Can You Reccomend Me A Track Day Helmet?

[mattw 2]

I'm looking at getting a trackday helmet so I can stop borrowing my mates!

 

I'm thinking an open face is best as it should give me more visibility side to side, however I would consider a full face.

 

I know lots of you will be able to give me personal reccomendations so what should I go for?!

 

As I said the budget is about £100.

 

Thanks

[AJA_GTi 0]

http://forum.205gtidrivers.com/index.php?a...hlite=%2Bhelmet

 

I did this excersise yesterday mate and it seems your best bet would be to visit a motorbike shop to get the correct fitment then decide from there.

[mattw 2]

It does make sense to try them on rather than just pick one online.

 

Still wondering if there are any disadvantages having a full face over an open one?

[AJA_GTi 0]

Still wondering if there are any disadvantages having a full face over an open one?

 

I'd be interested to know this too. I would think visibility on an open face would be better and you'd get less fogging but full face ones look cooler and probably more protective. I await correction though.

[Bigtimmy 1]

I opted for a Sparco club open face helmet.

 

Went to a bike shop with biker mates and tried on about 10 full face helmets and the visibility wasn't great at all for me.

 

Then went to Demon Theives and tried on a couple of different sizes of the Club helmet and got it right from there.

 

What I gained was that an open face one was more suitable for tin tops, but if I had a Caterham or similar open top car where I was more likely to "fall out" I'd go for a full face situation.

 

You can get round the fogging issue by removing the visor on most full face helmets as you don't really need it when you are "inside" a car.

 

It has been mentioned before, but if you are intending to compete the the Sparco Club helmet isn't the right one. Peltor do some good open face ones, but be prepared to remortgage your house!

[mattw 2]

It has been mentioned before, but if you are intending to compete the the Sparco Club helmet isn't the right one. Peltor do some good open face ones, but be prepared to remortgage your house!

 

I was actually thinking of doing a couple of sprints this year. Does this change what type of helmet is allowed?

[Rich_p 23]

You really need to try the specific helmet on to make sure it's a comfortable fit.

 

Even with head measurements it doesn't mean it'll fit well.

 

For example I have my size so purchased an OMP full face, it turned up and was huge, it literally rattled around.

I tried an arai GP5k and it was extremely tight.

I also purchased a Simpson Helmet and it was the most comfortable but the eye aperture was tiny and steamed up my glasses every time I breathed.

I was quite annoyed as I had got it for about £300 off rrp!

 

I have ended up with a Sparco Challenger as it feels comfortable and my glasses are fine in it. I used a Bell something or other before too on a track day and that was quite a comfy fit.

 

I've gone for full face so I can use it for karting too, and open cars if I drive one again. With some full face you can actually swap the visor for a peak so it gives you options. Also I just prefer more protection.

 

 

I've been led to believe some track day companies now insist that helmets meet a certain criteria so bike helmets cannot be used. I'm not sure if cheaper blue label motorsport helmets still can? - Someone else might be able to confirm this for you.

 

Hedtec helmets are a little over your budget but look ok for the price and meet the latest regs, it might be worth checking those out. They do both open and closed face.

[Batfink 201]

I wear a fully enclosed helmet for racing Karts with no visibility issues, and I have used enclosed for trackdays. There are plenty of helmets with great visibility, they are comfortable and will fully protect your face in an accident. You dont have to keep the visor on so theres no issue of steaming up, but I prefer to

[AJA_GTi 0]

Can you use products such as fog ex on visors to prevent steaming anyway??

[C_W 3 1 Cars]

I've never had a problem with a full face helmet, visibility driving a car is mainly forward and then mirrors for anything to the side or behind. A full face is more versatile, so if you ever get the chance to passenger in an open car or went go-karting for example and don't want to wear their often manky well-used hemlets you can take your own etc.

[mattw 2]

Just to add another dimension to this.....my dad has just informed me he is selling his bike so i can have his full face helmet. I've tried it on before and it is a good fit.

 

I assume this will be fine for trackdays but maybe not if I want to do any sprints?

Edited January 11, 2011 by mattw

[Miles 331 1 Cars]

You need to check the Snell or BS number inside the Helmet and compare it in this years Blue Book, I would let you know but I've still to get mine

[TT205 42]

http://forum.205gtidrivers.com/index.php?s...8&hl=helmet

 

This was a thread from last year

[Baz 421]

BS6658 Type A-F/R - Needed for Sprint, the F/R bits is important - Fireproof, the stickers are red, blue ones are no good now.

 

I also have this one still i'd take offers on, well suited for trackdays etc;

 

http://forum.205gtidrivers.com/index.php?s...76&hl=rossi

Edited January 11, 2011 by Baz

[Cameron 16]

I got an OMP Jet 5, was about £180. Nice and light and great visibility!

 

As a general rule, open face for closed coskpit, full face for open cockpit (single seaters).

[mattw 2]

BS6658 Type A-F/R - Needed for Sprint, the F/R bits is important - Fireproof, the stickers are red, blue ones are no good now.

 

I also have this one still i'd take offers on, well suited for trackdays etc;

 

http://forum.205gtidrivers.com/index.php?s...76&hl=rossi

 

Thanks Baz but I have a big head.....medium won't fit!

[gtmotorsport 0]

Just to add that I can not recommend enough that you try the helmets on to see what suits you.

 

I am a biker and have had several Arai helemts as they fit and are comfortable, but when I went and bought a motorsport helmet the Aria range just didn't suit. I have bought a Bell helmet after going to Rallynuts which is local-ish to me and trying on a number and from different manufactures.

 

All I can say after biking is what's your head worth in regard to budget? (Buy the best fitting, comfortable and best safety rated helmet you can afford)

[dodsworth_gti 11]

i use a motocross helmet

 

better vision than a full face helmet,no visor to mist up but still offeres decent face protection and better for breathing blah blah blah

 

plus for open car/go karting you can use a decent quality set of goggles

 

personal preferance ect

[harryskid 193]

Is your head only worth £100 then?

[Batfink 201]

Nothing wrong with a hundred pound helmet if its up to the job he needs it for. It does not have to be nomex lined when all his other clothes do not have to be. It would be "Oh we had a car fire on a trackday, but dont worry we saved his head!"

[omega 82]

Is your head only worth £100 then?

 

if you buy a helmet that is a good fit[most important part of buying a helmet] and it is tested to the spec you need then why not buy the cheaper one?

if you buy a helmet of the same spec for 200 pounds more you are usully just paying for the name/paintjob.

in fact a while ago in a bike mag i was reading some of the cheaper helmets out performed the more expensive ones in crash tests.

just because you pay more for it doesnt mean its better.

[mattw 2]

Is your head only worth £100 then?

 

As people have said, as long as it achieves the various safety standards then the price should not matter. Many expensive helmets offer the same level of protection but are made of more expensive/lighter materials.

 

So to clarify on the motorbike helmet, I should be able to use it if it conforms to the Blue Book?

[harryskid 193]

if you buy a helmet that is a good fit[most important part of buying a helmet] and it is tested to the spec you need then why not buy the cheaper one?

if you buy a helmet of the same spec for 200 pounds more you are usully just paying for the name/paintjob.

in fact a while ago in a bike mag i was reading some of the cheaper helmets out performed the more expensive ones in crash tests.

just because you pay more for it doesnt mean its better.

 

 

As people have said, as long as it achieves the various safety standards then the price should not matter. Many expensive helmets offer the same level of protection but are made of more expensive/lighter materials.

 

So to clarify on the motorbike helmet, I should be able to use it if it conforms to the Blue Book?

 

Quite amazing, any way its your heads, good luck!

[TT205 42]

We seem to be talking motorsport here whereas you asked for a trackday helmet, afaik for a trackday the helmet doesn't have to conform to the blue book / be fireproof, but since you can buy fireproof one's for decent money you may as well do

[omega 82]

Quite amazing, any way its your heads, good luck!

 

so you think the more you pay the better the item?

would you like to buy my 205 for 3000 pounds?