Helmets

[Hermes]

Ok so I'm getting close to breaking down and buying a helmet. I used to just borrow one of my cousins but I want my own. What I'm wondering is does anybody know where I can get a helmet painted? I want the Senna look, yellow with the green and dark blue stripes... maybe the Nacional and Marlboro but basically where can I get it done right and for a decent price?

[danewilson77]

May wanna throw this in the track rat area.

[Hermes]

True, didn't think about that. Can someone in charge take care of that?

[danewilson77]

On eeeeeeeeeeet. Done.

[Oli77]

Hermes,

Let me ask one of the guys in the lab, he paints helmets on the side. Not very local from where you are though.

[Hermes]

I'm more interested in quality of the work, don't mind paying for transport. I guess I should also ask - anybody know where to get a good deal on Bell helmets (that's what Ayrton wore) but just a decent one, I don't need some hardcore $1000 helmet. I know a few places but somebody else might now somewhere I don't yet know.

[billschusteriv]

I'm more familiar with motorcycle helmets... I'll defer to the track guys... Monk3y?

[M0nk3y]

What are you using this helmet for? There are certain classifications of helmets that all depends on what you intend to use it.

Track? Purely Autocross? Both?

For autocross all you need to pass inspection is a M rated helmet. These essentially are motorcylce helmets. I wear a HJC M2005 helmet (This is their M2010 lineup IIRC, so the graphic is different):

http://www.hjchelmets.com/images/products/product_images/cly/katzilla/mc1.jpg

The benefit with M helmets is that they're cheap. I bought a M2005 rating helmet 2 years ago for $50. If you don't know about SNELL rating, read up on it alittle bit. Most organizations allow a 15 year span of helmets before you're required to change, so I'm going to be able to wear my helmet until 2020, but probably will buy a new one in a couple years for proper head fitment and will save up for a track helmet.

If you want to run track, you're going to have a SA helmet. These are what Bell manufactures, and these are the costly ones. They are going to run about $300+. The only difference in the SA helmets is that they will take multiple impacts before compromising protection, and they are fire resistant. Some organizations will allow a M helmet on the track, but that's a rare instance.

Hope this clears some things up.

[billschusteriv]

Thanks Kyle. Figured you had some good insight...

[Hermes]

I agree that SA rated helmets are not cheap but what I was trying to get at was there is a wide range in cost. I'm probably gonna use it track/autoX but I'm in no sense becoming a professional racer so I don't need anything too crazy

Bell Sport Snell SA2010 rated helmet is about $300
http://www.bellracing.com/public/images/products/231/Bell%20Sport%202011.jpg

Bell HP3 Snell SA2010 and FIA 8860 certified is over $3000
http://www.bellracing.com/public/images/products/224/HP3.jpg

[M0nk3y]

No need to get a 2010. Id look still into 2005 if you want to keep cost down. If your club or choice or scca has a 15 year grace period usually

Sent from my DROID X2 using Tapatalk

[az3579]

I don't know what clubs you guys are referring to, but our local BMWCCA chapter puts a 10-year cap on helmets. SA2000's are now obsolete and will not be accepted next year.

I would just buy a 2010 helmet. They really aren't that expensive. I'm allowed to run our chapter's HPDE's with an M helmet, so I bought an M2010 rated helmet for abour $150 after taxes, which is a very good price.

I also designed it myself, since I didn't want to pay for that. All it took was a silver Sharpie.

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa192/az3579/Misc/2010-10-23_21-28-36_267.jpg

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa192/az3579/Misc/2010-10-23_21-28-23_470.jpg

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa192/az3579/Misc/2010-10-23_21-28-02_306.jpg

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa192/az3579/Misc/2010-10-23_21-27-48_906.jpg



The blank spot on the front on the top is where I put all my stickers (our CCA chapter puts a sticker if the helmet is approved for use and our auto-x club does the same). The bottom is where I grab onto the helmet, so I don't smear the Sharpie. I should have gotten it clearcoated, but never ended up doing it. I'm not regretting it as I have a couple of smears at the moment...

[billschusteriv]

:like

[johnrando]

:like

+1!

[Oli77]

Hermes,

With respect to the quality, be assured that its profesionally done.
Take a look here (http://www.facebook.com/people/Silverback-Customs/100001511047896) at some of the work Chris has done.
It's his facebook page and he is a great artist as you can tell. His house-of-Kolor paints, 4-5 clear coats, etc.....
PM me if interested and I will put you in contact with him.

[kpro]

My helmet is a SA2000, its expired but still fits the same, lol. Our local SCCA gives a 15 year grace like Monk3y mentioned. The tracks aren't so lienient. I need to buy a new one, looking at another open face Bell :)

[Hermes]

Just talked to a friend who owns a bike shop, said he can hook me up with a Bell on the cheap, brand new too

[midlandtech]

Hey guys I am getting into the track day scene and am curious as to what helmets everyone uses. I have just been borrowing one from a friend but am thinking about investing. Any tips for open face vs full face, or brands/websites I should look at?

[danewilson77]

I think we have a helmet thread.

HTC Thunderbolt+TT

[midlandtech]

sorry feel free to delete

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Steve, I merged threads.

[M0nk3y]

Hey guys I am getting into the track day scene and am curious as to what helmets everyone uses. I have just been borrowing one from a friend but am thinking about investing. Any tips for open face vs full face, or brands/websites I should look at?


What are you using this helmet for? There are certain classifications of helmets that all depends on what you intend to use it.

Track? Purely Autocross? Both?

For autocross all you need to pass inspection is a M rated helmet. These essentially are motorcylce helmets. I wear a HJC M2005 helmet (This is their M2010 lineup IIRC, so the graphic is different):

http://www.hjchelmets.com/images/products/product_images/cly/katzilla/mc1.jpg

The benefit with M helmets is that they're cheap. I bought a M2005 rating helmet 2 years ago for $50. If you don't know about SNELL rating, read up on it alittle bit. Most organizations allow a 15 year span of helmets before you're required to change, so I'm going to be able to wear my helmet until 2020, but probably will buy a new one in a couple years for proper head fitment and will save up for a track helmet.

If you want to run track, you're going to have a SA helmet. These are what Bell manufactures, and these are the costly ones. They are going to run about $300+. The only difference in the SA helmets is that they will take multiple impacts before compromising protection, and they are fire resistant. Some organizations will allow a M helmet on the track, but that's a rare instance.

Hope this clears some things up.

Got mine from amazon

[danewilson77]

sorry feel free to delete

No worries. Should be some good info in here for you.

HTC Thunderbolt+TT

[derbo]

Keep this in mind:


SA Rated helmets are geared towards preventing injuring from hitting a rollbar multiple times and also have fire protection material on the inner layer.

M rated helmets are more geared towards initial impact of the floor. They are not tested to Rollbar tests or Fire tests. They do however usually have wider field of vision than SA rated helmets.


I would strongly suggets a SA rated helmet. M helmets are cheaper but not by a whole lot. You can get pretty decent BELL helmets in the $200-300 for a SA2010 rated one.