Twizz

Sharp tests*

Agreed, I'd want a safety devices cage compared to a show cage, but why pay for safety devices (for example) IF there was another type equally as good, for less money?

dojj

iTrader: (3)

one more thing:

if you bash your bash hat do you need to buy a new one?

do they have shelf lives? as in do they get old like tyres and are then crap at taking a punt?

Weeksy

iTrader: (1)

A reputable brand will have more stringent stds to be abided by, and this therefore hikes the price.

Dojj, Most of would use Roll centre, Safety devices and the like, but if a brand was doing the same thing for quarter of the price, and wasn't really a brand you'd recognise, would you not think how?

Yes fella, They are a one hit wonder. One whallop, and they can suffer cracking and internal damage that although not always visible, could render it useless in the event of another impact.

Some say 5 years as the fibreglass shell starts to break down, but I couldnt comment on this. As you said, that could well be from the same thought process as tyres must be replaced after x amount of years... I dont know!

foreigneRS

that's not true at all. they all have to conform to the same standards to be on sale. some companies may have additional tests above and beyond legal requirements though, but price does not necessarily reflect that.

with an expensive helmet, e.g. arai, shoei or my choice of schuberth, you are quite often paying for the brand and marketing, motorsport sponsorship etc. doesn't mean that they are a better helmet than a cheaper one.

the best helmet is one that fits properly

Weeksy

iTrader: (1)

When I mentioned standards I mean their own internal ones, not the minimum Market standards applied to all.

I would personally spend my money on safety products that are chosen by riders and racers as suitable and fit for purpose.

Some of the cheaper lids may be ok, but when they are so cheap, would you not question why? Or is that me just being cynical?

I bought an OMP cage once, and sent it back. The quality was awful, but that was fia approved?! Same standard as a safety devices or roll centre one?! Not even close to it. At least I could see the difference. All lids look the same apart from some shape and graphics differences, but they arent - we just can't see it.

Shings

When I started track days I went to the local bike shop and got a helmet for Ł65 quid. 5 years later its fine.

Would I trust it on a bike NO CHANCE - in a car with a cage and protection on the cage yeh a bit - must remember to get protection for the cage or if you smack your helmet into it in a crash the helmet will be pointless anyways.

Last year I got myself an Arai helmet for Ł280........ the difference in quality in my opinion is like night and day.

As for ' I don't intend to crash ' if you've not got a lid I am assuming you haven't done a track day and you're going straight in with a cossie..... driving on track is totally different and pretty hard core.

Good luck and enjoy it though.

Luca

iTrader: (2)

I imagine mostly the prices of the expensive helmets are due to the materials they are made of.

Carbon fibre, fire proof linings, hans device, intricate paint and aerodynamic to name a few.

Cheap helmets will still be as safe but they just won't be as plush, a little heavier and a fairly plain design.


I have two of the V2 helmets, very very good helmets and as they only sell direct you cut out the retailer so the prices are amazing!

A lot of entry level motorsport racers use these.

www.v2sport.com

Fudgey

iTrader: (4)

usually a more expensive lid will fit better, be more comfortable and lighter as its made of better quality materials.

with regards to bike lids, take the visor for example. my Ł60 takachi if i checked my blind spot at 80+ mph and i didnt have my head tucked under the screen the visor would fly open... not good in the pissing rain or for having your eyeballs blown out the sockets.

my old Ł250 shoei was fin at over 120 not tucked in and looking around.

so there is a difference, and of course you get what you pay for. but so long as its bsi kite marked it should perform reasonably well in the even of a crash.

there are of course other things you can do to make things safer like fit PROPPER roll cage padding on the exposed parts your/your passengers head could come into contact with

and if you dont have bucket seats then you might find your head touches the cage or roof with a lid on

lukeytheduke

Is a open helmet better than the closed ones then?

lukeytheduke

great advice gents! My cage is a safety devices 6 point and i'l look into getting padding for the cage too.

RS Grant

iTrader: (1)

Open face allows you to talk to passengers and not get so warm while flying around track in my experience.


Cheers,
Grant

lukeytheduke

Grant i thought u had to have a full helmet for most track days?

gingeRS

Well put

RS Grant

iTrader: (1)

I've cut around Knockhill with an open face helmet on before... not sure what the rules and regs for English tracks are though to be fair.


Cheers,
Grant

Sonic Boom

iTrader: (11)

This is the one I bought to do Hill Climbing in as they have to be Snell rated.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Motorsport...item3a75653103
I had a cheap Ł40 bike helmet before just to do 1/4 miles in but the quailty of the Snell one is so much better and alot lighter too.
Rich

rog

iTrader: (2)

Well it depends, I prefer an open face helmet, obviously if I was on a bike it would be different. Purely IMO but open face is much more forgiving in a car, more ventillation, better comms and is more than adequate. Don't know about the regs you mentioned, news to me, could well be the case but the only reason I would see for doing that is that they are just being overkill to CTA, but TBH if they are going down that route then they should inspect EVERYONE'S helmet for specific criteria and certification, and they don't so I'd be surprised if there is a rule against open face.

Madgit

Open face are fine in most cars, some tracks stipulate full face for some open cockpit cars usually without windscreens-Atoms etc.

vroomtshh

I've got an OMP star open faced hemet. Pretty cheap but I'm still alive so it must be doing its job

Not sure how tracks decide, but Knockhill are pretty easy going. I've seen a guy in a 205 with a mountain bike helmet on once

Weeksy

iTrader: (1)

I would say open face in a car for sure

lukeytheduke

it must be so much more comfortable having an open face one

ar4ibaldo

iTrader: (1)

These are worth checking out - http://www.v2sport.com/

mark r

check this site out helmets from 30 notes to 1200 notes

http://www.jjcraceandrally.com/race/clearance-helmets

lukeytheduke

cheers lads i'l check them out