Helmets

[Scotaku]

M-rated helmets only have to withstand an initial shock such as a wearer's head striking the ground. SA-rated helmets have to pass through mutliple hits such as what the wearer may experience inside a rolling vehicle.

Fit and long-wearing comfort should be priorities over appearance or minimal cost; this is your head you're talking about. A helmet that does not fit properly may present a greater risk and a pretty helmet that does not do its job is worth nothing.

Personally, I chose a hybird helmet for my first. It is past its SA95 rating and I wear a full face now. They're both Simpson Voyagers that fit very well and are light enough not to be a burden in the car.

[TrentW]

I'm looking for a helmet for autox and the driving school at Oktoberfest this year. Is there any real difference between a motorcycle helmet and one of these as long as it's Snell approved?

[BraveUlysses]

Try reading the post above yours

[Will_318i]

Bell actually has some pretty good helmets on sale as well. Might pick one of those up one of these days...

[nando]

M helmets are just fine for autox.

[TrentW]

Try reading the post above yours

As this is my first REAL helmet purchase, I wasn't hip to the fact that "M" stood for motorcycle. ;)

[Scotaku]

As this is my first REAL helmet purchase, I wasn't hip to the fact that "M" stood for motorcycle. ;)

And SA stands for Special Applications such as use inside a car or caged vehicle.

Some suggestions...

Go somewhere you can try helmets on an test for fit. If you want to then shop for the best price, go nuts, but do it after you know what fits yours head, well.

What makes a good fit? You should try all helmets on positioning them with the inside pad on your forehead about an inch above your eyebrow. Without cinching the chin strap, the helmet should be snug enough not to roll forward, backward, side to side, or twist on your head. If so, that hat is too big.

Next, feel for any areas where you're being pinched like your ears or face. Too much pinch and that hat is too small. Cinch up the strap now and see if there is new pinching or if it gets worse. Different brands size their helmets in different ways so it is worth your while to take your time.

Do you wear eyeglasses or plan to wear shades? Try them on while wearing the helmet. Here you're looking for how easily you can get your specs on and whether or not they are uncomfortable. If you have to wear glasses (like me) this can be a dealbreaker.

Look straight ahead and try not to move your head. Move your eyes as if you'd be checking gauges, checking flags,and tracking through a corner. Is the helmet or visor getting in the way? The eyeport may be too small for you or the visor might not be one you'll stick with.

Finally, move your head and look up, down, left, and right. Is the helmet so heavy that your neck is strained? Try to imagine wearing this hat for 20-30 minutes at speed; is it light enough not to tire you out?

When you think you've got a good choice, then consider the prices. A good fitting SA helmet will serve you for ten years after the date of the Snell rating so this may be an investment worth saving up for. Treat your helmet with care and keep it clear. Consider a cheap balaclava to cut down on the sweat and hair left behind between events. Febreeze helps keep things fresh. If you ever drop the helmet, that counts as an impact. You should not trust the helmet after that unless you can have it evaluated for integrity... so don't just throw your helmet around like some NASCAR crybaby!

[Hick]

ZAMP -Cheapest Snell2010 Helmet around

[Alpina]

Bell actually has some pretty good helmets on sale as well. Might pick one of those up one of these days...

I bought a BELL Dominator,, http://www.bellracing.com/public/ind...duct/detail/4/

And got it airbrushed,, by this guy here in Iceland ,,http://killerskull.net/

And the helmet looks like this,, incl H.A.N.S.










more helmets,,,,,,,

[TrentW]

/\ Now that's a great looking helmet and garage. I'm going to look at a used full face helmet a friend of a friend has for $50. If it fits I'll just go with that until the new Snell SA 2010 helmets come out.