Helmet advice

[Chris_w]

Hi,

one for the racers.

Looking for a helmet that I can do some sprinting/hillclimbing in next year so needs to be Snell SA2000 compliant. But I also want to use for commuting on my bike.

Anyone see a problem using a helmet for both applications? Any recommendations around the 250 quid mark?

Cheers,

Chris

[Ahonen]

I'm probably way out of date on this, but check that the helmet complies to both Snell and British Standards. There used to be a strange situation about ten years ago whereby Simpson helmets were legal to race in the Indy 500 at 240mph as they had Snell certification but, as they didn't carry a British Standard sticker, you couldn't even wear one on a moped in this country.

This has probably been cleared up now though, but I thought I'd mention it. Pretty much anything from Bell or Arai will be legal to use in/on anything.

Don't forget about the peripheral vision you'll need on the bike, though. Sorry if that's a bit grandmother/eggs, but dedicated car helmets tend to have considerably smaller orifices, so to speak. You've undoubtedly thought about that already, so I'll shut up now...

[Frik]

Didn't know if you knew this but Snell have a list of all complying helmets on their website.

[anonymous-user]

a lot of people I know use the Shoei TXR for both applications.

[Chris_w]

Thanks for all your responses.

Ahonen - will double check but I think the MSA have cleared this up. Haven't got our blue book through yet but think it's just SA2000 that's required now.

Had considered the vision thing, the Bell M2 has a wider aperture specifically designed for specs wearers like myself. Other concern is the shape of the helmet, sure I read somewhere once that bike helmets shouldn't finish as low at the back as car helmets - dangerous if in an accident and your head is whipped back.

Frik - thanks for that link, very helpful!

pablo - can't find the TXR on Shoei's website, think it must be an old model. All of their current range are only M2000 compliant.

Thanks again,

Chris

[anonymous-user]

Chris_w said:

Ahonen - will double check but I think the MSA have cleared this up. Haven't got our blue book through yet but think it's just SA2000 that's required now.

You can use a helmet which complies to any of the following standards in a sprint/hillclimb. Needless to day it need only comply with one not all three.

SNELL SA2000
BS 6658 Type A/FR
BS 6658 – 85 Type A (Type B is not acceptable)

however I have no idea what the motorcycle standard is but if you find a helmet which complies with one of those three, it can obviously be used for both...
Dependant upon how often you plan to compete in sprints/hillclimbs I would buy two helmets. After all, you do only get the one head and using one for both means a compromise on one application.

and whilst on the subject the following is applicable to overalls.

BS6249 part 1 index A or B (but not part C)
BSEN533
PR EN533:1995 Index 3
anything to FIA Standard (nomex et al)

>> Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 12th January 17:09

[Frik]

pablo said:

SNELL SA2000 BS 6658 Type A/FR BS 6658 – 85 Type A (Type B is not acceptable) however I have no idea what the motorcycle standard is but if you find a helmet which complies with one of those three, it can obviously be used for both...

In my experience trying to find a helmet in a motorbike shop that complies with the second 2 will be like the proverbial needle.

[Chris_w]

Frik said:

pablo said: SNELL SA2000 BS 6658 Type A/FR BS 6658 – 85 Type A (Type B is not acceptable) however I have no idea what the motorcycle standard is but if you find a helmet which complies with one of those three, it can obviously be used for both... In my experience trying to find a helmet in a motorbike shop that complies with the second 2 will be like the proverbial needle.

I'll second that! Also, buying in the US to take advantage of the exchange rate so very few advertise or even adhere to BS ratings. Looking at the two helmets route at the moment.

Pablo - thanks for copying out the standards for me.

[Coco H]

2 years ago I had trouble. I think that motorcylce helmets how have new European standards to meet - which are tougher than the Type A thing. But the MSA has not updated or tested those motorbike helmets.

Most of the old standard helmets (which MSA apporve) were soldoff a couple of years back in bike shops - beacuse they have a new standard. Mine was old stock 2 years ago

[pistol pete]

pablo said:

SNELL SA2000 BS 6658 Type A/FR BS 6658 – 85 Type A (Type B is not acceptable)

I need to get a helmet for trackdays over the next couple of months so I have been checking up on this one. According to the bloke on the MSA stand @ Autosport yesterday (who checked in the new blue book at the time), and of these standards is fine for this year, but from the end of 2005, any helmet used must be SA200 complient.

Don't know if this is right, but its what the man who should know said.

Pete

[anonymous-user]

i dont think the MSA have anything to do with trackdays and I imagine he was refering to competition rather than trackdays. Check with a trackday organiser but to be honest, you can get SA2000 helmets for under £200...

[pistol pete]

pablo said:

i dont think the MSA have anything to do with trackdays...

Sorry -should have said, they (the MSA) don't, but I would rather get something that covers potential future use in competition.

Can you suggest the best places to look for one? I was a bit disapointed by the lack of people selling them at Autosport -I had hoped to pick one up there.

Cheers,

Pete

[anonymous-user]

I would recommend you buy motorsport news for a few weeks and have a look in the ads as its a good place to start and the smaller companies who cannot afford a demon tweeks style catalougue use it. I dont think there is much difference in helmet price, bar special offers etc most places are usually within £30 of each other but try the following....

www.montgomery-motorsport.co.uk
www.ears.co.uk
www.peterlloydrallying.co.uk
www.jaysracewear.co.uk
www.zipkart.com

as a start and if you get no luck then try Demon Tweeks, GPR et al....

IMO the autosport show is only the place to buy things if you have a very big cheque to spend. Even the national motorsport/clubbie section was depressingly expensive....