Open or closed helmet for Lotus Elise

[thewharftrader]

I know you have to wear a full face helmet in you drive a fully open car or full convertible but what do I need to buy for a Lotus Elise. I may want to take the top roof off in the summer if it is v hot but it is not a full convertible. I would prefer an open helmet but being a novice, I don't want to buy the wrong helmet!

[wackojacko]

Full face if any part of the roof is open, I would say full face what ever happens as I wouldn't fancy head butting the steering wheel with and open face helmet

[thegreenhell]

Full-face with the visor open is just fine with the roof off, even on the hottest summer trackdays.

[thewharftrader]

Many thanks.
Would have preferred an open face but if I'm told that I need a full face, then full face I shall go.

[phil121081]

Just to play devils advocate, I use and open face helmet and have used an Elise and S2k on track with roof down. I wear sun glasses to stop any bugs to debris, but find full face helmets very claustrophobic.

Each to their own i guess.

[TonyHetherington]

thewharftrader said:

Many thanks.
Would have preferred an open face but if I'm told that I need a full face, then full face I shall go.

Don't forget that a full face is also a little more versatile. Many times at a trackday you will get an offer of a ride in a stupidly quick windscreenless Caterham, or you might want to use it go karting etc.

[Jubal]

At some venues (as we recently experienced at Bedford) they enforce a full face rule for open top cars, roof down or not.

[Stephanie Plum]

On a LOT day in an Elise you can use an open face. It depends whose insurance is valid on the day - we have our own policy therefore we can say what goes to an extent.

However, having said that, I would always advise a full face helmet - in a big shunt items in the cabin can come loose. On one occasion I recall the radio flew out of its mount and hit the driver in the head - having a full face helmet on saved him from what could have been a very nasty injury. It also means you can blag rides in 211s

[thewharftrader]

I think the replies fully confirm what I need to do.
Full face helmet all the way!!
(Oh and a Lotus Elise which I have not yet purchased but all going well, I should buy it next weekend!)
)
Am already signed up for Bedford on the 19th March so I had better have my car by then.

[wackojacko]

phil121081 said:

Just to play devils advocate, I use and open face helmet and have used an Elise and S2k on track with roof down. I wear sun glasses to stop any bugs to debris, but find full face helmets very claustrophobic.

Each to their own i guess.

Most TD organisers insist you wear a Full face in a car with the roof off..... interesting to hear they didn't say something

[shim]

Playing devils advocate I wouldn't want to get hit by an air bag with full face helmet under the chin strap!

[wackojacko]

shim said:

Playing devils advocate I wouldn't want to get hit by an air bag with full face helmet under the chin strap!

I don't have an air bag ......... would prefer not to headbutt the steering wheel at around 10g+ with open face helmet ............ teeth etc

[ringweekends]

If you have a full face how's anyone supposed to see how good looking you are?

[thewharftrader]

ringweekends said:

If you have a full face how's anyone supposed to see how good looking you are?

That seals it. I am DEFINITELY getting a full face helmet!! LOL

[SpeedyDave]

ringweekends said:

If you have a full face how's anyone supposed to see how good looking you are?

I have pretty eyes.

[Henry Fiddleton]

For me, closed every time. As per above, you never know if you have an off and end up head butting the wheel..

[Rovinghawk]

Jubal said:

At some venues (as we recently experienced at Bedford) they enforce a full face rule for open top cars, roof down or not.

I think my SLK might confuse them- is it hard top or open?

RH