Advice needed on choosing a helmet
Discussion
I've just had a V2 Pro delivered and initial impressions having had a good look at it in the flesh are very good.
I've also got a bike helmet (which in fairness would do the job), but I wanted a white helmet rather than a loud coloured one!
I'm due to have a single seater experience shortly and will be able to see how comfortable it is over a days use.
I had a long chat with the owner and he seems a reasonable chap who seems to know his stuff. Sure if you are going to spend serious money then don't look at these (£150 plus delivery), but at this end of the market my research tells me they're all much of a muchness.
I've also got a bike helmet (which in fairness would do the job), but I wanted a white helmet rather than a loud coloured one!
I'm due to have a single seater experience shortly and will be able to see how comfortable it is over a days use.
I had a long chat with the owner and he seems a reasonable chap who seems to know his stuff. Sure if you are going to spend serious money then don't look at these (£150 plus delivery), but at this end of the market my research tells me they're all much of a muchness.
Bike helmets are fine for trackdays. I still use my old one.
The difference is car helmets have fire proof lining, incase you're stuck in a car that's on fire. Bikes don't need this as you're usually thrown clear of your bike.
I'll move to a v2 next as they seem like a bargain. That's as long as they fit me well. As mentioned this is the key factor, fit and comfort.
ETA - You also have to decide whether to buy an open-faced or full-faced. Open faced allow you to speak to passengers more clearly and feel less restrictive but, if you get offered a pax ride in a westfield or radical, you'll want a full face.
I'll only ever have full face, regardless of car. I've come from bikes and am used to them anyway plus if a piece if debris ever entered your car, it's another layer between your face and it.
The difference is car helmets have fire proof lining, incase you're stuck in a car that's on fire. Bikes don't need this as you're usually thrown clear of your bike.
I'll move to a v2 next as they seem like a bargain. That's as long as they fit me well. As mentioned this is the key factor, fit and comfort.
ETA - You also have to decide whether to buy an open-faced or full-faced. Open faced allow you to speak to passengers more clearly and feel less restrictive but, if you get offered a pax ride in a westfield or radical, you'll want a full face.
I'll only ever have full face, regardless of car. I've come from bikes and am used to them anyway plus if a piece if debris ever entered your car, it's another layer between your face and it.
Edited by marky911 on Wednesday 22 June 10:17
I think there are design differences - the car helmet will take impacts from different directions to a bike helmet.
The car helmets are also fireproof. To be fair, as has been pointed out that is of little relevance unless you are also wearing fireproof clothing!
I've always had full face and it's something I think you get used to
The car helmets are also fireproof. To be fair, as has been pointed out that is of little relevance unless you are also wearing fireproof clothing!
I've always had full face and it's something I think you get used to
With all the types out there it is hard to work out what is right for a car and what is ok for a bike, many of the sellers and websites don't mention this. It is interesting that most rally drivers wear open face and most track drivers wear full face. I've got no issues with a full face helmet and have used them previously, but I do wear glasses so I thought a open face might be easier.
NBTBRV8 said:
With all the types out there it is hard to work out what is right for a car and what is ok for a bike, many of the sellers and websites don't mention this. It is interesting that most rally drivers wear open face and most track drivers wear full face. I've got no issues with a full face helmet and have used them previously, but I do wear glasses so I thought a open face might be easier.
I wear specs with my two full face helmets, but trying to get them on is key to the fit of the helmet.Some helmets I have tried make it impossible to don specs or are very uncomfortable when you do.
I believe V2 offer a return service if it doesn't fit, and I would suggest that they are not for everyone as there is not too much space in front of your nose or chin.
There are a number of retailers online who will allow you to purchase a helmet and exchange it if it doesn't fit (Demon Tweeks as a for instance or Grand Prix Racewear) which is likely to be the only way to try them out unless you went to somewhere like the Autosport show.
Motorsport helmets have different standards than Motorcycle helmets (Snell 2005 or 2010 or FIA standards) and are subject to different tests than ECE 22.05 (double impact, penetration tests, batch testing & blind-buy testing apparently). But, fundamentally, Motorsport helmets are different as follows
1. Fireproof (liner, kevlar strap, fire-resistance visor)
2. Shape. Motorcycle helmets tend to be worn with the head tilted backwards (you tend to lean forwards on a bike) whereas a car helmet tends to be worn with the head tilted towards the chest as you are sitting in a car.
3. Visor opening. Car helmets have much smaller visor opening than Bike helmets to improve safety (smaller visor more helmet less opening). This is done as the vision requirements are reduced as most drivers are seating in similar positions and don't tend to move around whereas motorcyclists move their bodies and head position all the time and require a larger field of vision. The down side for glasses wearers like me is that it is very difficult to wear them with a motorsport helmet which is why I had to change my glasses to ones with straight arms rather than a conventionally hooked arm.
When all is said and done though you don't require a Motorsport helmet to do trackdays but if you move on to MSA sanctioned motorsport you would need one so if you don't ride bikes it makes sense to get a Motorsport Snell 2010 or equivalant rather than a Bike one. I have a Arai GP6 but there are all sorts of helmets from £150 upwards. Just make sure it fits correctly.
Motorsport helmets have different standards than Motorcycle helmets (Snell 2005 or 2010 or FIA standards) and are subject to different tests than ECE 22.05 (double impact, penetration tests, batch testing & blind-buy testing apparently). But, fundamentally, Motorsport helmets are different as follows
1. Fireproof (liner, kevlar strap, fire-resistance visor)
2. Shape. Motorcycle helmets tend to be worn with the head tilted backwards (you tend to lean forwards on a bike) whereas a car helmet tends to be worn with the head tilted towards the chest as you are sitting in a car.
3. Visor opening. Car helmets have much smaller visor opening than Bike helmets to improve safety (smaller visor more helmet less opening). This is done as the vision requirements are reduced as most drivers are seating in similar positions and don't tend to move around whereas motorcyclists move their bodies and head position all the time and require a larger field of vision. The down side for glasses wearers like me is that it is very difficult to wear them with a motorsport helmet which is why I had to change my glasses to ones with straight arms rather than a conventionally hooked arm.
When all is said and done though you don't require a Motorsport helmet to do trackdays but if you move on to MSA sanctioned motorsport you would need one so if you don't ride bikes it makes sense to get a Motorsport Snell 2010 or equivalant rather than a Bike one. I have a Arai GP6 but there are all sorts of helmets from £150 upwards. Just make sure it fits correctly.
jeffw said:
Motorsport helmets have different standards than Motorcycle helmets (Snell 2005 or 2010 or FIA standards).
Just to clarify, the standards you quote here are for the bike or car?I quite like the look of the Sparco Jet
http://rallynuts.com/motorsport/SPARCO_Helmets_169...
If I was in the OPs position, then Id be looking for a bargain white or black Arai or Shoei - a so-called (and foolishly derided) 'bike helmet'. In all liklihood this will fit better, be more comfortable, last longer and, most importantly: protect you more in the event of an accident!
With regards to the BS6658-A F/R being a 'bike helmet that you can use in low end events'... The truth is that the above standard is eligible for all National and International motorsport and it will not be withdrawn before the beginning of 2016 at the earliest (MSA 2011 yearbook p164 K 10.3.1 - outliving the Snell SA2000 standard, despite being 15 years older!).
There are differences between 'bike' and 'motorsport' helmets now, but I dont think that theyre as great as some people on forums would have you believe; especially if you buy a top quality motorcycle helmet (which usually means Arai or Shoei). Many differences are obvious of course, such as Nomex linings and smaller apetures, however; it wasnt that long ago that they were identical - I had a Mansell rep with a Nomex lining, but otherwise it was the same as an Arai bike helmet...
With regards to the BS6658-A F/R being a 'bike helmet that you can use in low end events'... The truth is that the above standard is eligible for all National and International motorsport and it will not be withdrawn before the beginning of 2016 at the earliest (MSA 2011 yearbook p164 K 10.3.1 - outliving the Snell SA2000 standard, despite being 15 years older!).
There are differences between 'bike' and 'motorsport' helmets now, but I dont think that theyre as great as some people on forums would have you believe; especially if you buy a top quality motorcycle helmet (which usually means Arai or Shoei). Many differences are obvious of course, such as Nomex linings and smaller apetures, however; it wasnt that long ago that they were identical - I had a Mansell rep with a Nomex lining, but otherwise it was the same as an Arai bike helmet...
Edited by GC8 on Friday 24th June 00:59
What exactly will be better made in your £700 helmet against my £140 V2.
From what I recall of my conversation with Mr V2 at the Autosport show, V2's are made in the same factory and of the same stuff as a lot of other brands.
I'm not so naive as to think there is no difference in things like fittings and so on, but if it meets the standard, fits comfy and I can get my specs on, it fits the bill.
From what I recall of my conversation with Mr V2 at the Autosport show, V2's are made in the same factory and of the same stuff as a lot of other brands.
I'm not so naive as to think there is no difference in things like fittings and so on, but if it meets the standard, fits comfy and I can get my specs on, it fits the bill.
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