To quote John Condren, the guy that started Chump Car, "If you have a $100 head, buy a $100 helmet."

I wonder if it's one of those "parts made in China, assembled in the US/EU/UAE" situations. Regardless, the MC models are much better now, as opposed to several years back when the QC/workmanship left much to be desired.

Also, I thought Bell still had a production facility in Illinois...is that now gone?

Yup, I used to sell Bell and if you call the MC guys about s car helmet they just hang up.


If you guys are looking for a deal on an Arai helmet, call Sammy Tanner Distrbuting in Socal. They've got huge inventory and are great to work with.

Not necessarily true. An older article, but one still worth reading: http://coneheadhelmets.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Blowing_the_Lid_Off.pdf

I have a number of helmets Scorpion, Bell and Arai. The Scorpion fits every bit as well as the Bell and Arai and was easily half the price. Scores very high in crashing testing also.

The Bell is my track helmet and is designed as such.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1485962047.JPG

And while that's pithy and folksy and stuff, not all that accurate these days. My Scorpion full-face was $100 at Revzilla because I bought it on clearance when the new season's helmets were coming out. :)

Truth is, tech has advanced to the point where you really can't buy a crappy helmet (outside of the novelty types weekend warriors wear for dress-up); the extra money goes into features that add to comfort and aesthetics, mostly.

The difference between a high end helmet like an arai and something like a bell is apparent after about the tenth hour in the saddle or the middle of summer during your daily commute.

Comfort
Ventilation
Ease of cleaning
Etc

All really matter after a while.

I agree with that, for the most part. My point was the issue of safety re. the "$100 head" quote. I mention it because I've noticed with motorcycle gear that often newbies are inadvertently discouraged from getting any safety gear because they can't swing top of the line. I had frequent heated discussions back when I was on RideApart because one of their writers was of the mindset that without $4000 in gear you were a suicidal idiot.

It get that all the helmets discussed meet snell standards. And in some cases you're paying three times as much for a maybe 5% better safety factor.

My point is that it only works if you wear it. If a helmet is hot, uncomfortable or smelly you're going to leave it home one day.

P.s. I would have been spared a month in a wheelchair if I'd been wearing a cheap $100 spine protector. But it was hot that day.

It is true that John used to say, If you have a $100 head, buy a $100 helmet. I can probably find the posts on the ChumpCar forum.

I am a believer in Snell certification over DOT because Snell Certification involves 3rd party testing whereas DOT testing is done in house.

For my dirt bike, i have a new Fox V2 helmet that I have yet to wear. It is replacing the helmet that I crashed with last spring where i broke a rib and vertebrae.

For car racing and kart racing, I have a Snell SA helmet.

My street bike days are over but I still have my old AGV Snell M90 helmet...

You don't need to drop $4000 on safety gear to be safe, what is important is that the gear you choose to wear fits correctly, is in good condition, and has passed some level of testing that demonstrates that it will provide adequate protection in the event of an accident.

YMMV!

You've been mislead. They've had Snell for years. Even on entry level lids: Scorpion Sports Inc. USA :: Motorcycle Helmets and Apparel EXO-R410 Performance Sport Helmet We Live In Our Protection

Smelly, hot, sweaty helmets are the best to wear on hot days, especially of another guy has already spent five years sweating in it before you ever get in it, yourself.

WooHoo, thanks to an uber driver I'm a 1 %'er. I like Arai long ovals, but liked the look of this shoei enough to endure the break-in time getting my block-shaped head into round hole.




http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1579286423.JPG

Nishiki is the only brand that I could get to fit my head. Had to buy xlg.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1579289618.jpg

oops...thought this was for bike helmets.

Another reason for full face, I had a friend who had a seagull fly into his path while he was at about 200kph (125mph) clipped his windscreen then hit his helmet, he said almost took him off the bike, he came into work with feathers still stick in his visor. On a different note, on hot days I use to open my visor one notch, while on highway 401 at about 120kph (75mph) I had a small pebble bounce in and somehow ended up in my eye, trying to slow down on the shoulder with lots of traffic while eyes watering and one shut, somehow did not hit the guardrail, after that I always had a pair of clear safety glasses I would put on if visor was up.

Your Shoei is pretty hot. Here's my favorite Icon:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1584707817.jpg

I bought it off of eBay from a guy who would roll out of bed and into his lid, daily, for at least seven years. I don't think he ever washed his hair. The inside of the lid stinks from years of sweaty riding in Los Angeles heat. Whenever I get in the lid, I can smell all of those long, hot rides.

Search "balaclava" on ebay. $5 to $20 /ea. Wear a few days and throw in wash. Your helmet will stay clean.

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l1313&_nkw=marines+b alaclava&_sacat=6028&LH_TitleDesc=0&_osacat=6028&_ odkw=balaclava