmet there might be a different brain $$$ value for you.

Also SA2015 is higher rated and fire retarded, next is the M2015 which is lower rated and not fire retarded. Also this release has "low velocity impacts" included in SA2015. I'll take it.

If you buy a new helmet for SA2015 check the inside of the helmet to make sure it really is. I just bought one and they accidentally sent me a SA2010.

http://www.smf.org/cert

[FSociety]

I ordered my OpenFace Racequip SNell 2015 from here http://www.summitracing.com/search/b...rder=Ascending

Received it 2 days later

[Legal Bill]

Originally Posted by zipphreak

Arai GP-5W. Nice wide eye port for us blokes with glasses Not the best graphics either.

It is pricey but you drive a BMW Is your head really worth that $200 discount helmet made in China. If you have never crashed car or motorcycle with a helmet there might be a different brain $$$ value for you.

....
http://www.smf.org/cert

Many people say this, but it is quite difficult to find any credible authority that can provide evidence that the $600 helmet provides better crash protection than the $200 helmet of the same design (full face versus open face, for example) and Snell specification.

Everything I read says the higher priced helmets are usually lighter, better ventilated, more comfortable, or some combination of the three. The materials may be better. But crash protection is not measurably different. If there is something that demonstrates superior crash protection in the more expensive helmet (again, of the same type and Snell rating) I would like to see it.

[Liquidpaper]

Originally Posted by Legal Bill

Many people say this, but it is quite difficult to find any credible authority that can provide evidence that the $600 helmet provides better crash protection than the $200 helmet of the same design (full face versus open face, for example) and Snell specification.

Everything I read says the higher priced helmets are usually lighter, better ventilated, more comfortable, or some combination of the three. The materials may be better. But crash protection is not measurably different. If there is something that demonstrates superior crash protection in the more expensive helmet (again, of the same type and Snell rating) I would like to see it.

I wouldn't "cheap out" with a helmet made in China or something, but you don't have to spend $600 + for a helmet to keep your melon safe. I was told that you normally want a closed face, Snell rated helmet from a major manufacturer, and that's all you need. I think my helmet (first helmet) is a Bell M4 full face SA 2010. It was about 350-400 dollars. It's actually very comfortable.

That being said, remember, if you are really into motorsport, a heavier helmet is bad, and it might be worth it to spend $1,200 dollars on a carbon fiber brain bucket for weight savings and comfort. If you're just slinging your street car around a track a few weekends a year in an HPDE, you don't really need to spend more than $400.

[wjones14]

Originally Posted by Legal Bill

Many people say this, but it is quite difficult to find any credible authority that can provide evidence that the $600 helmet provides better crash protection than the $200 helmet of the same design (full face versus open face, for example) and Snell specification.

Everything I read says the higher priced helmets are usually lighter, better ventilated, more comfortable, or some combination of the three. The materials may be better. But crash protection is not measurably different. If there is something that demonstrates superior crash protection in the more expensive helmet (again, of the same type and Snell rating) I would like to see it.

+1.

People think more expensive means safer, but show me the proof.

I feel as safe as you can feel when operating a 10 second liter bike with my HJC. It's inexpensive, but not cheap. And it's not made in China - it's made in Vietnam.

[rich8566]

Note -it seems that many SA 2015 helmets are on back order. My first event in late April at the Glen will accept SA 2005 helmets.