Portland Helmets?

[Decay107]

Originally Posted by Rio

That's not the case with SCCA, Porsche Club, and other clubs. They are getting stricter about helmets being Snell 2010 or higher. 2005s are not even allowed after the end of this season in many Racing clubs.

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I was speaking on the differences between SA and M, don't think anyone even sells 2005s anymore.

[FNCrazy]

While calling and annoying the Portland guy, I looked up helmet buyer's guides, ended up finding a store that was really helpful. Windingroad.com

He's checking on some stuff, but I'm leaning towards a Simpson Bandit SA2015. I'm sure I'll mostly autocross, just because it's cheaper and more events, but I don't want to not be able to do track days...

Any opinions towards this helmet?

Taking a risk if I buy it online and it doesn't fit properly (some just don't fit "right" for me, even at the right size). Free shipping to me, and no restocking if it doesn't work...Might go that route.

Just figured out I don't have the money to pay for that and, you know, food though, which was a surprise. So my racing career I suppose will have to be postponed a bit...Or I'll get thinner.

[Decay107]

Originally Posted by FNCrazy

While calling and annoying the Portland guy, I looked up helmet buyer's guides, ended up finding a store that was really helpful. Windingroad.com

He's checking on some stuff, but I'm leaning towards a Simpson Bandit SA2015. I'm sure I'll mostly autocross, just because it's cheaper and more events, but I don't want to not be able to do track days...

Any opinions towards this helmet?

Taking a risk if I buy it online and it doesn't fit properly (some just don't fit "right" for me, even at the right size). Free shipping to me, and no restocking if it doesn't work...Might go that route.

Just figured out I don't have the money to pay for that and, you know, food though, which was a surprise. So my racing career I suppose will have to be postponed a bit...Or I'll get thinner.

SA Helmets are expensive, SM are not

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...incline-helmet

This will let you run just about any autocross or track day for the next 5 years. The only thing it won't let you do is wheel to wheel competitive racing. There is really no reason to spend $500 on a helmet while you are just getting your feet wet.

Edit: just in case you don't have a tiny head

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...blaster-helmet
http://www.sportbiketrackgear.com/hj...edline-helmet/

[Rio]

While I agree with your selection being complete over kill. I would not trust a $50 helmet in a track day. $200 gets you a very nice full face Pyrotect or RaceQuip SA2015 helmet. And you can find cheaper ones in those brands also. My head is a little important to me :-)

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[Decay107]

Originally Posted by Rio

While I agree with your selection being complete over kill. I would not trust a $50 helmet in a track day. $200 gets you a very nice full face Pyrotect or RaceQuip SA2015 helmet. And you can find cheaper ones in those brands also. My head is a little important to me :-)

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I disagree (though I do wear better shit for motorcycling) there are STANDARDS for a reason. More money only buys exotic (lighter) materials, better more comfortable sizing, and additional features. A $50 helmet that meets the regulation will protect just as well as a $500 will.

[FNCrazy]

Wait. I'm confused. Is someone saying I'm going overkill? The standards for some road course thing I wanted to do was Snell 2015 (or 2010). So, I figured I'd get one that didn't specifically EXclude me from an event I'd like to try. I haven't looked at a lot of brands of that variety, but from that store, it would be my choice. I think it's like $400. Way lower than the bike helmets I used to use. I thought that was a good price point. Is it high? I'll keep looking, but it's not like it had a lot of features that I could just cut out to lower the price. I admit, that includes $25 for matte paint

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[Decay107]

Originally Posted by FNCrazy

Wait. I'm confused. Is someone saying I'm going overkill? The standards for some road course thing I wanted to do was Snell 2015 (or 2010). So, I figured I'd get one that didn't specifically EXclude me from an event I'd like to try. I haven't looked at a lot of brands of that variety, but from that store, it would be my choice. I think it's like $400. Way lower than the bike helmets I used to use. I thought that was a good price point. Is it high? I'll keep looking, but it's not like it had a lot of features that I could just cut out to lower the price. I admit, that includes $25 for matte paint

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TL/DR YES

Long version
I was arguing the it is totally unnecessary to limit yourself to only SA helmets when every organization I have ever dealt with or heard of accepts snell rated motorcycle helmets as well. Snell motorcycle helmets can be had much cheaper than snell automotive helmets. The only place that will require SA ratings exclusively will be real racing (like roll cages, fire suits, HANS devices, crashes expected, racing seats and harnesses required type of shit) which appears to be well outside of your intended usage. Just trying to save you a bit of money here (to be spent on all the extra consumables like tires, brakes, fluids, etc)

[Rio]

I will go with something more in tune with my safety concerns. To me I don't look for the minimum of a standard which is what that label means. I want something that surpasses the standard. ;-)

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[FNCrazy]

Originally Posted by Decay107

TL/DR YES

Long version
I was arguing the it is totally unnecessary to limit yourself to only SA helmets when every organization I have ever dealt with or heard of accepts snell rated motorcycle helmets as well. Snell motorcycle helmets can be had much cheaper than snell automotive helmets. The only place that will require SA ratings exclusively will be real racing (like roll cages, fire suits, HANS devices, crashes expected, racing seats and harnesses required type of shit) which appears to be well outside of your intended usage. Just trying to save you a bit of money here (to be spent on all the extra consumables like tires, brakes, fluids, etc)

Oh, I appreciate it. I must have read things differently. I'll look up all possible track/road races and see if I got the ratings wrong.

One thing though, I rode bikes a ton, and found a great helmet (I thought) for less than $100. Bought it as a backup to my main helmet. Man, the difference between the two was night and day between that cheap one and my Shoei. I'm definitely willing to pay more than bare minimum for better workmanship, operation, and comfort I guess. Maybe I picked too high, especially if I picked the wrong rating. But I'm not going to go find the cheapest either, you know? It's just not worth it.

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[Decay107]

@Rio you know a lot of these cheap helmets actually do better overall right? My knowledge relates to motorcycle helmets rather than automotive, but the British SHARP ratings have been showing that some of the cheapies outperform the established names by a bit. It's not the early 2000's anymore where Chinese helmet manufacturers were basically slapping DOT stickers on converted bicycle helmets and selling them on eBay.

But safety is a highly personal subject and there is certainly a reason to pay extra if something makes you feel safer. What I am saying though, is that the old adage of "you don't have a $50 head, why wear a $50 helmet" has not applied since around when SNELL 2010 came out.

http://blm.io/blog/motorcycle-helmet-safety-price/

[FNCrazy]

I need a 99 cent helmet then...

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[Decay107]

@FNCrazy SA is not "wrong" by any means, but the advantage of SM is that there are TONS of motorcycle stores that will allow you a level of exposure to different helmets that you just don't get with SA helmets. There's not a lot of places to try on automotive Snell rated helmets, but there is a ton of places to try on Snell motorcycle rated helmets.

And yeah, I ride as well so I do get the quality argument. My Bells are way nicer than some of the cheaper ones I've tried from a fit/finish standpoint.

[Rio]

Originally Posted by Decay107

@Rio you know a lot of these cheap helmets actually do better overall right? My knowledge relates to motorcycle helmets rather than automotive, but the British SHARP ratings have been showing that some of the cheapies outperform the established names by a bit. It's not the early 2000's anymore where Chinese helmet manufacturers were basically slapping DOT stickers on converted bicycle helmets and selling them on eBay.

But safety is a highly personal subject and there is certainly a reason to pay extra if something makes you feel safer. What I am saying though, is that the old adage of "you don't have a $50 head, why wear a $50 helmet" has not applied since around when SNELL 2010 came out.

http://blm.io/blog/motorcycle-helmet-safety-price/

I don't know man, I agree that's not about price but I really believe in a product reputation when it relates to safety. I want to reduce risks. I am also not saying you should buy expensive helmets. Just that you should do your research so that you don't end up with too little or too much. ;-)

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[Decay107]

Originally Posted by Rio

I don't know man, I agree that's not about price but I really believe in a product reputation when it relates to safety. I want to reduce risks. I am also not saying you should buy expensive helmets. Just that you should do your research so that you don't end up with too little or too much. ;-)

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I agree, research is key