Hey guys, I'm looking to buy a helmet for autocross/track days. Something preferably under $100. I found this one, looks good, full face design. http://www.cyclegear.com/spgm.cfm?L1=5000&L2=1&L3=&L4=&item=TUC_83-4370_G http://www.cyclegear.com/spgm.cfm?L1=5000&L2=1&L3=101&L4=&item=FUL_SH-F10014_G I typically wear a medium for everything, so I assume medium is a good helmet size? Is there a way to measure? Thanks
Here is a link to a prior thread with a lot of tips on helmet purchase: http://bmwcca.org/forum/showthread.php?t=2849 Different helmets fit differently, so if you possibly can, it would be best to buy one at a motorcycle shop (rather than from a website) where you can try them on and find one you like. Padding helps some to make a slightly big helmet fit better, but you can't go too far with it. The critical thing is that the helmet meets the Snell/DOT rating required by the organization you'll be running with. For most, that currently means Snell M2000 or Snell SA2000 certification or newer.
Check with who you are going to participate with to. $100 helmet is not going to have a Snell rating. And you MUST try it on in person. Sizes vary between manufactures and models.
Wrong. I got my helmet for $90, and it is Snell SA-2005M certified. I bought it on eBay about 2 years ago and has been allowed onto the track at our chapter's Driver's Schools every time. The requirements are that the helmet must meet Snell SA2000 or 2005 certifications.
Just be sure everyone you will be driving with accept an M2005 rating. BMW CCA minimum standard is M/SA 2000. Chapters are free to raise that standard to SA only. I don't know of any that do, but they do have that leeway to do so. What is their return policy? Fitment is very important.
$258.99 If you're willing to shell out that kind of cash for a helmet then obviously price is not a concern. I thought you needed something less than $100?
Well help me find a snell2005 for under 200 or even less Come down to NYC next month for the autocross bro
I have a T-Shirt that says: "Acme Bungee Company - We skimp on safety so you don't have to!" I'm all for saving as much money as you can, when you can, just make sure you don't compromise critical safety aspects. Your brain is kinda important, (you just might need it), and your helmet is supposed to offer head protection, thus the rationale for requiring Snell rated helmets. Find one that meets the specs at whatever budget fits, but also consider whether it's worth a bit more for an SA rating. On the less-is-more side of the argument, the club updates the minimum required every 5 years; 2010 will be the last year to use a SA2000 helmet, after that it will be 2005 or 2010, so perhaps a 2 year stop-gap until the SA2010's become available, and one of those would be valid for 10 years; Otoh, a 2005 now should, requirements-wise, be good to 2015. Not that it's particularly recommended to use a helmet that long; the shell loses flexibility as it ages and it is claimed that a 5 year old helmet does not offer as good protection as a newer one, much less one that's nearly 10 yrs. old.
Garrison, thank you for the info. If open face is allowed, I will email my chapter now. I will get this helmet. http://www.soloracer.com/pyroopenfacesa.html
These folks are a good company to work with, too. http://www.soloperformance.com/Helmets-and-Accessories_c_13.html
This small business was suggested by a friend. The guy came over with the helmet I wanted and two sizes for me to try on. Fit perfectly and I bought it.
If you are looking a Connecticut autocross, the Fairfield County Sports Car Club has an event Mother's Day (moms drive for free!). http://www.fcscc.com/09schedule.htm http://www.fcscc.com Next event after that is May 31st.
My work buddy told me about that one. I wanted to attend the April 26th session but was unable to because I was helping Chris with his sport seatsssssssss. I'm definitely going to the May 10th one though!
I love autocross because pushing the car to 10/10ths is relatively safe. On a race track, you need to leave a greater safety margin since the consequences of wiping out are so high. If the session is well organized and people are followng the rules, autocross is relatively safe.
