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Posted by: ThinAir Feb 19 2009, 12:34 AM

There are going to be helmets to share for the track day at Willow Springs, but of course it's more convenient to have your own so I took a look at eBay and the prices may not be too bad. Here's http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Bell-Sport-3-snell-approved-racing- helmet_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ72Q3a1205Q7c66Q3a2Q7c65Q3a12Q7c39Q3a1Q7c240Q3
a1318Q7c301Q3a0Q7c293Q3a1Q7c294Q3a50QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem2203612
87413QQitemZ220361287413QQptZRaceQ5fCarQ5fParts auction - it says it's a size 7-3/8. So how do you know what size helmet you need?

Posted by: Todd Enlund Feb 19 2009, 12:36 AM

QUOTE(ThinAir @ Feb 18 2009, 10:34 PM)

Posted by: 736conver Feb 19 2009, 12:54 AM

Yea that helmet is cheap because its old. Different tracks/type racing have different rules on what year helmet you can run.

Also size doesnt mean much if you dont try it on. Your melon is not the same as someone else and it might not sit right.

If you find a "cheap" helmet online (ebay) go try that same helmet out in a store and see how it fits. Also buying used helmets is a little bit of a risk. You dont know what johnny racer did to the helmet before you got it.

Myself I went to a local kart shop and tried on some helmets. Found one that fit good looked at the size and search it out online. I think I save like $30 or something.

Posted by: DBCooper Feb 19 2009, 05:13 AM

And to complicate things even more it's not just the size, it's also the shape. People have different shaped heads (you've noticed), so helmet makers have to decide what shape they're going to serve. So you find that some brands tend to fit round heads but not elongated melon heads. And visa versa. If you try to use the wrong shape after the helmet's on more than a few minutes your head will have "hot spots" where there are pressure points from poor fit. After that they get uncomfortable in a hurry.

Simpson, by the way, fit really really small. So size and shape, you HAVE to try them on to know.

Posted by: carr914 Feb 19 2009, 06:16 AM

With all points given so far, but will add;

Don't buy a used helmet unless it is for collecting purposes (like me). Besides fitting your melon, if a helmet has had collision with a rollbar or if the helmet has ever been dropped, it is dangerous. That is because, it could now have micro fractures that might not be able to be seen, but if worn and then involved in an accident, those microfractures are then a weak point.

There are inexpensive New helmets out there, do a search and also determine what your future uses are going to be.

Buy a $50 bucket for a $50 melon or do it right.

T.C.

Posted by: Joe Ricard Feb 19 2009, 07:02 AM

SA is special application. Normally associated with race cars. Most that I have seen are fire resistant.
2000 model is only good for a couple of years by most sanctioning bodies.

Yep I have a bump on the back of my head and most helmets don't account for it. Normally after a couple of hours wearing it the foam liner gives in a bit.
I am inbetween a 7 1/8 Very snug and a 7 1/4 almost right in Bell open face.
Motorcycle helmets of this price range are pretty heavy because they have to withstand multiple bounces on the pavement before the rider slides to a stop. More expensive ones are Carbon, Kevlar, E glass composite.
That's all I know and I like my Bell Pro Mag 5.

Posted by: Gint Feb 19 2009, 07:30 AM

I won't buy a helmet I can't try on first. I like to buy many things online when it makes sense. You can often save a good deal of cash. But for a few items that don't make sense to buy online (like a brain bucket), I like to support my local businesses. And I'll give preference to the small independent shop.

Posted by: championgt1 Feb 19 2009, 08:18 AM

Well said.

Posted by: Joe Sharp Feb 19 2009, 09:23 AM

Ernie: What they said. Snell will have a new standard in 2010 and the ones form 2000 won't be legal even a an A/X. I have a problem head and can't fit in a Bell. Even the Arie give me a head ache after an hour of riding. The last helmet that I bought for riding cost me over $400 and I could use it all day. Now that I down to a minute and a half at a time I have a $200 helmet that just O.K. for comfort. Just in case you didn't see it the PCA is going to loan me 15 helmets for the event. There should be something there that you'll be comfee in.

Posted by: ThinAir Feb 21 2009, 02:30 PM

Thanks for the education on helmets! I knew there was more to it than just what size you wear, but I had no idea. With the news that they'll be 15 helmets available for sharing, I don't think it's worth bothering for a helmet that I won't be likely to wear again (or at least not for a long time).

Posted by: DBCooper Feb 21 2009, 03:17 PM

Won't use it again for a while? Are you kidding? You'll have so much fun that you'll want to get your own helmet so you can use it every weekend.

Posted by: Cap'n Krusty Feb 21 2009, 05:13 PM

Good thing they're not sized by ego. There's a few people around the 914 world who wouldn't be able to fit both their body and their helmet inside the car at the same time ............................ The Cap'n

Posted by: roadster fan Feb 21 2009, 07:09 PM

QUOTE(Cap'n Krusty @ Feb 21 2009, 03:13 PM)

Posted by: Joe Sharp Feb 21 2009, 08:43 PM

John: That funny rates a 5.

I hope I'm not one of them.