looking to get a helmet, and someone offered up a aria helmet they had for sale, looks like a real nice helmet, its used, so discount, cause no way I could afford the 500$ msrp the helmet has.

but its a motorcycle helmet. an arai signet GT to be exact.

whats the difference between this and a auto helmet, the visibility looks to be better... with a larger opening for your eyes. am I missing something?

 

In the Snell ratings an M2000 (motorcycle) helmet has to have peripheral vision of 210 degrees while the SA2000 (auto) only needs 180 degrees. The impact test is the same for both certicfications. The SA2000 helmet will also be fire retardent and have a higher visor penetration rating, but the shell penetration ratings are the same.

For lapping days or AutoX I think a motorcyle helmet is totally fine, but check with the sanctioning body.

 

u can check this out..
click here

 

Raceboy is right, unless you are going to participate in SCCA racing either helmet will be OK, The HPDE's and autox just want you to have a post SNELL90 helmet.

 

k, so it does have better visibility, it just isnt flame retardant, and the lens peice isnt as strong.

I am going to be autocrossing, but I dont think its SCCA, its solo II if that means anything at all...

Im still not sure about the size, its a medium, so Im gonna go up to a store and try some helmets on to figure out what size I am.

 

For your first bike, you don't need anything over 600cc. Sometimes people just don't realize how powerful a good 600cc really is.

 

You're the first person I've ever heard say that. All of my friends are trying get me on a sport bike so I can ride with them, and they've all told me a 600 is too light. They say 750's are the best to learn on. Irrelavant anyway, since I still fall off bicycles. I'll stick to four wheels thank you very much.

As for the original post, I'd agree that an M-rated helmet is fine. If you're not wearing head to toe fire protection you're done-zo in case of a fire regardless of the helmet lining. The only reason I run an SA helmet is that I still have a couple left over from karting/midgets.

 

I guess I can be the second person to say that to you. You can certainly have a 750 as a first bike but you'll just have to be more careful with it. I got a used 750 to start with, rode it for a couple months but still didn't feel comfortable with it. My friend was selling a little 440 so I decided to buy it for the heck of it. Rode that for a couple months then sold it off. Now I'm comfortable with the 750. My friend got a Kawa EX500 at the same time as my 750 and that bike was so easy to ride.

oh yeah, the key word was "good" 600.

 

Thanks for the advice. Regardless, I'd end up a stain on the highway on any kind of crotch rocket. I've got a lot of respect for you guys that have the cohones to ride them.

 

Solo 2 is SCCA, although most regional events probably would let you run with that. I just bought a SA2000 anyway. Open face G-Force, which was fairly cheap as these things go.

BTW, if you search around the web, you'll find helmet sizing info based on measurement around the head or hat size.

 

Yes, key words was GOOD 600cc.
If you get a 600cc touring bike, it wouldn't be as cool as a 750cc one. But if you get a GOOD 600cc sport bike, it'd be all the bike you need for a first timer. I jumped straight to a 1000cc and I just got rid of it cuz I could never tame the beast. I should've gone with a 600cc to save me money... but it's alright. I no longer long for a bike now I've got my Z.

 

Never buy a used helmet. It could look to be in perfect condition, but if the previous owner accidently dropped it 4 feet onto a concrete floor it could be worse than useless.

 

Motorcycle helmet is fine for solo-II. THey also have loaner helmets if you don't want to buy one. The Ga Z club will not allow motorcycle helmets at lap days, only sa-95 or better, however speedventures will allow m-90 or better.

Check out www.discoveryparts.com You can get an open face for about 150 and a full face around 200 there.