Hey guys! Since I recent declared myself addicted to HPDE's, my generious girlfriend has decided to buy me a helmet for christmas & new years (how sweet).

I need you to help me make the right decision - it is a pretty big purchase and one of the most important components on the track!

Could you post a pic of your helmet, tell us how long you've used it, how much you bought it for, where you purchased it, and any pros/cons (weight, fitment, durability, visibility, noise factor, ventilation, comfort, etc)

I will start the thread of saying I have borrowed a Bieffe Predator from Christian at the 03 expo for a ride-along! Great helmet, wasn't too heavy, alot of room to breath and ventalation, could see everything... but I was recently told Bieffe's product line is in the air (saferacer.com won't know when they will be back in stock).. so I turn to you guys!



hopefully this information will help other members new to the "racing" scene along with members looking to upgrade their existing helmets!

 

I have had a Bell M2 for the past year. I have no complaints, as I got what I paid for. It is comfortable, and serves it's function. Ventilation is good, and it fits well with my eyeglass. I purchased it from OG Racing.

http://www.ogracing.com

I would also recommend a helmet support. The helmet support that I purchased is the Sparco Anatomic. It was uncomfortable to wear at first, but I grew used to it. I believe that it's function is just as important as a helmets.

 

Also specify if you wear glasses or not, and if so how well the helmet fit with them.

 

I have the Bieffe predator. I agree with everything you say, except that I don't get lots of ventilation with the eye shield down. It fogs up a bit. I corrected that by getting a product called Fog City. It works well, but $17 for a piece of plastic that will have to be replaced is kind of high. Did you check with other shops on the Bieffe status since you already know the size you want?

 

I have the Bell Sport II. Great fit. well vented.

used it when I ride sometimes. there is some aerodynamic issues, but it vented well.

The visor hold screws tend to get loose after a lot of "visor-up/visor-down" movement.

The plastic visor holds are kinda cheesy, but, they do server their purpose.

I don't wear glasses.

Great helmet for $300. My next helmet will have an vent tube for fresh air system.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Alexander &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
hopefully this information will help other members new to the "racing" scene along with members looking to upgrade their existing </TD></TR></TABLE>

Or maybe they will think to use the search feature and find the other 10 threads like this... my information can be found there.

 

I am using a 2002 OMP Formula 703, I have used in the Gran Am Cup series in 2002, and SCCA and Open Comp Dirt Late models in 2003. It is very comfortable and lightweight. Has plenty of room for glasses (SUN). I purchased it at Driving Sport USA. The OMP dealer for the states. http://www.teamdi1.com/helmets.htm, Sale price now 399.99 (Close out), normal 549

Helmet has held up very well for the abuse I have given it.

 

I tried on a Bell M2 because of the hype about the eyeport being bigger to accommodate glasses. It felt like my cheeks were in a vise, cutting off circulation. Instead I bought a Bell Sport III, which was a lot more comfortable.

I don't have a photo of my helmet, but click here for my favorite photo of someone else's painted helmet. (WARNING: X-rated, not for children.)

 

I also have the Bell M2 (probably the cheapest decent helmet out there). Fits ok, but the cheeks feel a bit pinched and it fogs easily with the visor down. Can't comment on wind noise, usually have the visor up. Opening is more than sufficient for me to wear my sunglasses with it. Got it for $300 at OG Racing.

 

Personal experience and my desire not to wear the full type leaves me with a Bell MAG 4 or 5 open face. They are fine in our enclosed cars. They were fine back when we had the TR-3 too-just needed goggles &lt;G&gt;. It is a matter of personal preference as to the type. If you have an open cockpit a full can be a better solution. Fit is everything and i strongly urge you to try several different brands before buying. We like Bell for me but my lady needs a Simpson for fit. The latest brand is Impact and Bill Simpson has done his homework again. Whatever you do-make absolutely sure that the helmet you buy is rated SA2000. This is important for NASA, SCCA and most HPDE groups. A motorcycle helmet just does not cut it. Plan on spending $200 or more depending on style for one. To see pictures-check out the company websites. You can buy these brands at Helmet City (I did). Simpson Race Products has several stores and authorized dealers around the country as does Bell.
Even Summit has Simpson.

Congrat's on the gift and happy holidays. Be sure to take your GF shopping so you can show her the neat gloves and suit you will need for drivers school &lt;BG&gt;.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by genxguy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">it fogs easily with the visor down. Can't comment on wind noise, usually have the visor up.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I think all full-face helmets fog easily with the visor down. I used to keep my visor up all the time. Then I got smart and just removed the visor.

There are lots of brands of helmets. The most well-known ones, with links, include:

Arai
Bell
Bieffe
Shoei
Simpson

Others worth checking out include:

AGV
AXO
Cyber
HJC
KBC
M2R
Nolan
O'Neal
Suomy

Unfortunately, often when you find that they have a dealer locator function on their website, it turns out that it's just a motorcycle helmet dealer.

 

I've only worn this one for a few hours around the house (watching SPEED, working on the computer) but I'm pleased with the initial quality of the Bell XFM1...



No stupid holes (aka "crack starters"), no Racer X sculpting or fins or crap, anodized aluminum shield pivots, and a .125" visor that will actually stop stuff from poking me in the eyes.

I get to invoke "old guy" status here but I have seen too many scary things end up in the driver's compartment of a closed car to race with an open-face helmet - glass shards, battery acid, hot coolant, more than one branch, fire, a rearview mirror, rocks, dirt, grasshoppers (OK, not so scary - I actually laughed all the way around the next lap, watching them bash into the windshield), and - last and certainly most visor-worthy - a hunk of Fiat cranshaft with 1/2 of a connecting rod attached.

I could see it for the less-threatening HPDE world - maybe - but not in combat.

K

 

I have the G force Pro Force 1 helmet. I only used it for about 4 months so far. Only paid $200 for it because I got it on sale. Bought it off of some dealer on ht. I like the helmet overall. But the only problem I have with it is comfort. I wear eye glasses so with the glasses on its not very comfortable with it on. But I"m about to get contacts to fixed that problem. Without my glasses on its comfortable as can be with enough support and visual aid as well. Oh yeah another drawback is my helmet sometimes rubs the top of the roof of the car. But that is probably because my head is so damn big and I wear a XL helmet . You can tell from the pic If I was going to do it over again I might of got the Bell M2 because they perfer that better with people with glasses.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Driven &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I have the Bell Sport II. Great fit. well vented.

used it when I ride sometimes. there is some aerodynamic issues, but it vented well.

The visor hold screws tend to get loose after a lot of "visor-up/visor-down" movement.

The plastic visor holds are kinda cheesy, but, they do server their purpose.

I don't wear glasses.

Great helmet for $300. My next helmet will have an vent tube for fresh air system. </TD></TR></TABLE>

I have the same helmet and would have written pretty much the same review. Nothing like being waved off grid and having your helmet visor fall down into your face when the screw comes off! Other than that, you can't beat it for the price. I'm going to upgrade it soon to something with an air duct, however.

 

thanks for the suggestions.. i have been checking EVERYwhere for the bieffe predator but apparently bieffe hasn't made a shipment from italy in the past 3 months. I am looking into the bell M2 right now to be ready for next season, but I may just wait until it starts

Shameless bump, I still would like to hear more ideas and mini reviews. I apologize that this has been covered already, just felt it is never a dead topic really.. everyone needs a helmet!

 

If price were no concern, I'd have bought the Arai GP-5. If memory serves, its right around 3 lbs. I originally bought a Bell M2 about 4 years ago (the one w/ the coveted large eyeport ). I don't dislike it but its pretty heavy and the lining in the back came out (not atypical from what I hear on the M2). Going by memory, the Pro (M2 Pro, M3, XFM-1)/Ultra (Vortex, Vortex FA) series are the same weights (like 5 lbs.) whereas the Racer series (Sport II/III, M2) are about 2 lbs. heavier. I noticed the Bell now sells a Pyrotect line which was I believe was slightly discounted. My personal experience was that the larger eyeport was rather worthless (I actually like the smaller one for road racing) but I would bet that for auto-x or HPDE it would be a nice to have. I have read good things about the G-Force Kevlar helmets but have no personal experience with them.

 

i have a m2 pro and love it. the reg m2 was def to heavy for me ive used mine for 2 auto cross seasons now.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Alexander &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> i have been checking EVERYwhere for the bieffe predator but apparently bieffe hasn't made a shipment from italy in the past 3 months. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Yes, Bieffe has a very poor delivery history for some time. I needed an SA2000 and tried every helmet brand at the PRI show. I have a big head and the SA2000 additional face padding made me switch from the Bell that I liked from the SA90. The biggest helmet on the market is the Bieffe Predator in their largest size. I ordered it in December '01 and was not worried because I didn't need it until March '02. That came and went with no helmet. With quite a bit of nagging the dealer and some air freight at their expense, I got my Bieffe Predator two days before my July '02 race weekend.

Once I had the helmet, I was very happy with it but delivery time sucked. Thankfully I won't need to buy a new one for 5-6 years most likely.

Bieffe Predator design and fit on a big head
Bieffe Predator delivery when not on the shelf

 

I use the Bell X-15. Good fitament, but fogged up quite a bit like most full face helmets apparently do. The view from it is also a little narrow and makes reading the gauges a little difficult, but not bad. Very comfortable, though.

 

Anyone have the G-Force AIR? That is the helomet I am looking at purchasing....I would be interested in reviews of that one...

 

I own a M2... for the price and comfort you cant beat it. I do not wear glasses, switched to a tinted visor (though i ususally have the visor up, its just incase i get sun in the eyes at a track like VIR). I went to my club members and tried their helmets, went to OG racing and tried them on as well. I used to own and simpson bandit, but the M2 felt just as good on my head and cost 500 less... so... the M2 takes the win. try to put on/wear as many as you can, or as many as people will let you to find the "right" one.

 

I've been using a Bieffe open face for autox, and other than having to deal with a size too big, it's been a great quality and comfortable helmet. It's also ginormous, even in the right size.

My new helmet, from the IOPort sale, is a Bell Sport II. Hooray for correct sizing. I'm really happy with it, my field of vision isn't significantly reduced from the Bieffe open-face, and I don't have to worry about bits of asphalt flying into my face while sitting in the passenger seat showing people the slow way around gateway. Do need to get some Fog City or something.

I wear glasses, and I've never had a problem seeing in any helmet. My size is almost invariably Large no matter the manufacturer.

 

M2 and I usually use glasses.

No fogging as of yet, and I always wear it visor down. It does seem to attach by the cheeks, but I would say it is comfortable. Excellent visibility, which is something I like as a beginner. I'd recommend it as a first helmet, though I'll keep it for awhile unless my head swells (sorry). It is kinda heavy but so was everything else in my price range.

$290 from TrueChoice

 

I run a Bell M3 Pro. Love it!! I had sold a lot of helmets earlier this year for the ITR EXPO. The popular choice was the Sport III and M2 from Bell. Sport III for w/o glases, M2 with... I stock them too.

Thanks,
Victor

 

Bell SR Pro (SA95).

No complaints and has held up well. My #1 feature for my new SA05 helmet will be HANS device compatibility.