[Shotimes] Helmet purchase

[Zach Leahy]

Bill,
 First off, most tracks will allow a M helmet. The only really difference is
that on an SA it has a nomex liner. I have run and M rated helmet at track
days before and nop one has given me any grief. I think you will find that
to be the case as well. Especially "with a car as slow as a Taurus" :)
 As far as picking a helmet, you really get what you pay for. I guess the
question to be asked now, is what kind of bike are you buying, and what are
your desires for riding it? Are you planning on getting a sport bike (also
known as a zip-n-splat <grin>) that you will be riding around town for short
periods (up to 2 hours at a time), or maybe a cruiser for the same purpose?
Or, maybe (like me) you are looking to do a lot of touring riding, which may
put you in the saddle for 12-16 hours per day. It really does make a huge
difference in what helmet you have.
 I had a G-force helmet and used it for a year on the bike (M95). it
performed ok, but was very noisy, and while I thought it fit correctly, I
was drastically mistaken. The biggest beef I had with it thogh was the
weight, and the fact that it leaked rainwater in the visor. It was heavy,
and after about 4 hours you would have sore neck muscles from the additional
weight. i ended up dropping $550 on a new Arai Quantum II. A note about Arai
is that they will not sell you a helmet unless you have been properly fitted
for one. I went into a honda shop (I ride a BMW, but they didn't carry Arai)
and talked a while with the guy there. Likely they will tell you that many
of the guys in the shop have one too. that has been my experience as they
spend large amounts of time riding. Anyway, I was fitted and had a helmet
ordered. It was not cheap, but the lid is great. It is much quieter (but I
still wear earplugs on the bike - wind noise is a silent hearing killer),
the aerodynamice are way better, the fit is perfect, nice and snug, zero
movement relative to my melon, and the venting actually works really well.
The best part is that it weighs next to nothing adn still carries a M2000
rating. Wel worth the dollars. Figure if you buy a good helmet it will last
10 years at minimum (if you don't abuse it). yes it is a lot of money to
drop on a helmet, but well worth it. If you have gone through the fitting
process and have a proper fitted Arai you will most likely agree there.
 Now, if your plans are just to do short trips where weight, noise, cooling,
and buffetting are not as large of an issue, then look into something that's
a better value (and still wear earplugs). HJC makes some nice helmets, both
modular and full face. A note to mention that no modular (or flip-face)
helmet meets a Snell rating, so you will likely bypass these. Figure in the
175 range for a helmet with good protection, but is not finely tuned as
much. Not a bad choice if the trips are short and the cost is a significant
factor.
 Like I said, I have never had an issue with an M helmet at a track day or
autocross. Frankly they both offer great protection, it just really comes
down to the presence or absence of a nomex liner (and the M has better
vision). I say buy the M and don't worry. You are going to use it on the
bike way more than in the car, and if you really need to *use* the helmet,
it's much more likely on the bike than at a track day.
 Lemme know if I can add any more infor for you, I went through the whole
process about 4 months ago selecting what best fit my needs.
 Z

 On 10/4/05, Bill Murray <fordsho@cloud9grafx.com> wrote:
>
> This may be somewhat OT, but I figured it was a topic that others may be
> interested in.
> I am looking to buy a helmet for an up coming track event at the end of
> the month. I am also considering pruchasing a bike in the spring and would
> like to use the helmet for that as well. The track event is with BMW CCA
> which allows M-rated helmets, but I'd really like to get an SA one for
> events that require it, like the SHO convention.
>
> I have been looking online at different helmet places, but none seem to
> offer a motorcycle style helmet with an SA rating. Does anyone know if
these
> exist? I will be using it more for riding then track events, so I am
looking
> for helmets with the larger eye opening, and operable vents with full face.
> SA helmets with vents seem non-existent.
>
> Does anybody have any input of know or a manufacturer that has what I'm
> looking for? Am I just chasing my tail?
>
> Thanks,
> Bill
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