Need Advice On Buying A Racing Helmet !!!

[01ZEE06]

Help!! I just found out that my 10 + year old Shoei Helmet has a Snell rating of only 85. Tracks require a 90 rating. I called Shoei and was told that beyond the rating, the material in my helmet is 10 years old and has deteriorated and the Helmet needs to be replaced

Since protecting my head is important to me and because my old helmet won't pass tech inspection I've decided to buy a new one

My old helmet was a plane jane white. I wanna get something on the wild side.

Who makes good helmets and where can I go to get a good deal? What do they cost? I paid slightly over $200.00 for my Shoei.....

HELP

[MikesZ06]

I think I'm just too cheap. I went to a local Harley Dealership and bought the first Snell 2000 in black that fit my head. Got to do something about my seat height though, it makes this squeeking noise against the roof when I race.
Probably takes .002 secs off my 1/4's

[Dreamin]

Get an "SA" snell rated helmet... (not "M" rated). These are more expensive, but more and more clubs (open track events) are requiring them these days. Beiffe has one for ~$250...

[01ZEE06]

Is there a "Helmets are Us" store out there? Or, just go to a Motor Cycle Dealer? Someplace on the Net to shop?

I looked in Consumer's Reports trying to find Brand Ratings on Helmets to no avail....

Maybe I'm being to anal on this.....I guess the real question is where can I get a good deal on a Helmet $$$ ?

[quikdoc]

A descent SNELL 2000 SA rated helmet will run you at a minimum $150 upwards to about $700. What features do you want? What is your budget? What kind of racing? I paid $240 for my Bell M3 it is full face with visor and is plenty breathable.
Doc

[mdickie]

www.helmetcity.com

Bought a Simpson LX N helmet there, plain jane white, open face, very comfortable to wear in the car. Meets all the specs, $230. Shipped to me in about 4 days from order being placed.

Very happy with the helmet and the vendor.

[01ZEE06]

Wow, I'm impressed

You guys really helped me.....only took a few minutes.....on this Forum, It's "ask and thou shalt receive "

I think "JEGS" has good helmets at great pricing also...I'm guessing www.jegs.com.

[chrisj]

I took a different route. I went to the local motorcycle stores and tried several on till I knew what size was comfortable in each brand. Then I scoured the web looking for deals.
I ended up finding these guys www.beldenmotorsports.com on ebay and bought my helmet through them. I got a discontinued model (but still current with the ratings - Snell 95 when I got it) that had great graphics. They also have ones with slight cosmetic defects (current models) and usually have a picture of the defect. This might be a good way to get something a little flashier.
As for the difference between car and motorcycle, I couldn't offer an opinion. I see a lot of people that use the motorcycle helmets in their cars, but I suspect that is mostly because of the price. I thought the automobile ones were much pricer, but I could be wrong.
Mine is an HJC and the blue matches the EB pretty closely. Lots of blue and purple designs on it that look way cool to me!

chris

[Subdriver]

I use a nomex simpson bandit.
www.simpsonracing.com
These websites have great racing stuff including helmets:
www.ioportracing.com/welcomeframes.htm
www.pegasusautoracing.com/

[z06175mph]

http://www.helmetharbor.com

Arai has really nice helmets, just a little more expensive but has the kewl designs on them.

http://www.racecarsupply.com/html/safety.html

I own a Bell M3 EC, SA2000.

[CLICK02]

Go online to the helmetshop.com,,,they have some newer design helmets and personally went with one of the new carbon fiber helmets,,,a little pricey but its my head and well worth the expense/if I break my head I won't be able to play anymore I was able to just walk in and purchase mine while I was in Daytona one weekend partying,,local visit for me.

Nick

[Speedracer]

I picked up the HJC AC-10 with King Mingus graphics for about $240 online. It's a Carbon Fiber 1400 gram helmet which is one of lightest one's you can get. Just try some on until you findthe one you like then search the web.

[01ZEE06]

Well, after checking out every site I like 2 helmets: The Bell Bandit in Platinum and the KBC Wolf in black chrome.....

The KBC is a Motorcycle Helmet.....anybody know the specific differences between Motorcycle and Auto Helmets? I want the Snell 2000 rating and I couldn't find a rating on the KBC helmet. I'll keep searching.....

Thank you very much for all your input It's greatly appreciated

[TX02Z06]

If you are a NCCC member you can get Bell Helmets for cheap. Very Cheap! Look in you registration packet.

I got a M2 SA2000 for about 30-40 dollars less then the best price I could find on the net.