Car helmet or bike?

[Jane_i10]

Im rather eager to get myself onto some track days and obviously safety first i need a helmet. 

For times ive been passenger ive borrowed my partners bike helmet then once borrowed an open face car helmet which i found loads better. Why so much more expensive?! 

 

I presume there are reasons there is a difference in car to bike helmets but other then price id cant see any? 

[@Lee]

this is a pure guess but it could be down to the construction, an open face helmet doesn't have the reinforcement of the bit that goes across the chin if you follow me so would have to flex less. That's a pure guess, mind.

[Llanigraham]

Car and bike helmets are basically the same, other than certain specific motorsport helmets may have a fireproof lining and fittings for intercoms and neck braces (HANs Device), plus there are some that only have half a chin guard, as this is where the mike is fitted.

 

The cost difference can be down to construction methods and materials. At the cheap end are thermoplastic ones, to carbon fibre/kevlar at the top end.

 

At one stage most saloon (rally) drivers only wore open face helmets, but more seem to be moving towards full-face types, as these provide better protection, and can be more fire proof. They can reduce your viewing angle, but there are now plenty with wide appatures.

 

Borrowing helmets can be very dangerous, as they need to fit properly. A helmet of the wrong size can result in the neck bending and straining very easily. You really need to find a good retailer in your area and trying them on to get the correct fit.

 

People may think this a bit OTT for just Track Days, but there have been some serious incidents at Track Days, that have not been helped by poor helmets. Some tracks are starting to get very serious about safety.

 

http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/motorsport/helmets

[KenONeill]

There's a very old motorsports/motorcycling saying that goes "If you have a £10 head, then get a £10 helmet". I'd value your head at more than a good fibreglass helmet quine.

 

As to what to buy, Llanigraham managed to not say this, but go to a specialist (Larkspeed in Leeds are nearer to you, and likely to be cheaper for the same helmet than DT) because different people have different shape heads and different makes of helmet fit differently. For example, if your SO wears an Arai and the open face was a Bell that could explain why the open face was more comfortable.

[Ootohere]

'Quine',

North East Scotland, from the Doric, for Girl, Young Lady, Young Woman.  

(Loon or Cheil,  a Young Man.)

 

Male or female they would both buy the correct helmet for the job, and check the Regs for the event and any Standards 

required in the way of Safety Equipment.

[KenONeill]

'Quine',

North East Scotland, from the Doric, for Girl, You Lady, Young Woman.  

(Loon or Cheil,  a Young Man.)

 

Male or female they would both buy the correct helmet for the job, and check the Regs for the event and any Standards 

required in the way of Safety Equipment.

Off-topic, but I'd have translated cheil as "friend", as in "facts are cheils that winna ding." 

[Yeti_Man]

i need a helmet. 

 

 

 

Oh the temptation.....   *bites tongue and runs off screaming*

[Soot1e]

Whatever you buy it should be FIA approved 2010 standard.

I buy my track stuff from here http://www.plays-kool.co.uk/  All approved and reasonable cost. 

[KenONeill]

Whatever you buy it should be FIA approved 2010 standard.

I buy my track stuff from here http://www.plays-kool.co.uk/  All approved and reasonable cost. 

I thought this only applied for competitive use? Having said that, it could make sense since it'll mean only buying 1 lid. 

 

Oh yes, and I'm thinking that a proper helmet bag might be worth having too.

[Soot1e]

The cost of FIA approved helmets is no more than a decent other type.   Competition or normal trackday, they will do a decent job of protecting yer nut.

[Soot1e]

Forgot to say you need to try a few different ones to find the most comfortable fit.   The Autosport show in January at the NEC is good place try lots of them, alternatively some large motorsport shop such as Demon Tweeks.

[KenONeill]

The cost of FIA approved helmets is no more than a decent other type.   Competition or normal trackday, they will do a decent job of protecting yer nut.

May as well then. 

[nickguzzi]

There are probably a significantly higher number of people riding bikes and wearing a helmet round the world, than racing drivers and trackday folk.  I should think the economies in scale would account for the price difference, and the fact you have to pay to have one without stoopid logos and graphics.

As mentioned, the standards are different between the world of two and four wheels.  The various sanctioning bodies take a rake off, so they insist on their own.  There is little difference in the ultimate level of protection, ie penetration or crushing.  The main difference being the size of the opening for vision, if you are considering an open face, then that is irrelevant.  If you want a full face helmet, check that visors are readily available and not massively expensive - they can scratch quite easily.  And keep it in a bag when not in use.

 

Fit is vital, and most makes seem to be different in shape, so as Ken said, don't buy before you try.  Oh, and it needs to be firm but not uncomfortable, it will settle in, you really don't want a slack fit.

[Llanigraham]

Actually Nick the ACU and MSA standards are mostly compatible as they are now all working to a common purpose. Even some of the bikers are using FR linings. They DO NOT take any rake off at all, and to suggest so is potentially libelous.

 

Here are the current relevant list, which as you can see are surprisingly similar

 

ACU:

British Standards Institution BS6658-A

British Standards Institution BS6658-B

UN ECE Regulation 22  ECE 22–05

Snell Memorial Foundation

Snell (individual approval only)

M2005 or M2010

European Community

ECE 22–0

 

MSA:

INTERNATIONAL EVENTS & ALL MSA EVENTS.

FIA 8860-2004.

SNELL SA2010.

SNELL SA2005.

SNELL SA2000

SNELL SAH2010.

SFI Foundation 31.1A, 31.2A.

BS 6658 Type A/FR.

 

 

[Jane_i10]

Thanks guys dont worry i do understand about a right fitted helmet, yes not the best fit in the world is not going to help matters but when theres a roll cage a few inches away from your head id rather have that then nothing.

 

I do have an AVG helmet but abit small now..apparently my head has grown! 

 

Do agree with the claim of bike helmets are more commonly bought so youd figure their cheaper, i wouldt say theres a different construction 

[Jonny5ive]

I bought one of these as the old full face helmet I had was too claustrophobic in a car

 

http://www.jjcraceandrally.com/trackday/open-face-helmets/omp-star-open-face-helmet

 

Their eBay Shop gives free delivery

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/OMP-Star-ECE-Approved-Open-Face-Race-Racing-Rally-Track-Day-Helmet-In-White-/370896055837?pt=UK_Car_Parts_Vehicles_Automobila_ET&var=640123280106&hash=item565b20ae1d

[XLBaconDoubleCheese]

I might get shot down in flames here but I was in the same position. . . 

 

I didnt like a FF lid in the car, felt too large and cumbersome. Looked around and decided on a "cheapie" Spada open face lid. £40, open face, nice fit, seems well made and done the job for my track day. (its spend the rest of its time sat in the wardrobe so far). When I was on my bike (only a 125) I spent ££££££ on a lid but for track days in the car I felt as long as it conformed to the standards needed to be used on the road on a bike it'd be good enough for my brief use on a track inside a car. Once I get a little more into track days I'll invest in a OMP one or something. 

[Llanigraham]

"jjc race and rally" are a very good company and have a good reputation.

Rumour has it that really they are another company in the same town. :think: :think:

 

As shown earlier, the car and bikes specifications are basically the same now.

[Dark_Hero]

I picked up my open faced helmet from amazon. Was £40. I live miles away from any of the bigger shops like demon Tweeks

[Llanigraham]

The biggest problem with mail order is getting the right size. The better companies now allow an exchange if they don't fit.

 

I'm guessing by a few of the comments that people haven't realised that they could be safely using bike helmets at track days. If nothing else paying a visit to a M/C dealers might give you the chance of trying on a few helmets to ensure you do get the right size.

[littleade]

Graham's suggestion is a good one, though if things are still the same as when I rode bikes the helmets from some manufacturers were more comfortable than others so it mighy pay to buy a make you'd tried on previously. As an example my mate had the same size lid as me but his AGV was uncomfotable for me while my Arai was no good for him. We might have wierd shaped heads though!

[XLBaconDoubleCheese]

The biggest problem with mail order is getting the right size. The better companies now allow an exchange if they don't fit.

Another reason why I went the route I did, there was a place in Watford (still nearly a away) that had them in stock to try, justlids I think they were called. I've got a funny shaped head, wanted to get a good fit.

[CFB]

I agree with the £10 head, £10 helmet mantra.

As a rule, you should get the best helmet you can AFFORD.

There some exceptions.

Some of the lower priced helmets outperform their much more expensive counterparts.

Have a look at the SHARP helmet test website.

http://sharp.direct.gov.uk

If you find a helmet that suits you, check there before you buy.

The website is bike specific but I see no problem wearing a bike helmet in a car so long as it fits correctly, gives good enough peripheral vision and is comfortable.

Tip... If you find one you like, walk around the shop for a while with it on to make sure it doesn't cause pressure points coz you'll quickly get a headache if it does.

Happy shopping