Discussion
Folks, does anyone know where in the Glasgow/central belt area I can try on/buy a helmet for track days? I know bike shops are an option but wondered if there was anywhere more Motorsport oriented?
Believe you can use a pretty cheap/basic helmet for track days but wondering if its worth getting one with motorsport (Snell?) approval so I can use it for other uses in the future if I wish.
Cheers,
Mike.
Believe you can use a pretty cheap/basic helmet for track days but wondering if its worth getting one with motorsport (Snell?) approval so I can use it for other uses in the future if I wish.
Cheers,
Mike.
an open face bike helmet should be enough. full face can be a bit uncomfy as in a car there is no airflow to cool you down unlike on a bike. Luckily using mx5 I just put the roof down. no stores in glasgow that i'm aware of that caters to those helmets, my flat mate had to order one off ebay.
I just did as you said went to a bike shop told them what it was for, £50 for a plain colour lid. Full face but I have uncliped the visor and find it fine for room and comfort for the odd track day.
Defo try one on and not buy online unless you know your exact size for that manufacture.
Defo try one on and not buy online unless you know your exact size for that manufacture.
try on a helmet at knockhill, plenty in the store. either speak to hamish at pandamonium racing or for a good but cheap helmet nick algar at play scool motorsport http://www.plays-kool.co.uk/ dont buy a el cheapo bike helmet from aldi, get a decent one that will pass a msa scroot
sherman said:
You need to go to a motorbike shop and try out the diffrent brands. Some people have a shoei head sime have an agv head etc. Once you find out which manufacturer fits you go online and buy from there. They are almost always cheaper.
yup, apparently my head is similar to japanese people :/sherman said:
You need to go to a motorbike shop and try out the diffrent brands. Some people have a shoei head sime have an agv head etc. Once you find out which manufacturer fits you go online and buy from there. They are almost always cheaper.
A bit of a prickish thing to do.Waste the shops time then spend your cash elsewhere
If you try on bike helmets at least you'll get an idea of the size you need. I use a full face bike helmet (comes in handy as i have a bike) and never had any probs with it on track days but that may be due to the fact i wear one all the time for years.
I would say buy a cheap bike helmet for now as they are considerably cheaper than a proper motorsport lid then if it suits you'll know what type of lid you prefer.
Johnny
I would say buy a cheap bike helmet for now as they are considerably cheaper than a proper motorsport lid then if it suits you'll know what type of lid you prefer.
Johnny
Somewhere in Scotland you can actually try them on:
Rennat Design at Knockhill, stock Bell [and possibly Arai]
"Just get a bike helmet, they're cheaper":
The reason bike helmets are cheaper, is economies of scale, simply, they make a lot more of them. Bike helmet construction is very different to car helmet construction, and I'm not just talking about fire proof lining for SNELL requirements. The actual lay up of the helmet materials in construction is different, putting different strengths in different areas. There is a lot of good info on the SNELL site regarding the testing, but essentially [iirc] bike helmets are designed to disipate most efficiently one big impact [hitting the ground] then lots of smaller impacts [rag dolling along said ground until you stop]. Car helmets are designed to disipate several large impacts [strapped in to a seat securely whilst you headbutt a rollcage tube every time the car goes over]
Open face vs full face:
My helmet is full face, most people race with full face lids although there are some people who dont get along with them. In the case of a road car being used for trackdays, does it have airbags? Its not unknown for inertia reel belts to struggle in track scale impacts and face to meet steering wheel, if you have an airbag still fitted, not such a concern.
Rennat Design at Knockhill, stock Bell [and possibly Arai]
"Just get a bike helmet, they're cheaper":
The reason bike helmets are cheaper, is economies of scale, simply, they make a lot more of them. Bike helmet construction is very different to car helmet construction, and I'm not just talking about fire proof lining for SNELL requirements. The actual lay up of the helmet materials in construction is different, putting different strengths in different areas. There is a lot of good info on the SNELL site regarding the testing, but essentially [iirc] bike helmets are designed to disipate most efficiently one big impact [hitting the ground] then lots of smaller impacts [rag dolling along said ground until you stop]. Car helmets are designed to disipate several large impacts [strapped in to a seat securely whilst you headbutt a rollcage tube every time the car goes over]
Open face vs full face:
My helmet is full face, most people race with full face lids although there are some people who dont get along with them. In the case of a road car being used for trackdays, does it have airbags? Its not unknown for inertia reel belts to struggle in track scale impacts and face to meet steering wheel, if you have an airbag still fitted, not such a concern.
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