|
|
02-18-2013, 09:39 AM | #1 |
Captain
98
Rep 825
Posts |
How tightly should a helmet fit?
I've been toying with tracking my car for a while and finally decided to give it a go. I was referred to a helmet store, and didn't realize it was a Simpson racing store, so that was all they sold. The salesperson was trying to sell me a helmet that I thought was too tight. It squeezed so hard on my lower jaw that I could hardly clamp my teeth together. Is this how all helmets are supposed to fit at the jawline? I didn't buy it and I'm looking at other helmets this week. Any input on fit would be great!
Cheryl
__________________
Black Novillo Extended Leather, Convenience Package, Premium Package 2, DCT, DDC, BMW Apps, Custom Stereo upgrade, Eisenmann Sport Black Series Exhaust, 20"HRE's P45SC's. Color matched Brembo 380/345's, KW Coilovers |
02-18-2013, 09:50 AM | #2 |
Major
74
Rep 1,339
Posts |
If you have a vert, you may be limited in who will let you track the car without a roll bar fixed.
The helmet should be snug enough that the skin on your forehead moves when you move it up and down or left to right without the strap tightened. If this means that your jaw hurts, try a different model. Any "hotspots" will just get worse in the heat and excitement of driving. Some model have different pad sizes to make a mroe custom fit. Also, you don't need to spend $800 on a helmet. It just needs to meet the current Snell safety requirements
__________________
Last edited by LiM3y; 02-18-2013 at 10:54 AM.. |
Appreciate
0
|
02-18-2013, 10:22 AM | #3 |
Automobilist
397
Rep 2,632
Posts |
I believe Simpson has a sizing chart on their website. I would start there. Also, I was told the helmet should fit snug enough so when you grab the face guard and yank a bit it shouldn't move around too much.
|
Appreciate
0
|
02-18-2013, 01:27 PM | #4 |
Brigadier General
919
Rep 3,458
Posts
Drives: Harrop E90 M3
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Colorado Springs
|
You should also wear them about 30 minutes before purchasing one. Any issues will pop up in that amount of time. Some helmets also have adjustments that can be made by swapping out the pads for different thicknesses. Don't skimp out on a skid lid, it's protecting the most important part of you!
|
Appreciate
0
|
02-18-2013, 01:34 PM | #5 |
Captain
71
Rep 954
Posts |
Like Purple said, try a different brand.
Back when I rode a motorcycle I went thru 5 helmets before I found one that fit perfectly. Each brand seems to have a slightly different shape. I found Bell and Shoei to be too narrow for my head and ended up with an Arai that I loved. You might want to find a good motorcycle shop near you. They typically stock a decent collection of helmets and you can try them on. Also, don't be afraid to take it home and sit on the couch in it a bit to make sure you like it. For the track it might be a little less critical than on a bike given the length a wear, etc, but it's still important that your helmet fit properly. Don't feel like you need to spend $800, but also don't cheap out. |
Appreciate
0
|
02-18-2013, 06:21 PM | #6 | ||||
Captain
98
Rep 825
Posts |
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Thank you all so much for the information. It was really helpful!
__________________
Black Novillo Extended Leather, Convenience Package, Premium Package 2, DCT, DDC, BMW Apps, Custom Stereo upgrade, Eisenmann Sport Black Series Exhaust, 20"HRE's P45SC's. Color matched Brembo 380/345's, KW Coilovers |
||||
Appreciate
0
|
02-18-2013, 08:58 PM | #7 |
Major
74
Rep 1,339
Posts |
You are better off not going to a motorcycle shop - they sell motorcycle helmets which have a different spec to motorsport helmets. Some organizations do not permit motorcycle "M" helmets as they have a lower level of fire retardation ability than special application "SA" helmets. You should look/ask for a helmet with a "SA2010" sticker on the inside of the helmet, stuck on the shell underneath the padding. Motorcycle helmets will have a "M2010" sticker.
http://www.smf.org/cert Oh, and a more expensive helmet may not necessarily be a safer one. You pay mostly for more advanced materials and widgets that make them lighter and more comfortable to wear. As long as they have a Snell certification, they have passed the minimum test standard to be acceptable for motorsports use. However, there will be models that exceed the minimum spec too!
__________________
Last edited by LiM3y; 02-18-2013 at 09:04 PM.. |
Appreciate
0
|
02-19-2013, 09:57 AM | #8 | |
Captain
71
Rep 954
Posts |
Quote:
Are there race shops around? I ended up buying an SA2010 helmet online based off my motorcycle helmet sizing. I mainly suggested a motorcycle shop because they tend to be easier to find. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
02-19-2013, 12:10 PM | #9 | |
Major
74
Rep 1,339
Posts |
Quote:
They throw in a padded helmet bag and a cotton liner I just guessed on size based on trying motorcycle helmets and ordered online with the confidence I could exchange if need be. I like these guys because you call and the owner answers!
__________________
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
02-21-2013, 05:52 PM | #10 |
octane chick
81
Rep 1,187
Posts
Drives: ex-M
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Colorado
|
I went to a local motorcycle shop that carried a wide variety of helmets, and found that they all fit very differently, favoring different head shapes. I found an Arai I liked and bought that. It was fine for HPDE. The next year I started racing, which meant getting a HANS-ready SA helmet. As it turns out, Arai is pretty consistent across models, so I simply picked out online an Arai helmet in the same size, and when it arrived it fit perfectly.
A proper helmet should fit snug like a ski boot. But not snug like an iron mask! A racer-engineer friend explained to me another difference between motorcycle helmets and SA helmets: motorcycle helmets are engineered primarily for The Big Impact and then keeping you safe while you skid along the pavement, while SA helmets are engineered for repeated impacts that can happen when bouncing around inside the cabin (e.g., smacking the rollbar a few times). As for price, I always liked the question: How much is your head worth? |
Appreciate
0
|
02-21-2013, 06:37 PM | #11 |
Captain
98
Rep 825
Posts |
I have learned so much from posting this question! I actually went out today to helmet shop. After the way the Simpson fit, I was really nervous to try a full face helmet for claustrophobic reasons. I found a great shop with a very knowledgable owner. I went in insisting I need a large...he smirked and finally got me into a small! I really liked the Arai GP-5W. It was actually comfortable. My next post should be about my first day at the track!
__________________
Black Novillo Extended Leather, Convenience Package, Premium Package 2, DCT, DDC, BMW Apps, Custom Stereo upgrade, Eisenmann Sport Black Series Exhaust, 20"HRE's P45SC's. Color matched Brembo 380/345's, KW Coilovers |
Appreciate
0
|
02-21-2013, 07:15 PM | #12 |
Major
74
Rep 1,339
Posts |
SA and M standards
__________________
Last edited by LiM3y; 02-21-2013 at 08:57 PM.. |
Appreciate
0
|
02-21-2013, 07:34 PM | #13 |
Captain
98
Rep 825
Posts |
OMG, I'm so confused!!
__________________
Black Novillo Extended Leather, Convenience Package, Premium Package 2, DCT, DDC, BMW Apps, Custom Stereo upgrade, Eisenmann Sport Black Series Exhaust, 20"HRE's P45SC's. Color matched Brembo 380/345's, KW Coilovers |
Appreciate
0
|
02-21-2013, 10:55 PM | #14 | |
octane chick
81
Rep 1,187
Posts
Drives: ex-M
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Colorado
|
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
02-22-2013, 09:11 AM | #16 | |
Captain
98
Rep 825
Posts |
Quote:
Thanks, I thought my hair and make up came out really well yesterday!
__________________
Black Novillo Extended Leather, Convenience Package, Premium Package 2, DCT, DDC, BMW Apps, Custom Stereo upgrade, Eisenmann Sport Black Series Exhaust, 20"HRE's P45SC's. Color matched Brembo 380/345's, KW Coilovers |
|
Appreciate
0
|
02-23-2013, 09:29 AM | #17 | |||||
Lieutenant Colonel
404
Rep 1,523
Posts |
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Wow--I wouldn't have even thought of that. Add to your trackday checklist: No makeup today. Otherwise, your foundation is going to get all caked-on and nasty on your cheek pads and forehead padding.
__________________
Past: E46 330Ci, E60 545i, E60 M5, E90 M3, F87 M2C
Present: 2022 GT3, 2024 Carrera T |
|||||
Appreciate
0
|
02-23-2013, 10:14 AM | #18 | |
Captain
98
Rep 825
Posts |
Quote:
About the make-up...the padding on the Arai is removable and washable! Here' another side note/question about me tracking. I was very ready to buy a set of Volk wheels for my baby (This way I figure if I screw up at the track, at least my car will look good while I'm doing it) which would require new tires as well. I still have good life on my current tires. I thought I'd hold off on the new wheels and tires until I have a few track sessions under my belt. This way, I can use the rubber still left on my stock tires and not burn up rubber on my new wheels yet. Does that make sense?
__________________
Black Novillo Extended Leather, Convenience Package, Premium Package 2, DCT, DDC, BMW Apps, Custom Stereo upgrade, Eisenmann Sport Black Series Exhaust, 20"HRE's P45SC's. Color matched Brembo 380/345's, KW Coilovers |
|
Appreciate
0
|
02-23-2013, 10:21 AM | #19 | |
octane chick
81
Rep 1,187
Posts
Drives: ex-M
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Colorado
|
Quote:
Beyond that, best investment is in you in terms of seat time. Mod the driver before you mod the car! (And have fun!) |
|
Appreciate
0
|
02-23-2013, 10:33 AM | #20 | |
Captain
98
Rep 825
Posts |
Quote:
Thanks Ilis...you've been really kind and helpful through this whole post. However, before I do anything different with wheels/brakes/camber plates/square set up etc, I may contact you again to explain all that "Greek" you just through my way. My issue is I know the look I want for my car, but don't have a good understanding of the "mechanics" behind it. That's where this forum and friends on this forum have been super helpful. BTW, I used to own a ski house in Durango. CO has to be one of the most beautiful states ever!
__________________
Black Novillo Extended Leather, Convenience Package, Premium Package 2, DCT, DDC, BMW Apps, Custom Stereo upgrade, Eisenmann Sport Black Series Exhaust, 20"HRE's P45SC's. Color matched Brembo 380/345's, KW Coilovers |
|
Appreciate
0
|
02-23-2013, 11:16 AM | #21 |
octane chick
81
Rep 1,187
Posts
Drives: ex-M
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Colorado
|
mamadub, happy to share what I know, such as it is. PM me anytime. And I agree about CO!
|
Appreciate
0
|
02-23-2013, 12:29 PM | #22 | ||
Lieutenant Colonel
404
Rep 1,523
Posts |
Quote:
Quote:
As far as tires go, you have a lot of options and several ways to approach it: 1. Just go to the track on your stock wheels and tires, which works fine for starting out. Many people do this, especially at the beginning. Gives you a chance to see whether or not you like tracking and want to continue with it before you spend $2500+ on a set of track wheels and tires. I'm assuming you currently have something on the car that falls in the high performance category, like Michelin Pilot Sports or Continentals or Pirelli PZeros. I wouldn't recommend doing this on all-seasons. 2. Buy a new, dedicated set of track wheels and tires like the Apex ARC-8s or new EC-7s and Yokohama AD-08s or Hankook RS3s. If you know you're going to be going to the track with some regularity, this makes sense. This way you're not destroying your street tires on the track. Also, I think it's safer overall. We all end up getting a nail in a tire on the street from time to time, and we often just get the hole patched/plugged. This is perfectly fine and safe for street use, but I would NEVER use a tire that has been patched/plugged on the track. The speeds and stresses on the tire are just too great on the track for this to be safe. So with a dedicated set of track wheels/tires, you never have to worry about this. If you get a nail in your street tires and have them patched, fine. Your track tires are still intact. 3. Variation of above--get a new set of track wheels, but take your existing street tires off of your car, assuming they're of the high-perf variety, and have them put on the track wheels. Use this for your track setup, assuming the tires still have some tread left on them. That way you can learn on the used street tires. You would then buy a brand-new set of quality tires for street use to put on your stock, street wheels. A caveat--when starting out, don't get fancy R-comp tires for the track. They grip really well, but they don't slide easily or break away gradually. They grip grip grip and then all of a sudden start sliding, which is a bad scenario when you're first learning. You need to learn how to slide and how to recover. Start with a quality street tire instead, like the Yoko AD08s or Hankook RS3s or Nitto NT05s. And, another bit of advice--you'll find it's a very fun, supportive community at the track. People love to talk about their cars, ask you about your car, and offer tips and advice. Take it all in, but do your due diligence as well. Much of the advice you will get will be spot-on, but some things won't. Some people have some pretty wacky ideas, so if something seems silly or not right, don't listen. Research it more. Listen to your instructor and have fun. This shouldn't be a problem, since most instructors say that women are much easier to teach than men. In this arena, women tend to listen to instruction much better and are overall much smoother with the controls. A lot of novice men come into this with a hot-shot, know-it-all attitude and frustrate their instructors. They also tend to be rough and ham-fisted. Have a blast! I think you'll love it.
__________________
Past: E46 330Ci, E60 545i, E60 M5, E90 M3, F87 M2C
Present: 2022 GT3, 2024 Carrera T |
||
Appreciate
0
|
Post Reply |
Bookmarks |
|
|