Helmets

[VEX]

So it’s been a while, but I now have a little MINI Cooper S as a plaything and looking to get back to some track days.

I had a motorcycle helmet I used solely for track days 13 years ago, but thinking of getting a new one.

Would prefer open faced, but looking for guidance. Not looking to spend more than £100 or so as it will be the odd day, maybe 3-6 a year.

What thoughts?

[quimbles]

if you dont want to burn you face but your body hedtec do some cheaper ones.

or

just go down a bike discount store and get one that fits.

[corporalsparrow]

Don’t bike helmets have reduced fire protection compared to motorsport helmets?

[VEX]

It looks like the cheaper end of motorsport don’t offer that much protection either.

[Flibble]

Anything Snell approved is tested for clanging off a roll cage, which is not something they test on bike helmets. Something to consider.

[VEX]

Not planning a roll cage, but was thinking of a step up from the ECE Cheapies.

And like the open face design, that doesnt cause problems with Trackdays does it?

Thanks.

[Flibble]

Open face is fine in a hard top car. You'll need full face as a driver or passenger in a soft or open top though.

[ecsrobin]

I have a V2 tour mk2 after seeing recommendations on here of V2 helmets. Very happy with it.

http://www.v2sport.com

[VEX]

Thanks for that, they look good for the price.

[ginettajoe]

Flibble said:

Open face is fine in a hard top car. You'll need full face as a driver or passenger in a soft or open top though.

....... even if the hood is up, and the windows closed!!

[Krikkit]

Flibble said:

Anything Snell approved is tested for clanging off a roll cage, which is not something they test on bike helmets. Something to consider.

Not really... Although they are well tested.

To be honest a bike helmet that gets a good SHARP rating would satisfy me as well, their testing is thorough. At the end of the day a kerb edge is pretty much identical to a roll cage bar in an impact.

[nickfrog]

quimbles said:

if you dont want to burn you face but your body hedtec do some cheaper ones.

Yes I have a non-Hans Hedtec for my passenger which is a rip-off of my Bell Mag but seems as good.

However, they stopped doing it and you have to go Hans at £170 rather than the £100 I paid. V2 have done the same.

[AdriaanB]

I've bought a pair of Sparco J1 Club helmets for track days - they're well made and comfortable, and very affordable. For the odd track day in a closed, non-caged car they'll do I think!

[untakenname]

I was using an expensive but old Bell fullface helmet then I bought a cheap OMP 'star' open face for around £60 and haven't looked back, fits me better than the old one and is far more pleasant to wear for extended periods.
I forgot to take it off once and went down the petrol station to fill up, only realised I was still wearing it when I got some strange looks when paying.