GCollier

Any advice would be appreciated...

I'm looking to purchase a decent helmet in order to participate in trackdays. Can anyone recommend some good models I should consider which are suitable? Contact details for suppliers would be good too, especially any in the Central London area so I could go and try a few on.

Cheers,

Gary.

Dave T-S

Grand Prix Racewear in Chiswick

Dark

iTrader: (1)

Open face helmets are okay for most circuits if you're driving the Impreza.

You probabily need a full face helmet if you plan to catch a lift in any Elise's, Westfield's, etc.

Mark

AWD

Get a full-face helmet.

Arai and Shoe are very good.

Sith

I've got a Shoe Helmet. Seems top quality with all the appropritae stickers.

Bought it for my trip to the 'Ring. At the time I had my GSI, just as well the temp was 30c as I had to have the sunroof open to be able to sit in and drive the car. Caused some amusement for others though to see a white blob sticking out the roof.

Not tried it in the Scoob. Trackdays may be off for me in that.

P.

BOB.T

Is it not Shoei rather than shoe?

Bob

AWD

Yes - definitely don't go to trackdays with a pair of Hush Puppies on your head.

SCOOP

LOL
SCOOP

jon hill

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:<HR>Originally posted by thrustone:
[B]

Also, is there a difference between a motorbike helmet and a full face driving helmet?
[B]<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

As far as i know (and i may be talking crp here), they are exactly the same construction wise.

BUT

Motorcycle lids have the acu gold star thing along with the green kit mark. While Car lids need some FIA mark. Its only relevant if you plan on competing I guess, as on a track day you just need something on your head - one of these lightweight canoe or fibre glass paraglider lids would suffice (although i'm not recommending it....)

jon



[This message has been edited by jon hill (edited 19 April 2001).]

camk

All bike helmets sold in the UK should meet the same EEC standards, don't get caught up paying big money(500 quid) unless you need an FIS one for racing.
Any bike lid for 100quid will be fine, pricing of lids is more in relation to style and fashion than ability to save your head. I'd avoid an open face helmet and get full face as its likely to be better protection but slightly less comfortable.
Remember if its only for track days then your only wearing it for short amounts of time and only occasionally. Don't worry about removalable insides/visor removal speed etc etc. You'll not need it. I bought an Arai helmet 18 months ago and have done 15K Miles on my bike and its still in great nick, cost 100quid. Still on original visor too.

Cammy

[This message has been edited by camk (edited 19 April 2001).]

Ian Sutton

BEL Sport 2 full faced helmet, Suitable for all motor racing (fire proof) and fully FIA passed. Had to have the above requirements for the F1 experience i did a year back.

..Ian

mutant_matt

As the guys have already said, Shoei or Arai are the best. I've always found that you either have a "Shoei" shaped head or an "Arai" shaped head. Almost every lid I've ever bought has been a Shoei but every time I try on the latest Arai in the hope that maybe this one will fit.....

Where abouts are you - there are several decent bike dealers in Central London that you could visit?

Matt

mutant_matt

P.S. Quality surname M8

Matt

TRIGGER

I would agree totally on Grand Prix Racewear in Chiswick. You can try them all on and see what fits. I was the same - Shoei fitted but Arai just didnt. The Bel sport I tried had little padding and was not comfortable. Just my opinion though.

Mungo

I've heard that motorbike shops are much better places to get a helmet, as they tend to be much better value.
No personal experience though.

GCollier

Thanks for the input so far guys.

Matt - I work in Chancery Lane, just off High Holborn.

Cheers,

Gary.

jon hill

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:<HR>Originally posted by AWD:
<B>
Get a full-face helmet.

Arai and Shoe are very good.[/quote]

why ? Ive always used a full face (my 'bike lid), but i was going to get an open' just for car track days.

Like someone else said, I would think that if you're in a saloon then an open should be fine (maybe different in a cat 7 or something). Its almost impossible to talk to passengers or instructors with a full faced lid on, and I dont see what advantage it gives you. On the bike the advantage of the full face is that it should stop you scraping your face down the round if you happen to bin it - doesnt really translate to the car.

jon

DavidRB

Higher speeds coupled with the extra momentum of your helmet propel your head forward much harder than normal. This increases the chances of the steering wheel taking your jaw off.

Yes full face helmets are a pain for conversation, but few professional drivers use the open ones any more. Just look at what's been happening in the WRC recently.

AWD

Full helmet - Jaw/lower facial protection and also better structural strength of the helmet as a whole.

As a side-point, by getting a full helmet you also get to use it in all situations - normal car, bike, convertible.

IMO - better safe than sorry.

JoeyDeacon

So how the hell does David Coultard get a helmit to fit?

thrustone

So what sort of price are we talking about then?

Also, is there a difference between a motorbike helmet and a full face driving helmet?

oh and gary I used to work in chancery lane but it was a few years ago now when Confederation Life where there. I think the building is now some Law Society thing.

[This message has been edited by thrustone (edited 19 April 2001).]

GCollier

Thrustone - most buildings here seem to be some law society things - I'm in a lone IT oasis

I've tracked down the details for Grand Prix Racewear, whose details on Scoot seem to be a little out of date. If anyone's interested:

Grand Prix Racewear
Power Road (no number)
Chiswick

020 89875514

Nearest tube is Gunnersbury.

Open until 7:30 on Thursdays!

Helmet prices from £150 to £900.

Cheers,

Gary.

jon hill

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:<HR>Originally posted by AWD:
<B>
Full helmet - Jaw/lower facial protection and also better structural strength of the helmet as a whole.
[/quote]


mmm... but think of the mess when you vom inside a full faced. Much better to have unobstructed forward ventilation...

jon

mutant_matt

Gary,

Hmmmmmmm. The best place to go by far is Sondel Sports on Higbury Corner (Highbury & Islington Tube):

Sondel Sport Ltd
28-32, Highbury Corner
London N5 1RD
020 7700 0310

You could also try:

Metropolis Motorcycles
59 & 62, Albert Embankment (Underneath Vauxhall Bridge Station opposite MI6 building)
London SE1 7TP
020 7793 9313

Metropolis Motorcycles
23, Dowgate Hill
London EC4R 2
020 7236 1913

Rivetts in Leytonstone (020 85341304)

Motorcycle City Clothing Ltd
171, Great Portland St
London W1W 5PA
020 7637 5002

Infinity Motor Cycles Ltd
Holborn Tower 137, High Holborn
London WC1V 6PW
020 7242 1111

There are some good dealers in North London as well. If these are no good and North London is convenient, let me know and I'll point you in that direction...

Cheers,

Matt

GCollier

Wow, thanks Matt!

AWD

It's always worth checking for last year's models - as often they just have different paintwork/cosmetic differences but are substantially reduced in price.

Dave T-S

Mutant "Memory Man" Matt (you know what I mean )

Cheers for the info - got an Arai RV - £200 - from Metropolis Dowgate Hill today. The Shoei RXR is discontinued and they have them at £120 - normally £150 but limited sizes.

Ready for Bedford Autodrome now! (and the Ring in June....... )