Helmet for trackdays

[Olivera]

I'm doing more trackdays now so want to buy a helmet rather than rent one. Can anyone recommend what to buy and provide links if available? Also worth noting that in the future I might want to race, so is it worth spending extra and getting an MSA approved one rather than buying twice?

[VeeFour]

I think I'd buy what suits your needs right now - as racing regulations can and probably will change, meaning what you buy now may not be OK to use in a year or two.

I just use my bike helmet. If you don't already have a helmet, buying a bike helmet is often the most cost effective thing to do.

[GC8]

For trackdays, I would always buy a well-priced Arai or Shoei over a Chinese Snell2005 approved 'motorsport' helmet.

[wackojacko]

Great price and reasonably comfortable, also MS approved.

http://www.v2sport.com/

[Olivera]

Also, open-faced or closed?

[Berger]

Go to shop. Try all the helmets on. Buy most comfortable in your budget.

[GreigM]

GC8 said:

For trackdays, I would always buy a well-priced Arai or Shoei over a Chinese Snell2005 approved 'motorsport' helmet.

Why? Have you tried the latter. I hear this often repeated, but no hard evidence as to why its a bad idea

[Dogmeat]

GPR at Silverstone had a good selection (purchased my Bell Sport 4 (closed face) £310). I have a peak visor fitted.

[agent006]

Olivera said:

Also, open-faced or closed?

Closed, unless you have a proper aversion to them. Safer, plus you never know when someone on the way out of the paddock in a Radical will look at you and point at their passenger seat.

[Defcon5]

agent006 said:

you never know when someone on the way out of the paddock in a Radical will look at you and point at their passenger seat.

[GC8]

GreigM said:

Why? Have you tried the latter. I hear this often repeated, but no hard evidence as to why its a bad idea

Yes, I have.

This is a forum, so its full of opinion, much of which is rubbish. I suppose you have to decide which opinion, if any, is worth paying any heed to.

[slepy]

I will be looking for a helmet soon as well.
What is the best place to go to try few in Yorkshire or Leicestershire?
Would be nice if they had seats to try as well.

[GreigM]

GC8 said:

Yes, I have.

This is a forum, so its full of opinion, much of which is rubbish. I suppose you have to decide which opinion, if any, is worth paying any heed to.

Surely you must then offer the reasons for your opinion - I have a V2Pro and it fits me much better than any Arai I've ever tried - what makes you so against the "chinese" made brands?

[agent006]

GC8 said:

This is a forum, so its full of opinion, much of which is rubbish. I suppose you have to decide which opinion, if any, is worth paying any heed to.

You win the prize for the most mealy mouthed wording of "you're talking st".

[GC8]

Not my intention. I meant to imply that much opinion here is boll*cks, rather than 'your opinion is boll*cks'...

Personally I find that Arai fit me well and better than the Chinese helmets that I have tried: some are alright though, in terms of 'fit'.

I firmly believe that a cheap helmet is a cheap helmet (and the Chinese helmets are sold for pocket change at source) though, and that a quality Arai/Shoe/Bell or similar will be a safer bet, irrespective of whether the Chinese option has a Snell2005 (outdated now, btw) sticker or not - or, indeed: whether the Arai only now carries an ECE 22.05 approval. Internet myth about 'motor racing helmets' and lowly 'bike helmets' along with misunderstandings about the tests used in the Snell approval procedure, all fuel peoples misconceptions.

Only my opinion, of course.

[GC8]

One further point: Im not anti-Chinese helmets - Im pro-good helmets.

[BertBert]

GC8 said:

Not my intention. I meant to imply that much opinion here is boll*cks, rather than 'your opinion is boll*cks'...

Personally I find that Arai fit me well and better than the Chinese helmets that I have tried: some are alright though, in terms of 'fit'.

I firmly believe that a cheap helmet is a cheap helmet (and the Chinese helmets are sold for pocket change at source) though, and that a quality Arai/Shoe/Bell or similar will be a safer bet, irrespective of whether the Chinese option has a Snell2005 (outdated now, btw) sticker or not - or, indeed: whether the Arai only now carries an ECE 22.05 approval. Internet myth about 'motor racing helmets' and lowly 'bike helmets' along with misunderstandings about the tests used in the Snell approval procedure, all fuel peoples misconceptions.

Only my opinion, of course.

But is your opinion guided by any facts or just surmise? I'm genuinely interested. When you say "safer bet", do you mean that the Arai/Shoe/Bell is actually safer? Or might be?

Bert

[5paul5]

The answer is simple... buy the best you can afford, you only have one head !

[BertBert]

5paul5 said:

The answer is simple... buy the best you can afford, you only have one head !

But that's the whole point. The only definition we have of how good a helmet is, is the tests it has passed. I know you mean buy the most expensive, but we are looking for actual facts here!

Bert

[gtdc]

I would strongly advise going and having a good try on. Different makes suit different head shapes and there is nothing more cranky than a chap with an uncomfortable helmet.

Buy the best you can afford - you only have one head. An afternoon in Grand Prix Racewear at Silverstone is a most enjoyable activity and the staff there are very helpful and informative.