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      06-16-2016, 01:29 PM   #1
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SA Helmet Recommendations

Been a while and need a new helmet.

Last helmet was a Bell AFX SA 19xx.

Considering for autocross and driver's school...
  1. Bell Sport Edge SA2015 - least expensive, largest eyeport
  2. Bell M.8 SA2015 - similar to previously owned Bell AFX SA19xx
  3. Aria GP-5W SA2015 - slightly smaller eyeport than Bell M.8 but most comfortable and slightly lighter

Questions
  1. Options on either of the Bells?
  2. Is the Aria helmet that much more comfortable that it is worth almost twice the price?
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      06-16-2016, 01:59 PM   #2
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Can't judge the comfort of a helmet without actually putting it on your dome. Different helmets have different shapes that they use and different people have different shaped heads. My recommendation is to find a shop that has some helmets in stock and test fit them. Most online shops will allow you to order a helmet and exchange it in case it doesn't fit correctly as that Is the most important feature of a helmet. Could be a very expensive unit but if it doesn't fit right neither of you are going to make it through the accident.

I would also like to take this opportunity to put a Black Armor helmet on your list of choices. Very well built and offer many options for SA2015 compliance. They also have great customer support and I was able to exchange helmets while finding the one that was most comfortable for me. Went with the SA2015 Aero Pro and couldn't he happier. Even came with the HANS posts installed.
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      06-16-2016, 09:58 PM   #3
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When I buy any helmet, I worry about price last. Fit comes first, then other ergonomics like port size, ventilation or whatever. It's the one piece of equipment, for no matter what sort, you should never cheap out on.

When I go shopping, I head to a motorcycle shop, not just a HD dealer, like an independent who sells street bikes, they usually have a huge selection of buckets for all types of usage needs
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      06-16-2016, 10:17 PM   #4
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I've got an Arai GP-6S and my father has a Stilo ST5, the Arai is way more comfortable, a lot softer and disappears while on track, but has a smaller eye port than the Stilo, but overall it is fantastic. I ordered it without trying it on and don't regret a thing.
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      06-16-2016, 10:56 PM   #5
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Are Stilo's a good brand? They certainly look cool. Sort of dearth vaderish
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      06-16-2016, 11:01 PM   #6
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You HAVE to try on a helmet. It's like buy a shoe from brands you've never tried before... except it's your head at risk and not just a blister on your toe.
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Let me get this straight... You are swapping out parts designed by some of the top engineers in the world because some guys sponsored by a company told you it's "better??" But when you ask the same guy about tracking, "oh no, I have a kid now" or "I just detailed my car." or "i just got new tires."
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      06-17-2016, 12:03 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by aus View Post
You HAVE to try on a helmet. It's like buy a shoe from brands you've never tried before... except it's your head at risk and not just a blister on your toe.
Bought helmets in the past. Understand fit. Understand importance. Drove all the way to ogracing to get fitted in the past. Cost is not deciding factor.

Been a while and I'm trying to understand my current choices.

Once I limit brand I can concentrate on dealers to try on helmets. No plans to do this by mail.

Last edited by omasou; 07-02-2017 at 11:20 PM..
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      06-17-2016, 12:58 AM   #8
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In that case, I'm hoping these fit my big head: https://blackarmorhelmets.com/

I was set on an Arai, but it was really narrow. Ended up with a boring Bell because it fit like a glove. Bell also has helmets in sizes if you want to spend more.
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Let me get this straight... You are swapping out parts designed by some of the top engineers in the world because some guys sponsored by a company told you it's "better??" But when you ask the same guy about tracking, "oh no, I have a kid now" or "I just detailed my car." or "i just got new tires."
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      06-17-2016, 06:39 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by aus View Post
In that case, I'm hoping these fit my big head: https://blackarmorhelmets.com/

I was set on an Arai, but it was really narrow. Ended up with a boring Bell because it fit like a glove. Bell also has helmets in sizes if you want to spend more.
The Bells I am considering are < $500 why do you say expensive? Their prices seem in line with everyone else?

Aria from what I can tell are 2x the price of a comparable Bell or other brand.
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      06-17-2016, 08:34 AM   #10
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May be able to help.

Quote:
Originally Posted by aus View Post
In that case, I'm hoping these fit my big head: https://blackarmorhelmets.com/

I was set on an Arai, but it was really narrow. Ended up with a boring Bell because it fit like a glove. Bell also has helmets in sizes if you want to spend more.
I know I have a pretty large dome (alright I have a fat head) and I'm wearing an XL Black Armor Aero Pro and find it extremely comfortable. My wife has a medium aero pro and finds it more comfortable to autocross in without the cheek pads (rally driver and used to an open face Peltor). I know when I got he black armor I had issues with sizing (bought based on size of older Bell/Shoei/G-Force helmets) and had no issue exchanging the helmets until I received one that fit correctly.
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      06-17-2016, 09:03 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by masou View Post
The Bells I am considering are < $500 why do you say expensive? Their prices seem in line with everyone else?

Aria from what I can tell are 2x the price of a comparable Bell or other brand.
The Bell helmets that come in specific sizes for a better fit (not just small, medium, large) cost more. I wasn't saying Bell helmets cost more than others.
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Let me get this straight... You are swapping out parts designed by some of the top engineers in the world because some guys sponsored by a company told you it's "better??" But when you ask the same guy about tracking, "oh no, I have a kid now" or "I just detailed my car." or "i just got new tires."
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      06-17-2016, 09:40 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by aus
Quote:
Originally Posted by masou View Post
The Bells I am considering are < $500 why do you say expensive? Their prices seem in line with everyone else?

Aria from what I can tell are 2x the price of a comparable Bell or other brand.
The Bell helmets that come in specific sizes for a better fit (not just small, medium, large) cost more. I wasn't saying Bell helmets cost more than others.
Got it. Thanks!

Last edited by omasou; 06-17-2016 at 10:06 AM..
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      07-08-2016, 11:24 AM   #13
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Bell's are great bang for your buck. But as stated earlier Fitment first, cost/design later. Years ago I went in looking for an OMP helmet, came out of the store with an Arai. Duplicated the purchase for my current Lid.

Haven't tried Stilo's but have several friends that love them pure because of the built in radio. With the Arai, I have to use ear buds that are never quite comfortable (even the molded ones).
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      07-08-2016, 08:21 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Elwood74 View Post
Bell's are great bang for your buck. But as stated earlier Fitment first, cost/design later. Years ago I went in looking for an OMP helmet, came out of the store with an Arai. Duplicated the purchase for my current Lid.

Haven't tried Stilo's but have several friends that love them pure because of the built in radio. With the Arai, I have to use ear buds that are never quite comfortable (even the molded ones).
Thanks!
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      07-10-2016, 11:20 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Twix View Post
When I buy any helmet, I worry about price last. Fit comes first, then other ergonomics like port size, ventilation or whatever. It's the one piece of equipment, for no matter what sort, you should never cheap out on.

When I go shopping, I head to a motorcycle shop, not just a HD dealer, like an independent who sells street bikes, they usually have a huge selection of buckets for all types of usage needs
Motorcycle helmets and automobile racing helmets are not the same safety specification or construction. The OP's question was on an SA helmet, the appropriate standard for automobiles.

The Snell Foundation web site is below.

http://www.smf.org/stds
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      07-12-2016, 07:53 AM   #16
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Some organizations will allow M rated helmets for HPDE's. I wouldn't recommend them though. Yes they are usually cheaper, but depends on how much you value your head. I'm sorta attached to mine..
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      07-17-2016, 12:51 PM   #17
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This is all you need for autocross (and yes, don't use a motorcycle helmet, different rating):

http://soloracer.com/pyrotectpsof.html

I use my Pyrotect for autocross/track days/TT and it is great and relatively inexpensive. I was hesitant to buy online without fitting one up, but it turned out to be no big deal, just have to measure your head properly. I had ridden sport bikes for years and always wore Arai because of my head shape, so I was really concerned about helmet sizing.
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      07-22-2016, 12:40 AM   #18
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      07-02-2017, 04:28 PM   #19
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Thanks for all of the input. In the end went with Bell again. The availability is almost as bad as the M2
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      07-02-2017, 09:26 PM   #20
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I mean, I get the whole "protect your brain" concept...but when in a car...and since most people don't have a cage...why spend $1k on a helmet?

Motorcycle...where you are completely unprotected and if you go down, I totally see a reason to say "money is not a factor". In fact, I have an Arai from when I used to ride because I wanted the best and most comfortable. I now use it for HPDEs.

But before I had an Arai, I had a pretty basic Bell (auto) helmet...totally complaint and it did the job well (albeit a little bit heavier)

If you aren't racing for money, I don't see the reasoning of spending $750+ on an HPDE helmet...
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      07-02-2017, 11:12 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lax01 View Post
I mean, I get the whole "protect your brain" concept...but when in a car...and since most people don't have a cage...why spend $1k on a helmet?

Motorcycle...where you are completely unprotected and if you go down, I totally see a reason to say "money is not a factor". In fact, I have an Arai from when I used to ride because I wanted the best and most comfortable. I now use it for HPDEs.

But before I had an Arai, I had a pretty basic Bell (auto) helmet...totally complaint and it did the job well (albeit a little bit heavier)

If you aren't racing for money, I don't see the reasoning of spending $750+ on an HPDE helmet...
It's matte black not carbon fiber, so $499.95 only one cheaper is the Sport. Bought this one b/c it has the largest eye port.

If your asking why SA over MA. It's b/c the SA is fire retardant. MA are not.

In doing research I found some CF helmets are CF over some other composite like fiberglass and sometimes they weigh more than a traditional helmet.

I gravitate toward Bell b/c I'm pretty sure based on the deep gouges from the street in my previous motorcycle helmet (ahole made a left in front of me) I would have been a vegetable had it not been for the helmet.

Last edited by omasou; 07-02-2017 at 11:18 PM..
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      07-03-2017, 12:20 AM   #22
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Remember that unless you trash it, a helmet is generally good for 10 years, sometimes even 15.

My $800 Arai spread out across 10 years isn't nearly as painful to me (philosophically) as it would be if I was replacing it every 5 or yearly.
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