HELMETS: What, where and how much?

[Curly]

I picked up a fullface M2R 18 months ago, and I'm really happy with it. Comfortable, reasonably light, and a much better fit than the basic RPM model I tried on.

It also has a fairly long plastic exhaust vent on top of the helmet, which has come in handy for protecting the actual shell of the helmet from scratches from the roof of our khanacross car.

[manga_blue]

The last two meetings I've done in Vic have specified that full-face helmets and gloves must be used if driving with the roof down.

[fattima]

I understand why they want a full face helmet with the roof down, but gloves? Maybe they think if it is a convertible you should be wearing string back driving gloves

[manga_blue]

Dunno really. Maybe it means you won't hurt your knuckles so much dragging them along the track when sliding upside down on the rollbar.

[Steampunk]

Abra-cadaver! another resurrection

I didn't really read anyone recommend motorbike helmets. Bike shops are the most likely place to find a large range of brands and sizes.
KBC make top quality helmets at very good prices, and their designs are awesome.

And as for those who fuss about weight ... do you also complain when you wear a hat?

I would, and did, err on the side of caution and bought a full-face helmet. Open faced ones weren't even considered cause you just don't know how strict some places can be. Even some go-kart tracks won't allow open-face helmets.

[marcusus]

I'd go with a full face regardless, and have myself. Didn't even contemplate a non full face one. My mates who recently got their bike licences were told when getting their L's that chins and concrete don't mix. This might not apply to driving our 5's specifically, but you don't wanna bash your chin on the steering wheel either.

There was also another story on here about someone's mate who was racing and was being overtaken when the guy who was overtaking him had his engine blow on him. He was luckily wearing a full face helmet, because as I recall, there was supposedly a good chunk of the helmet missing from the jawbone section of it.

[CT]

CAMS madates gloves and full face helmets in open cars. The reason full face helmets offer greater protection is that your belts stretch to the point that your chin can come in contact with the steering wheel in a big off. Weight is also important as the weaker of neck have trouble supporting cheaper/heavier helmets which is exacerbated in a spin or accident. Furthermore, driving tracks with high g forces such as Phillip Island induce fatique much earlier with a heavier helmet.

[Steampunk]

Weight is also important as the weaker of neck have trouble supporting cheaper/heavier helmets which is exacerbated in a spin or accident. Furthermore, driving tracks with high g forces such as Phillip Island induce fatique much earlier with a heavier helmet.

Very, very good points CT, but that just means that those blokes and blokettes need to go to the gym and workout

A few years ago, BMW made and trialled helmets for GT car racers weighing in at a measly 1kg!

[marcusus]

Very, very good points CT, but that just means that those blokes and blokettes need to go to the gym and workout

And do what? Neck crunches?

A few years ago, BMW made and trialled helmets for GT car racers weighing in at a measly 1kg!

That'd be pretty nice. 1kg helmet. I should really put mine on the scales and see how many cheeseburgers it equates to.

[Steampunk]

There are many forms of exercises you can do to strengthen your neck muscles, mainly your trapezius \"traps\" which are the ones going from the base of your neck over your shoulders and uppper-back.

I can give you tips, but we wont go into that

And as for a 1kg helmet ... yes it would be nice to have, but the lighter the helmet, the heavier the price and from memory, they didn't make it for the general public.

[CT]

Very, very good points CT, but that just means that those blokes and blokettes need to go to the gym and workout

And do what? Neck crunches?

A few years ago, BMW made and trialled helmets for GT car racers weighing in at a measly 1kg!

That'd be pretty nice. 1kg helmet. I should really put mine on the scales and see how many cheeseburgers it equates to.

Absolutely. In the Aryton Senna bio it shows the excercises he used to do to strengthen his neck. Basicly do a workout with your helmet on!! Both my Arai and my HJC weigh in at 1458gms exactly!!! Which is on the lighter side of average for composite helmets. Stilo have just released an 1100gm Carbon helmet which at $2400 AUD is a pretty nice bit of gear - if you can afford it!

[marcusus]

Who would've thought.

Maybe when I jump on the forums I should put my race helmet on as well

[Alex]

:lol:
Who would've thought.

Maybe when I jump on the forums I should put my race helmet on as well

imagines you running to get your helmet and put it on before refreshing the page

[marcusus]

imagines you running to get your helmet and put it on before refreshing the page

What's funny is that I almost did it
The helmet sits all of 2 metres away from the computer, so it could be very tempted.

On an unrelated note, I woke up with a neck cramp this morning...