| Author | Message | ||
     Borrowedbike |
I need a helmet for track days. My last off trashed my other "spare" and I'm left with two that I can't ride the track with. (Modualar and a quick release strap) I'd love to have the bank to run and get an Arai, but I'm hard core on trash it if it hits the pavement. At 5 to 7 bills a pop, assuming I'll have off's on the track I'm thinking cheap. Looks like the best deals are a Scorpian ex400 or an hjc Cl15. Thoughts? | ||
| Buell_nm |
> Thoughts? yeah, quite wrecking! seriously, isn't your brain worth the money? I've had a couple of racer friends hit their heads wearing Scorpions and they were knocked out cold. Honestly, they didn't hit that hard. I've hit hard with my Shoei and walked away with a slight headache. Think about the cost of the ER visit and the ambulance ride. That costs more then an Arai. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
EXO-400. Best bucket for the buck | ||
| Skinstains |
Ebay, shop localy so you can inspect before buying. I've done it twice and am quite pleased. The last one I bought was a Shoie RF1000 with a M2005 sticker in it and I've had it for atleast a year and a half. $150.00 for it. I'm still happy. | ||
| Vortec57 |
Haven't "tested" it but I'm wearing a Sparx helmet currently. $150 bucks, ECE certified and seems to be pretty well built. Sparx is an offshoot of KBC, so its not a no-name fly by night jobber. If you manage to much it in 5 years, if you get a police report (dunno about track use) and your reciet they will give you a new one. | ||
| 2008xb12scg |
So while on the subject how do you tell whats a good or bad helmet? They're all DOT/Snell approved. They all say they're good. I have a Buell helmet now, but am thinking of getting another one. When I tuck with the Buell helmet it comes down to far over my forehead. | ||
| Bill0351 |
I run the EXO400 and it's a great helmet for riding. I have never wrecked with it though, so I can't speak to that aspect. I think I paid $139.00 for my last one from sportbiketrackgear.com. | ||
| Froggy |
GMAX GM-68s, $100, and it came with both a tinted and clear visor, helmet bag and bag for the second visor. Also has 6 LEDs on the back. Haven't crash tested it yet somehow   | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/News/newsresults /mcn/2008/June/9-15/jun1208-sharp-motorcycle-helme t-test-results/?&R=EPI-101052 | ||
| Babired |
Look at the new AGV S-4 helmets for $200. I saw a picture of a white racing stripe on in the latest MC consumer News COOL! http://www.ridersdiscount.com/street-gear/helmets- full-face/32667.php?gclid=CMW177qarpYCFQVfFQodlA-X Lg | ||
| Rainman |
The only helmet I crash-tested was a Shoei RF-700. It was like hitting my head on a pillow. They're 'spensive, but for track days and high speeds, they're probably worth it. | ||
| White79bu |
Have you thought about an HJC FS-15 or AC-12. The AC-12 is on closeout. I have the AC-12 Elboz's. I like it alot. You can find them on ebay for $250-$300 for the carbon fiber. And I think that the normal AC-12 can be had for around $100. | ||
| Trojan |
I can't beleive that somebody is even considering buying a cheap helmet to use on track in case they crash! If you have to skimp on safety then it may be worth taking up another sport before wheelchair basketball (or worse) becomes your only sports option. If you cannot afford a decent helmet then simply don't ride! By all means look out for bargains and sales of 'last years' colours and designs, but buying something like the G-Max for track use would be foolhardy in the extreme (I wouldn't trust one riding a pedal cycle!) LED's on the back might be useful if the ambulance needs to find you in the dark, but other than that....? There are some very good 'budget' helmest that are suitbale for racing from AGV, KBC, HJC, Bell and Shark amongst others, but make sure you go for the very best you can afford and avoid anything made from polycarbonate (plastic), At the very least you want a good glassfibre lid or better still carbon laminate. NEVER BUY A USED HELMET FROM EBAY!!! There is a very good reason why the best crash helmets cost a lot of money......they work. | ||
| Court |
Matt: I agree 100%. Scrimping on condoms and helmets is bad practice. Look at last years graphics and, as Matt pointed out, some of the less expensive brands, but don't sacrifice quality. Court P.S. - even notice that those who have crashed wear really good helmet? | ||
| Scott_in_nh |
So while on the subject how do you tell whats a good or bad helmet? Buying on e-bay is ok, but never buy a used helmet. SNELL and DOT. I bought a EXO-400 on e-bay (e-bay store for sportbiketrackgear.). If you look at close-outs you can get one for about $100. The good; fit removeable/washable liner anti-fog price The bad; venting is difficult to locate/operate with gloves on. little effect from venting chin strap twists too easily while trying to secure it. My old, cheap AGV GP-1 had better vents - easy to use and reasonably effective and a better chin strap. | ||
| Ratbuell |
When I wrecked this past summer, I was wearing the Buell Firebolt modular (now a 3/4 - definitely "used up"). Came away with titanium legs, some torso stuff that has healed itself, a torn rotator cuff, and 2 minor head injuries - a right frontal bleed/swelling, and a stem bleed/swelling. Both minor, both self-healed...and as far as I'm concerned, that's my "pass". Next one (hopefully there won't be a "next one") is gonna count. My new Arai Profile is on the hook in the garage, just above my Vanson jacket. Compared to the bill that insurance picked up for the hospital stay (NOT including the surgeries) - $32,000 and change - a $500 helmet is nothing. My thought is, if you're gonna scrimp, pick something else. It's easier to fix arms and legs, than heads. Shop wisely, get a GOOD helmet for a FAIR price. Do NOT "budget shop", at least not where a lid is concerned. Please. | ||
| Babired |
Okay, if you are going to buy a helmet on E-bay and it is Snell and DOT approved ask the seller what date is was made, and the SNELL sticker date! Just like buying tires on-line, I always ask what the DOT date is on them or make sure they haven't sat in a warehouse for years. The new Buell helmet I have seen on the rack at the local HD shop is AGV they have UK specs as well as the US DOT. K | ||
| 4cammer |
See this here for good buys on helmets, great company: http://www.newenough.com and here for great info and selection: http://helmetharbor.com And no matter how much or how little you spend to protect your thinking gland, if the helmet does not fit it is worthless. | ||
| Xbswede |
This site has some great deals on close out models. http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/1/38/CDEPT/ Street-Bike-Helmets-Mens-Riding-Gear-Closeouts.asp x | ||
| Scott_in_nh |
Shop wisely, get a GOOD helmet for a FAIR price. Do NOT "budget shop", It depends on what you mean by "budget shop". There is no proof that an expensive helmet that is SNELL/DOT protects better that an inexpensive SNELL/DOT helmet. As you know, your modular helmet was not SNELL....... | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Court, I used to be a "more expensive is better" helmet person. If a helmet meets DOT, SNELL, or ECE, I don't believe there is enough of a difference to justify the difference in cost. I have owned (and chronicles here) an Arai helmet. I paid $450 for it. It was the biggest piece of crap I have ever seen. My EXO doesn't have all the little gadgets the Arai had, it doesn't vent as well, and it's a little noisier. It cost me $118 on sale. I could buy 4 of these, spike three of them in the parking lot and still be ahead over my Arai experience. There was a local guy who had his head run over in either a Scorpion or an HJC helmet by a garbage truck without injury to his head. I don't believe $300 more of helmet cost would have made any difference. | ||
| Court |
I agree 100%. Cost, past somewhere around $150, doesn't but you "safer", just more bells and whistles. I get most my helmets sent to me free so I always need to qualify that I am not an INDEPENDENT opinion on this. I've been wearing Arai helmets for years. They are pricey and they are very comfy for me. But they are no "safer" than the $150 AGV's my riding partner has. | ||
| Greenlantern |
GMAX GM-68s, $100, and it came with both a tinted and clear visor, helmet bag and bag for the second visor. Also has 6 LEDs on the back. Haven't crash tested it yet somehow Ditto | ||
| Borrowedbike |
Jeeze, Clad I checked back. I was just about to say I disagreed with Court for the first time... I'll go with a track Day Scorpion, and Keep wearing the Schuberth on the street. Can I hang my cheap helmet over my Vansons? Or can one only Hang Arai helmets over Vansons? Point is, Helmets go in the trash after you crash in them. How many $500 helmets have YOU seen that had road rash and were still in service? No thanks... | ||
| Ratbuell |
Shop wisely, get a GOOD helmet for a FAIR price. Do NOT "budget shop", By this, I meant only to concentrate on the helmet first and price tag second. Helmet-shop, don't price-tag-shop. Rated is rated, yes. I know my modular was not SNELL - hence, not buying another modular. I'd never been down before, either...so I had a bit of the ol' "immortality" complex going on, lol. I went with the Arai because of comfort, fit-ability (replacement liners - removable - are available in 4mm size increments and I wasn't sure how it would fit my goofy head "stock"; so far, though, it seems just fine if still a little snug), ventilation, and yes - 'the name'. I rarely buy ANYthing because of 'the name', but another big factor was, it made Kim (my wife) more comfortable about me being on a motorcycle again. THAT was worth its weight in gold. As it turns out, the helmet is very comfortable, very quiet, and once I figure out the "easy-remove" face shield (not so easy, at least not yet) I'll have it knocked. Hopefully I won't use this one up, like the last one | ||
| Thumper74 |
Isn't Snell under fire for allowing too much energy to the brain in an accident? They also use unrealistic tests like double impacts, etc. It's been a while since I read the article. | ||
| Bigdaddy |
I take issue with stopping by your local retailer to try on lids so you'll know which unit to purchase online -- that's wrong by any measure and I'd never do it or promote it. In my mind that crosses some ethical boundary. | ||
| Court |
By the way . . . . the advice about the crashing holds true for other things as well.
Ride smart. | ||
| Jaimec |
FWIW, the last several times I've taken Superbike School, I've used a modular Helmet: Schuberth Concept:  Nolan N100e:  Schuberth C2:  Never had any kind of a problem with it from the School or the track officials. | ||
| Babired |
I have to throw this in since I teach MC safety and I am not an expert on this but I love learning from experiencing things motorcycle related. So many years I've been telling the new rider not to place the helmets on the bikes, if they fall off they could be damaged. Plus telling my new riders about Snell. Last year, my second track experience my best riding buddy went down, she was wearing a Shoei RF1000. So I sent it in to Snell for anyalis, I got to converse with Ed Becker and he had their chief scientist look at it. Long story short they commended me for the type of helmet, my friend wore, and the helmet is pretty tore up, but they said it was OKAY! Since I teach I wanted to take what I preached all the way thru the process of sending it in to have Snell look at it. I was totally surprised. I'll post a picture of it got to look thru my files. K |
