[City]

Not sure who gets over here but...
I need a new racing helmet. What's the least I should spend if I'm interested in safety. And, where is the best place to buy them?

 

[Mister Bone]

Get the best you can afford. It is on your head to save it. :nod:

Go try some on and find one that is comfortable and you can see out of without feeling trapped in. Can't see, can't drive. It should fit snug, your cheeks should be pressed in firmly. Meaning it should not move on your head at all.

After you see what you want shop online. I will post some links later, I think I saved some.

I myself use a full face. I have this for an open cockpit car.

[image]http://www.jegs.com/photos/850DN718B.jpg[/image]

 

[Mister Bone]

If you want cheap and Snell M00 approved you can get this.

[image]http://www.jegs.com/photos/4714401WHTE.jpg[/image]

M00 Approved
471-4400LRGORNG
7-3/8 to 7-1/2, Bright Orange - Large | View Product Was: $ 149.99
Now: $94.88
471-4400MEDORNG
7-1/8 to 7-1/4, Bright Orange - Medium | View Product Was: $ 149.99
Now: $94.88
471-4400XLGORNG
7-5/8 to 7-3/4, Bright Orange - X Large | View Product Was: $ 149.99
Now: $94.88
471-4401LRGBLCK
7-3/8 to 7-1/2, Black - Large | View Product Was: $ 129.99
Now: $84.88
471-4401LRGWHTE
7-3/8 to 7-1/2, White - Large | View Product Was: $ 129.99
Now: $84.88
471-4401MEDBLCK
7-1/8 to 7-1/4, Black - Medium Was: $ 129.99
Now: $84.88


http://www.jegs.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ProductDisplay?prrfnbr=3987&prmenbr=361

 

[GTS Dean]

I like Simpson. (the factory is about 6 miles from my house) I'm on my second Voyager. It has a large visor for great visibility and is very competitively priced. /images/graemlins/gr_driving3.gif

Simpson website

 

[McGuireV10]

www.helmetcity.com

or

www.racerwholesale.com

 

[City]

Thanks guys! Going to a local speed shop to try some on. When I went to get my last one (a Simpson) I realized I gave it away about 10 years ago to a cousin who bought a bike (and that was after I had used it for at least 5). Probably too old anyway. Didn't realize that you could buy an snell approved for $100. I'll try them on and probably spend more than I want....probably OK with a helmet!

Q. Do most of you buy on-line and (I don't remember) is there a big difference in interior "heat/comfort" with a black exterrior vs. white (considering insulation these days)?

 

[Mister Bone]

I bought mine from a very good friend who owns a motorcycle parts and race bike building business. He gave me a very good price and I always buy from him when possible. Have to help out friends. :nod:

Mine was black but I only wore it a 1/4 mile at a time so heat was no big deal. That and being out in the airstream is better then being hold up inside of a cockpit. I sweat in it don't get me wrong, but I sweat in the middle of winter shoveling snow. Must be that damn Sicilian blood. :devil:

I can't see the color having any effect on the temp if you were it in the car. But I could be wrong. You need some of the closed cockpit guys to answer this for you.

 

['VIPERESS 013']

Get the very best.
I have Simpson
Oval Speed Unlimited
(516) 541-7920

 

[_Mark_]

Helmet City gives a viper club discount. Don't go too cheap either, get one with Nomex lining.

I have a Bell M2 thats great.

 

[City]

Get the very best.
I have Simpson
Oval Speed Unlimited
(516) 541-7920

Laura, did Oval do your custom helmet paint? And, if I may ask, what do thay charge for customizing (approx)?

 

[Snake Bitten]

City...I've got two of the cheapest helmets money can buy...Don't wear my seatbelt...I took the air bag out in lieu of a smaller MOMO wheel...and have 20 lbs of Nitrous in the trunk (no spare tire either)...

Then again...I'm a rebel...and have no sense whatsoever...but I keep the shiny side up, so it's all relative...

I can mail you my spare helmet...I only used it once...dunno the brand name...I think the brand is D.O.T. :lolcry:

 

[McGuireV10]

The purpose of your helmet purchase is unclear from this thread, but as I've become fond of pointing out in helmet discussions, a motorcycle helmet and a car helmet are VERY different things -- which is why auto helmets carry an "SA" rating and bike helmets carry an "M" rating.

The simple explanation is that bike helmets have very stiff foam to keep your head in it's original shape during a single sharp impact (e.g. eating pavement). Car helmets have soft foam to keep your head from splitting open banging around inside the car (e.g. rollover wreck).

Also, it's considered OK if a bike helmet cracks open during testing, as it isn't intended to survive beyond the first big impact. The shell of auto helmets have to withstand something like three serious hits before the shell fails (which you can imagine as your head bouncing off a rollbar three times).

Finally, auto rated helmets have flammability requirements they must meet. There are NO flammability tests for bike helmets.

One more thing -- my wife went looking for a new bike helmet recently, and I noticed some online shops have started selling European-spec helmets. The Euro specs are far less detailed and the testing is less rigorous which is why Euro-rated helmets are not permissible in many events where they actually check your equipment. Euro specs trail the Snell ratings by about 20 years, according to several articles I've read.

The Snell website is: http://www.smf.org

 

[City]

The purpose of your helmet purchase is unclear from this thread, but as I've become fond of pointing out in helmet discussions, a motorcycle helmet and a car helmet are VERY different things -- which is why auto helmets carry an "SA" rating and bike helmets carry an "M" rating.

My fault. I guess I just wanted a few ideas...but this IS important, so I very much appreciate the response. I looks like (time permitting) that I may be able to make some (club) track events and some autoxing. I would really like not to have to go full out, but it would seem that it makes no sense to have a nomex lined helmet and shoes without nomex in the suit, gloves and socks. With an open car, I will go and look at some of the Simpson (car) helmets. Looks like you can get an excellent helmet in the $300-$400 range. Above that price, it becomes more about weight than safety.

Gerald, I appreciate your offer but I'm going to have to bite the bullet here. Hey, it's only money :thumb: ...right :bawling:

 

['VIPERESS 013']

Get the very best.
I have Simpson
Oval Speed Unlimited
(516) 541-7920

Laura, did Oval do your custom helmet paint? And, if I may ask, what do thay charge for customizing (approx)?

No, Oval did not do the airbrushing. I had some "burnout" someone suggested to me do it. I really wouldn't send you to him. Although in my opinion the airbrushing came out awesome. I had to bring it to my friend at Mill Pond Auto Body in Bellmore to shoot it with clear, because I think the guy who airbrushed it was wasted when he tried to clearcoat it! /images/graemlins/laughing.gif Runs around a couple of hundred for artwork.

 

[City]

No, Oval did not do the airbrushing. I had some "burnout" someone suggested to me do it. I really wouldn't send you to him. Although in my opinion the airbrushing came out awesome. I had to bring it to my friend at Mill Pond Auto Body in Bellmore to shoot it with clear, because I think the guy who airbrushed it was wasted when he tried to clearcoat it! /images/graemlins/laughing.gif Runs around a couple of hundred for artwork.

On the "right" day, those "burnouts" can really do good work! /images/graemlins/laughing.gif

 

[McGuireV10]

Chuck Babel points out that Viper Days requires Nomex lining.
Also, it's definitely worth paying attention to helmet weight...

 

[Matt]

I've found you really need to go somewhere where you can try them on. Every manufacturor is different. Also don't skimp based on price. This is your head and a helmet is a one time investment for several years. I ended up going with a Biaffe Predator. Very nice helmet imo.

 

['VIPERESS 013']

No, Oval did not do the airbrushing. I had some "burnout" someone suggested to me do it. I really wouldn't send you to him. Although in my opinion the airbrushing came out awesome. I had to bring it to my friend at Mill Pond Auto Body in Bellmore to shoot it with clear, because I think the guy who airbrushed it was wasted when he tried to clearcoat it! /images/graemlins/laughing.gif Runs around a couple of hundred for artwork.

On the "right" day, those "burnouts" can really do good work! /images/graemlins/laughing.gif

How true /images/graemlins/laughing.gif I have to admit, this guy's work was amazing. One day I was hanging out there while he was working on the tailgate of a pick-up. He was doing some kind of war scene, with helicopters. I watched as he transformed these images, and I was truly amazed. He starts to tell me how he has never airbrushed a helicopter before in his life, but this one was "talking to him", telling him what to do, and what to paint.
I'm like, "really, is that right?" /images/graemlins/laughing.gif
He is the nicest guy, just a pencil short of a full box, and a bit unreliable.

 

[City]

BTW Laura- Oval Speed is open (or reopens) from 7-10PM! I figure I'll take a late drive out there and try on a bunch. Gotta love a retailer that reopens after dinner!

 

[95Viper]

I have a very nice helmet but it's about 10 years old. What can I check to see if it's still good?