| Author |
Message |
Randy (Schatten)
Junior Member
Username: Schatten
Post Number: 207
Registered: 4-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, February 21, 2002 - 3:40 am: | |
Good point Peter. Also, if you've ever tried a loaner, well, its 10 years of other people's sweat, the thing is either going to be extremely tight or being tossed around on your head. Also, if you run DE events or anything more than autocross, then your neck and shoulders will be sore later with a heavy helmet. In DE events running 20-25 minute session, I could easily be fatigued by the second day. |
Peter S�derlund /328 GTB -88 (Corsa)
Junior Member
Username: Corsa
Post Number: 92
Registered: 4-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, February 21, 2002 - 12:47 am: | |
I have a Peltor 890(?) grams open helmet. Often seen on rally drivers. I guy in a SAAB went off the track and broke his neck probably because he used a heavy 2.5 kg MC-helmet.
Naturally my Peltor helmet does not protect as good as a MC-helmet from heavy impacts or burn through. But I'm neither driving open cars, motorbikes or have a bull neck so the weight was a major parameter for me.
I experienced the importance of a light helmet when I hit a concrete wall sideways with a gocart, everything just stopped except my head and my guts. My 2c is don�t neglect the weight of a helmet.
Ciao
Peter |
DBP (Dilly)
Junior Member
Username: Dilly
Post Number: 57
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 20, 2002 - 8:23 pm: | |
Go for fit. Currently I am wearing a Simpson Voyager. My helmet before that was a Bell. When I went shopping for a new helmet the Bell didn't fit me well so I went for the Simpson. I have been very pleased with this helmet. It has good visibility, which was one of my biggest concerns. Some helmets, especially the full face variety, have limited visibility so that is something I check very carefully. |
Randy (Schatten)
Junior Member
Username: Schatten
Post Number: 201
Registered: 4-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 20, 2002 - 3:44 pm: | |
standards that are required for SA and M helmets might be true but they are designed slightly different.
most auto helmets do not have as great of a peripheral vision as motorcycle helmets. the shells and liners are made the same way, except for the fireproof nomex in the SA helmets. the SA shell can't be gas soluable, which I don't believe any helmets are anymore. The visor of the SA helmet must have a positive rather than friction lock.
Also, I'd like to offer a significant discount on helmets if you want one. I'll be doing a group buy on Bieffe helmets next week through the following week, and it will not be public, so if you are interested, please email me because I can't disclose this price publicly.
Personally, I have two myself: F1GP and an F1. They are great helmets and the lightest around. However, I'm jealous because of the new F1GPV model - which has vents like the Arai motorcycle helmets up top (and others I'm sure) and vents like the Predator. Breathability with the F1GP is limited, especially if the face is cracked open slightly. I want to make a tube for breathing, or something! But haven't gotten around to it just yet.
Anyways... let me know. Thanks! |
Jon P. Kofod (95f355c)
Junior Member
Username: 95f355c
Post Number: 91
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 20, 2002 - 3:09 pm: | |
What Frank has mentioned is true though you have to be careful as the following article (http://www.na-motorsports.com/Journal/1997/3/Helmet.html) mentions the standards that must be met for both M and SA rated helmets are exactly the same except for the fireproof issue. Some motorcycle helmets may indeed be engineered for better "burn through" but they are not required to do so as the standards are exactly the same.
Jon
|
Frank Parker (Parkerfe)
Member
Username: Parkerfe
Post Number: 585
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 20, 2002 - 2:57 pm: | |
Motorcyle racing helmets are generally better than most auto racing helmets because they are designed not to "burn through" in a long slide which is not as much of a problem in an auto. But, I'd rather have more protection than less ! |
Jon P. Kofod (95f355c)
Junior Member
Username: 95f355c
Post Number: 90
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 20, 2002 - 2:23 pm: | |
Jay,
Snell/SA is the rating that most track clubs, autoclubs, and race sanctioning bodies require for events. A SA95 meets the saftey requirements set in 1995 and will likely be obsolete with many organizations in the next year. In fact many auto clubs and track day places have already begun switching to SA2000.
As far as Racing goes I think everyone (SCCA, Grand Am, ALMS, NASA, etc..) has already mandated SA2000 helmets.
It will depend on who you are running with. I think FCA still used the SA95 rating for last year but may be switching over to SA2000. Make sure you check with your specific region.
The main difference between a motorcycle helmet and a non-motorcycle helmet is fire protection. Motorcycle helmets are not fire proof. Most clubs require the use of fireproof helemts (Audi Club does not).
All forms of racing require the fireproof helmet. You best bet is to get a Snell/SA2000 helmet that is fireproof.
Regards,
Jon P. Kofod
|
J. Grande (Jay)
Junior Member
Username: Jay
Post Number: 228
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 20, 2002 - 1:56 pm: | |
Thanks guys. Does it matter if it is a bike helmet or an auto helmet? Do helmets expire? What is the difference between a Snell95 and a Snell2000? |
James Dixon (Omnadren250)
Junior Member
Username: Omnadren250
Post Number: 90
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 20, 2002 - 1:44 pm: | |
I used to ride a sport bike and always used Shoei or Arai helmets. However, when you start getting the ones with fancy graphics, they tend to get a little expensive.
I was just at the bike shop yesterday as my friend was looking for a helmet, and the best deal now seems to be the helmets made by SHARK.
Carl Fogerty uses this brand when riding his 996 Ducati in all the races, in fact, his replica helmet which looks very cool was on a big sale at the shop yesterday for $469 Canadian.
Here is a link to the website
http://www.shark-helmets.com/
|
Jon P. Kofod (95f355c)
Junior Member
Username: 95f355c
Post Number: 89
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 20, 2002 - 1:15 pm: | |
Jay,
I have had two of the Bieffe F1 helmets (Ferrari Irvine and Bennetton Wurz). I also have a Bell M3 helmet. Of the two the Bell helmets fit much better and come in more sizes. I like the Bieffe F1 helmets with the graphics but they tend to come in 3 or 4 sizes so an exact fit is hard to come by.
I use the Bieffe helmet for track days where fit and comfort are not as big a priority. When I race I only use the Bell. It fits perfectly (comes in 12 different sizes) and prvides maximum saftey.
As far as visibility goes I don't think you give up much with a full face helmet. The only guys that really complain about full face helmets are people who have switched over from Rallying where full visibility is more of an issue.
Regards,
Jon
|
Todd Chen (Tec)
New member
Username: Tec
Post Number: 10
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 20, 2002 - 11:06 am: | |
I liked the Bieffe F1 but it was really uncomfortable for me. Instead I got a Simpson Voyager that is roughly the same price. It's full face and Snell SA 2000 approved. It's the only helmet I've ever used, so I can't comment on relative visibility, but field of vision seems fine to me. |
Martin (Miami348ts)
Intermediate Member
Username: Miami348ts
Post Number: 1489
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 20, 2002 - 8:29 am: | |
full face.
just more meat when you are in a fire.
my conservative 2c. |
J. Grande (Jay)
Junior Member
Username: Jay
Post Number: 227
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 19, 2002 - 8:08 pm: | |
Well, when I used to do 1/4 mile racing I used a full face snell aproved helmet, but I'm wondering about what kind of helmet to get for racing the GT4 on the track. What are you guys using and how is visibility with a full face helmet, especially to the side? I want to get a Bieffe F1 helmet but I'm not sure how comfortable it will be, any preference as to rating and design features? |