| Author | Message | ||
     Nsbuell |
I know a Shoei or Arai would probably be my best bet but if I don't want to spend quite that much what are the next best race oriented helmets? | ||
| Jaimec |
Helmets are a VERY personal choice. You're going to get a TON of conflicting advice. Read each one, take everything into consideration, and read this article carefully: http://tinyurl.com/zglbq Then go try on the helmets you like and make your own decision. | ||
| Hammer71 |
I second the above post and just have to add that it has to fit correctly and be comfortable. | ||
| Nsbuell |
I know fit and comfort are important...that goes without saying. I've read that article before as well. I'm just looking for opinions from people who race. Are there helmets that have features better suited to racing than others? | ||
| Slaughter |
Are there helmets that have features better suited to racing than others? Short answer: From a safety perspective - Not really - if you're talking about the run-of-the-mill $500 helmets. Drop the price down to $250 and there's a huge difference. You do want it to fit just a touch tighter than you'd want a street-only helmet. Arai saved my life when I tumbled badly and wound up doing a couple turns in the pavement and dirt tangled with the bike. Sidecase came down on the side of my head and cracked the Arai - but that was AFTER it had already hit the pavement AND was hit by Jonny Lowery behind me on his 748. I figure 3 hard hits in one crash was good enough for me to get another Arai. Fit first. Arai seems to fit my fat head better than the Shoei. I've tried a Suomy and liked its weight - but it was pretty pricey. (Message edited by slaughter on February 16, 2007) | ||
| Buellgirlie |
speaking, like slaughter, as one who's noggin has been saved by a racing helmet a few times - though not nearly as dramatically as steve. i wear shoei and suomy while on the track. (arai's just dont fit me right). those, in general, are the "top" 3 brands. just look at any televised moto race and you'll pretty much see those 3. i do, however, have a flat black harley half helmet for the street ........ huh! D | ||
| Aesquire |
http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-helmets/mot orcycle-helmets.htm these guys have some good reviews. Fit is key. Try before buy. I have a Suomy Spec 1-R, and love the ventilation, light weight & fit. ( I also got it for $200 off retail ) I don't like that it's LOUD. But, if you are running race pipes at 100+ mph, you'd better have ear plugs, or hearing problems WILL happen. You can't go wrong with the helmets mentioned above. | ||
| Beachbuell |
The price of a helmet has absolutely no bearing on it safety factor. In fact ALMOST the opposite could be said. Check out a helmet by the name of Z1R and i think you may be surprised. This $150 helmet was rated the highest is safety test as compared with other makes/models, some at over 4 times the cost. Most of the pricing on helmets comes from the "kool graphics" and by who is wearing the helmet (Rossi, Hayden and so on) | ||
| Nsbuell |
Thanks Aesquire, that's a good site. | ||
| Beachbuell |
This is very good MC helmet reading. http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/gearbox/motorcyc le_helmet_review/index.html | ||
| Danny_h__jesternut |
Where are you going racing? What orginazation are you going to be racing under? Check with these parties to find out what there requirements are on all safty gear and helmets. Some require only DOT/Snell 2000, some are going to DOT/Snell 2005 spec's. Here at Loudon, New Hampshire International Speedway the safty director has banned all helmets with a plastic(cheeper $$$)outer shell. Track day riders can still use their cheep o DOT/Snell lids, new racers get a one time excemption then must get a glass or composit lid. In his expearence as safty director those plastic shells do not hold up well enough for him. Fiberglass and high tech composits only. I've got a local street/dirt shop who gets me what I need at his dealer costs, in exchange for putting his shop decals/stickers on my equiptment(sponser). My plain black brand new never used(yet) Shoie(RF1000) cost me not much more than a el cheepo crash/bash lid. | ||
| Nsbuell |
Danny_h: I'm starting my first year of racing with the AMCRA organization (Atlantic Canada). If you race at Loudon maybe you've been up here to Shubie near Halifax. They require Snell 2005/ECE-22 03-05/BSI 6658 type A ratings on any helmet used. I've been reading about the Shoei TZR which sounds like one of the best for the price. Some KBCs and Sharks look appealing too but I've read mixed reviews about them. All three fit me quite well. |
