What Helmet Do You Use?

[derek1ee]

Bell GT5 Touring w/ visor peak option for me
Bell M4 for wife

[Sphinx]

Buy the best quality you can afford. The old saying is if you have a $5 head, buy a $5 helmet.

Personally, I have the Bell M4 and love it. Wide eyeport is great for glasses or sunglasses. Previously used the older version M2 till it expired.

[chrisl]

Originally Posted by Sphinx

Buy the best quality you can afford. The old saying is if you have a $5 head, buy a $5 helmet.

The whole point of standards (namely, Snell SA2010, which any helmet worth consideration should meet) is that any helmet that meets the standards is going to be pretty safe. A thousand dollar Snell helmet probably won't protect you any better than a $250 Snell helmet (though it will probably look cooler, and may be lighter and more comfortable).

[Frost]

Originally Posted by chrisl

The whole point of standards (namely, Snell SA2010, which any helmet worth consideration should meet) is that any helmet that meets the standards is going to be pretty safe. A thousand dollar Snell helmet probably won't protect you any better than a $250 Snell helmet (though it will probably look cooler, and may be lighter and more comfortable).

That's probably the best way to sum it up.

For example, at the Mosport Kartways track open house session, they sell Scorpion Helmets for $200 CAD that look pretty decent, feel pretty decent and can fit glasses fairly well.

My new Bell M4 series has a wider eyeport, fits well, feels great and works great with glasses and more peripheral vision.

Difference? M4 = $499 CAD.

Do I feel pangs of regret? Maybe a little on price but the M4 has a ridiculous viewing area and I feel less cramped in - not quite open face but closest to it with a full face.

[fooddude]

What's the difference b/n M4 and M4 Pro?

[finch1750]

Originally Posted by Frost

That's probably the best way to sum it up.

For example, at the Mosport Kartways track open house session, they sell Scorpion Helmets for $200 CAD that look pretty decent, feel pretty decent and can fit glasses fairly well.

My new Bell M4 series has a wider eyeport, fits well, feels great and works great with glasses and more peripheral vision.

Difference? M4 = $499 CAD.

Do I feel pangs of regret? Maybe a little on price but the M4 has a ridiculous viewing area and I feel less cramped in - not quite open face but closest to it with a full face.

I recently got a Scorpion exo-410 and like it after one autox and a gokart session. Light and breaths good. It also does fit glasses very well. Maybe a bit more expensive considering it isn't SA, but I could try it on locally and to me that was worth it.

[Frost]

Originally Posted by fooddude

What's the difference b/n M4 and M4 Pro?

I didn't even know about the M4 Pro but from initial googling about it, it looks like the M4 kitted with options like additional vent ports and a breath deflector.

I could be wrong but that's what I see.

[racecaresuaceb]

http://www.soloracer.com/helmettech.html

http://www.racinghelmetguide.com/aut...t-reviews.html

^^^Good tips and recommendations to get you started.

Buy an SA2010 rated helmet as the SA2005 helmets will expire for use in 2015.

A right sized helmet for your noggin should fit snug such that when you try to yank it off from behind by latching a finger under the helmet rear, your head should move along with the helmet.

Cheek pads might seem tight at first, but, they do stretch.

Washable inner linings are a plus to get rid of the inevitable sweat stains.

I like a wider eye port for more peripheral vision but that's up to you.

Go as light as you can afford to reduce neck strain on long track days.

Helmets that come pre-drilled and threaded for HANS devices are a plus.

Regardless of ratings/reviews, pick a good brand helmet that fits you the best.
E.g., I shortlisted HJC 2BL10 AR-10, Bell M4, G-force eliminator but nothing fit me like the Impact 1320 which I ended up getting.

I went to physical stores to try helmets as well as tried as many helmets as possible from folks willing to let me try.

Edit: sent from phone, so excuse brevity.

[f0rge]

I went full Stiggy, Simpson Diamondback with Iridium visor.

Yes it was expensive, but you only live once and it's fun to wear it.

[Frost]

Originally Posted by racecaresuaceb

http://www.soloracer.com/helmettech.html

http://www.racinghelmetguide.com/aut...t-reviews.html

^^^Good tips and recommendations to get you started.

Buy an SA2010 rated helmet as the SA2005 helmets will expire for use in 2015.

A right sized helmet for your noggin should fit snug such that when you try to yank it off from behind by latching a finger under the helmet rear, your head should move along with the helmet.

Cheek pads might seem tight at first, but, they do stretch.

Washable inner linings are a plus to get rid of the inevitable sweat stains.

I like a wider eye port for more peripheral vision but that's up to you.

Go as light as you can afford to reduce neck strain on long track days.

Helmets that come pre-drilled and threaded for HANS devices are a plus.

Regardless of ratings/reviews, pick a good brand helmet that fits you the best.
E.g., I shortlisted HJC 2BL10 AR-10, Bell M4, G-force eliminator but nothing fit me like the Impact 1320 which I ended up getting.

I went to physical stores to try helmets as well as tried as many helmets as possible from folks willing to let me try.

Edit: sent from phone, so excuse brevity.

Great advice but a problem that some people (like me) will run into is that the store almost never has my size in stock.

I went to stores for Arai, Shoei, HJC and Bell and they all said that they don't have the size of helmet I am looking for and they won't order it in just so I can test it. Frustrating from a consumer's standpoint but I understand it from a business perspective.

I wound up going with the M4 because it has the best properties (wide eyeport, predrilled HANS, SA2010). I didn't get to try it on until it showed up at my door which I was dreading.

[f0rge]

Originally Posted by Frost

Great advice but a problem that some people (like me) will run into is that the store almost never has my size in stock.

I went to stores for Arai, Shoei, HJC and Bell and they all said that they don't have the size of helmet I am looking for and they won't order it in just so I can test it. Frustrating from a consumer's standpoint but I understand it from a business perspective.

I wound up going with the M4 because it has the best properties (wide eyeport, predrilled HANS, SA2010). I didn't get to try it on until it showed up at my door which I was dreading.

I had the same problems in Canada, hell everywhere I went the helmet I wanted was special order, they didn't even stock a single one.

I didn't get to try mine until I had it in my hands either, luckily I did my measuring correctly (the wife helped) and it's only a tad snug, but not enough to cause any kind of discomfort. I was actually worried it was going to be loose which would have been a disaster.

[racecaresuaceb]

Originally Posted by Frost

Great advice but a problem that some people (like me) will run into is that the store almost never has my size in stock.

I went to stores for Arai, Shoei, HJC and Bell and they all said that they don't have the size of helmet I am looking for and they won't order it in just so I can test it. Frustrating from a consumer's standpoint but I understand it from a business perspective.

I wound up going with the M4 because it has the best properties (wide eyeport, predrilled HANS, SA2010). I didn't get to try it on until it showed up at my door which I was dreading.

I hear ya. The best option seems to be deal with an online dealer/store who will accept returns if the fit isn't 100%.

[Frost]

Originally Posted by racecaresuaceb

I hear ya. The best option seems to be deal with an online dealer/store who will accept returns if the fit isn't 100%.

Problem with that is that most stores will NOT accept returns.

And it's not like I am going to a shady store either - I went to CSC Motorsports and they are the official Bell vendor in Ontario and they said all helmet sales are final. I was really scared about that.

The only places that will take back stuff are the run-of-the-mill big box stores like Canadian Tire and what not but the helmets are meh to shoddy.

[canu_50]

hkc AR-10 AND hjc si-12