Helmet Suggestions

[agent]

Right on. Now that the 2015s are out there are some good deals on 2010s.

[2mAn]

Do not buy a DOT helmet if you plan to do track days and/or any amateur racing.

Yea I did some reading on it, I made sure I got one that is Snell approved.

[agent]

Do not buy a DOT helmet if you plan to do track days and/or any amateur racing.

[2mAn]

Bumping this back up, Im in the market now for one. How picky are places of DOT vs SNELL approval? I found a helmet I like but its DOT, no mention of SNELL

edit: Nevermind found one that was Snell2010 approved and I liked it so bought it.

Cycle Gear has a good amount of helmets for sale. I really wanted one that had a design that had the Shadow CanAm team colors, but it was DOT only. I figure if Im investing in a helmet I wanted to make sure it was going to be something I could use without question.

[Emre]

Pyrotect has an extra small size that will probably work. Also, you can buy larger or smaller cheek pads to fine-tune the fit. Cheap, too.

If you're going to use it on track, then you really do want an "SA" rated helmet. Now that SA-2015 helmets have started coming out, you can get good deals on the SA-2005's at close-out prices.

[Bimmerman325i]

I went to Wine Country Motorsports and got fitted for a helmet. Of all the ones they had available, the large eyeport Bell helmet fit me the best and was nowhere near the top end of my budget range!


I highly recommend anybody looking for a helmet to go to a shop and try a bunch of helmets with an experienced fitter helping you.

[HiFiGuy]

I just picked up the same one a few weeks ago, as my previous SA2005 is no longer accepted in Lemons. Seems like a decent quality helmet, although the sizing is weird. It's loose around the bottom in the cheek area, but tight at the top, around the crown. Reading reviews online, that's a common complaint. I'm just going to deal with it.

Loose around the bottom is not good fit-wise, but they probably have sizing pads, and you can fix that. I would check with the manufacturer. Sounds like maybe the shell shape doesn't match your head shape. I learned this when I was buying my first motorcycle helmet, and really wanted a Shoei, because there was a Scott Russell replica that I had my eye on, but the thing hurt my forehead. I tried on an Arai Quantum R, and bought it on the spot. For my particular head shape, it was perfect. I don't know if they still do, but Arai used to actually make different shell shapes to fit different head shapes, so you could find the one that was the right basic shape, and then adjust it with pads for the perfect fit.

Good luck with the pads, I hope they have some for you. It's very important for your safety that the helmet fits well, and snugly.

[HiFiGuy]

Lots of solid advice here for future helmet buyers. I just went down this road myself this week, and ended up with a Stilo ST5 GT Composite with top air, earmuff speakers and mic, hydration port and HANS posts, since I am building my Spec E30 and will be doing track days in anticipation of my competition license. The Stilo is a little pricey, but a wise man once told me "if you have a cheap head, buy a cheap helmet."

Good news is the Snell 2015 means it's good for 10+1 years, so I won't have to buy one again until 2027. It is a long term investment. I also really like Arai, and had an Arai Quantum R and now have an Arai RX-7 Corsair for my motorcycle. Can't go wrong with either brand.

[JGood]

Just ordered one, got a RaceQuip Pro15 SA2015 from SafeRacer.com, great customer service, looking forward to May 23rd at Laguna! Thanks all for the help!

I just picked up the same one a few weeks ago, as my previous SA2005 is no longer accepted in Lemons. Seems like a decent quality helmet, although the sizing is weird. It's loose around the bottom in the cheek area, but tight at the top, around the crown. Reading reviews online, that's a common complaint. I'm just going to deal with it.

[CarsonE30]

Just ordered one, got a RaceQuip Pro15 SA2015 from SafeRacer.com, great customer service, looking forward to May 23rd at Laguna! Thanks all for the help!

[BlackbirdM3]

Retailers are trying to dump their SA2010 stock as 2015 just came out, making the 10's a good deal. Most racing bodies accept helmets for 10 years+, for example my SA2005 is good until Jan 1, 2017. Racequip, pyrotech and geforce make decent entry level helmets, most important brand/type of helmet is one that fits properly.

^ This. I have a cheap Bell. Its a little heavy, but it works.

Will

[Axxe]

Retailers are trying to dump their SA2010 stock as 2015 just came out, making the 10's a good deal. Most racing bodies accept helmets for 10 years+, for example my SA2005 is good until Jan 1, 2017. Racequip, pyrotech and geforce make decent entry level helmets, most important brand/type of helmet is one that fits properly.

[CarsonE30]

If this is your first ever helmet, find a nearby motorsports seller and go try a few on, as you do not know which brands work well for your head (and its much better to try them on rather than going by hat size).

Once you have owned a few, you will have a good idea what brand(s) works for you and your size in that brand.

Do not go to a motorcycle place and try on motorcycle helmets, the fit and design is completely different,,, and don't buy a motorcycle helmet. Buy an SA helmet, some clubs do not allow M helmets.

Check, check and check! Thanks!

[JimmyP]

If this is your first ever helmet, find a nearby motorsports seller and go try a few on, as you do not know which brands work well for your head (and its much better to try them on rather than going by hat size).

Once you have owned a few, you will have a good idea what brand(s) works for you and your size in that brand.

Do not go to a motorcycle place and try on motorcycle helmets, the fit and design is completely different,,, and don't buy a motorcycle helmet. Buy an SA helmet, some clubs do not allow M helmets.

[TobyB]

But do buy an S helmet, not an M.

Because at some level, eventually, you'll need the S to get on track,
and there are enough small differences to make the S worth it...

...flammability being one...

t