Budget Helmet

[EddyP]

Afternoon guys,

Going to start having a go this year in our Clubmans car so need to sort a helmet out, with Hans posts.
There’s obviously a huge range of helmets and not many places where you can try them on, have been to GPR but they never have the budget helmet in stock in my size (OMP GP R)
Then there’s the like of Headtec and V2 etc which are quite a bit cheaper.
I don’t mind paying a little more to be comfortable any tips as to what you’ve found? How have the different suppliers been with buying one, trying it and sending it back it it’s too tight or not comfy etc

Thanks

[Trev450]

Demon Tweeks have an excellent returns policy. You don't need a reason to return anything but just ensure you keep all the boxes, labels and everything else it comes with just in case.

I've been using a V2 for the last couple of seasons and apart from being a bit heavier than my previous Bell, it's comfortable and feels quite well made.

Edited by Trev450 on Friday 4th February 13:48

[EddyP]

Trev450 said:

Demon Tweeks have an excellent returns policy. You don't need a reason to return anything but just ensure you keep all the boxes, labels and everything else it comes with just in case.

I've been using a V2 for the last couple of seasons and apart from being a bit heavier than my previous Bell, it's comfortable and feels quite well made.

Edited by Trev450 on Friday 4th February 13:48

Thanks Trev, just had a look at V2, look good but really poor stock at the moment! I need a large and can’t find one anywhere.

[Trev450]

EddyP said:

Trev450 said:

Demon Tweeks have an excellent returns policy. You don't need a reason to return anything but just ensure you keep all the boxes, labels and everything else it comes with just in case.

I've been using a V2 for the last couple of seasons and apart from being a bit heavier than my previous Bell, it's comfortable and feels quite well made.

Edited by Trev450 on Friday 4th February 13:48

Thanks Trev, just had a look at V2, look good but really poor stock at the moment! I need a large and can’t find one anywhere.

Have you tried the V2 website? http://www.v2sport.com/

[AWRacing]

Look at Zamp and Koden. Both appear good quality and reasonably priced.

[PGNSagaris]

There is a cheap V2 with Hans posts on eBay.

Worth a shot at that money I reckon

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/V2-ELITE-CAR-RACING-HEL...

[df76]

Bargain carbon helmet here. Might be worth thinking about as you’re in an exposed formula car.

https://www.hawkemotorsport.co.uk/Store/racewear/h...

[Nampahc Niloc]

Where abouts in the country are you? If you can, it’s worth getting yourself to a motorsport supplier and trying a range on. Everyone’s head is a different shape, so it really is a personal choice.

[carl_w]

df76 said:

Bargain carbon helmet here. Might be worth thinking about as you’re in an exposed formula car.

https://www.hawkemotorsport.co.uk/Store/racewear/h...

That does look like a bargain but I don't understand the comment about an exposed formula car? The only advantage of CF helmets is that they're lighter than GRP.

[df76]

carl_w said:

df76 said:

Bargain carbon helmet here. Might be worth thinking about as you’re in an exposed formula car.

https://www.hawkemotorsport.co.uk/Store/racewear/h...

That does look like a bargain but I don't understand the comment about an exposed formula car? The only advantage of CF helmets is that they're lighter than GRP.

Tend to provide a higher level of protection.. reviewed here.

https://driver61.com/resources/racing-helmet-buyer...

[stevieturbo]

df76 said:

Bargain carbon helmet here. Might be worth thinking about as you’re in an exposed formula car.

https://www.hawkemotorsport.co.uk/Store/racewear/h...

Interesting...I tried on a Koden about 4-5 years ago at Autosport, and it was very comfy.

They claimed it was the new carbon blah blah blah....and would be for sale soon. I enquired several times over the next few years, and it still was not ready.

Perhaps it finally is !


OMP do some cheaper Helmets too, as do Bell etc.

[Mr MXT]

carl_w said:

df76 said:

Bargain carbon helmet here. Might be worth thinking about as you’re in an exposed formula car.

https://www.hawkemotorsport.co.uk/Store/racewear/h...

That does look like a bargain but I don't understand the comment about an exposed formula car? The only advantage of CF helmets is that they're lighter than GRP.

I bought the Koden (+hans) from Hawke last week, to replace a very well used 8 year old V2 pro.

Initial thoughts, it isn't quite as comfortable, but I appreciate it needs to bed in, it particularly tight for me across the brow where the V2 wasn't. The aperture is smaller than the V2 and intererstingly I checked the weight (with hans posts)- 1600g, its not disimilar to the V2, so I imagine its GRP with a carbon fibre skin.

Its a nice and well made helmet though!

[carl_w]

df76 said:

Tend to provide a higher level of protection.. reviewed here.

https://driver61.com/resources/racing-helmet-buyer...

Interesting. I bought a carbon fibre open-face helmet (SA2010) mostly because I got a bargain and it was the same weight as my GRP SA2005 helmet at 1200g. Each iteration of the regs seems to bring about bulkier and heavier helmets.

[covboy]

The golden rule I was told once was that if you have twopenny halfpenny head, buy a twopenny halfpenny helmet

[df76]

covboy said:

The golden rule I was told once was that if you have twopenny halfpenny head, buy a twopenny halfpenny helmet

What helmet do you use?

[andy97]

Nampahc Niloc said:

Where abouts in the country are you? If you can, it’s worth getting yourself to a motorsport supplier and trying a range on. Everyone’s head is a different shape, so it really is a personal choice.

Absolutely great advice. Remember manufacturers all design their products to their view of a “standard” head shape all have different views of what a “standard” shape is.
I bought a large Bell mail order once but it pinched my forehead and I had to stop wearing it. I then made the effort to go to Wrexham to Demon Tweeks and spent a while trying different helmets on and found that a medium Sparco fitted me best. I have a “Sparco shaped head” not a “Bell shaped head”.
Also remember that all helmets meet the minimum safety standard and whilst some may exceed it that is not easily measurable and does not necessarily mean that a more expensive helmet is the one that exceeds the standard. I don’t think I have ever seen that sort of data publicised.
So, imho, it is better to have a helmet that fits properly than to buy one based on reputation or price (either high or low).

[stinkyspanner]

I had an OMP grand Prix, was very happy with it and it got quite a lot of use. However when I went from racing a tin top to a single seater with slicks and wings the fact that it was a bit weighty really, really showed itself. Worth bearing in mind, depending on how fast you will be going round corners.
I had an Arai GP something or other that was lovely, super comfy and light but it went out of date and replacements are very expensive
I managed to get a mega deal on a Stand 21 carbon fibre lid, but before that I'd looked at the Koden carbon fibre helmet and it looked great and seemed good quality and felt comfy when I tried it on. Zamp look good, its basically an old Bell in disguise, I don't know if the interior is the same though as like many others I find Bell helmets don't fit well.
Headtec and V2 I wouldn't bother with although they seem very popular with people that have them

[stevieturbo]

Weight is a huge factor...strangely looking at some Sparco and Arai online, they offered no weight information at all. Which seems bonkers.

I ordered the Koden last night though, so will see if it is what I remember from Autopsort....some 5 years go ! lol

[EddyP]

stevieturbo said:

Weight is a huge factor...strangely looking at some Sparco and Arai online, they offered no weight information at all. Which seems bonkers.

I ordered the Koden last night though, so will see if it is what I remember from Autopsort....some 5 years go ! lol

Thanks for all the useful info all.

Stevie - Would love to hear about the Koden when it arrives please. I did go to Grand Prix Raceway and tried on a few Bells but didn't really thing any of them were comfy.
The rebuild of the car is really really behind so it might not be too much of a rush for the helmet anyway, suspect we'll miss the first race of the season.

[shirt]

I’d say decent aero is more important than all out weight for a single seater lid.