mx5cartalk.com

Hey! At the mx5 track days do they allow motobike helmets? I have read the difference is car helmets are fireproof and bike ones are not. At cashconverters they sell 50$ motobike ones and would he good if I could just get one of those :p
Thanks

James

As long as it's full faced and has appropriate stickers, Snell, those Aus Standard ticks etc.... not that anyone checks.
People have been using motorcross helmets too.

Big tip. DO NOT BUY A HELMET BASED ON PRICE.
you need it to be comfortable. Even though you are wearing it for a short time, an ill fitting one will gnaw at you and, like you would try on shoes, they are different from one manufacturer to the next

I fit a SHOEI small, Arai & Nolan medium, KBC large.

cheers Andrew!

Don't buy a second hand helmet. Helmets are single use items; you drop one or crash and you throw it away. You don't know the history when buying second hand.

Jeo wrote:Don't buy a second hand helmet. Helmets are single use items; you drop one or crash and you throw it away. You don't know the history when buying second hand.

And if money is tight a BRAND NEW helmet that's up to standard starts about $100.

Yep cannot agree more with Jeo on this. A second hand helmet is an unknown quantity and you have no idea if someone has dropped it in the garage or what. They are throw away items once damaged.

As for prices, they are a bit of a mixed bag anywhere from $100 to a couple of grand. Bike helmets are all made to the same safety standards but not necessarily the best fit quality. This is why people tend to pay bigger money on better brand helmets. You shouldnt be able to move the helmet if you shake your head. Best advice i can give is not to buy online for this reason. Go to a few bike shops and try some on and take note of the brand and size etc.
One last thing, it might be cheaper but dont be tempted importing as they may not have the appropriate stickers or overseas safety design rules may be different regarding construction.

FYI - The Shoei I commute in daily was well over a grand, has lasted years so far with little signs of wear. The ~$100 cheapie I bought for track days that barely gets used in comparison is looking it's age after <5 years.

If you were buying one to use on a bike I'd say to spend a little more, but for track days something cheap that both has the rights stickers on it and fits your shaped head should be fine. As suggested, head to a bike shop and try a couple on. Get help from the guys in the store and listen to what they have to say.

Bell make some reasonably priced helmets. Good value. But fit is the most important thing (I really want a shark. But they dont fit me)

Cheap helmets are often heavier. But more importantly they are bulky. You can tell a cheap helmet by its size. They look out of proportion when you see people wearing them. (I work in a motorcycle store) these attributes can be lived with on a bike. I use one of these cheap helmets. And I ld hate to wear it in my mx5. Also after 2 years im upgrading due to it having reached the end of its lifespan. (Worn out)

Weight.

Light is good . Light costs a bit more . You will only notice the weight (mass) when your head keeps going when the car, and your belted body, stops suddenly . This is not such an issue for motorcycle riders (I think), as they are not restrained. Do a search on the recent HANS threads to see where this comment is going. I am not telling you to jump straight into a lightweight helmet complete with HANS device, but be aware of why they are getting so much airtime here. It is also noteworthy that we have had two clubmembers taken to hospital after taking on the barriers with their MXes, one at the last club track day, the second today at the Supersprint round - it doesn't happen often, but it can and does happen, and it can happen to you (and me).

Frank Matich used to be the Bell agent here, and he sold them on the slogan, 'if you have a $10 head, buy a $10 helmet' ... a helmet is a requirement, a good helmet is an investment in the wellbeing of your head.

I take it you are new to track days, so welcome! Will we see you at EC at the next club day?

spenaroo wrote:Bell make some reasonably priced helmets. Good value. But fit is the most important thing (I really want a shark. But they dont fit me)

Cheap helmets are often heavier. But more importantly they are bulky. You can tell a cheap helmet by its size. They look out of proportion when you see people wearing them. (I work in a motorcycle store) these attributes can be lived with on a bike. I use one of these cheap helmets. And I ld hate to wear it in my mx5. Also after 2 years im upgrading due to it having reached the end of its lifespan. (Worn out)

Again this highlights the differences between bike helmets and car helmets.

I just bought a brand new Bell helmet constructed to the latest SAH2010 standards. It cost $600 and is substantially larger than my old $300 AS1698 bike helmet I was using.

The car helmet is lighter than the bike helmet, has threaded inserts in it for a HANS device, is flame resistant, the opening is much smaller than a bike helmet, the visor locks down and is thicker than a bike helmet visor and the padding is a different shape, it covers much more of my face.

For the OP, go and try some helmets on. If you are doing a handful of events a year a cheapy AS1698 helmet should do you for a couple of years (it will wear out quickly) but just keep in mind that even in the most basic event you can still have an accident and hurt yourself. Up to you how much risk you want to take. I do enough events that the odds did not stack up for me anymore hence buying a much better helmet and a HANS device.

^^^^^ 110%.
Stuff happens, even at slow speeds, in racing and at club days, so get the best safety gear you can. Then have fun!!

I also started with an AS1698 bike helmet, now have a motorsport Arai with HANS attachment points.

waw thanks everyone for your imput! ALOT more then i was expecting and alot of very helpful infomation and YES i can wait to compete in my 1st track day!!
thanks again everyone for imput!



James

Also avoid motorcross helmets, totally inappropriate for use in a car due to the extended chin guard.

deviant wrote:For the OP, go and try some helmets on.

Yes, go to a motorsports store and try some car helmets as well. Check for a Revolution Racegear shop near you.

Fit is critical. They've got to be tight enough so you they don't move when you shake your head. If they give a bit over the first year then you might be able to pad them back out a bit with a balaclava.

manga_blue wrote:

deviant wrote:For the OP, go and try some helmets on.

Yes, go to a motorsports store and try some car helmets as well. Check for a Revolution Racegear shop near you.

Fit is critical. They've got to be tight enough so you they don't move when you shake your head. If they give a bit over the first year then you might be able to pad them back out a bit with a balaclava.

You can get cheek pads in different thicknesses for Bell helmets.