Helmet - recommendations

RobC · 19 Dec 2005, 16:19 (Ref:1486772)

Moving from a closed top to a open top car I realised that my helmet was lacking one vital thing, ventilation for the visor. So off to the autosport show in Jan to pick up a new lid. Like the look of the Simpson Bandits and the fact they come in black is a bonus but they don't look to hot on the visor ventilation side - any owners here. Otherwise I have always been a big fan of Arai for bike helmets I assume the car ones are the same quality/fit?

Recommendations?

flatbroke · 19 Dec 2005, 17:17 (Ref:1486812)

Arai Gp5

Larry J-Croft · 19 Dec 2005, 21:06 (Ref:1486947)

Never found one that doesn't mist up yet, particularly whilst heavy breathing waiting for the start with a balaclava on. I wear glasses which doesn't help. Solution - a bit of rolled up masking tape stuck on the bottom to hold the visor just slightly open. As soon as you start moving - no problem - with the added advantage that as you can't see anything properly until you start to roll, the start is stress free !!!

Eddy V · 19 Dec 2005, 21:28 (Ref:1486963)

Never had any problem with the Bandit in the old days, but they had extra air vents.

R59 · 19 Dec 2005, 21:33 (Ref:1486969)

Yep, agree with flatbroke, Aria GP5.
I also have an OMP Integrale, nice lid, but when I got my HANS, there was no HANS approval for it, so bought the GP5 for that reason.

Talk to GPR, I understand they are doing some deals at the show - though I bet most of them are.

Rob.

***Chris Y*** · 20 Dec 2005, 09:32 (Ref:1487211)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Larry J-Croft

Never found one that doesn't mist up yet

I have. My Bell X-15 has a 'double glazed' visor, and I haven't been able to get it to mist up on me ever.

kickstart · 20 Dec 2005, 09:51 (Ref:1487217)

I use the Foggy anti mist mask which is superb.

graeme · 20 Dec 2005, 09:58 (Ref:1487224)

Or use a Fog City insert on your visor, which "double glazes" it to stop misting

greenamex2 · 20 Dec 2005, 11:38 (Ref:1487286)

My BMW bike crash helmet has the optional double glazed visor.

If you think you have fogging problems try minus 3 threading through near stationary traffic for an hour.

The double glazed visor copes fine.

R59 · 20 Dec 2005, 13:30 (Ref:1487356)

Is it FIA approved Denis?

zefarelly · 20 Dec 2005, 15:01 (Ref:1487406)

my BEll helmet has a click lock just a whiskewr open, never had a problem with it, from 35 degrees in Dijon to -3 at Aintree, and thats in a saloon car

I've used Bell helmets on the road on bikes/scooters for years and they've always had a similar system

greenamex2 · 20 Dec 2005, 15:27 (Ref:1487423)

Quote:

Originally Posted by racing59

Is it FIA approved Denis?

No, the point was about about the double glazed visor. The thing weighs half a ton and is the size of a small planet, you couldn't even get in a car with it on!

**dtype38** · 20 Dec 2005, 16:13 (Ref:1487438)

Agree with the Arai GP5 suggestion... although I couldn't quite afford a GP5, so went for the GP5K. It has the same visor and padding and, as far as I could tell from comparing them, they've virtually identical except that maybe the GP5 has slightly better ventilation. Oh and apparently its complex laminate construction is slightly more complex. IMHO not worth the price difference of over £150. Anyway, I've not had a misting up problem except for sat in the holding area on a cold wet day, but I find RainX antifog cures that completely.

RobC · 20 Dec 2005, 16:21 (Ref:1487444)

Thanks chaps, I think Arai are going to get my money.

***Chris Y*** · 21 Dec 2005, 09:29 (Ref:1487867)

Quote:

Originally Posted by dtype38

IMHO not worth the price difference of over £150.

I'm just waiting for someone to come along with the "Is your life not worth £150" type comment

Gabrio · 21 Dec 2005, 09:53 (Ref:1487884)

Every penny you spend on your helmet will be well worth it.....Stick with Arai or Bell and wear a Hans (even though the price to pay for that piece of carbon is ridiculous).

greenamex2 · 21 Dec 2005, 10:17 (Ref:1487903)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gabrio

wear a Hans (even though the price to pay for that piece of carbon is ridiculous).

And a new seat, and redesigned belt mounting points, and a new helmet, and new belts.

The problem is going Hans could cost some racers 1500 pounds, or a seasons entry fees, and I for one haven't seen any evidence that, in my form of racing, anyone has ever died or been damaged by the type of accident it helps reduce the impact of.

Eddy V · 21 Dec 2005, 10:18 (Ref:1487905)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Y

I'm just waiting for someone to come along with the "Is your life not worth £150" type comment

I'm not going to make that comment!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gabrio

Stick with Arai or Bell and wear a Hans (even though the price to pay for that piece of carbon is ridiculous).

Not for the companies that make them.

greenamex2 · 21 Dec 2005, 10:20 (Ref:1487908)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gabrio

Every penny you spend on your helmet will be well worth it.....Stick with Arai or Bell.

But agree with the helmet quote PROVIDING your money is going on a well designed helmet, not just a well designed logo.

A recent motorcycle helmet test proved that a lot of the 'big name/price' helmets didn't even meet the EC standard requirements on some tests!

Eddy V · 21 Dec 2005, 10:22 (Ref:1487910)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Denis Bassom

... and I for one haven't seen any evidence that, in my form of racing, anyone has ever died or been damaged by the type of accident it helps reduce the impact of.

I have Dennis, not that long ago. Injured that is!

But I'm not happy about the price either and I sell the damn things.

greenamex2 · 21 Dec 2005, 10:32 (Ref:1487922)

EddyV - what do you race/where do you work?

Eddy V · 21 Dec 2005, 10:39 (Ref:1487928)

Race: has been a loooong time since I stopped. But thinking about giving it a go again. If I'm smart, I wouldn't start again. But I'm not smart.
Work: Germany, run a motorsport company.
Hobby: marshal (dreaded observer

) even in the UK.

Btw if you need help with the Corolla, we have some good companies around here who made those things really work.

Bob Pearson · 21 Dec 2005, 11:40 (Ref:1487980)

If you are in an open car, don't rely on the holding it slightly open option when you are running. Works on the line, but when you get over about 100 mph the wind pressure tends to overcones the ratchet and shuts it.
I, like you Chris am surprised that hasn't come up yet. The irony of it all is, the supplier can put any price on the helmet, it doesn't make it any better than if he gave it away. A lot of motor cycle helmets are made to standards equal and in some cases exceeding the car racing ones and are sold for about 50% of the price.

**dtype38** · 21 Dec 2005, 12:50 (Ref:1488027)

Some seem to be getting awefully close to a "Your life vs £150" kind of statement

So..... I'll put it in perspective. I paid the £650 for my HANS device on the basis that IMO the chance that it could save my life is significant. I didn't pay the extra £150 for a GP5 rather than a GP5K because IMO the chance that the difference between them could save my life is insignificant.

halecmini · 21 Dec 2005, 15:17 (Ref:1488119)

so do we know if the hans device is going to become complusary yet? or when? i need a new helmet for next year do i buy one with the hans device mod bits? again working on a small budget here chaps so less of the is my life worth bla bla, no point in having the gouchy kit if you can't afford to race!

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