Helmet Buyers Guide
Posted: Wed Sep 13, 2017 10:15 am
My helmet is aged out, so I am on the hunt for a replacement. Here are a list of options.
Requirements:
-Light weight:
Materials: Composite or Carbon Fiber
Cons: Carbon Fiber $$ with minimal weight loss over Composite
-H&N attachment
Optional / Accessories:
-Glasses compliant (I wear contacts)
-Chatterbox microphone/speaker
Entry-level Helmets:
1.) Bell M8
Vented: Yes
Pros:
H&N:
Price: $499
2.) Pyrotect UltraSport
Vented: Yes
Pros: Interchangeable six-pad interior liner system
H&N: M6 for head and neck restraint systems
Price: $269
3.) Roux R-1 Fiberglass
Vented: TBD
Pros: Cheaper price point with full features, including joise canceling mic and speaker pods, drink tube, and HANs anchors, etc.
H&N:
Price: $549
4.) Sparco WTX-5T
Vented: Yes
Weight: 4.0Lbs
Pros:
H&N:
Price: $395
Intermediate+
(Lighter, more accessory options, but higher price)
Brands:
1.) Arai
-Arai GP-5W
Vented: Yes, two intake and two exhaust
Accessories: HANs clips, Radio, Water
Weight: 3.55lbs
Pros: Larger eye ports, pre-installed M6 anchors
Cons: XL no longer manufactured.
Price: $809 (C)
-Arai GP-6S
Benefits over GP-5W:
-Same shell as GP-6RC (advertised as their Formula One helmet)
Certification: FIA 8858-2010
Price: $859
2.) Bell
-Bell M8 Carbon
Vented: Yes (small)
Accessories: HANs (+$55), Radio/Water support
Weight:
Pros:
Cons:
Price: $879
3.) Pyrotect
-Pyrotect Pro-Ultra Carbon
Vented: Yes (Small)
Accessories: HANs / Leatt / NecksGen (+$65)
Weight:
Pros:
Cons:
Price: $879
-Pyrotect
Pro-Ultra Carbon Duckbill TriFlow
Vented: Yes
Accessories: HANs / Leatt / NecksGen (+$65)
Weight:
Pros:
Cons:
Price: $1099
4.) Roux
-R-1C/CF
Vented: TBD
Accessories: HANs clips, Radio, Water
Weight:
Pros:
-Certification: FIA: 8859
Cons:
Price: $899 (C) & $1399 (CF)
5.) Simpson
-Carbon Devil Ray
Vented: No, optional (+$150)
Accessories: H&N ready, Radio (Optional)
Weight: 2.9lbs (med)
Pros:
Cons:
Price: $879 (CF)
6.) Sparco
-Sparco Sky RF-7W
Vented: Yes
Accessories: HANs clips.
Weight:
Pros:
Cons: High price. Clear fades in sun.
Price: $950
7.) Stilo ST5 (Kevlar/Fiberglass Composite)
-Stilo ST5 Series
Vented: Optional (+$120)
Accessories: Optional radio configurations (+$130-$250), HANs clips (+$55), Integrated Eject ($60), Helmet bag
Weight: 3.6lbs (L)
Pros: Accessory options galore, inclue "earmuffs" to provide a more quiet driving experience.
More Pros: Additional safety feature, called Integrated Eject, to allow first responders to safely remove the helmet without disturbing the neck.
Cons: Nickel and dime for accessories.
Price: $912 (base)
Requirements:
-Light weight:
Materials: Composite or Carbon Fiber
Cons: Carbon Fiber $$ with minimal weight loss over Composite
-H&N attachment
Optional / Accessories:
-Glasses compliant (I wear contacts)
-Chatterbox microphone/speaker
Entry-level Helmets:
1.) Bell M8
Vented: Yes
Pros:
H&N:
Price: $499
2.) Pyrotect UltraSport
Vented: Yes
Pros: Interchangeable six-pad interior liner system
H&N: M6 for head and neck restraint systems
Price: $269
3.) Roux R-1 Fiberglass
Vented: TBD
Pros: Cheaper price point with full features, including joise canceling mic and speaker pods, drink tube, and HANs anchors, etc.
H&N:
Price: $549
4.) Sparco WTX-5T
Vented: Yes
Weight: 4.0Lbs
Pros:
H&N:
Price: $395
Intermediate+
(Lighter, more accessory options, but higher price)
Brands:
1.) Arai
-Arai GP-5W
Vented: Yes, two intake and two exhaust
Accessories: HANs clips, Radio, Water
Weight: 3.55lbs
Pros: Larger eye ports, pre-installed M6 anchors
Cons: XL no longer manufactured.
Price: $809 (C)
-Arai GP-6S
Benefits over GP-5W:
-Same shell as GP-6RC (advertised as their Formula One helmet)
Certification: FIA 8858-2010
Price: $859
2.) Bell
-Bell M8 Carbon
Vented: Yes (small)
Accessories: HANs (+$55), Radio/Water support
Weight:
Pros:
Cons:
Price: $879
3.) Pyrotect
-Pyrotect Pro-Ultra Carbon
Vented: Yes (Small)
Accessories: HANs / Leatt / NecksGen (+$65)
Weight:
Pros:
Cons:
Price: $879
-Pyrotect
Pro-Ultra Carbon Duckbill TriFlow
Vented: Yes
Accessories: HANs / Leatt / NecksGen (+$65)
Weight:
Pros:
Cons:
Price: $1099
4.) Roux
-R-1C/CF
Vented: TBD
Accessories: HANs clips, Radio, Water
Weight:
Pros:
-Certification: FIA: 8859
Cons:
Price: $899 (C) & $1399 (CF)
5.) Simpson
-Carbon Devil Ray
Vented: No, optional (+$150)
Accessories: H&N ready, Radio (Optional)
Weight: 2.9lbs (med)
Pros:
Cons:
Price: $879 (CF)
6.) Sparco
-Sparco Sky RF-7W
Vented: Yes
Accessories: HANs clips.
Weight:
Pros:
Cons: High price. Clear fades in sun.
Price: $950
7.) Stilo ST5 (Kevlar/Fiberglass Composite)
-Stilo ST5 Series
Vented: Optional (+$120)
Accessories: Optional radio configurations (+$130-$250), HANs clips (+$55), Integrated Eject ($60), Helmet bag
Weight: 3.6lbs (L)
Pros: Accessory options galore, inclue "earmuffs" to provide a more quiet driving experience.
More Pros: Additional safety feature, called Integrated Eject, to allow first responders to safely remove the helmet without disturbing the neck.
Cons: Nickel and dime for accessories.
Price: $912 (base)