Track day helmet - Autosport show
Discussion
Showrooming is your friend.
Try them on at the shop and buy from the internet - cheaper or the same as any show. If you feel duty bound to buy locally then show the shop the internet price and get them to match or at least get near it.
Bell or Shoei for me - I eventually chose an Shoei x-spirit having tried on a bell gp3 with a duckbill (track a Ariel atom with no windscreen) and deciding a bike helmet was good enough.
The x-spirit was about £30 cheaper than my friends one that was bought from a show iirc.
Try them on at the shop and buy from the internet - cheaper or the same as any show. If you feel duty bound to buy locally then show the shop the internet price and get them to match or at least get near it.
Bell or Shoei for me - I eventually chose an Shoei x-spirit having tried on a bell gp3 with a duckbill (track a Ariel atom with no windscreen) and deciding a bike helmet was good enough.
The x-spirit was about £30 cheaper than my friends one that was bought from a show iirc.
Definitely worth going to the show IMO, worst case you'll break even and get to see the show for free! Warning you might spend more on other stuff you see there...
As previously mentioned it's really important to identify the right fitting brand and size. I bought a high end Arai at the show a few years ago (found out I don't have a Bell shaped head!)
After some negotiating near the end of the day I got a significant discount with extras thrown in - visors, helmet bag, etc.
The specific one I bought was show stock and the model was due to be replaced but that didn't matter to me.
As previously mentioned it's really important to identify the right fitting brand and size. I bought a high end Arai at the show a few years ago (found out I don't have a Bell shaped head!)
After some negotiating near the end of the day I got a significant discount with extras thrown in - visors, helmet bag, etc.
The specific one I bought was show stock and the model was due to be replaced but that didn't matter to me.
Thank you all.
For what it's worth my ideal product would be a trackday helmet that can take both a visor and a touring peak and without HANS (since I am never going to do any racing) for about £200.
There seem to be lots of trackday helmets in the sub £100 bracket (Sparco Club X-1 for example) which I am sure would be fine, save for the inability to have a touring peak and potentially heavy. There's then a big gap before you get proper rated helmets with HANS in the £350 plus bracket and after that the sky is the limit of course.
I also heard it mentioned elsewhere that all the stock/bargains at the show have gone by the final day, which is the only day I can go. Would be a shame to make the 5 hour round trip and then come away empty handed.
As for brake pads, sadly Ferodo don't list/make their high performance pads for my front brakes (ZR 160), only for the lesser engine models so they aren't an option. Currently I can go Mintex 1144, but nobody has any stock or EBC Yellowstuff. Still don't know if either of these will be available to buy at the show.
For what it's worth my ideal product would be a trackday helmet that can take both a visor and a touring peak and without HANS (since I am never going to do any racing) for about £200.
There seem to be lots of trackday helmets in the sub £100 bracket (Sparco Club X-1 for example) which I am sure would be fine, save for the inability to have a touring peak and potentially heavy. There's then a big gap before you get proper rated helmets with HANS in the £350 plus bracket and after that the sky is the limit of course.
I also heard it mentioned elsewhere that all the stock/bargains at the show have gone by the final day, which is the only day I can go. Would be a shame to make the 5 hour round trip and then come away empty handed.
As for brake pads, sadly Ferodo don't list/make their high performance pads for my front brakes (ZR 160), only for the lesser engine models so they aren't an option. Currently I can go Mintex 1144, but nobody has any stock or EBC Yellowstuff. Still don't know if either of these will be available to buy at the show.
James_G said:
Thank you all.
For what it's worth my ideal product would be a trackday helmet that can take both a visor and a touring peak and without HANS (since I am never going to do any racing) for about £200.
There seem to be lots of trackday helmets in the sub £100 bracket (Sparco Club X-1 for example) which I am sure would be fine, save for the inability to have a touring peak and potentially heavy. There's then a big gap before you get proper rated helmets with HANS in the £350 plus bracket and after that the sky is the limit of course.
I also heard it mentioned elsewhere that all the stock/bargains at the show have gone by the final day, which is the only day I can go. Would be a shame to make the 5 hour round trip and then come away empty handed.
As for brake pads, sadly Ferodo don't list/make their high performance pads for my front brakes (ZR 160), only for the lesser engine models so they aren't an option. Currently I can go Mintex 1144, but nobody has any stock or EBC Yellowstuff. Still don't know if either of these will be available to buy at the show.
I'm mainly doing track days, have still got a HANS. Will save you the same as it would when racingFor what it's worth my ideal product would be a trackday helmet that can take both a visor and a touring peak and without HANS (since I am never going to do any racing) for about £200.
There seem to be lots of trackday helmets in the sub £100 bracket (Sparco Club X-1 for example) which I am sure would be fine, save for the inability to have a touring peak and potentially heavy. There's then a big gap before you get proper rated helmets with HANS in the £350 plus bracket and after that the sky is the limit of course.
I also heard it mentioned elsewhere that all the stock/bargains at the show have gone by the final day, which is the only day I can go. Would be a shame to make the 5 hour round trip and then come away empty handed.
As for brake pads, sadly Ferodo don't list/make their high performance pads for my front brakes (ZR 160), only for the lesser engine models so they aren't an option. Currently I can go Mintex 1144, but nobody has any stock or EBC Yellowstuff. Still don't know if either of these will be available to buy at the show.
tjlees said:
Showrooming is your friend.
Try them on at the shop and buy from the internet - cheaper or the same as any show.
Using premises to choose the model then buying elsewhere isn't cricket.Try them on at the shop and buy from the internet - cheaper or the same as any show.
Edited by foxsasha on Monday 9th January 20:11
Just to bring this to a close, I didn't go to the show in the end for a couple of reasons.
Firstly, there just isn't a motorsport helmet in my budget of £200 and I was confident I wasn't going to get a 50% discount on the £400 stuff. Secondly half a day travelling and £75 costs and entrance fee wasn't good value for me.
So, earlier that week I visited two motorcycle retailers and tried on a number of helmets from Arai, Shark, Shoei and Schuberth and ended up with this Arai Axcess II for £199:
It's comfortable, light, and not too fussy. I personally think there's a gap in the market between the £70 trackday type helmets and the full on Snell rated helmets for £350+ for people like me who are tracking a totally standard road car (so don't need HANS or a fire proof lining) but who do want something light, comfortable, available with visor or peak and from a reputable manufacturer.
As for brake pads, I avoided EBC due to the inconsistency of reviews on here and elsewhere and went for Black Diamond Predators along with some of their fluid.
Next track day is Goodwood on the 13th Feb - looking forward to it.
Firstly, there just isn't a motorsport helmet in my budget of £200 and I was confident I wasn't going to get a 50% discount on the £400 stuff. Secondly half a day travelling and £75 costs and entrance fee wasn't good value for me.
So, earlier that week I visited two motorcycle retailers and tried on a number of helmets from Arai, Shark, Shoei and Schuberth and ended up with this Arai Axcess II for £199:
It's comfortable, light, and not too fussy. I personally think there's a gap in the market between the £70 trackday type helmets and the full on Snell rated helmets for £350+ for people like me who are tracking a totally standard road car (so don't need HANS or a fire proof lining) but who do want something light, comfortable, available with visor or peak and from a reputable manufacturer.
As for brake pads, I avoided EBC due to the inconsistency of reviews on here and elsewhere and went for Black Diamond Predators along with some of their fluid.
Next track day is Goodwood on the 13th Feb - looking forward to it.
James_G said:
I personally think there's a gap in the market between the £70 trackday type helmets and the full on Snell rated helmets for £350+ for people like me who are tracking a totally standard road car (so don't need HANS or a fire proof lining) but who do want something light, comfortable, available with visor or peak and from a reputable manufacturer.
There is helmets that fit that gap already from bell, RRS and a few others.RRS Snell SA2010 helmet available with visor or peak, complete with hans posts - £172
http://rrs-direct.co.uk/store/rrs-protect-rally-fi...
I looked at that RRS model before the show but sadly only available in Small and X-Small presumably the last stock of the 2010 model.
Their 2015 model is then a bit more expensive, although not massively so, but shows as not available until June. Don't recall them being on the exhibitor list for the show either, but I might be wrong.
The cheapest full face Bell is a Sport 5, which is £370, but in all other respects would have been ideal. Adding a peak is then another £40 so getting further out of budget.
Their 2015 model is then a bit more expensive, although not massively so, but shows as not available until June. Don't recall them being on the exhibitor list for the show either, but I might be wrong.
The cheapest full face Bell is a Sport 5, which is £370, but in all other respects would have been ideal. Adding a peak is then another £40 so getting further out of budget.
James_G said:
I looked at that RRS model before the show but sadly only available in Small and X-Small presumably the last stock of the 2010 model.
Their 2015 model is then a bit more expensive, although not massively so, but shows as not available until June. Don't recall them being on the exhibitor list for the show either, but I might be wrong.
The cheapest full face Bell is a Sport 5, which is £370, but in all other respects would have been ideal. Adding a peak is then another £40 so getting further out of budget.
Just noticed that about the size availability. Shame as they are good helmets, i picked one up for about £130 when the exchange rate was more favourable!Their 2015 model is then a bit more expensive, although not massively so, but shows as not available until June. Don't recall them being on the exhibitor list for the show either, but I might be wrong.
The cheapest full face Bell is a Sport 5, which is £370, but in all other respects would have been ideal. Adding a peak is then another £40 so getting further out of budget.
Hedtec do a HANS Full Face FIA Snell SA2015 for around the £200 mark. Not really relevant now you've got one but for anyone else reading.
I love V2 helmets. Pass all the tests, top value and fit well. (Well, fit me well, obvs)
http://www.v2sport.com/
http://www.v2sport.com/
I went to Autosport for the same reason and glad I did.
It turns out I definitely would have chosen a helmet that is too big if it wasn't for having one fitted.
I ended up upping the budget to get a Stilo Composite helmet and hans, but I figure the money saved on a cheap helmet is no good to you if it doesn't do it's job!
It turns out I definitely would have chosen a helmet that is too big if it wasn't for having one fitted.
I ended up upping the budget to get a Stilo Composite helmet and hans, but I figure the money saved on a cheap helmet is no good to you if it doesn't do it's job!
mpit said:
I ended up upping the budget to get a Stilo Composite helmet and hans, but I figure the money saved on a cheap helmet is no good to you if it doesn't do it's job!
The fact that the helmets are FIA/Snell approved means that they all meet the required safety standard. The expensive helmet is going to do exactly the same job as the cheaper one in this case.I've raced with a Hedtec helmet the past couple of years, really pleased with the fit and quality for the money. https://www.hedtec.co.uk/products/category/helmets...
They had a stand at the show with offers I believe.
They had a stand at the show with offers I believe.
Pdelamare said:
R8Steve said:
The fact that the helmets are FIA/Snell approved means that they all meet the required safety standard. The expensive helmet is going to do exactly the same job as the cheaper one in this case.
Not if it doesn't fit you though.R8Steve said:
The fact that the helmets are FIA/Snell approved means that they all meet the required safety standard. The expensive helmet is going to do exactly the same job as the cheaper one in this case.
I often see the same argument applied to budget tyres. Do I know for sure that a helmet made by an established brand is going to protect me better? No. But given the option before knowing you were going to be in a crash, would you pick up the cheap option or the best you could realistically afford to spend on a helmet?
mpit said:
R8Steve said:
The fact that the helmets are FIA/Snell approved means that they all meet the required safety standard. The expensive helmet is going to do exactly the same job as the cheaper one in this case.
I often see the same argument applied to budget tyres. Do I know for sure that a helmet made by an established brand is going to protect me better? No. But given the option before knowing you were going to be in a crash, would you pick up the cheap option or the best you could realistically afford to spend on a helmet?
Using the same argument how do you know that the cheaper brand isn't going to protect you better?
If you want to pay more for a 'premium' branded helmet and get the best you can afford that's up to you but in reality apart from the placebo effect it's not necessarily going to be any better. The only thing you know for sure is in a crash you are going to have a bigger bill to replace it.
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