| Author |
Message |
Mitch Alsup (Mitch_alsup)
Junior Member
Username: Mitch_alsup
Post Number: 138
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 10, 2002 - 10:57 am: | |
As an avid motorcycle rider and occasional road race driver, I would caution that different helmet manufactures use different shaped heads. I cannot wear Shoei, or Arai helemts due to the shape of my head (even though I consider these the best helmets for safety/crashing reasons). Bieffie and AGV fit me. I personally dislike Bell for motorcycle helmets but recognize they have an avid following for automotive helmets.
I ended up going with an AGV-SA helmet for driving and an AGV-MA for motorcycling. (SA==special application->automotive: MA==motorcycle application). The difference is in the kinds of things a body hits durring a crash. Motorcycles helmets get one big bonk, followed by a longish scrape and several smaller bonks. Automotive helmets have to contend with parts flying around the cabin (this is the thicker shield), the head bouncing off several objects {steering wheel, roll cage) and worst of all FIRE. Most sactioning bodies require SA helmets for automotive driving. Motorcycle helmets are more redily availalbe, but aren't designed for protection in automotive-like crash senarios.
This suggests that your first helmet should only be procured after trying a bunch of helmets from different manufactures. Find the ones that fit your head shape, your wallet, and your other requirements. Then pick from this set of helmets. |
Hubert Otlik (Hugh)
Junior Member
Username: Hugh
Post Number: 195
Registered: 1-2002
| | Posted on Monday, September 09, 2002 - 5:06 pm: | |
ross:
mentioning the bulletproof helmets used by the schumachers; the advent of bulletproof tech in F1 came after senna's primary cause of death was elucidated to be the suspenion arm fragment puncturing his helmet and causing the fatal wound. as far as helmets, some added comments; once you drop or crash your helmet, you should replace it, even if it was only a mild wreck and there is no 'visible' damage to the helmet, the energy insultaing foam is not up to repeated batterings, and may not offer the same protection the next time around, thats why buying a 'used' helmet may not be a good idea. conversly the 'helmets' structural skeleton may also be compromised; not to self: do not skimp on safety gear, its easy to do b/c we never 'think' anything is going to happen, hospital visits are more costly in the long run, remember. personally, i use arai helmets, motorcycle and auto.
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Peter M. Kamarchik (Pmkamarchik)
New member
Username: Pmkamarchik
Post Number: 8
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Monday, September 09, 2002 - 4:52 pm: | |
I can echo previous comments about helmet manufacturers - I have a Bieffe helmet, which fits nicely, and has served me well (in both closed and open-cockpit cars). I've tried on Arai helmets, and they seem pretty good. Definitely go and try them on, though, before you buy anything, and get the best you can afford.
Incidentally, if anyone wants to look at the Schumi Brothers helmets that cost more than my car, I think the manufacturer is Schuberth - http://www.schuberth.de |
Dave Penhale (Dapper)
Junior Member
Username: Dapper
Post Number: 219
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Monday, September 09, 2002 - 8:06 am: | |
I guess same rules apply as when deciding on a m'cycle lid. Arai is as good as it gets for off the shelf stuff with many close runners up (Bieffe/Shark/Bell et al).
Make sure it fits well. When new it should be 'real' tight, tighter than a ducks arse at 40 fathoms. It WILL loosen up. If you make the mistake of buying a helmet thats nice and comfortable when new, when you run in it will most likely get too loose, believe me many bikers get this wrong!
On the size issue you may find that it doesnt just come down to the sizing per se, some manufacturers size to a particular head profile so you may find for instance that an Arai of any size won't be right for you, whereas a Bieffe will fit well. I would love to use an Arai as I know how well they are made and tested but found I couldn't get a comfortable fit so went for a Shark.
Another issue for Bikes is visor availability, but unless you are driving a fly screened open top
this shouldn't be an issue for car use.
Just my 2 pth
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ross koller (Ross)
Member
Username: Ross
Post Number: 273
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Monday, September 09, 2002 - 4:42 am: | |
off topic but......the schumi brothers have started wearing (as of a few months ago) a new helmet made by some german company. apparently it is a combo of kevlar, carbon fibre, bullet proof visor, custom fitted etc etc, and costs $300k. the promotional pictures show the helmet being run over by a leopard tank and only getting scratched..........so i guess they are following evil knievel's wise words..... |
J. Grande (Jay)
Member
Username: Jay
Post Number: 543
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, September 08, 2002 - 8:57 pm: | |
Bieffe has a great line of helmets at a reasonable price. Many F1 racers use their helmets and they are on ebay. Just make sure it fits correctly, you don't want it too loose or else it defeats the purpose of wearing a helmet. You also want to make sure it is rated SA95 or SA2000 not DOT, snell or M. The SA is for Special application automotive. Most tracks require at least SA95 with SA2000 meeting the newest requirements for safety. |
Chuck Babel (Chuck_98_rt10)
New member
Username: Chuck_98_rt10
Post Number: 48
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, September 08, 2002 - 8:40 pm: | |
www.helmetcity.com
Evel Knievel said "If you have a ten dollar head put it inside a ten dollar helmet."
I like Simpson helmets. |
Kenny Herman (Kennyh)
Member
Username: Kennyh
Post Number: 374
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, September 07, 2002 - 4:08 pm: | |
Will, can I come by tomarrow maybe?- Whenever is most convienent for you. You still owe me a ride in the car!
Is one brand better then another- or one helmet safer than another? I usually go on ebay and try to find the cheapest priced item- but I figure its not good to cheap out on such an important item. |
Mike Charness (Mcharness)
New member
Username: Mcharness
Post Number: 38
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, September 07, 2002 - 12:47 pm: | |
You can get some deals on GForce from www.racerwholesale.com
If you're only using them two or three times a year and want to save money, these are quite adequate for an SA2000 helmet. The GF750 is $150 and the GF950 is $240.
I personally have two Bell Helmets. An open face Mag 4 (fiberglass), and a full-face M3 (Kevlar). I like them both. Most of the time in the Ferrari, though, I use the open face helmet. If I'm playing in a spider or Formula Ford or other open car, I'll use the full-face helmet. |
wm hart (Whart)
Member
Username: Whart
Post Number: 502
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, September 07, 2002 - 10:17 am: | |
Kenny, it ain't just the brand, but the right size that's also key, cause a badly fit helmet is either going to be really uncomfortable, or useless. I have a Shoei for the car that i hardly use and you are welcome to check it out, but i have a huge head. Interestly, the bike helmets (which i guess don't need the fireproofing of the car helmets) are much lighter and more comfortable to me. There is also something about how the different brands fit; my Arai bike helmet is sooo much more comfortable than the Shoei car helmet, which by comparison, feels like a deepsea diver's bucket. |
Kenny Herman (Kennyh)
Member
Username: Kennyh
Post Number: 373
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, September 07, 2002 - 10:11 am: | |
I will probably need the helmet for Will's 512tr, but I am hoping I will get my next car on the track, which I am getting in February, maybe something along the lines of an E36 m3, or a E46 330ci... |
Anthony Acunzo (Yank05)
Junior Member
Username: Yank05
Post Number: 86
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, September 07, 2002 - 8:09 am: | |
Hey Kenny,
what kind of car will you be racing?
Anthony |
William H (Countachxx)
Intermediate Member
Username: Countachxx
Post Number: 1311
Registered: 2-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, September 07, 2002 - 5:38 am: | |
Kenny, u will probably be doing more than that. u can go to Driving Impressions at Lime Rock & try 1 on before you buy it |
William Huber (Solipsist)
Member
Username: Solipsist
Post Number: 345
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, September 07, 2002 - 1:17 am: | |
I currently have this model on special order.
http://www.bieffeamerica.com/predator1.htm |
Kenny Herman (Kennyh)
Member
Username: Kennyh
Post Number: 372
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, September 07, 2002 - 12:39 am: | |
Hey guys,
I need some recommendations for a pretty decent track helmet- it will probably be used only 2-3 times a year- for light club racing... What brands are good- where can I find them? What do you recommend?
Thanks,
Kenny |