I am completely new to helmets and Im trying to keep the cost under $200. I did a search but the threads mostly talk about sizing so I know I should find a shop to try the helmets on. But what are some brands I should look in to and which ones should I stay away from? BTW it will be used for Auto-X and HPDEs down the road. Thanks.

G-Force is an inexpensive brand and I would probably try the Hybrid if I had to do it over again. But I just purchased a Pyrotect off fleaBay from the manufacturer for $135. Get an SA-rated helmet so you don't have to worry about groups that don't accept motorcycle helmets.

My first helmet was a Pyrotec off Ebay too. Probably my next one as well.

A good place to try on helmets in SJ is Cycle World. I think it is on Meridian just north of 280. They are a motorcycle shop (duh), but they have a great selection of helmets and most are SA rated.

G Force, Pyro...... budget priced w/good reputations at said price points.

I just got a pyrotech open face helmet from apexperformance for my first helmet as a christmas gift. Its really comfortable and while I know there are obviously much much nicer helmets out there, for autox and a few DE's I think its plenty adequate.

Do all major helmet manufacturers use the same sizing system? I know what size in HJC motorcycle helmets I wear. Would it be the same size with other makers?

Do all major helmet manufacturers use the same sizing system? I know what size in HJC motorcycle helmets I wear. Would it be the same size with other makers?
No.

I just got my new Pyrotect SA2005 closed face helmet that I hope will last me at least a few years of autoXing and track events.

Do all major helmet manufacturers use the same sizing system? I know what size in HJC motorcycle helmets I wear. Would it be the same size with other makers?

No there are fairly dramatic differences between sizes / brands.
I think Apex has a size chart with all their brands on one page.
You can easliy see just how much a difference there is.

Arais run small, Bells in the middle, Pyrotects large when comparing circumference vs. labeled size (what constitutes a small, med, large, etc).

Read the sizes and measure (twice) it sure will save you sending helmets back & forth.

HTH
jimmy p.

I have an enormous head 7 5/8-7 3/4 and wear eyeglasses, and the Pyrotect XL is very snug on me. I couldn't find a Bell to fit right, so I ordered the Pyrotect.

Thanks for all the info guys.

A good place to try on helmets in SJ is Cycle World. I think it is on Meridian just north of 280. They are a motorcycle shop (duh), but they have a great selection of helmets and most are SA rated.

I definitely hit that place up Nordique, thanks.

Hey Nordique did you mean Cycle Gear? I can't find Cycle World anywhere.

Hey Nordique did you mean Cycle Gear? I can't find Cycle World anywhere.

Uh, yeah. Sorry I was working from a memory that apparently isn't what it used to be.

I got a cheapie motorbike helmet off ebay and it lasted me a good four years serving both auto-x and HPDE duty. The price was under a hundred bucks, IIRC.

Ummm I think cost is unimportant when it comes to your head. Buying a used helmet is something I would never concider. I know that at the track if you drop your helmet and a marshall see's that they will comficate your helmet. Once a helmet is droped it is concidered damaged. I know my racing is differant than AutoX so it might not mean anything. But when I am doing 6.89 seconds in a quarter mile that requires some serious protection. Completely differant I know. But you have ONLY ONE HEAD!!!! you get what you pay for.

Just purchased a decent full faced Pyrotect for Auto-x. If you can use SA2000 for your needs they are on sale since the SA2005 ones are out now.
Hope this helps.

Yeah, SA2000s are going for cheep right now.

I'm happy with the g-force hybrid.

http://www.gforce.com/products/helmets/gf_proforcehybrid.html

I wear glasses and do autoX and DEs. Perfect for that IMHO. Not sure that I'd use it if I raced though. Full face for that.

Fit is HUGE and probably 80% of the safety aspect of a helmet. If you don't have any race shops near you, find a vendor that has a return policy on helmets if it doesn't fit.

BTW, there HAS to be a shop near San Jose that will sell them.

Beware, different manufactures helmets fit differently, even different helmets by the same maker will fit differently.....

Do all major helmet manufacturers use the same sizing system? I know what size in HJC motorcycle helmets I wear. Would it be the same size with other makers?

No +2

My head is shaped like an egg and will just not fit any Bell; car, bicycle or other. Got a Simpson Voyager and it has lasted me very well for about 7 or so years now (yes, time to retire). You don't have to go nuts with spending big bucks on a helmet but definitely don't go out of your way to do the opposite. Find a good SA 2000 or 2005 full-face that fits and is comfortable then check what the price is. Keep working from there until you find your comfort/price zone. I think there is little worse than a poor fitting, uncomfortable helmet.

I recently tried both the Pyrotect and Bell M2 as well as an HJC motorcycle helmet. The Bell was much more comfy than the Pyrotect on me in size Medium. Worth the extra $50 for me.

Ummm I think cost is unimportant when it comes to your head. Buying a used helmet is something I would never concider. I know that at the track if you drop your helmet and a marshall see's that they will comficate your helmet. Once a helmet is droped it is concidered damaged. I know my racing is differant than AutoX so it might not mean anything. But when I am doing 6.89 seconds in a quarter mile that requires some serious protection. Completely differant I know. But you have ONLY ONE HEAD!!!! you get what you pay for.

Did I say it was used?

Hey Nordique did you mean Cycle Gear? I can't find Cycle World anywhere.
I went to Cycle Gear last week and they didn't have any SA helmets. But the girl that worked there was hot :)

I went to Cycle Gear last week and they didn't have any SA helmets. But the girl that worked there was hot :)

so how many helmets did she sell you?...:nono

so how many helmets did she sell you?...:nono
0.0

I went to Cycle Gear last week and they didn't have any SA helmets. But the girl that worked there was hot :)
Cycle Gear in San Jose?

Cycle Gear in San Jose?
Fort Worth, TX.

Has anyone heard of Kaeding Performance in Campbell? They're listed on bell's website as a vendor.