What kind of helmet are you wearing?
 

I've done a few track days and had picked up a M2005 open face helmet initially for about $100. It was fine for one event but the second event didn't allow it (required SA2005). I'm shopping for an SA2005 now and still want the open face...supposedly better if you're in a car with air bags. The Pyrotect helmets are the cheapest at $150 but I found a Bell Mag 4 for $175 that seems like the way to go. I know the SA2010 are coming, but supposedly not until October which doesn't help me. Despite the new designation, the 2005 rating should still be usable for 5 more years (the recommended helmet life anyway).

What do you guys wear and recommend?

I have a G Force Pro, SA2005 rated. It's a full face and pretty comfortable. The most important thing is to try the helmet on before you buy it. No helmet is made the same, even if they are the same size, and it is critical that it fits correctly.

After an airbag hits you in the nose, you'll wear a full face helmet. :tup:

Full face I picked up at a motorcycle shop. Can't remember what kind now, but yeah, full face ftw, I'm too pretty to risk the money maker. :D

I have a Pyrotech, which I believe is Bell's budget line. Paid 270 for it a few years ago.

You definitely want a full face helmet. Open face exposes you to too much.

I used an open face G-Force for years. It was an SA-2000 though, and I actually put it in the trash can tonight when I was cleaning the garage up. About two years ago, I moved to a full face pyrotect. I bought mine from Discovery Parts , great sales support, prices and service!

I use a Biefie Full Face helmet. I wouldn't use an open face.

-mike

I run a Bell full face. SA00 (I'll need a new one in a few years). Get an SA helmet, not a M. More and more clubs are going to requiring SA.

AND PLEASE...go to a place with helmets to to get fitted...do not just try on. Do not buy off the internet w/o test fitting. You can buy off the internet after a proper fitting.

If you only have access to a cycle shop, then you can at least get the size you need (sizes vary by manufacturer). To avoid the pressure of a sale, just ask for a SA rated helmet. Most motorcycle shops don't carry them. So they have nothing to sell you and you can leave w/o guilt.

I think you need a new one now, none of the groups I run with here are allowing SA00 anymore.

Arai Signet GT motorcycle helmet for HPDE and AX.

I also wouldn't be so quick to dismiss an open face helmet. Lots of people prefer them over full face because they don't impact your periferal vision as much.

Agreed, I much prefer the open face.

I have an SA2005 Pyrotech and it is comfortable but perhaps a little bulkier than some of the others due to thicker padding. As someone pointed out to me they often use the same shell for a couple of different sizes and then just change the amount of padding inserted to size the helmet. Obviously they don't do that between a S and a L but probably between an L and a XL.

I would love a CF helmet for the weight savings, but they are super expensive and I'm not sure how durable they are. I tend to bang my head on the roof beam quite often.

G-Force here, closed face, and safer if you actually have an accident. Very cheap too, have had 2 of them in the last 10 years, and no issues. If you are going to auto-x, open face is fine (slower speeds, less opportunity for major wrecks). If you will be doing track events, closed face is the only way to go.

full face scorpion here. they run about a size smaller then what they are marked, but like the design and how they are built

My current helmet is a Sparco SPY2005. Sparco helmets seem to fit my head REALLY snuggly and firmly. They are a little more expensive that most brands, but the quality inside and out is pro level. I had mine custom painted last year. As mentioned, the most important thing, is fitment, so if possible try them on before purchasing.


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I guess you guys have a lot of faith that you'll never get in any serious accident if you are ok with open face helmets. In fires you will burn your face off, and if you impact anything with your face you are toast.

One of the most famous open-face wearing driver was Dale Earnhardt. While it wasn't what actually killed him, his face struck the steering wheel in his Daytona crash. If he had survived he probably wouldn't have been able to drive again.

Whatever, though. If you want to risk it that's fine.

Almost all professional rally drivers use open face helmets, presumably for visibility. And they probably crash more than anyone!

I don't have that much concern about the open face with airbags installed. If I was running a cage and no airbags then I would probably go to a full face and hans.

...and I'm no Dale Earnhardt!

I went with a Medium as the Bells allow swapping of liners. This way I can fit some head warming layers for the chilly early and late season track days while swapping liners for the hot track days.

Anyone want to point me into the right direction?
I'm going to be auto-crossing real soon and I wanted to know the best bang for buck helmet within the 150-300 range.
Thanks!

You can't go wrong with Pyrotect in that price range. I bought mine from SoloRacer.com - Schroth Harness Belts, Corbeau Seats, G Force Helmets, Bell Helmets, Autocross Magnets, and other Autocross Products.

Kinda on this subject, i was using a loaner helmet for AX this weekend and noticed the drivers headrest is extremely uncomfortable with a helmet on. I can't put my back into the seat. Anyone know if i can swap the passengers and drivers? the passengers looks to be shaped differently.

I have a G Force Pro full face helmet. I like it, but I'll have to upgrade soon after it expires.

Meh, looks like I will be buying another one. Need to bump up my SA rating.

Pull the headrest, turn it backwards, and put it back on. Problem solved!

Arai here too. Wow Sharif, Evel Knievel much? ;)

I have the Stilo RS helmet. Couldn't find a better "fitting" helmet for my head... Great piece of work but expensive!
ps. Doesn't save you from from a frontal crash... only helps to have a nice open coffin...

More like Ironman! :)

Another custom painted Sparco SPY2005. I usually tend to get the best helmet I can afford. Its a life saving device, would you buy a cheap parachute? Also, usually the more expensive helmets are better designed for airflow meaning your visor wont fog up. Although I am in a closed cockpit car, almost all organizations will require you to keep the windows down. I got hit in the nose with a piece of tire once that came through the window and into my opened visor. I am lucky it didn't hit my eye. Ever since then, visor down for me. Sunglasses work too, but give me a headache when I squeeze them inside my helmet. Plus using the visor instead of sunglasses expands your peripheral vision. I run a tinted visor 95% of the time and have a clear visor in case I ever run at dusk/night. Another benefit to not cheaping out on helmets is weight. The lighter the helmet, the easier it is on your neck. Thats why I am already saving for a carbon fiber one when it comes time for me to swap to an SA2010. :D

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That's a great looking lid! Love the graphics scheme. :tup:

+1 on the visor down thing. I've been hit but just about everything inside my car. I had a pine cone hit the side of my neck!?

^ I lolled im sorry.

Wow Sparco, Arai and Simpson helmets...you guys must be rolling in the dough? LOL!

To me helmet selection just really depends on what type of racing/risks you are doing. I'm just auto-X here in hawaii on a small stadium parking lot so I use my Icon Motorcycle Domain 2 Helmet.

Since it gets hot at our site a lot of other racers use the motorcross helmet which are lighter and vent a little better.

If we had a real track I would probably break down and run with the Simpson Outlaw bandit in matte black and use with my Harley Night Rod Special too. :)

Simpson Vudo...its left over from my dirt track days.

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