Helmets

[KGP]

Anyone familiar with these helmets? Looks like a new line from Bell. Price seems to be right.

 

[matteni]

Hmmm. Look just like the Bell Sport II ones like the one I just bought.

Is it me or did they screw up by having Pyro in the name of a racing helmet?

 

[KGP]

Is it me or did they screw up by having Pyro in the name of a racing helmet?

Ha, I didn't catch that. It never ceases to amaze me, the marketing missfits out there who think they are geniuses. Kind of like naming a residential HVAC company 'Rheem.' Just the identity I want my product of value to have.

 

[nsxtasy]

I think the name "Pyrotect" is supposed to convey "protection against fire".

I strongly recommend trying on any helmet before buying it. You can't be sure how comfortable a helmet will be without trying it on, no matter what instructions you find on measuring your head. Find a local shop that sells and stocks SA-rated helmets and buy one there.

 

[KGP]

Find a local shop that sells and stocks SA-rated helmets and buy one there.

To my knowledge we don't have a shop that sells them. I have talked with a few local owners, and they had to go the mail order route. I was planning on trying on some Bell cycle helmets in an attempt to get the porper size, alsong with the caveat that I get to return if the size is not right. Seem reasonable?

Or, if any of you local StL Xr's know who locally sells SA's, let me know.

 

[nsxtasy]

Originally posted by KGP
I was planning on trying on some Bell cycle helmets in an attempt to get the porper size

One model's size does not mean that a different model in the same size from the same manufacturer will fit. (Been there, done that.) And, unless you plan to use it for motorcycling as well as tracking, you ought to get an SA-rated helmet (not an M-rated cycle helmet).

Originally posted by KGP
along with the caveat that I get to return if the size is not right. Seem reasonable?

I've tried going this route with a shop that was an hour away. After two iterations without success, I drove there to try them on for size.

Originally posted by KGP
if any of you local StL Xr's know who locally sells SA's, let me know.

You have PM.

 

[matteni]

FYI - Wise on S. Hampton has hundreds of helmets in stock. Might be a good place to start trying them on.

I agree with Ken that trying is a good way to fit them to your head but I found that a mfg.'s sizing has been consistent.

I bought a large Bell Sport II helmet knowing I fit well with other large Bell helmets and everything worked out perfectly fine for me.

Also - just know you may be out the shipping costs if it doesn't fit and you have to return it.

YMMV

 

[nsxtasy]

I agree with Ken that trying is a good way to fit them to your head but I found that a mfg.'s sizing has been consistent.

I bought a large Bell Sport II helmet knowing I fit well with other large Bell helmets and everything worked out perfectly fine for me.

And I tried on three different VERY uncomfortable Bell helmets before I found another Bell helmet that was reasonably comfortable. All the same size...

 

[ilya]

Don't limit yourself to strictly Bell either. You may have some Simpson and Bieffe dealers nearby as well as some others. After trying on the Bell helmets, I didn't feel right until their higher end M3 model which is quite expensive. I didn't like the lining in their fiberglass helmets and it felt like I wasn't getting my money's worth. I ended up with a Bieffe Predator which was very comfortable and light like the M3 being carbon/kevlar and not fiberglass. Also found out I had an Xsmall head- .

I second trying it on yourself. I wouldn't have ended up with my current helmet if I didn't go in person and work with a knowledgeable dealer (who sold all the brands and didn 't push a particular one). I am so very glad I did. Same goes for safety equipment. I tried on two identical suits (different colors) and they fit differentely due to being hand stitched. Even the gloves I ended up with were completely different from what I would have ordered online. Try it before you buy it. Buying from that dealer would be a courtesy and you never know what benefits you may get down the line. After the local dealer saw I was using him for all my stuff he started giving me a 10% discount.

 

[nsxtasy]

Lots of good advice here.

There are lots of brands of helmets. The most well-known ones, with links, include:

Arai
Bell
Bieffe
Shoei
Simpson

Others worth checking out include:

AGV
AXO
Cyber
G-FORCE
HJC
Impact
KBC
M2R
Nolan
O'Neal
Suomy
Stand21
Pyrotect
Zamp

Unfortunately, often when you find that they have a dealer locator function on their website, it turns out that it's just a motorcycle helmet dealer.

 

[aztec]

PYROTECT

The pyrotect helmet is not made by Bell. They have pretty much copied Bell's designs , but not matched quality wise, yet. I have painted on many different types of helmets for many different types of racers and everyone has their own preferences. I have worn Bell, Bieffe and Simpson. Bell has the widest selection of styles and price range. Bieffe has some nice styles and prices are good as well. Many racers swear by Arai as quality is excellent, but cost is high.
I would make sure I tried a helmet on before purchasing. I have had many return a helmet after purchasing without trying first. Focus on comfort and rating(Snell SA2000 or FIA approved) The SA rating is fire rated. The most important thing to remember before you do buy is not the price , but what is inside the helmet. Remember, you only have one head, so make sure you protect it with a quality helmet....

 

[sjs]

The big problem here is that, as noted above, there are precious few SA rated helmets in stock. I have shopped for them three times over the years and never found one that I like locally.

BTW, KPG does intend to get an SA rated helmet. His comment about the M's was that they were his best bet for fitment tests. Interestingly, on two occasions I wanted to special order an SA helmet from a local store. One said they wouldn't, and the other said OK but no returns. Guess what I told them? Sorry to say I am generally unimpressed with retailers around here and I don't waste much time trying to find one that will work with me. My brother went through the same thing last summer and ordered via the web. It took two returns but he got what he wanted and still saved money.

 

[I Grok NSX]

So it's NOT okay to use a motorcycle helmet for drag racing/track/autocross NSX use? I would think motorcycle helmets would be safer.

 

[nsxtasy]

Auto racing (SA) rated helmets are better for auto racing than motorcycle (M) rated helmets.

As noted above, there are various differences in the standards between the two, concerning fire protection, multiple impacts, etc.

You can read all about the various standards on the website for the Snell Memorial Foundation, which issues them.