Trackday helmets

[gmtc]

I am looking into buying a helmet for trackdays. What models do people prefer and which ones meet regulations? I like the idea of having one with an open chin (rather than the enclosed motorcycle type)
Any helps (and pics) appreciated.
Thanks, Graham.

[Bender Unit]

I bought a new full face bike helmet for 40 odd notes from the local bike shop. Nice graphics, comfy padding and vented. It’s also got a gold label which means it’s a good lid, so despite the low price it’s a well built helmet and tested to the highest standards (AFAIK). I went for full face as I also use it when I go karting or if I go out in an open car / back of a bike. Open face would be good for a closed cab but then it could also limit its use (well IMHO it does) – I also didn’t one an open face one as I looked like the Mushroom character from Mario Kart My local bike shop also sold a open face lid for £30 which again was gold label certified or what ever its called.

[Hedgehog Dodger]

I bought a new full face bike helmet

I did something similar James....well the missus did. I have got a Scrambler Helmet, the ones without a Visor. Looks cool.

Ever played Mortal Kombat, its like a Scorpion and Sub Zero mask....

YES I AM SAD!!!

[John Rees]

[Lauren]

The official minimum requirement for a helmet for trackdays is a type A.

Your helmet will generally not be checked and unless it looks very dodgy then you won't have a problem getting out on track.

Basically if you think about it is your head so you'd be totally barking to wear something sub-standard that has been dropped etc, as i hear new heads are a bit pricey these days....

I have an MSA saloon race car helmet, plus a type A with visor.

Spend around £100+ if you can as anything below this is a bit crap fit/padding wise. Demon Tweeks would likely be your best bet for an open face rally style helmet.

You can get a 'chinless' helmet to type A spec no probs.

I've been doing trackdays for a long time now and have to say i'm happier with a full face. Certainly for racing i'd consider nothing less than a full face, but an open helmet i think is acceptable for trackdays, its certainly a lot cooler.

HTH

Lauren
BookaTrack.com Staff

[Bender Unit]

I did something similar James....well the missus did. I have got a Scrambler Helmet, the ones without a Visor. Looks cool.

Ever played Mortal Kombat, its like a Scorpion and Sub Zero mask....

YES I AM SAD!!!

lol you clearly havent seen the lid I was wearing for TOTB3 - I had adopted my mates scrambler skid lid as well - problem was it gave the camera a better view of my chops! Good thing is because the chin guard sticks out further than normal helmets you can pick you nose whilst waiting to race (or even during if your having a bad day! )

Graham, I have got home and had a look and my lid is made by FM and has the gold british motorsycle sport stamp which means its made to a high saftey standard.

Regards

James

[paul port]

You won't find many 'Type-A' helmets in bike shops any more (Type-A = ones with the blue BSI Kyte mark label on the side)

The old BSI standard required that sample helmets from each manufacturerd batch be tested against the standard - only if they passed did the rest of the batch get the sticker.
Now... there is a 'European' standard called ECE22-05, it only needs the design to be type approved by testing an example helmet - after that it is up to the manufacturer to certify that subsequent batches are up to spec.

For this reason, the MSA does not accept them.... However the Motorcycle racing club (ACU?) does, and gives them the gold sticker.

I'm hoping to get a new lid at the Historic Morotsport show near coventry this weekend!

Paul.

[craig]

I bought a new full face bike helmet

I did something similar James....well the missus did. I have got a Scrambler Helmet, the ones without a Visor. Looks cool.

Ever played Mortal Kombat, its like a Scorpion and Sub Zero mask....

YES I AM SAD!!!

LMFAO!! comparing a race helmet to scorpion's mask

GET OVER HERE!!!!!

[Hedgehog Dodger]

Graham, I have got home and had a look and my lid is made by FM and has the gold british motorsycle sport stamp which means its made to a high saftey standard.

James, mine has got the Gold Emblam thing on the back

GET OVER HERE!!!!!

LOL

[Lauren]

You won't find many 'Type-A' helmets in bike shops any more (Type-A = ones with the blue BSI Kyte mark label on the side)

The old BSI standard required that sample helmets from each manufacturerd batch be tested against the standard - only if they passed did the rest of the batch get the sticker.
Now... there is a 'European' standard called ECE22-05, it only needs the design to be type approved by testing an example helmet - after that it is up to the manufacturer to certify that subsequent batches are up to spec.

For this reason, the MSA does not accept them.... However the Motorcycle racing club (ACU?) does, and gives them the gold sticker.

I'm hoping to get a new lid at the Historic Morotsport show near coventry this weekend!

Good point, well made. I forgot about the updates to this. If this guys getting an open face helmet though he can go through someone like demon tweeks where you can make sure you get the right lid for the job.

Any decent motorbike helmet would be acceptable for trackdays tbh.

Paul.

[Dave Goodhand]

Grand Prix Racewear in Chiswick will be able to sort you out with a good helmet too.

I was under the impression the Type A was being phased out - at least this is what I heard back in 02 in favour of the Type A-FR (FR for Fire Retardent)

In all fairness as you're just going to be doing track days in a closed cockpit car I'd go for a fairly cheap motorcycle helmet. To be honest full face has its advantages, such as a broken face when you hit it on the steering wheel after a heavy crash etc. I mean all of us prefer to think that we wont crash, but on a track you'll have more chance at a higher speed crash than on the road, and although its respectively safer, accidents do happen.

If you were considering racing, I'd say buy the best helmet you can afford. The old addage of a £50 helmet for a £50 head, does come in useful.

I usually go for a Bell or Shoei as these are my 2 favourite makes, the Bell has a wide aparture (sp) and as I wear glasses under the visor it makes it easier for them to be seated, The Shoei on the other hand is quite narrow, but is a very comfortable helmet.

If you're seriously looking you really want to go to a show room and try lots of different models on, as 1 size in one manufacturer is invariably different to another. So I'd say go to your local motorbike shop and try on some you like the look of.

[gmtc]

Thanks to all for the great info and advice

[redeye32uk]

How would you stand with a helmet thats been airbrushed ie resprayed. Are they still legal as i want to spray one. Done a couple of skater helmets an fanced having a go on bike one next ....Dave.

[LimeyMk1]

IIRC airbrushing/painting a helmet can effect it's structural integrity if the correct solvents are not used. So I'd avoid buying one that's already been done and make sure you use the right paints if you do it yourself.

I bought a Cromwell Clubman helmet for £40 and it's had some pretty good reviews from biker magazines (gold stamp etc as well). If I was to start riding bikes or doing any serious racing/trackdays I'd get a better one but it's all I need at the moment.

[redeye32uk]

IIRC airbrushing/painting a helmet can effect it's structural integrity if the correct solvents are not used. So I'd avoid buying one that's already been done and make sure you use the right paints if you do it yourself.

yeah thats what i thought but the paints i use are waterbased an only the finish clear coat is urathane. so i should be ok

[Dave Goodhand]

You'll need to talk to a couple of people who specialise in painting in race car helmets. As some hlemets say paint is ok, but the same helmet will say that paint can damage it.

I got mine sprayed for 150 including shipping to and from the painter which was a good deal. Don't know what kind of paints they used though, it wouldn't be oil paints or oil based paints.

[splashnatz]

autoair airbrush paint is fine for use on crash helmets. Avoid solvent based paints as they'll weaken the helmet. when you've finished spraying the lid, post some pics pls.

[redeye32uk]

Hi, its the autoair airbrush paint i use.... i've cocked the helmet up as the candy reacted around the edge of one of the other colours i used so im going to flat it all back an start again