Basically, I'm trying to find a good [B]cheap[B] helmet for autocrossing
I dont really care what it looks like, It just needs to be as inexpensive as possible and legal for STS. I'm new to autocrossing so I dont want to spend a ton of $ on a helmet right now. Can anybody help a newb out?

 

one word, ebay... You can pick up a used motorcycle helmet pretty cheap.

 

An M-rated helmet from a motorcycle shop would be fine - you may want to check with your local region to see if anyone has a helmet for sale - i'd be leery of buying a helmet off of ebay rather than someone in your region.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by .RJ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i'd be leery of buying a helmet off of ebay rather than someone in your region.</TD></TR></TABLE>

same here . also cheap and helmet are two words i wouldn't use in the same sentence...

 

the way i express it: as a motorcycle rider and road racer, i wouldnt trust my life with a "cheap" helmet, but i've never once feared for my life on an autox.

that could be my own ignorance (yeah ive seen picture(s) of the RARE occasion a car rolls (tips over?) at an autox event) but i dont think theyre any more necessary than keeping insurance costs down (which im only speculating). thats just how i feel about it.

 

Do yourself a favor and buy an M2000 rated helmet. You'll get 5 more years out of it then an M95 helmet. If you pro-rate the helmet it makes more economic sence or something.

 

I've always believed the old "5 dollar helmet on a 5 dollar head" deal, but here's a link to a CHEAP SA2000 rated helmet that'd get you thru several more years of competition safely.

http://www.helmetcity.com/helmets/pyrotect.html

 

Damn, that is pretty cheap.

 

Sorry for the all-bold post, I dont know what happened there.
Do you think a motorcycle helmet is gonna cut it?

I agree with what tyson said though. I don't think I'll really be fearing for my life tearing around pylons in a parking lot. I will, however, upgrade to a better helmet once I get a little more competitive. And that pyrotech helmet seems like a pretty good deal and is very understated looking, which I like.

Do you think I'll get made fun of wearing a motorcycle helmet?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by BAZ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Do you think a motorcycle helmet is gonna cut it?
P </TD></TR></TABLE>


I forget the exact reasoning..... but I do remember that M and SA helmets are designed for a different "style" of impacts. Ie., getting bounded around a car as opposed to boucing down the road and into trees etc off a bike. And like JSI says below, the Nomex lining.... just in case you spontaneously combust.

Another thing to consider is that some venues will require an "SA" rated helmet to participate in their events. This likely wouldn't ever be a concern in an Auto-X, but if you were to decide to do a track day somewhere, it could put a kink in your plans.

Remember that it's your mellon we're talking about. Just have the conversation around some of your relatives, like... "Yeah, I really wanted to step up to a good helmet, but I just don't have the cash". They'll worry that you're gonna dent your grape, and buck up for a b-day present or something. If that's not an option, save up a few bucks and get a decent SA helmet. Tube feeding is highly overrated.


Modified by Shortbus at 10:36 AM 9/17/2003

 

M-rated helmet will do just fine for auto-x

the difference between m and sa is the fire-retardant lining on sa. The Snell test for SA rating also includes an impact test against a simulated rollbar anvil. M-helmets also tend to have larger eyeport openings. As far as design goes..., a lot of helmet mfgs basically take their m-rated model and slap on a nomex liner and voila! instant SA helmet (after doing the necessary certification of course). The shell design is the same. Most of the other differences are related mostly to comfort...

 

what about profile, I'm about 6 foot in a crx, I dont know if a motorcycle helmet has a higher profile, or if its the same as say one specifically for auto-x or the like.

 

M and SA rated helmet "shells" should be the same size if compared within the same manufacturer's line.

Either way, it will be a tight squeeze for you.

Maybe you can get away with one of those "turtle-shell" helmets that I see lots of Harley riders wearing.

 

I'm about 6'2" and have to recline the seat one notch to fit into a CRX DX (no sunroof). I have an m-helmet. Most helmets are approximately the same size. The shell size depends on the head size, but even then there is not a huge difference between say, a XXSmal and XXXLarge. A lot of manufacturers make like 2-3 shells, ie 1 shell for sizes XS-S, another for M-L and another for XL-XXL etc and then use different inner comfort lining for each size.

 

 

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LMFAO!

On a sidenote, my helmet is a motorcylce Helmet I got at a store. It was only $80. Gets the job done for me.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Greyout &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"></TD></TR></TABLE>

that is great

 

I'd stray away from Motorcycle helmets. Alot of track event organizers will not allow M rated helmets for Car events.

Like people said, dont cheap out on something that will save your life. However, Im starting to think some of these helmets that cost major bucks have more comfortable features, more stylish, types of stuff than their cheaper counterpart.

SA2000

 

If you're sticking to autox, I don't think the safety is that much of an issue. Sure, there's still a risk, but not anywhere near as high as with an HPDE or anything.

 

I bought an RCI full-face Snell 2000 for $160 from my local speed shop. It's a touch snug but seems solid. One question: if a helmet meets a given impact rating, what else could be implemented to make it safer? Just wondering.

 

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Now thats what I need, anybody know where I can pick one of these up?

 

The HELMET is not SA approved, only SB approved...

OK, sorry....

Jung

 

OK, one more question.
How much longer could I use a m90 helmet?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by BAZ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">OK, one more question.
How much longer could I use a m90 helmet?</TD></TR></TABLE>
2 years.

BTW, I paid $50 for my M00 helmet off of Ebay (new)...works great for autox

 

and how much longer would a m95 helmet be good for?