Hey guys,
I'm totally new to this section of H-T and driving a car in a straight line doesn't do much for me. Anyways, I'm looking into buying an inexpensive helmet that would allow me to keep on using it through HPDE and the like.

I hear SA2000 full face is what I should get.

The main factors I want to know about is comfortability. I'm a little intimidated by the fact my visibility will be decreased due to the protective helmet over my head. A few people mentioned Bieffe, Bell and Simpson as good companies with overall good helmets. The helmet fogging up goes under the comfort factor as well. Anyways, any suggestions or good helmet shops in So Cal? If i want to buy online, I need to know my size...etc..etc...TIA

 

I picked up a bell M2 at http://www.subesports.com they were really helpful, let me try on different ones and such.. the M2 is pretty inexpensive $299 (i think its also the cheapest full face they carry) i liked the M2 because it has a really large eyeport compared to the others, but i'd say definately go out there and try a few before you buy

 

http://www.soloracer.com

 

i have a bieffe F1GP air concept. it ran about $400, and it's very comfortable. i only got the helmet with the aero though because i didn't like the lifting feeling i get in the F2000 cars..
i've never had any fogging problems with it. the eyeport is slightly smaller, but compared to the shoei that i wore before, i didn't really notice, so i'll give my thumbs up for bieffe...

 

For your long term planning the full face Bell or Simpson will be just fine. SA2000 is the current rating. I agree with the others that you must try them on. I happen to prefer the Bell MAG4 for a closed car. Since you want an full face-it is very important that you test fit and find one with as large an eye port as you need for visibility. Helmet City may be close to you and that is where I ordered mine from. If you do what they tell you for measuring-you will get the correct size.


[Modified by jc836, 1:54 AM 3/13/2003]

 

Anyone know a good place in so cal? maybe it's just me, but helmet city's prices are rather expensive...oakland is a lil far away too...about 400 miles. however i will be going up north soon...just for fitament.

 

if you're in LA/OC area goto subesports to try em on, you dont have to buy it there, just try all of them on, get the sizing, and find the best prices after

 

This product called "Fog City Fog Shield" works well for preventing fogging; at least it has worked well for me. You can find it at http://www.ioportracing.com

I have a Bieffe predator, which I really like. Bought it from http://www.daveturner.com in San Diego. I would also do some research and take a close look at Pyrotect helmets (construction material, etc.). I didn't even know about them when I bought my Bieffe, but they look like they're well made and the prices are very good. This shop: http://www.pegasusautoracing.com has one SA2000 model (only model?) that looks a lot like the Bell Sport III and costs less. Pyrotect makes other products for racers, but I don't know much about their quality and reputation. Could be great for all I know!

If you haven't by now, you also want to take a look at the FAQ on the top of this road racing forum front page. There's a link to a good helmet FAQ in there that can help you decide.

 

Gee, way to waste the employee's time there

 

If you go somewhere and try helmets on, and find one you like that fits, you should probably buy it there...instead of searching the web for the cheapest price. Just my .02.

 

actually, i did buy my helmet there. but i was just throwing out some info for concious consumers, but by all means the employees there are really helpful and very knowledgable about motorsports

 

I bought a Bell Racestar V for $225 shipped from http://bellmotorsports.com. It came via UPS two days after I bought it which was nice because I needed it for an autox the weekend of the order. It's an M2000 helmet with a large eyeport and all the features of Bell's SA helmets but w/o the fireproof lining and other things that would make it meet SA2000 requirements.

I don't plan on road racing this year and even if I did, I would not get a cheap er SA2000 helmet because they are heavy in fiberglas versions which is fine for autox but not extended wear, IMO.

I tried on Bell helmets at a local shop but they did not have the model I wanted nor could they get it to me by the end of the week.

 

I acquired a cheap-*** hand-me-down from a friend that works great. $0.

 

I prefer open face. If you go with a closed face, you may want to get one that doesn't have a shield or has a removable shield (i think most are removable).

-k

 

What's wrong with full faced helmets that come with shields (all removable BTW)...? If you don't want the visor down then just flip it up out of the way... unless you sit with your face is right into the windshield area, the visor won't be in the way of anything.

 

If you find that you are going to keep the visor flipped up all the time, you can just remove it entirely.

And then you won't have to worry about fogging at all.