Helmet question

TURBO2GO

TURBO2GO

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I went to a store with Liquid today to pick out a helmet for our upcoming trackmasters novice class in May.

After having tried on 20 different helmets, I walked away somewhat confused. Liquid bought a Bell helmet for $570. I liked 2 models one from HJC and one from Arai, both at $700.

Now I am not trying to be cheap but $700 seems like a lot to spend for someone like me that is just trying his first HPDE event for two days. The worst thing is that I don't want to drop $700 then realize I should have gone a size bigger or smaller, liked a different style better, etc. I just feel too new at this to make a final decision now.

I found a local Arai Vector helmet on craigslist for sale. It is rated M2005 and not SA2005. I realize M does not have the same fire rating as SA. Is this bad for me to buy until I figure out what I want to do? It is $505 at helmet city and the guy is selling it for $200. It is my size. Will trackmasters accept an M2005 class helmet?

This is the helmet:

81-5030VectorCamoSlvr_lg.jpg
 
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Some groups will not let you on the track with a "M". Some track schools use "M". I got a new helmet to replace my "M" for less than $500. Some tracks rent helmets. Don't buy a "M".

Lance
 
If you are not sure about doing any other track events and the $ bother you for the posibility that this may be your only event call or email trackmasters about a loaner,or borrow someones localy.The website should give you thier helmet requierments.For a hat you are going to use regularly comfort is key.
 
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Ewwwwww used helmets from e-bay:tongue: Next thing you are going to tell us about the great prices you got for used toothbrushes:wink:
 
Re: Patience will get you there.

I have to agree with where these responses are going. If you're not too sure you're going to like track driving, then hold off and borrow or rent. But when you do want your own helmet, then go for the comfort factor, price and other features that appeal to you. But get an SA rated helmet and eliminate any doubt of being able to use or being safe enough in an M helmet.

Look at the various features like cooling vents and decide if those make a difference. Then wear the helmet around the store for 30 minutes minimum so that the pressure points will become quite obvious (there will be some) and you can decide with certainty if they make that much of a difference.

Remember that for just the safety aspect, the Snell certification is all you need; you can get it in a $200 helmet just as easy as a $2000 helmet. After you've got the Snell certification, it's all about your personal preferences.

Enjoy the ride.
 
Re: Patience will get you there.

I agree with all of the above. Borrow one first and then if you feel that you want to buy one, get an SA. M will be too hit and miss and you will bump into events that you cant use it at, so that cost per event for the helmet will be way high.

I tried to get into your event at the Glen. Wont work this time, but Ill see you there later this summer.

Ive got a full face Arai with a nice tinted visor. I find that the vents DO work, but if I were to do it all over again, I would go with a darker visor. The light visor isnt dark enough that it makes a difference if you need to put it down. I keep it up almost all of the time.

If you get a helmet, be extremely gentle with it. They're very fragile.
 
Re: Fragile smagile

If you get a helmet, be extremely gentle with it. They're very fragile.
Click to expand...
Yo Bio, I assume you forgot the :biggrin: with that one. If not, let's talk about the common belief that if you drop your helmet from say even thigh height, you should, <ahem, technically> replace it. :rolleyes:

The SNELL Foundation chief engineer dispelled that as a myth for us just 2 weeks ago. He explained that, typically, helmet damage occurs when the inner lining is compressed between your head and the shell/hard object. So if it's simply dropped on the ground without something in the helmet (either your head or your bowling ball) there will be nothing for the helmet lining to be compressed against. Hence, the only damage is to your $1000 custom paint job. :mad: But, that's just the simple example, it doesn't give us license to just throw our helmet, NASCAR style, at our arch rival who just wrecked us out. Damn. :frown:
 
I'm in the same situation...leaning towards the Open-Face helmet mainly for comfort. I was told the only difference in pricing was the amount of airflow design in each helmet. (Snell rating's the same for all of them.)
 
In the unlikely event you smush the car hard enough to deploy your airbag,what would you rather have open face listening to the sweet stylings of"smash mouth" or full face protection.Once you commit to hpde esp if you graduate to open track it is no less serious then any pro racing for potential shunts,and how many race series in the US allow open face?Ask your intructers why they choose full helmets.
 
Re: Fragile smagile

92 white 0650 said:
Yo Bio, I assume you forgot the :biggrin: with that one. If not, let's talk about the common belief that if you drop your helmet from say even thigh height, you should, <ahem, technically> replace it. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

Really? I didnt know that that wasnt true. That is what Ive always been told and I thought that it came from the external shell cracking/shattering very easily?? No?

Glad to hear that it isnt true!
 
Re: Fragile smagile

BioBanker said:
Really? I didnt know that that wasnt true. That is what Ive always been told and I thought that it came from the external shell cracking/shattering very easily?? No?

Glad to hear that it isnt true!
Click to expand...


Ted is right indeed; I can confirm and vouch for the drop test. We saw the abusive tests that they put all the helmets through and it was an eye opener as to how well they sustained blows as well as sharp pierces if they pass the SNELL test.
 
True but I doubt a well used helmet would pass the SNIFF test:eek:
 
docjohn said:
Ewwwwww used helmets from e-bay:tongue: Next thing you are going to tell us about the great prices you got for used toothbrushes:wink:
Click to expand...

LOL it did smell a LITTLE funny, but I was so in love with the value I can overlook it. I like vintage clothing so I guess I am a "previously enjoyed" buyer.:rolleyes:
 
docjohn said:
In the unlikely event you smush the car hard enough to deploy your airbag,what would you rather have open face listening to the sweet stylings of"smash mouth" or full face protection.Once you commit to hpde esp if you graduate to open track it is no less serious then any pro racing for potential shunts,and how many race series in the US allow open face?Ask your intructers why they choose full helmets.
Click to expand...


Very good point indeed (especially without an airbag). Geez, I guess I really start should tapping into the racing scene to do obtain more full mouth reconstruction cases. At least it'll pay for my track hobby:smile:
 
NSXAMG996TT said:
Very good point indeed (especially without an airbag). Geez, I guess I really start should tapping into the racing scene to do obtain more full mouth reconstruction cases. At least it'll pay for my track hobby:smile:
Click to expand...


Actually, if you have deployable air bag, some have argued that open face is better as the force of the air bag may crush the helmet's jaw protection and cause more damage to your teeth/jaw than if you had an open helmet ...... it boils down to making your own final decision and assessment of "risk management" ie, what is more likely to happen to "you" in the programs that you participate.
 
You could be right Hrant but I base my opinion on a series of two.I have seen airbag deployment with both types of designs and I would choose full face.
 
Re: Risk; pick your poison

the force of the air bag may crush the helmet's jaw protection and cause more damage to your teeth/jaw than if you had an open helmet ..
Click to expand...
I thought the argument against airbags/full face was that the airbag could grab the bottom lip of the helmet and try to rip it off the head or some such thing.

Hrant, as we saw at the SNELL labs, the chin/visor protection of a full face helmet, while not as strong as the skull part of the helmet, is still much stronger than the facial bones. Can you picture that test weight dropping on your chin instead the chin element of the helmet?

With that being said, bottom line, I agree with your conclusion; each driver needs to make his own decision since there is risk in both cases.
 
Great source of information! Can't put a price on your safety, so I've decided to go full-face helmet. I'll just wear it around the house to get used to it. Besides, last winter I suffered a Grade1 concussion while snowboarding w/o a helmet. Don't want to compromise my safety anymore.
 
Re: Risk; pick your poison

92 white 0650 said:
I thought the argument against airbags/full face was that the airbag could grab the bottom lip of the helmet and try to rip it off the head or some such thing.

Hrant, as we saw at the SNELL labs, the chin/visor protection of a full face helmet, while not as strong as the skull part of the helmet, is still much stronger than the facial bones. Can you picture that test weight dropping on your chin instead the chin element of the helmet?

With that being said, bottom line, I agree with your conclusion; each driver needs to make his own decision since there is risk in both cases.
Click to expand...

I keep the back of my helmet less than 1/2 inch from the the headrest (head stopper). I speculate that this may negate the thrust form the air bag to the lower part of the helmet? That forceful twisting movement of the neck can't be good.

Lance
 
OK I went back to the shop on you guys' advice and dropped $900 on an Arai GP5W helmet. First of all, you really don't know what to look for when first buying a helmet. What I THOUGHT fit well, I actually didn't like the second time around. The HJC kevlar unit I looked at was less money and lighter, but what I noticed was that the helmet was loose in certain spots, and tight on others. I had this experience with all but the Arai, which was snug EVERYWHERE. I kept it on for 15 or so minutes and still felt comfy, although I would say it definitely is snug. The cheekpads are the only thing that do press a little hard, but you guys said it will loosen a bit. I took a picture, here you can see it pushes my cheeks up. Is this OK/Normal? is this helmet too tight? The guys at the store were not the most informed honestly. Thanks for the help.
 
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That looks right! Might want to bring some Advil along for unexpected headaches, but you should be fine.
 

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