Helmet advice + Buying from the US

[oooOLLIooo]

Hi all
I am looking at buying a helmet for track day use in the near future.

There seems to be good deals around in the US, even factoring in the cost of import VAT etc…
Are there any reasons not to buy from there? I am thinking CE marking and the like, would anything like that apply to helmets for use in the UK? I am looking for a SNELL2010 certified helmet so should be ok?

I have a budget of around £300 / £400. I am drawn to Bell as a brand because of good past experience with them and motorbike helmets, good fit for me and good quality.
I was originally thinking of buying the Bell KF3-SV
http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/motorsport/helmets/b...

But then saw what looks like a fairly similar helmet in the US, the K1 sport
http://www.bellracing.com/helmets/racer-series/k-1...

Has anyone had any experience with any of the above?

Many thanks

[NNH]

I use a US helmet (GForce) on UK trackdays without any issues. Bear in mind that the main governing body in the US has just issued its new 2015 code. This supersedes the 2010 code, and most US organisations will then stop allowing the 2005 versions on track. This means that there is a glut of 2010 helmets to get rid of, which probably explains the lower prices. The 2010 helmets won't be bad as such, but they will suddenly have only a 5 year lifespan for US users.

Actually, this might be quite a clever time to buy a good value 2010 helmet, but don't get upset if you can't use it on a track day on holiday in the States in 6 years' time

[trialsta]

MCN has an article on the best track day helmets this week if that's of any help

[Ej74]

I got my Bell helmet in the US
My old Sparco was a size M or L

I was surprised as I ended up purchasing a size "S" I was in the US so was able to try it on etc

[oooOLLIooo]

NNH said:

I use a US helmet (GForce) on UK trackdays without any issues. Bear in mind that the main governing body in the US has just issued its new 2015 code. This supersedes the 2010 code, and most US organisations will then stop allowing the 2005 versions on track. This means that there is a glut of 2010 helmets to get rid of, which probably explains the lower prices. The 2010 helmets won't be bad as such, but they will suddenly have only a 5 year lifespan for US users.

Actually, this might be quite a clever time to buy a good value 2010 helmet, but don't get upset if you can't use it on a track day on holiday in the States in 6 years' time

Thanks, it sounds like it's good timing then. The prospect of a trackday in the US is pretty unlikely for me!

[oooOLLIooo]

trialsta said:

MCN has an article on the best track day helmets this week if that's of any help

Thanks for that, I should have clarified in my post that this time I am not looking for a motorbike helmet, it's for track days in my car, but thanks for the heads up