Talk to me about Helmets, AX this season. Options

[Britain Smith]

I am getting tired of fighting for the XL helmet when I arrive at each AX, so it is the time to bit the bullet and purchase one...oh, but the choices. What is legal? What is a good value? Can I get an open face, or do I need a closed face? What if the car happens to not have a windshield at some point down the road...do I have to used closed? Give me some ideas, thoughts, and suggestions.

-Britain

[jhadler]

Britain,

If it's strictly autox, and you're not going into an open cockpit car, an open face helmet is nice. They're cooler under the heat of the summer sun, and are easier to put glasses on with.

Most sanctioning bodies will allow either M or SA rated helemts. DOT ratings don't matter. For nearly every sanctioning body in North America, SNELL is the rating that matters.

One big piece of advice that I haven't seen anyone post yet is this: "Try before you buy". There are a ton of helmet makers out there, but they all will have slightly different shapes, and not everyone's head is shaped the same. For me, Arai helemts fit me very well, Shoei helmets -hurt-. Bell helemts never seem to fit right etc... If it's for autox and the occasional DE, a closed face M rated helemt would be key. I really prefer closed face for track events. The extra protection is worth the minor inconvinience and discomfort. Anyway, go to a big motorcycle shop that carries lots of different helmets. Try 'em on. Find the one that's comfortable. If it's not comfortable, you won't want to wear it, and it will be a distraction at best when you are wearing it.

If it's _just_ autox in a closed cockpit car, then an open face M rated helmet is fine. Find one that fits, and enjoy. You don't need to spend a fortune to get a good, comfortable helmet. But you do need to try a few on.

The helemt should fit pretty snug. If you can move the helmet around without it pulling on your face/head, then it's too loose....

And the age old Bell advertising slogan still holds true for me today. "If you've got a $10 head. Buy a $10 helmet...".

-Josh2