Helmet Choices

[The STIG]

Ok, went to Race Retro, Found Demon Tweeks and along with my team mate, we tried on a few helmets...

B****r #1 - The 2 cms do make a difference, since he takes a medium and I take a large.
B****r #2 - The OMP helmet we were looking at is cheap for a very good reason. I'm not wearing that even if I can afford it!
B****r #3 - Can't afford one which Does fit and offers more protection.

Thus endeth the Sprint saga. No way can I justify the £300 price tag for what could be a one off.

So thanks to all of you who have responded to this thread for your helpfull advice, Much appreciated and hopefully it will help someone else too.

**shuffles off and looks into Autotesting as a low cost alternative to sprints**

[Peter Mallett]

If it is a one off you can sell the damn thing. Why give up at the first hurdle? Most of us started out with bank loans or other forms of finance.

[The STIG]

Ha! I'm already on my 3rd Student loan as it is (not to mention approx £20,000 in debt)! I'm looking at getting a job soon though, so maybe once that starts and the finaces are a bit more secure then it'll happen.

[rescue dude]

I was at Loton Park this weekend and was told by a scrute that helmets are going to have numbered stickers so they can be cross referenced with the owner/user.

Does this now mean that helmet sharing will soon be a thing of the past?

Not before time imo.

[scrutineer]

I was at Loton Park this weekend and was told by a scrute that helmets are going to have numbered stickers so they can be cross referenced with the owner/user.

Havent heard of this one yet, is that specific to Loton or something to be rolled out over the country, not sure what number you could put on it that would trace it to a user though.

[rescue dude]

Originally Posted by scrutineer

Havent heard of this one yet, is that specific to Loton or something to be rolled out over the country, not sure what number you could put on it that would trace it to a user though.

Apparently it's going to be across the board.

[BertMk2]

Would licence number be enough? Am I right in assuming that stays consistent year on year (mine has but I don't know whether changing licence types means a change of number eg. race to rally)

[Peter Mallett]

Nope.

I've had the same number from Nat A to Int C for the last four years or more.

[Tim Falce]

Originally Posted by rescue dude

I was at Loton Park this weekend and was told by a scrute that helmets are going to have numbered stickers so they can be cross referenced with the owner/user.

Does this now mean that helmet sharing will soon be a thing of the past?

Not before time imo.

What's the problem ith shariung a helmet......apart from the smell?

Originally Posted by rescue dude

Apparently it's going to be across the board.

....and before yet another rumour gets out of hand maybe you could tell us where the MSA have written this rather than "big boys told me to say it"

[rescue dude]

Originally Posted by falcemob

....and before yet another rumour gets out of hand maybe you could tell us where the MSA have written this rather than "big boys told me to do it"

Got to admit it i don't know where if at all it's written down.
All i can say is that a scrute told me. Whether it's true i really don't know?

If it's not true then great. If it is it'll be interesting to see how it all works.

[tristancliffe]

Am hoping to abandon my motorcycle helmet (which has done me proud to be fair), and am looking to buy a proper motorsport full-face helmet in the near future.

Am looking mainly at Bell products, as Arai are a bit too expensive (I value my head that much, but can't stretch my budget that much), and somehow Sparco/OMP helmets don't have the same effect on my brain, but that might be brand snobbery. If someone had to choose a helmet for between £250 - £350 for use mainly in single seaters, what would you choose. Don't need HANS posts yet, but would want a pre-drilled helmet for future-proofing.

I'm quite taken with the Bell RS3 Sport, but know nothing about it (or indeed any helmet model other than the one I have already)

Your thoughts please...

[scrutineer]

Apparently it's going to be across the board.

Think this may be hear say, cant see how it can work. Whats the point in putting your licence number on the side, dont you hand that in before you go to scrutineering? So we would have nothing to check it against.
I dont have a problem with people sharing helmets as long as it fits them, the smell is up to you

[AU N EGL]

Many of us here on the left side of the pond, put a small sticker on the back of the helmet with our name, blood type, alergies, next of kin and phone number. Hopefully that it will never be used.

On the drives window side of my helmet I also have several small stickers or diffent car clubs that I participate with as they scrutineers or tech ppl have inspected and passed my helmet.

[Biff]

I have an RS3 sport. Its a good helmet, no problems with it. If you buy from Tweeks, I'm sure they said they will retro fit hans posts at no charge. You just have to pay for the posts.

It might be worth checking though in case I'm up the wrong tree again.

Like I said earlier in the thread Bell are excellent helmets and I prefer them to Arai anyway.

The other thing is you can still get them in the old sizes 71/4 etc, rather than only small, medium, large. This means you can get a much better fit.

[Char1ie]

On the subject of helmets, I need to buy one and have never owned one before so I'll need to find a supplier where I can try on a few. Does anybody know a supplier in south east London - or anywhere in London? I'm looking at open faced Bell or similar models.

This has been a useful thread BTW.

Charlie

[inamo]

I think GPR have a branch in London somewhere - if you have a look at their website it'll have the address on there.

[Tim Falce]

GPR have a shop at Chiswick just off the roundabout on the North Circ, Chiswick High Rd and M4 Junc.

[Peter Mallett]

I thought they closed that and moved to Silverstone.

[Tim Falce]

Addresses here

[Char1ie]

Got it. I'll head over there on Saturday. Called GRP and they are still in Chiswick so not too far away. I'm looking at the Bell Mag 6 or similar for Classic Touring Car this season.

Thanks for the info.

Charlie

[tristancliffe]

Thanks to this thread, I've committed myself to a Bell RS3 Sport Helmet. However, Bell are (apparently) being very slow to supply stock this year, and it won't be with me until the middle to end of May!!!!!!!

Come on Bell, pull your fingers out!

[andy97]

Originally Posted by tristancliffe

Thanks to this thread, I've committed myself to a Bell RS3 Sport Helmet. However, Bell are (apparently) being very slow to supply stock this year, and it won't be with me until the middle to end of May!!!!!!!

Come on Bell, pull your fingers out!

Bell are always slow to supply stock every year.

[AU N EGL]

Originally Posted by tristancliffe

Thanks to this thread, I've committed myself to a Bell RS3 Sport Helmet. However, Bell are (apparently) being very slow to supply stock this year, and it won't be with me until the middle to end of May!!!!!!!

Come on Bell, pull your fingers out!

Why dont you buy it from an american vender and have them air ship it to you?

[Jamie G]

Originally Posted by Char1ie

On the subject of helmets, I need to buy one and have never owned one before so I'll need to find a supplier where I can try on a few. Does anybody know a supplier in south east London - or anywhere in London? I'm looking at open faced Bell or similar models.

This has been a useful thread BTW.

Charlie

Charlie,
I went to GPR in Chiswick and found being able to try on helmets invaluable. I ended up buying an Arai GP Jet F which, despite being a little over my original budget, fits beautifully and is very light. It is very well made, and (I think) knocks the Bell and Simpson open faces into a cocked hat (pardon the pun).

According to GPR Bell are late shipping this year and the items that appear in GPR (and DT) winter catalogues aren't necessarily on the market at all when they go to press. I also found this was the case with the new OMP helmet. A little misleading, but it might save you being on back order for months on end.

All in all, I thoroughly recommend an Arai.

Hope this helps

Jamie

[The STIG]

*steps down in to the thread crypt, blows dust off thread, does count dracula impression. eh eh eh eh.*

Sorry.

Anyway. I noticed one of the ads up there at the top, and me being the curious kind gave it a click. Bit of poking later revealed this...
Click here

Now if I've got that right, This helmet costs about £170, which seems very cheap. Question 1) does anyone know anything about it, Question 2) does it meet UK standards (particularly for sprinting) and Question 3) has anyone bought anything from this company before, and do they ship here (it doesn't say on their website).

Muchos gratias amigos.