Helmet Recommendations

[briggy]

I'm booked in for both the sprint day at Curborough and the Blyton Park club days and will need a helmet. On the basis that you should borrow the things you need once and buy things you need more than once, I'm going to buy a helmet.

Do I just go into a motorbike shop and buy the best one I can afford that fits me or are there other factors to consider? Note that I've no intention of entering any competitive races any time soon, so days like this are just for fun.

Cheers,
Bryan

[Carrera RSR]

Pay Merlin Motorsport a visit at Castle Combe and try a few on. Some will fit. Some won't. Buy the best fitting one. You only have one Big Bang on your head in a poor fitting and unsafe helmet before its lights out. Buy a new one and it's good for many years whether it's fun track days or an event where the helmet needs to be in date.

[tr7v8]

I've used a bike helmet in the past and it was fine. If intend competition then the full RAC spec is warranted but just for the odd track day then the cost is difficult to warrant. One issue you may find with a bike helmet is slightly limited visibility as the opening is smaller, never worried me though.

[briggy]

Jim,

That's kind of what I was getting at - is there a difference between an occasional track day helmet and a bike helmet? If there is, and therefore a bike helmet isn't suitable, where would I get one that is, other than at an actual track?

Cheers,
Bryan

[tr7v8]

Jim,

That's kind of what I was getting at - is there a difference between an occasional track day helmet and a bike helmet? If there is, and therefore a bike helmet isn't suitable, where would I get one that is, other than at an actual track?

Cheers,
Bryan

In real terms no, they are tested to different standards & some are marked FR which is Fire Rated e.g. nomex liner. Also low end bike lids are polycarbonate whereas I believe the car standard is GRP or carbon fibre.
There is an old saw that a £10 helmet protects a £10 head but most spills I've seen on track days are generally painful to the car, gravel rash etc. I've never seen a fire in a track day car or heard of one.

[Largie]

If you want to look at MSA approved helmets for car use then Demon Tweeks website is a good place to look. Alternatively there is a very good shop at Silverstone just by the circuit main entrance... it is called Grand Prix Wear or something like that. For occasional track days before I started competing in MSA events I used to use a medium priced motorbike helmet; as someone else has already said make sure the helmet is a comfortable, good fit.

David

[FarQue]

For non competitive car use a motorbike helmet will be fine. If you're going to be in an open car you'll most likely need full face. In a car with a roof, an open face helmet will be acceptable.

The big deal here is FIT. If nothing else, go to your local motorbike shop and try on as many different types as you can. A £40 helmet that fits will protect you far better than a £400 helmet that's rattling on your head like an old bucket. You're looking for a snug to tight fit that is comfortable. All helmets break in after some use but i you're only doing a couple of events a year tthat could take some time.

Oh, and motorbike full face helmets have a much larger aperture than motorsport helmets so that riders can enjoy a much wider field of vision on the road. Visor mechanisms tend to be far more accurate too.

[Timinchorley]

The big deal here is FIT. If nothing else, go to your local motorbike shop and try on as many different types as you can.

+1. I have an Arai Viper GT for the bike - it was on special offer (£299 vs RRP £429) but I've discovered that I have what a mate describes as an "Arai-shaped head"! I used to have an Arai Condor - even cheaper, but still an excellent fit. I tried Shoei and was impressed with features but the fit was sloppy.

IMHO any decent brand is good if the fit is good. Bell, Nolan, Shoei, HJC, Shark, X-lite, Schuberth, AGV, Suomy..... Never buy without trying it on, and make sure it's tight to start with: it *will* loosen over time. My Arai is still tight after 3 years.

Also check the date. Some cheap deals are on just because the helmet's been in the shop for 5 years. Arai recommends replacement at 6...

See review here. A US site, but good indications.

Cheers, Tim.

[PaulPSB]

Jim,

That's kind of what I was getting at - is there a difference between an occasional track day helmet and a bike helmet? If there is, and therefore a bike helmet isn't suitable, where would I get one that is, other than at an actual track?

Cheers,
Bryan

In real terms no, they are tested to different standards & some are marked FR which is Fire Rated e.g. nomex liner. Also low end bike lids are polycarbonate whereas I believe the car standard is GRP or carbon fibre.
There is an old saw that a £10 helmet protects a £10 head but most spills I've seen on track days are generally painful to the car, gravel rash etc. I've never seen a fire in a track day car or heard of one.[/quote]

Not been in my car then

With regard to a helmet I would go with the best bike helmet you can get - your head is worth the cost!

Paul

[David_W]

decide on a budget, based upon how much your head is worth.
then buy the best fit possible.
I've got both a cheap bike helmet, and an FIA approved Arai race helmet.
The bike helmet is a fair bit lighter than the Arai, which under hi G cornering does make a difference.

Out of interest, how many here would use a Hans device on a trackday ?

[tr7v8]

decide on a budget, based upon how much your head is worth.
then buy the best fit possible.
I've got both a cheap bike helmet, and an FIA approved Arai race helmet.
The bike helmet is a fair bit lighter than the Arai, which under hi G cornering does make a difference.

Out of interest, how many here would use a Hans device on a trackday ?

You'd need a harness (HANS compatible) & I'd be wanting a decent seat & roll cage as well. I'd suggest few of that lot figure on your average track day car.

[Largie]

decide on a budget, based upon how much your head is worth.
then buy the best fit possible.
I've got both a cheap bike helmet, and an FIA approved Arai race helmet.
The bike helmet is a fair bit lighter than the Arai, which under hi G cornering does make a difference.

Out of interest, how many here would use a Hans device on a trackday ?

I would because I have one and because of the type of car I drive on tracks. If you own one it would be silly to not wear it.
In a track day car with lap & diagonal belts you could not wear a Hans device anyway since they would not engage anyway.

David