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I found a Scorpion EXO-400 helmet on Craigslist - the girl that's selling it sent me a link to a website with the same helmet, but not as old, that says it's snell m2005 approved. Any tips on telling if this particular one is good enough for Hallett? She said it was a "couple" years old. It's a good deal for a hardly used helmet...should I be looking for a tag or label specifically saying snell XXXX approved?
Inside the helmet, there should be a sticker telling you which standard it conforms to. M2000 or M2005. Either should work for Hallett next month.
Good luck!
They often "hide" the sticker under some of the padding, so if at first you don't see one, keep looking.
Be careful. A "couple year old" helmet means that you don't know exactly how old it is. The impact material (hard styrofoam type material) does degrade with age. The worst catalyst for degradation is varying temperatures. Many people store their helmets in a garage, where the temperature changes significantly throughout the year(s). This makes the impact foam more brittle, and as result, less effective at keeping you protected.
If you have a $5 head, buy a $5 helmet. ::2Cents::
I'm with Bo on this... I like the "clean slate" theory for helmets. I bought a brand new, open face, name brand (well, HJC) Snell 2005 helmet from Bates for about $100 (with a protective sack) - it's basic but it'll certainly do the job.
Don't forget to swing over to CVS and get some head lice powder since ya got no clue on the previous owners hygiene! :mrgreen:
http://pics.drugstore.com/prodimg/94204/200.jpg
<Snicker>Quote:
Originally Posted by trickyrix
A brand new Exo 400 is about $140 if you like the helmet...
Moto Liberty had another stack of "$40 helmets for your $40 head" on Tuesday, but I don't think they were Snell...
I did the same from Maxim Honda dealer in Allen a couple years ago. A good plan, IMO...Quote:
Originally Posted by trickyrix
Yea umm ok. So you guys feel your head is worth $350 as opposed to $40 huh? By that logic, seems you'd want to spend more on your helmet. You miss a month's work due to head injury perhaps you should spend a months salary then?
Anyway, most snell approved helmets 2000 or later have snell on the back where it says DOT. But, officially, they have to have the sticker inside somewhere w/ a serial number on it. You'll be looking for a tan M2000 or M2005. Gently pull back padding and you should find it inside.
I got an HJC CS-5 Snell 2005 with the protective sack for $48.30 total on Ebay. No lice in it either but if you're worried about it you can probably get it dry cleaned or use a febreeze do-it-yourself kit.
Nope, just $100. ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Nails
And I could try 'em on to make sure it fit and was comfortable. And I could be reasonably sure it was new and hadn't been dropped.
Just my opinion. Don't skimp on safety equipment. Hopefully you'll never need it, but if you do you want it to work. Your head, your $$$.Quote:
Originally Posted by Nails
All good points but just because a helmet is expensive does not mean it provides better protection. And one's head is infinitely more precious than 350 bucks. I did try some Scorpios and HJC's on at the store to get my size then shopped craigslist and ebay.
My son was given a used helmet and I removed all the interior components and washed them. Once dry I put them back in. Good as, well allmost new.Quote:
Originally Posted by Nails
Thanks for the tips and advice!!! If the helmet (or owner) show any signs of nastiness, or abuse, etc...there won't be a sale. My fall back is the royal blue HJC CL-15 (kinda matches my car...is that gay??), not in stock but can get it in a few days.
Hallett for me is to learn some things and get a feel of how serious my interest is. I don't want to make a lot of serious investments until I'm sure. Maybe I'm over confident and lucky...I've been in many wrecks and my head was never subjected to injury...I guess it only takes once.
Well thanks to you, I have a $30 head. ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by sammm
My first helmet was a $100 HJC M95 (bought in '98) from a local motorcycle shop. It was fine for autocrossing, and served me well for a couple of years.Quote:
Originally Posted by Nails
Once I started doing track days, I decided I wanted a better helmet. I bought a Simpson Super Bandit SA00. Not only was it more comfortable than my old HJC (a plus during 20+ minute track sessions), but it was lighter and carried an SA rating.
They have a pretty good deal again....
M2000 Bell open face for $49.95.
http://www.bellhelmets.com/images/products/456.jpg
XSmall only
From what I read at the SMF website, the Motorcycle rating is higher than the SA one. So why wouldn't a Motorcycle helmet be ok for track duty?
Or I guess my question is, what does SCCA mandate?
Chris
I believe the M ratings do not have any flame retarding rating where the SA ones do. You don't tend to get trapped in your motorcycle after a wreck. I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong.Quote:
Originally Posted by Miatamaniac92
I discovered just how many ratings there are on helmetcity.com - I found it to be a good website for learning. DOT, SNELL, and some British rating...SA ratings M ratings...the list goes on...it's a bit confusing...but whatever THEY want is what I must have...so I guess SNELL M2000 or SNELL M2005 is what it must be.
I read on some site I visited via Google that just about any helmet can meet DOT requirements.
As a novice driver, I don't think I have to worry too much, unless another novice causes me to wreck/wrecks in to me.
I was also curious...since I don't wear a helmet usually, if you and the instructor are both wearing helmets, can you still hear each other while you're driving to be instructed??
I'm really excited about this event...I am learning a lot about a lot of things....like helmets and trendy shoes ((heh)).
So what's required? The M rating or the SA rating?? I was with the impression that the paperwork said M2000 or better...Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave04
"They" say SA > M. Either one will work for Hallett.
Some track day organizations are starting to require SA. Most if not all autocross orgs are happy with M. M is more readily available and typically cheaper, all else equal.
Makes sense above flame resistance (retardance, don't boycott me). However, the more hardcore racing (<10 sec 1/4 mile maybe) require a nomex backlava (not that honey filled sweet snack).
Thinking back now, I believe reading somewhere about the differences. Motorcycle crashes usually have higher G spikes whereas automobile normally have lower sustained forces/multiple impacts (think hitting the rollbar/rollcage). I'll see if I can find the article.
Chris
There is also the big debate on if you should wear a full face helmet in a car with airbags... Apparently, nasty things can happen to your neck if the airbag hits the right spot on the chin of the helmet.Quote:
Originally Posted by Miatamaniac92
I believe the "test object" for M is larger diameter - think curb - than the one for SA - think rollbar. Meaning the force is applied more sharply to the SA helmet for the test.Quote:
Originally Posted by Miatamaniac92
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave04
Who still has an airbag? :confused:
I'm ambivalent about early Miata airbags. But it was a moot point for me b/c all three of my miata (92,91,91) have had an airbag light. Therefore I have a MOMO now. NA miata steering wheels suck.
I understand the point though. Without testing data, it's speculation for the level of physical debate. The way I see it, it can't be worse than being 3 inches away from the wheel.
Chris
I just recently bought a new G-Force open face SA2000 helmet locally from Robert Vick at Vick Motorsports. He's located just off off SE Loop 820 just before the I-20 split. He was closing out the old helmets and I picked this one up for $105. I think he had the newer SA2005 versions for around $169. Didn't seem like a bad price for an SA rated helmet. Although now I've got a $20 head riding around in a $105 helmet :D
I got the helmet - snell m2000. No nastiness/odors, looks brand new with the exception of a few scratches. $50.00 - it is full face with a visor. Will definitely take the visor off - I don't like helmets.
Depends on what you want to do. For autocrossing all they require is M95 or higher. Club racing requires an SA rating, iirc.Quote:
Originally Posted by Miatamaniac92
Actually, there was a bunch of hoopla a few years back because a Dodge test driver broke his jaw when he crashed a Viper. The airbag deployed, hit the chin bar of his full face helmet, which subsequently hit his lower jaw and broke it. The SCCA toyed with the idea of banning full face helmets in airbag-equipped cars following the incident, but decided against it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave04
AFAIK, the Viper crash was an isolated incident - I certainly haven't heard of a rash of similar accidents. Personally, I still prefer wearing a full face helmet on the track, especially in an open topped car, regardless of airbags. YMMV.
I just put a note on my instrument cluster not to look up when I roll over. ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by altiain
Rules for helmets for Hallett is SNELL 2000 or better.
I think you mean balaclava, not backlava.Quote:
Originally Posted by Miatamaniac92