17 replies to this topic

[Nathan]

I'm looking to find a helmet for karting and track racing and it is much easier to find deals/stock on motorcycle helmets. Is there any difference?
Also, I'm wanting to create stickers so I can doll it up. I don't find value in having the lid custom painted. Would there be much harm to having gloss sprayed over the helmet once the stickers have been placed on?

Thank you!

[Louis Siefert]

I'm looking to find a helmet for karting and track racing and it is much easier to find deals/stock on motorcycle helmets. Is there any difference?
Also, I'm wanting to create stickers so I can doll it up. I don't find value in having the lid custom painted. Would there be much harm to having gloss sprayed over the helmet once the stickers have been placed on?

Thank you!

sounds more a technical question than about actual racing

[CSquared]

Car helmets are supposed to withstand more repeated impacts in the same place, in case, for example, you're in a rolling car banging your head on a rollbar, whereas in a motorcycle accident you're expected to just hit the ground once, and if you hit anything else after that it's unlikely to be in the same place on the helmet as that initial hit. I think this means the padding in a car helmet will be generally harder, which, depending on who you talk to, could be a good or a bad thing. You'll get similar differences, though, based on the "standards" they've met (Snell, DOT, etc). (If you haven't read the famous Motorcyclist Magazine helmet article, you really should. This is part 1).

Car helmets have smaller eyeports as well, as in that rolling car there is supposed to be more danger of something coming into your visor than when you hit the ground falling off a bike.

So that's some of the differences I'm aware of. As for which one you should get, I have no input.

[Nathan]

Oh no! I thought I posted this in the Paddock Club

Thanks CSquared!

[Lennat]

Get a proper helmet, can't be that difficult to find online or something.

[TheManAlive]

Get a proper helmet, can't be that difficult to find online or something.

Car helmets have fire protection as well. Unlikely to get caught in a fire on a bike.

[Birelman]

Well, Motorcycle helmets are ugly as heck if you ask me!

[Rosemayer]

What is the price of death?Get the best helmet you can afford.

[se7en_24]

You aren't supposed to put any old stickers on as the adhesive can affect the helmet material. Get it painted properly or not at all is my advice.

Edited by se7en_24, 22 April 2010 - 20:58.

[CSquared]

What is the price of death?Get the best helmet you can afford.

Price has little to no correlation to effectiveness in a crash (see the Motorcyclist article linked above). Price of helmets is more about fit and finish, comfort, durability, marketing, and styling.

[evo]

i'm pretty sure if you actually are going proper racing that the regulations would stipulate proper approved car helmets.

if you're talking about trackdays, social karting events and such, a lot of people use bike helmets, but that doesn't mean it's the best solution.

[Nathan]

And that is what I was wondering. I have no qualms spending money on a good helmet. The area where I live sells only motorcycle helmets and one shop has offered me a white Shoei X11 for a very good price. I was just curious if this would do the trick.

[windoesnot]

After racing karts for 13 years, best advice I can give is get the best you can afford. Remember its your head thats inside it but as someone has already said, best doesnt necessarily correlate to price.

There are a number of global helmet standards (eg Snell) that give you an idea of how good / safe it is. I used a Snell 2000 helmet for a number of years and it stood up to a few hard knocks with no problem at all.

[Palmero]

Yep as has been pointed out, the reason its not advised to sticker up helmets is the adhesive can affect the helmet shell material and reduce their effectiveness in the event of an impact.

If your dead set on a custom helmet pay your money and get it done properly and safely.

[rookie]

And that is what I was wondering. I have no qualms spending money on a good helmet. The area where I live sells only motorcycle helmets and one shop has offered me a white Shoei X11 for a very good price. I was just curious if this would do the trick.

The X11 is a great helmet. I use it for Motorcycle track days and can't say enough good things about it. It also does very well in those controversial crash tests and a few moto gp riders used it during 07-08 (has since been replced by a newer model)

But, if it doesn't fit your head, it doesnt matter how good it is. Go for fit first. then worry about everything else....and yeah, don't put stickers on it.

[Nathan]

How do they decorate helmets from the helmet factory?

[MichaelPM]

Generally motorcycle helmets are designed for your vision to be effectively looking up as you lay on top of a bike, while car and karts your vision is straight forward.

I think in the demon tweeks superstore you can try on helmets, give you a better idea of what suits you.

EDIT - sorry just saw you are in Canada, maybe something like the UK's demon tweeks there.

Edited by MichaelPM, 25 April 2010 - 10:29.

[A Wheel Nut]

The X11 is a great helmet. I use it for Motorcycle track days and can't say enough good things about it. It also does very well in those controversial crash tests and a few moto gp riders used it during 07-08 (has since been replced by a newer model)

But, if it doesn't fit your head, it doesnt matter how good it is. Go for fit first. then worry about everything else....and yeah, don't put stickers on it.

I have the same helmet - couldn't agree more, for a motorbike!

I have a separate helmet for go karting and it's a much lighter helmet and more comfortable for karting. I can only repeat what has been mentioned above. Choose fit and comfort first.