Cal Club Autocross Forums

Assuming that M95 helmets will no longer be permitted after the end of 2010, it seems like it is time to replace my old M95 helmet with an M2010 helmet, assuming I can find one.

What stores in the L.A. area stock a wide selection of helmets? Are there any that don't treat open-face helmets as being only for posers? Any that would carry higher-end open-face helmets like the Arai Classic/m or the Shoei RJ Platinum?

According to Dave Whitworth at SPS, HJC has a surplus of M2005 open-faced helmets and won't ship the M2010 FS-3 until the M2005s are cleared; and Pyrotect will have their open face M2010 model available in March. So for open face, it seems like the Arai and Shoei may be the only options, if shops aren't still selling the M2005 versions of those, too. And I have found a few shops still selling the Arai with the M2000 label! That's not promising.

I'm starting to think that my choices are going to be limited to full face, or M2005, or loaner helmets until March...

Is your request for local a mater of support, trying them on or ? Because you can buy from Saferacer and get a 10% SCCA discount, no shipping (orders over $100.00) and no sales tax. They had some 2010 helmets in, not sure if they have open face.

I specified local for a few reasons. First, I expect that people on this board may have a favorite shop that they can recommend. Second, yes, I would like to try on the helmet for sure if I am going to spend $200-300 on it (the Arai and Shoei are in that range, and seem to be the only open face M2010s available). Third, the online vendors I have found so far have no idea if the helmets in their inventory are M2005, M2010, or M2000. I would prefer to be able to look at the sticker and know for certain. If an online shop has someone who will talk to me and ensure that I get an M2010 version, I could work with that -- especially if they have a reasonable return policy to allow me to try it on for fit.

John Stimson wrote:I specified local for a few reasons. First, I expect that people on this board may have a favorite shop that they can recommend. Second, yes, I would like to try on the helmet for sure if I am going to spend $200-300 on it (the Arai and Shoei are in that range, and seem to be the only open face M2010s available). Third, the online vendors I have found so far have no idea if the helmets in their inventory are M2005, M2010, or M2000. I would prefer to be able to look at the sticker and know for certain. If an online shop has someone who will talk to me and ensure that I get an M2010 version, I could work with that -- especially if they have a reasonable return policy to allow me to try it on for fit.

You're spending $200-300 on a motorcycle spec helmet? Your doing it wrong. For that money you should be able to get an SA2010, which most places are shipping. We recently ordered an HJC full face in that price range, expected an SA2005 (because the website listed that spec) and received the 2010.

John, I don't know about you but I certainly don't want to be wearing the same helmet for 10 years. Heck, the funk about it at that point would scare a buzzard off a... well, you George Carlin fans know the rest of the line.

My point is, ordering a M or SA2005 will easily take care of you for 10 years, so I wouldn't be too concerned about it. Even a 2000 is good for 5 years (assuming the method for validating them remains the same - the current and prior two Snell specifications.)

Saferacer carries the SA2010 Arai GP-Jet. With the free shipping and SCCA discount, it's not such a bad deal. I'm strongly considering one myself.

Mike

Mike Simanyi wrote: Saferacer carries the SA2010 Arai GP-Jet. With the free shipping and SCCA discount, it's not such a bad deal. I'm strongly considering one myself.

Mike

I've worn the Arai GP-Jet for the last few years and think it's great, but Arai's fit me great and I know my size in their helmets so don't need to even try them on. I've owned 4 Arai helmets at this point.

Aaron Goldsmith wrote:

Mike Simanyi wrote: Saferacer carries the SA2010 Arai GP-Jet. With the free shipping and SCCA discount, it's not such a bad deal. I'm strongly considering one myself.

Mike

I've worn the Arai GP-Jet for the last few years and think it's great, but Arai's fit me great and I know my size in their helmets so don't need to even try them on. I've owned 4 Arai helmets at this point.

Mine is a SA-2000 Bieffe (but they either are out of business or no longer sold in the U.S.). But my next helmet will DEFINITELY be an Arai

+1 for Arai.

Arthur: I checked out Saferacer, and talked to someone online who said that the size and colors I am looking at would be M2010 if I ordered from them. The downside is that their price is $45 more than most places are selling the same helmet for. That's a 50% mark-up in this case!

Jason: I suspect that the $200+ M helmets are probably lighter and nicer than the low-end ($200) SA helmets...I do not need SA. I would rather spend closer to $100, but that didn't seem to be available.

I did try on a pricey Arai helmet once. It was a motocross helmet with a removable chin bar and visor, so it could convert into a normal looking open face helmet. It was extremely light and well balanced.

And for the folks poo-pooing my desire for a helmet with the 2010 standard: I really would prefer that me helmet be designed with the simple knowledge that the mass of a head is proportional to the volume of the head. Seriously, Snell hadn't taken that into account in the 2005 standard! The 2010 standards are a big change, I think for the better, and even if I'm not going to use my helmet for 15 years I would like the latest standard I can get, thanks. Besides, a lot of helmets have washable liners.

A good place to try on helmets for you would probably be Bert's Mega Mall, 1151 N. Azusa Avenue • Covina, CA 91722 • 626-974-6600. Pretty big place, just not the best place to actually buy a bike. As long as you know what price things go for you can decide if it's worth buying there. There are lots of good places online to buy motorcycle helmets.

Maybe this one:
http://bertsonlineshopping.com/eshoppro ... E_SOLI.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

EDIT: Wow, on this page it's listed as $49, not $439 like on the page above.
http://bertsonlineshopping.com/catalog_ ... rch=Search" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

This is always a repeated theme so here are 4 other URL threads to click on regarding "helmets". And those who live near Burbank, Werks II is the popular choice to and try on helmets.

• Buying a helmet
• Local spot to buy a helmet
• Where to Buy?
• Where to buy an open-faced SA2005 helmet?

I just got a Dec 2010 issue of Speedway Illustrated and found an ad from Speedway Motors for a Bell Supreme Helmet for 219.99 plus free shipping. It's a full face and SA-2010 rated. The ad has a source code of SPL 01. For the people that went to Nationals this is the place with the welcome dinner and musuem. Hope this helps.

Tom McDaniel wrote:I just got a Dec 2010 issue of Speedway Illustrated and found an ad from Speedway Motors for a Bell Supreme Helmet for 219.99 plus free shipping. It's a full face and SA-2010 rated. The ad has a source code of SPL 01. For the people that went to Nationals this is the place with the welcome dinner and musuem. Hope this helps.

Jeez, Tom, when did you buy a computer? Figured out the dial up modem stuff, too, I see...cool, now you can talk to all of your pals on the Tiger list.

[quote="John Stimson"]Arthur: I checked out Saferacer, and talked to someone online who said that the size and colors I am looking at would be M2010 if I ordered from them. The downside is that their price is $45 more than most places are selling the same helmet for. That's a 50% mark-up in this case!

I guess my question was the plus $45 before or after the SCCA 10% discount. By the way I am not promoting Saferacer per se, but they when I first came out I needed equipment, they were friendly response, handled a return well and yes they gave me a discount. Like TireRack they are also a major SCCA sponsor (road racing) so they put their money in our sport. Locally the tax can make up the difference. Now if you have a local shop you like, or someone recommends, I am always up for supporting local business. If there isn't a vendor loyalty then prices and service is the decision point.

ordering a M or SA2005 will easily take care of you for 10 years

10 Years! ... my Bell Mag3 is literally following apart after five years ... the foam lining is falling out in chunks.

I just tossed out my Shoei SA95 helmet after this last event. It was still in great shape (other than the expected chips and scratches).

Will Kalman wrote:I just tossed out my Shoei SA95 helmet after this last event. It was still in great shape (other than the expected chips and scratches).

My Shoei SA95 helmet is still in great shape (other than the expected chips and scratches). I am looking for a 2010 now too.

Make sure that any helmet you get is approved by SCCA for Solo.
This is what I found so far (some are SA2010 and some are not)

Is this approved by SCCA?

*Peltor Performance G78 - Professional rally helmet
*Ultra-light BSI approved Rally helmet
*Manufactured of Tricomp (a composite of fibreglass, polyarmide and carbon fibre
*Nomex flame resistant interior lining


G6S VI - Rally Helmet
Maximum safety and minimum weight helmets with built in hearing protectors
* Peltor G6 - For closed cars. Open face SIS approved light weight helmet, with or without communicationsset.

This is the only SA2010 open face that I have found so far;

Sport Series. The Snell SA2010 rated Sport Series helmets are designed for the sportsman racer who demands value and quality at an affordable price.
The Sport Mag features a removable interior, open face design and visor with tinted coating. The helmet is also pre-drilled for use with head and neck restraint devices.


http://www.soloracer.com/pyroopenfacesa.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
This lightweight open face helmet from Pyrotect is made of composite fiberglass and has a plush comfortable interior that is removeable/washable. This helmet is very similar in design to the Bell Mag 4 helmet.


Pyrotect Pro Airflow Open Face Helmet SA2010
Your Price: $148.00
http://www.helmetcity.com/page/HC/PROD/ ... owopenface" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


G-Force: GF Pro Phenom - SA2005
http://www.apexperformance.net/CartGenie/prod-1647.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


IMPACT Velocity Helmet (? sa ?)
Your Price: $235.00
http://www.helmetcity.com/page/HC/PROD/ ... s/IMP15000" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


http://www.c2racers.com/servlet/the-120 ... ced/Detail" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Zamp RZ-1 Open Faced Helmet


http://www.c2racers.com/servlet/the-438 ... ced/Detail" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Zamp JA-2 Open Faced Helmet


http://www.werks2.com/SPD/arai-gp-jet-f ... 766860.jsp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.saferacer.com/arai-gp-jet-sa ... uctid=2265" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Arai GP-Jet/F SA2010
Price: $483.95 - 472.95 / $459.95
Arai GP-Jet F is Arai's answer to an open-face racing helmet. Superior venting, fit, and weight make it stand out from the competition.
The Arai GP-JET/F is an open face helmet Constructed of Arai's exclusive cLc (Complex Laminate Construction) and Hyper Ridge'' reinforcement for more stiffness. Removable earcups and new Hyper-T peak visor.


http://www.racinglifestyle.com/helmetopen.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Open Faced Helmet

???????????????????????
http://www.helmetguys.com/hjc-helmets/open-face.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.leatherup.com/p/SHOEI-Open-F ... 44879.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Who/what authorizes helmet use for autocross? How is that information accessed? I ask because of the rumors that the 95 helmets will get a year reprieve, which would push out the 2010 requirement a year. Supposedly due to lack of wide availability of 2010's. How/where can one get the official scoop on this subject?

Steve Towers wrote:Who/what authorizes helmet use for autocross? How is that information accessed? I ask because of the rumors that the 95 helmets will get a year reprieve, which would push out the 2010 requirement a year. Supposedly due to lack of wide availability of 2010's. How/where can one get the official scoop on this subject?

Well, you guys could look at my post here: Helmet FAQ
and check out the 2010 Helmet Cert Bulletin off the SCCA website.

@Doug the Peltor Helmets are allowed because they have BSI stickers.

The bulletin (that Michael posted the link to) that extended the M95/SA95 eligibility through 2010 was not published until the end of January, 2010.

So if the SCCA Board of Directors decides to extend the '95 standards again, we may not know about it until early next year. CSCC is one of very few regions that will hold an SCCA sanctioned Solo event in January.

Arthur: That was before the 10% discount, but it is still $32 more than other vendors after the discount, or a 35% mark-up over the market price. I'm willing to wait for a better deal...

Michael Palero wrote:@Doug the Peltor Helmets are allowed because they have BSI stickers.

*Correction When I was looking at those Peltor helmets earlier this year, they were OK for Solo competition because they had the correct allowed BSI certification.

John, if you are open to 2005 helmets, I would recommend extremesupply.com. The HJC & Joe Rocket (made by HJC) carbon fiber helmets are on closeout, as well as a few others.

They are in Signal Hill, if you are close; I went there to try on a few helmets & picked one up recently. Locals get a little better deal than ordering direct from their web site, probably since they don't have to ship to you .

And to those of you w/ the helmets falling apart... are you taking care of them (i.e. febreezing occasionally, storing in a dry place, and/or using a headsock)?

Mako Koiwai wrote:

ordering a M or SA2005 will easily take care of you for 10 years

10 Years! ... my Bell Mag3 is literally following apart after five years ... the foam lining is falling out in chunks.

And your still using it?

Tom McDaniel wrote:I just got a Dec 2010 issue of Speedway Illustrated and found an ad from Speedway Motors for a Bell Supreme Helmet for 219.99 plus free shipping. It's a full face and SA-2010 rated. The ad has a source code of SPL 01. For the people that went to Nationals this is the place with the welcome dinner and musuem. Hope this helps.

Thanks for the tip, Tom!

I just got mine today and it's pretty nice, especially considering the price. And I did verify it says SA2010 on the sticker on the inside, no old-stock issues or anything.

I also made sure to note on the order that I was an SCCA autocrosser and had attended the welcome dinner they hosted.

I didn't notice it was falling apart until we folded the insides open to find the sticker.

After each event we use Fabreeze Anti-Bacterial spray ... and then dry them out in front of a fan or outside facing the sun.

With as much use as our helmets get, we're getting new 2005 sticker helmets and replacing them in 2015, at the latest. Good deals available in those 2005 sticker helmets