Crash helmet vendors

[jimmystratos]

Where in Scotland can you try on crash helmets for size? Or do I have to order 3 different sizes from demon Thieves and return the 2 that don't?

[leeross]

jim allans falkirk

[g4addicted]

Be careful - I have yet to find a motorcycle shop in Scotland that sells helmets with the 'standard' stickers that a Motor Sports Association scrutineer needs to see before he will approve it for motorsport use. Most bike helmets have European standards on them, which is fine for the sensible people in the Autocycle Union but not the 'blazer brigade' at Colnbrook. It seems that some helmets are perfectly safe for you to wear on a 200mph Ducati racing superbike, but not on a road-going Corsa you use for hillclimbing at the weekends...

[stiglet]

The G4 man is correct - you might find a shop with "old stock" - look for
BS6658-85 Type A (Is that right Dave? - I don't have the blue bible handy)

Type B will not do (nor will just the ACU sticker.)

If you turn up at an event with a helmet without the correct sticker Mr Scrutineer will take it away from you and not give it back until the end of the meeting. (I take 2 helmets with me to the first few events so that I can lend one to folk who've had that happen to them!)

Good luck

[g4addicted]

I don't know if they still make race helmets, but you could try contacting:

Helmet Integrated Systems Ltd.
Commerce Road
Stranraer
DG9 7DX
Scotland
United Kingdom.

Tel: [phone]
Fax +44 ( 0 ) 1776 706342
email [e-mail]

[scooterscot]

For international events & all MSA events you require
FIA8860-2004
Snell SA2005
Snell SA2000
SFI Foundation 31.1A.31.2A
BS6658 Type A/FR
In addition the fallowing are acceptable for
(b)All MSA events
BS6658-85 Type A (Type B is not acceptable)
(c)International and MSA National KART RACE Events
Snell K98 and K2005
This is staight from the 07 Blue Book hope this is of help.

[dycecooper]

Deamon thieves will send you a lid postage free until you get the right size

[Dave L]

g4addicted said:

Be careful - I have yet to find a motorcycle shop in Scotland that sells helmets with the 'standard' stickers that a Motor Sports Association scrutineer needs to see before he will approve it for motorsport use. Most bike helmets have European standards on them, which is fine for the sensible people in the Autocycle Union but not the 'blazer brigade' at Colnbrook. It seems that some helmets are perfectly safe for you to wear on a 200mph Ducati racing superbike, but not on a road-going Corsa you use for hillclimbing at the weekends...

I may be wrong, but I thought a car helmet is differently "made" too a bikes hence the unsuitability. Different requirements for protection. (Bike helmet subject to multiple impact eg bouncing down the road and car more of a single big impact). I may be wrong though so dont quote me on that.

Shirlaws in Aberdeen sell a "Nitro" helmet which is BS, Type A FR and approved for MSA use. Its the only "car" helmet they sell I believe and didnt fit my shape of head so I went to Autosport show last weekend and tried them all on. Ended up with a Bell Sport 4 which is fairly good value. A bit useless information for you now but the savings I made paid for the whole trip, so well worth it.

Cheers
Dave

[jimmystratos]

I read somewhere that car helmets have to tolerate rattling against roll cages, while bike helmets don't routinely hit anything. There must be a joke in that last bit somewhere!
Thanks for the replies!

[ApexJimi]

Odd this....

You'd think a bike helmet would be built to take just as much (if not more) than a car helmet.

Although, as Dave says - the multiple impacts versus the single "big" impact, could be a factor...