Biscuits Posted October 28, 2008 Report Share Posted October 28, 2008 Chaps, Just wanted to know what others tent to use while doing a trackday or trips to the 'Ring. I've alwaus just used my Arai bike helmet, but was thinking of investing in a road helmet. Bog standard Polycarb Sparco or OMP open face ones are c£70, with FIA approved starting from £200. Coments please chaps... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theduisbergkid Posted October 28, 2008 Report Share Posted October 28, 2008 I paid £22 for an Open Faced no-name jobbie from the local Motorcycle place. Bargain. Prob made in China from kittens noses and cellotape. Why do I feel this may be a mistake.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steelwind101 Posted October 28, 2008 Report Share Posted October 28, 2008 I paid £22 for an Open Faced no-name jobbie from the local Motorcycle place. Bargain. Prob made in China from kittens noses and cellotape. Why do I feel this may be a mistake.... Well as long as you end up either dead or alive, its the in between mash potato yrs that are bad! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theduisbergkid Posted October 28, 2008 Report Share Posted October 28, 2008 Well as long as you end up either dead or alive, its the in between mash potato yrs that are bad! Hey, I'm already mash potato upstairs ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patently Posted October 28, 2008 Report Share Posted October 28, 2008 I don't have a bike so I dropped in at GPR at Silverstone on the way back from a business meeting. Can't remember what I paid - three figures, I think. But (as the saying goes) I don't think I have a £22 head! Some say that bike helmets are unsuitable as the flameproofing is different. Apparently racing drivers linger longer inside a burning car than riders linger on top of a burning bike. Not so sure, myself. And frankly, if I'm stuck inside a burning car long enough for that to make a difference, my day is not going well however you count it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biscuits Posted October 28, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 28, 2008 Was looking at these... just not sure which to go for, open-face or closed face. Why does the Sparco Rally Plus look so good and have to be the most expensive... Sparco Club (Not Fireproof) - Medium - White - £77.52 Budget open faced helmet, ideal for MSA, clubman, trackday or corporate use. Polycarbonate shell with black peak and sun visor. Non-fireproof lining. Not FIA Approved. UK Road Legal Polycarbonate Shell Black Peak and Sun Visor Non-fireproof lining BS6658-85A/FR Approved Not FIA Approved Sparco Pro Jet Silver - Medium - £212.34 Ideal mid range open face helmet. Composite shell with nomex lining and provision for fitting an intercom. Open Face Composite Shell Nomex Lining Provision for Intercom BS6658-85A/FR Homologated FIA Approved Simpson Cruiser - 7 1/8 - £180 The open faced Simpson Crusier. For those who want the experience of wind in the face, but with the high safety rating of Snell. The helmet features carbon-x lining material, the exclusive EPS liner and allows the driver to wear goggles, glasses or sunglasses. Available in black or white, and fitted with a stock car style peak with anti-glare strip. Open Face Stock car style peak with anti-glare strip Carbon X Fire Resistant Lining One Piece EPS Liner Snell SA2005 Homologated FIA Approved Sparco Ralley Plus - Medium Was £409.61, Clearance £249.86 Full face helmet with intergrated Peltor intercom and noise reducing ear cups. Black anti-dazzle peak. Offers excellent ventilation with the security of a full face helmet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woppum Posted October 28, 2008 Report Share Posted October 28, 2008 I have this one which is by far the best helmet I have tried. Loads of visability, not hot, light and comfortable. Puts most other ones I have tied to shame. The open face ones do not give much protection and also feel odd on your head. If you use it alot its worth a nice one and the one I have linked to has come down in price considerably. GP-5W Helmet | Helmets - Full face | Demon Tweeks Motorsport, Motorcycle, Modifying, Parts and Accessories Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biscuits Posted October 28, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 28, 2008 The Arai GP-5W look great Woops, I've always had Arai helmets and think they are top notch. I'm not going to get huge wear out of a new lid, but like you said, open-face ones never feel right. Have just ordered the clearance Sparco Rally Plus. Have looked at all the alternatives and it just looks like the best value for money, just lucky the clearance one is in my size ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Botang Posted October 28, 2008 Report Share Posted October 28, 2008 Ive got the Sparco Pro Jet in Blue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soapsuds Posted October 29, 2008 Report Share Posted October 29, 2008 I got the OMP Veloce, full face. It was c £80 IIRC. I treid the open face Sparco you mention above, but it didnt fit me too well. The important thing is to try them on!! I am a Medium in some helmets / large in others - my measurment is right on the borderline. The Veloce is a perfect, very comfy fit for me. Not the best looker, but who cares.... neither am I... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biscuits Posted October 31, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2008 Got "a" helmet delivered this morning, but it was the wrong one. Their web clearance entry was wrong and it was the open face version not the full face version Anyway, as it happens, it's all turned out for the better... as they are now swapping it for a Sparco Formula, with a dark tint visor and a health discount too boot I'd actually started having second thoughts on the rally helmet, as it wouldn't be suitable for open cockpit (Caterham, Atom, etc...) use as well... so I'm very happy. Rob also said if the helmet is the wrong fit, he'd do a FOC swap for a different size. Top support by Grand Prix Raceware. Arai, Alpinestars, Sparco, Bell, Tilton: Motorsport Equipment Store Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patently Posted November 1, 2008 Report Share Posted November 1, 2008 Now I think about it, all the instructors who have got in on track days have been wearing a Sparco... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woppum Posted November 1, 2008 Report Share Posted November 1, 2008 Got "a" helmet delivered this morning, but it was the wrong one. Their web clearance entry was wrong and it was the open face version not the full face version Anyway, as it happens, it's all turned out for the better... as they are now swapping it for a Sparco Formula, with a dark tint visor and a health discount too boot I'd actually started having second thoughts on the rally helmet, as it wouldn't be suitable for open cockpit (Caterham, Atom, etc...) use as well... so I'm very happy. Rob also said if the helmet is the wrong fit, he'd do a FOC swap for a different size. Top support by Grand Prix Raceware. Arai, Alpinestars, Sparco, Bell, Tilton: Motorsport Equipment Store You got the HANS connectors too? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biscuits Posted November 3, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 3, 2008 You got the HANS connectors too? No Woops, didn't think it was really needed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BURTON Posted November 3, 2008 Report Share Posted November 3, 2008 I have this Sparco Full Face. Top Race Got it from DT, but not on there now. Really light and nice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mook Posted November 3, 2008 Report Share Posted November 3, 2008 I would never order a skid lid online. I'd go to a shop and have it fitted properly. My only criteria for a skid lid is that it should save my head if I have a smash, so spending £70 on one because it's the cheapest that meets the minimum requirements was never on my list. I ended up spending an hour finding the right sized one that fitted properly. It was a £400 Shoei one, but worth it, imo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biscuits Posted November 3, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 3, 2008 I would never order a skid lid online. I'd go to a shop and have it fitted properly. If the fit is right, there's no problem with ordering online. I've had several bike helmets over the years, so I guess I know how a lid should feel when its first put on (pressure points, etc)... if it was a first purchase I argee with you Mook, you really need advice and help getting the fit right. The replacement turned up today and the fit was good alround, but not snug enough. I'm sending it back (at their cost) and they are very happy to send the next size down. If this is still not a good fit, they are happy to collect and resend a different size/model/make. I guess it depends where your buying from, I'm sure other places would say 20% restocking fee, no return possible, etc, etc... GPR have been spot on. The Sparco Formula is a very very nice bit of kit. Not as heavy as my Arai bike lid I spent c£400 on a long time ago. One big diffeece with a car lid over a bike one is the visor, on car lids they are much thicker. Looks great with the dark tint visor too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mook Posted November 3, 2008 Report Share Posted November 3, 2008 That's OK then - you don't need to see where you're going anyway... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biscuits Posted November 3, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 3, 2008 Anyone know of a company that do helmet painting ??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mook Posted November 3, 2008 Report Share Posted November 3, 2008 Not used one, but I Googled it last time I thought about it: paint crash helmet - Google Search But aren't there some issues with painting or using stickers on skid lids? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biscuits Posted November 3, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 3, 2008 Not used one, but I Googled it last time I thought about it:paint crash helmet - Google Search But aren't there some issues with painting or using stickers on skid lids? You can't use thinner based paints, only water based. Years ago this was a problem, but most cars are now sprayed using water based paints. All bike and auto racers have custom designs sprayed on, so it's just a matter of being careful if doing it yourself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mook Posted November 3, 2008 Report Share Posted November 3, 2008 Cool - thanks for that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biscuits Posted November 3, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 3, 2008 WOW ! There are some pretty cool compaines out there doing airbrushing, but look at this lot ! Hydrographics - Showcase Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mook Posted November 3, 2008 Report Share Posted November 3, 2008 What sort of money is it for a decent airbrush job on a skid lid? I'm not doing anything on-track now until Feb next year, so now would be a good chance to get something done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biscuits Posted November 3, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 3, 2008 It looks like most website quote £150-£600 depending on how intricate the design is. I recon for a simple design (George Cross, Chequered Flag, et All) would be £250 all in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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