Helmet Recommendations
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Joined: Apr 2001
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From: Alhambra
In my opinion, Bieffe gives the BEST VALUE for the money...
It comes with much better and durable rubber seals around the helmet thats is much
better than the foam on the Bell helmets... the inside cushion are removable for washing
on the Bieffe unlike the Bell model....
But still I bought a Bell helmet.... because that's the one I could fit... I couldn't fit any
Bieffe helmets (got a big head)...
To me, price of the helmet is what really matters.... TRY one... wear it for at least 15mins...
make sure you're still comfortable with it after the 15mins....
And if you fit Bell, you could also buy Pyrotect, they are basically Bell with a smaller price
tag....
It comes with much better and durable rubber seals around the helmet thats is much
better than the foam on the Bell helmets... the inside cushion are removable for washing
on the Bieffe unlike the Bell model....
But still I bought a Bell helmet.... because that's the one I could fit... I couldn't fit any
Bieffe helmets (got a big head)...
To me, price of the helmet is what really matters.... TRY one... wear it for at least 15mins...
make sure you're still comfortable with it after the 15mins....
And if you fit Bell, you could also buy Pyrotect, they are basically Bell with a smaller price
tag....
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,659
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From: Brooklyn
I have an SA2000 OMP helmet, full face. It is the same brand that Skip Barber uses at their track schools in CT.
By no means am I an expert, but here are some things to think about:
1) Does your club require an SA'2000' rating? Most track events will require an SA rating but sometimes they let you slide with a SA95. For autoX, rarely is more than an M rating requiresd.
2) Do you ever plan on doing an open wheel racing? You might want to consider a full face with a fully closing face shield. Sedan helmets cannot be used for this application.
3) I don't wear glasses but for those who did it should be a consideration when buying a helmet.
4) Make sure if you order online thy have a good exchange policy based on fit. Helmet sizing can be tough to do if you can't try them on. They should be snug. I was thankful I got to try them on in the shop because I NEVER would have guessed I was a size Small.
5) You may be able to get a discount through your club.
Hope this helps.
By no means am I an expert, but here are some things to think about:
1) Does your club require an SA'2000' rating? Most track events will require an SA rating but sometimes they let you slide with a SA95. For autoX, rarely is more than an M rating requiresd.
2) Do you ever plan on doing an open wheel racing? You might want to consider a full face with a fully closing face shield. Sedan helmets cannot be used for this application.
3) I don't wear glasses but for those who did it should be a consideration when buying a helmet.
4) Make sure if you order online thy have a good exchange policy based on fit. Helmet sizing can be tough to do if you can't try them on. They should be snug. I was thankful I got to try them on in the shop because I NEVER would have guessed I was a size Small.
5) You may be able to get a discount through your club.
Hope this helps.
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 58,680
Likes: 2
From: West Henrietta UPSTATE NY
First off let me say there is more of a difference between an M rated helmet (motorcycle) and an SA rated helmet (car) than just a fire rating. SNELL is the industry standard for testing, they have a great web site and much can be learned from reading through it.
An M class helmet in simple terms needs to endure ONE major impact and then several smaller ones. An SA class helmet needs to endure SEVERAL major impacts and then even more smaller ones. The basic idea is you fall and hit on the bike because you fly off the thing. In a car you are strapped in and your head has the opportunity to just keep whacking hard objects over and over and over.
http://www.smf.org
An M class helmet in simple terms needs to endure ONE major impact and then several smaller ones. An SA class helmet needs to endure SEVERAL major impacts and then even more smaller ones. The basic idea is you fall and hit on the bike because you fly off the thing. In a car you are strapped in and your head has the opportunity to just keep whacking hard objects over and over and over.
http://www.smf.org
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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 58,680
Likes: 2
From: West Henrietta UPSTATE NY
With all that being said about Ms and SAs, here is what I tell everyone, and by the way, I'm still running with an M helmet. Mine is a Shoe, I like quality because it has a dual purpose, I also run a bike. 
Get in your car and drive to the closest motorcycle shop. Don't look at any helmets that only have a DOT rating, they are just not good enough, only go for a helmet that has a SNELL rating inside on an attached label. Be mindful of the year, don't get an old helmet, SNELL rates every 5 years if memory serves me correct, and lots of clubs will require a helmet to be no older than 5 years.
Try on all the helmets till you get one that fits well. Each manufacturer has a different interpretation of size, and some manufacturers even seem to have a different interpretation of size amongst their different models. You want to find a helmet that fits snug, you should not be able to turn the helmet on you head, it must be tight. Now you don't want to get one that is so tight it gives you a headache, but the snugger you can go and be comfortable the safer.
Once you have found a few helmets that fit perfect, write down the make, model and size and leave the motorcycle shop. Go home and order on line from a motorcycle distributor, see a few links at end.
If you do this you will get the perfect fit and the best price, plus you have the opportunity to ask questions if the salesperson at the bike shop is any good.
Motorcycle helmets
http://www.accwhse.com
http://www.denniskirk.com/jsp/common/Frontpage.jsp;jsessionid=YABBL3Y5LW1O3LA0WTISM4VMDK0NCIV0
Racecar helmets
http://www.racerwholesale.com/
Get in your car and drive to the closest motorcycle shop. Don't look at any helmets that only have a DOT rating, they are just not good enough, only go for a helmet that has a SNELL rating inside on an attached label. Be mindful of the year, don't get an old helmet, SNELL rates every 5 years if memory serves me correct, and lots of clubs will require a helmet to be no older than 5 years.
Try on all the helmets till you get one that fits well. Each manufacturer has a different interpretation of size, and some manufacturers even seem to have a different interpretation of size amongst their different models. You want to find a helmet that fits snug, you should not be able to turn the helmet on you head, it must be tight. Now you don't want to get one that is so tight it gives you a headache, but the snugger you can go and be comfortable the safer.
Once you have found a few helmets that fit perfect, write down the make, model and size and leave the motorcycle shop. Go home and order on line from a motorcycle distributor, see a few links at end.
If you do this you will get the perfect fit and the best price, plus you have the opportunity to ask questions if the salesperson at the bike shop is any good.
Motorcycle helmets
http://www.accwhse.com
http://www.denniskirk.com/jsp/common/Frontpage.jsp;jsessionid=YABBL3Y5LW1O3LA0WTISM4VMDK0NCIV0
Racecar helmets
http://www.racerwholesale.com/
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Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Hollywood
Try a Stand 21 if you got 800-900 clams. it is the lightest and most comfortable SA2000 made. you could sleep in it. the cushions can be swapped/moved to different thicknesses for perfect fit and washing. also dual purpose, can swap shield and visor for use in open wheel cars or sedans. Nothing else is even close. all other helmets feel like a bowling ball clamped to your head.
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 157
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From: Austin
Again... don't skimp.... what is your noggin worth?
Lightweight is what my biggest factor was- comfort followed very close behind. Brands fit people differently, so be sure to try a bunch on and see what works for you.
Bieffe makes a great helmet- but just felt wrong when I had it on.
Simpson's lining always smelled antiseptic- like an hospital room to me!
Bell was pretty darn close...
I finally found the perfect fit (which took a big chunk out of my wallet) with the Sparco SN2000. It has removeable ear padding which is great to if I am instructing (or being instructed
) I can actually hear what the student is saying.
When I bought it the sales guy asked what I raced- I replied "An S2000" so he starts rattleing on about the addtional aero bits and this & that about open wheel....
I just kept my mouth shut and let him believe that I ran a Sports 2000
Lightweight is what my biggest factor was- comfort followed very close behind. Brands fit people differently, so be sure to try a bunch on and see what works for you.
Bieffe makes a great helmet- but just felt wrong when I had it on.
Simpson's lining always smelled antiseptic- like an hospital room to me!
Bell was pretty darn close...
I finally found the perfect fit (which took a big chunk out of my wallet) with the Sparco SN2000. It has removeable ear padding which is great to if I am instructing (or being instructed
) I can actually hear what the student is saying. When I bought it the sales guy asked what I raced- I replied "An S2000" so he starts rattleing on about the addtional aero bits and this & that about open wheel....
I just kept my mouth shut and let him believe that I ran a Sports 2000
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 445
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From: Catonsville
A little over 2 yrs ago I bought the Bieffe F1, mostly because of the great price. Luckily, this is a great fitting helmet, for my head at least. But a couple observations to know about are:
the eye slot (don't know what else to call it) is much narrower (height wise) than other helmets I've seen, meaning that there's no way you could use this for motorcycle use, as with any downward tilting of the head your forward vision would be blocked. But this is actually a nice feature for cars, blocks out extraneous light.
there is a (presumed) nomex velcro flap that closes the space under the chin. While this is nice for fire protection, it's really hot for autocross use. I ended up buying a Bieffe Jet (open face) because of this reason. (this time because of fit, not just price. I actually tried a Bell open face first because it was cheaper, but exchanged it) Then, just a few months ago I figured out that these flaps can be tucked under the padding. But it's still an unventilated helmet. The Predator is ventilated.
Lastly, for some reason my visor does not "lock" - ie. the little post that is supposed to catch a hole in the visor isn't quite long enough to secure it closed. While I actually took the visor off for autocrossing, it's back on now as I'm changing to shifterkarts for this coming year. I have yet to see if I'll have a problem.
So, for the price, the F1 is great, but with a few (minor) shortcomings depending on what you're gonna use it for. The Jet is awesome for autocrossing, but I still prefer the F1 (or any full face) for track events.
-Vic
the eye slot (don't know what else to call it) is much narrower (height wise) than other helmets I've seen, meaning that there's no way you could use this for motorcycle use, as with any downward tilting of the head your forward vision would be blocked. But this is actually a nice feature for cars, blocks out extraneous light.
there is a (presumed) nomex velcro flap that closes the space under the chin. While this is nice for fire protection, it's really hot for autocross use. I ended up buying a Bieffe Jet (open face) because of this reason. (this time because of fit, not just price. I actually tried a Bell open face first because it was cheaper, but exchanged it) Then, just a few months ago I figured out that these flaps can be tucked under the padding. But it's still an unventilated helmet. The Predator is ventilated.
Lastly, for some reason my visor does not "lock" - ie. the little post that is supposed to catch a hole in the visor isn't quite long enough to secure it closed. While I actually took the visor off for autocrossing, it's back on now as I'm changing to shifterkarts for this coming year. I have yet to see if I'll have a problem.
So, for the price, the F1 is great, but with a few (minor) shortcomings depending on what you're gonna use it for. The Jet is awesome for autocrossing, but I still prefer the F1 (or any full face) for track events.
-Vic
