Time to replace the Helmet for an upcoming HPDE.

[Shipkiller]

Due to a rule change here, I need to replace my open face helmet with a full face helmet.

I am looking to get a Snell SA2005 standard full face.

Since I have never used a full face, anyone have any suggestions?

Weight, air flow (cooling) ect... drawbacks of perticular models?
Plus, I wear glasses...

I have a HPDE at VIR in May. My first in the MC.

[inTgr8r]

If you have a local vendor, definitely try some for fit.
I bought a BEL BR-1 last year after trying several different ones.
You'd be surprised how different the various ones feel on your noggin.

[O-cha]

I had to get a new helmet for karting recently. Settled with entry level bell sport I think it was, but it is a very good helmet for ~250.

[BMWI6]

If you can afford it, then in my opinion the best helmet is the Arai GP6. If not go for a Sparco helmet, I saw them at great discounts at saferacer.com

[Shipkiller]

There are no vendors in the area that have what I was looking for, but we have lots of bike shops. That was a no go.
While at VIR today, (I was not running a car, just helping) I went to some of the vendors there and tried on several. I really liked the Bell Sport. Most of the others did not fit right.. The vendor did not have the color I wanted (White) so they gave me the web address and a code for a 10% discount and free shipping. That brings the cost down to around $225.

I may have to order tonight but tired. A three hour drive out to VIR, do all the track crap, then a three hour drive back. Just got done washing all the grime off the Coupe'.

I will let you know what the final price and availability is and if the discount code is good for more than one purchase..

[Haretakis]

Is any DOT approved helmet allowed at HPDE and track days? I wanna know if my motorcycle helmet will be allowed...

[nmulax]

Originally Posted by Haretakis

Is any DOT approved helmet allowed at HPDE and track days? I wanna know if my motorcycle helmet will be allowed...

It depends on the hosting organization.
As long as it has a SNELL rating, which most motorcycles have, you should be ok. SA is for auto and M for motorcycle. The difference from motorcycle to auto is really the fire resistant liner and the additional roll-bar impact test.

[Shipkiller]

I ordered my Bell Sport Full Face Helmet on Sunday from Apex Performance and it arrived today. Talk about fast shipping..

Came with a head sock, standard drawstring bag and a nice zipper bag with handles.
All for $233.00 delivered.

The 10% discount code is THSCC
http://www.apexperformance.net/

[inTgr8r]

[MFGJR]

Thumbs-up on Apex--good folks to work with. I went through four different helmets with them looking for a good fit. Ended up with the Bell Sport, liked it very much for my first-ever track day at VIR in February . . . very comfortable, no problems with my glasses. I removed the helmet's visor, though, as headroom is kind of tight laterally in the MC.

[Shipkiller]

Originally Posted by MFGJR

Thumbs-up on Apex--good folks to work with. I went through four different helmets with them looking for a good fit. Ended up with the Bell Sport, liked it very much for my first-ever track day at VIR in February . . . very comfortable, no problems with my glasses. I removed the helmet's visor, though, as headroom is kind of tight laterally in the MC.

Were you on North Course, South Course or the Whole Course?

The Bell Sports fits just perfect....

[Z4MHawk]

Good choice for the price. A guy on Amazon in 2009 didn't like the quality of the "basic" components. I have the silver gray so it is a toss up on color. The glossy black is hideous...so it may scare other drivers off the track! The glossy black Stig?

[MFGJR]

Originally Posted by Shipkiller

Were you on North Course, South Course or the Whole Course?

The Bell Sports fits just perfect....

Sorry for the slow repy--hadnt seen this thread for a while.

Did the full course with Tarrheel BMW CCA. Woohoooo! Cant wait to do it again, which'll be in the fall. When are you there, and with what group?

I'm thinking about putting together a Z4MC drive with the 5 cars that I know of in the Richmond/Charlottesville area. We'll have to get some of you beach guys in on it too.

[BTM]

Originally Posted by O-cha

I had to get a new helmet for karting recently. Settled with entry level bell sport I think it was, but it is a very good helmet for ~250.

+1 just picked a bell sport today. I got SA2010 only because they didn't have my size in SA2005 but for a few extra dollars I may get a better resale value when/if I'm ready to upgrade

http://www.northstarmotorsports.com/...productID/8092

[Caddyshk]

Originally Posted by BTM

+1 just picked a bell sport today. I got SA2010 only because they didn't have my size in SA2005 but for a few extra dollars I may get a better resale value when/if I'm ready to upgrade

http://www.northstarmotorsports.com/...productID/8092

Who would buy a used helmet?

[BTM]

Originally Posted by Caddyshk

Who would buy a used helmet?

As long as you can confirm the shell hasn't been compromised I'm sure it's worth a deal to someone.

[Caddyshk]

Originally Posted by BTM

As long as you can confirm the shell hasn't been compromised I'm sure it's worth a deal to someone.

Hygiene

[lucid]

Stilo ST4 helmets are killer (no pun intended). I am thinking about picking one up for this season...

http://www.hmsmotorsport.com/store/stilo-helmets

[mfanatic325]

^ haha "killer"

I personally have a SA2005 G-Force Eliminator Pro in matte black finish, and with a blue-mirror visor instead of the "stock" clear one


Once I move on to higher-level racing where they'll be requiring the most up-to-date stuff, then I'll get something SA2010.

At that point, I'd probably give my current helmet to a friend. Or maybe sell for really cheap. They can use a head sock to help with hygiene. Plus, the interior can be taken out and washed if need be

[ZStig]

Originally Posted by lucid

Stilo ST4 helmets are killer (no pun intended). I am thinking about picking one up for this season...

http://www.hmsmotorsport.com/store/stilo-helmets

and expensive as f...uck

[BTM]

Originally Posted by Caddyshk

Hygiene

Lining is replaceable

[lucid]

Originally Posted by Roffle Waffle

and expensive as f...uck

They have a 10% BMW CCA discount I think.

Hey, I'd rather spend the money on me than the stupid car. Car's totalled, you post a thread on the forum, ask for sympathy, and get a new one. You are totalled, then what?

These helmets fit like a glove (so do the Arais btw but they aren't much cheaper). I must assume that would make a difference...

Also, for those of you sitting in a street car without a head restraint, get an R3 device. You don't want to find out what happens to your neck if it's not constrained in a crash. Best $600 I spent (in terms of the protection it offers and how it makes me feel).

I'll go out on the stock Contis if that means I spent the dough on safety gear rather than the sticker tires or the extra 10-20hp or whatever (which 99% of the drivers won't really benefit from to begin with).