Helmet clearance issues

[yomny]

I'm not the tallest guy if anything im average size, but I've tried a couple of different helmets and they all seems to be hitting either the roof just above the center of my head or the left side of the driver side where the handle bar is. I really don't know if this is normal but i cant seem to find something that's comfortable to move around in the car. I've tried a couple of bike helmets and this old open face helmet i rented on my first event, all without any luck. Please any suggestions would be highly appreciated.

[Raptor251]

lower your seating position, I'm 6'3" and fit with my helmet

[STALKER]

My new Stilo helmet has a slightly lower profile then my previous Bell.

[yomny]

I have my seat as low as it goes, my car's seats aren't electric but still i've had the rear and front tilted down as far as possible! I've never heard anyone else complain about this, maybe im sitting too upright?

[M3SQRD]

Originally Posted by yomny

I have my seat as low as it goes, my car's seats aren't electric but still i've had the rear and front tilted down as far as possible! I've never heard anyone else complain about this, maybe im sitting too upright?

Does your car have a sunroof?

[1MOREMOD]

your definitly not the first to complain im 6 foot even but i also have a sunroof and its a major issue my head is in the cutout for the sunroof basically

[yomny]

My car doesnt have a sunroof, it has the carbon roof. It really sucks because it causes some difficulty if not used to when looking ahead on the track. Im going to try and mess with my seat a little, maybe recline it a bit, not sure what to do. I was looking at some of the HJC helmets, they seem pretty simple without much head obstruction.

[MaxL]

Originally Posted by yomny

I have my seat as low as it goes, my car's seats aren't electric but still i've had the rear and front tilted down as far as possible! I've never heard anyone else complain about this, maybe im sitting too upright?

You should be sitting almost vertically - it's better for alertness and spatial awareness (according to racing books & instructors). But is your back touching the seat back? Or maybe the seat is too forward? A friend of mine 6"4" and fits, but I have no sunroof.

[1MOREMOD]

I tend to sit in a pretty close position and then recline my seat slightly so I have a little more headroom. Not ideal but it works. Still fairly close to a perfect track driving position, my head does touch but once I start getting around the track I honestly don't even notice I'm too focused elsewhere. I once left my stereo on for an entire session fairly loud and was shocked to notice it only as I slowed to enter the pits. Focus does weird things.

[yomny]

I'm sitting very close to vertical as i find it the best position for performance driving. I just don't know why my head hits the roof in different areas, front visor area, left/handle bar area above the head. I don't mean that i cant sit in there and i'll be locked with my head not being able to turn, but it certainly is uncomfortable as i have very little clearance. I have the seat forward enough to press my clutch pedal fully down to the floor.

[bigjae1976]

You might need to switch helmets. I had a white zamp helmet which made me look like this (imagine a korean guy wearing the helmet) since it was very dome like...



So I would drive with my head kind of tilted or I was reclined back a tad...then my head was still jammed against the headliner.

I switched to a Bell M2 and I have a lot more room. And the guys at the track aren't snickering and cracking Spaceballs jokes at me any more.

...just an idea.

[yomny]

lmao, thats sort of how i was with the rental at my first HPDE. I was checking Bell's open face but that still seems big.

HJC AR-10 so this seemed to be ideal.

[johnboy]

I am 6'3" and also had problems with hitting the roof with a helmet. So, I had a local auto upholsterer shave 1 inch off the bottom of the foam insert. This does not interfere with the heating pad or electronics, and the foam springs back up when I get out leaving the leather taut. Works great now. Just came back from VIR. I have an HJC AR-10.
John

[LiM3y]

Originally Posted by Raptor251

lower your seating position, I'm 6'3" and fit with my helmet

+1

I just have my seat close and tipped back a little, so my knees are close to the dash and I have plenty of arm bend. I use the the memory buttons for track and street modes, although I just have the track mode all the time now I am used to it.

[yomny]

I don't know why but I didn't add memory when ordered my M and it's really important to me, I hate it when someone moves my seat. I reclined the seat maybe half an inch back and it seems to make more clearance up to, I'll test with a helmet.

[1MOREMOD]

Originally Posted by LiM3y

+1

I just have my seat close and tipped back a little, so my knees are close to the dash and I have plenty of arm bend. I use the the memory buttons for track and street modes, although I just have the track mode all the time now I am used to it.

me too. started as a track only but soon got used to being in attack position all the time.

[leo95se]

the seats definitely dont go low enough. ideal position is up really close, but you lose headroom. im a short, 5'6", long waisted guy, and it sucks.
the hjc helmet is nice, pretty low profile.

[yyoo]

Are your legs long enough so you can just push your seat back a little bit and telescope the steering wheel towards you? There is more headroom the further you move your seat back. Or as someone suggested, recline your seat. You'll get used to it.

I have problems because my legs are short like someone who is only 5'4" but my torso is tall as someone who is 6'4". I'm actually 5'10" but have the same inseam as my wife who is 5'4". But I still manage with a moonroof and all.

[yomny]

I'll try different positions to see what feels right when driving on the track, pushing the seat as far back and reclined back as well. Thanks for the suggestions.. sucks lol the m3 being such a track/sports car and you cant fit comfortably with a helmet.