Helmet

[Jeff Myers]

Jeff Jr. is in need of a new helmet for '08... the kid just keeps growing!

can MRP make any recommendations??? all the snell requirement make me dizzy!... and fit is REALLY important - safety first....

Jeff Sr.

[Kevin Wagner]

Hey, Gresham has been utilizing Zamp helmets www.zamp-racing.com for the past couple of years. They are fairly inexpensive comparatively ..but the fit and quality are great. Even the least expensive ones are the same or lighter weight than a Bell or Simpson...and as you move up the price range..they get lighter and stronger. Very kewl graphics and such as well. They range in price from around $100 and up.

Regards,

Kevin Wagner

[Jason Lee]

What ever you do go some place and try them on. All heads are not shaped the same, neither are helmets.

I spend alot of time in mine and like the Arai helmets.

[dale roller]

Safety First, Not Price,it May Save Your Life.a $100 Helmet May Cost $30 To Mfg.

[Jeff Myers]

thanks guys - i'd like to have him try them on as well... have bought via mail before and wasn't happy... does anyone know if the expo in chicago is going to have manufacturers selling as well as displaying?

jeff sr.

[Jason Lee]

thanks guys - i'd like to have him try them on as well... have bought via mail before and wasn't happy... does anyone know if the expo in chicago is going to have manufacturers selling as well as displaying?

jeff sr.

Brian from gridsports will have a booth, he sells Arai's. I will ask him tomorrow if hes going to have any helmets with him.

[Garry Lobaugh]

Arai is a very good helmet and a very respected price. Most karters with growing kids and shrinking budgets don't take on this much expense. I doubt if the KMI show is going to be a selling show. It usually is a display and take orders type show, but I could be mistaken in this case.

Jason, thanks for all of your contributions. Now let's go win Shifter next week!

[James Wonder]

Jeff,

The gforce people have an outlet store that is available at the URL below, and the helmets are Snell SA rated, not M rated. SA rating is racing automobile and are stronger in almost every area to the M rated helmets.

The helmets in the outlet store are very good, and are older models or are seconds with minor blemishes.

Hope this helps....

http://www.gforceoutlet.com/index.php?cPath=24&osCsid=25bbfd32ee1706c2157808e65d821849

Helmet sizing: http://www.gforce.com/sizing/helmet.php

James Wonder

[Richard Gray]

Jeff - Be aware that SA2000 or M2000 helmets will "expire" (or be obsolete) at the end of 2009 for most sanctioning bodies, so at best you would get two years from one so rated. K98 rated helmets are "expired" now.

Richard

[Marc Miller]

I will agree that going to KMI to try on helmets will be worth it. I'm sure you could leave with a helmet at the end of the day.

[Kevin Wagner]

Dale, all the helmets carry the appropriate Snell ratings etc. Just because it costs you $350+ for a Simpson or Bell does not qualify it as safer. I think you would be very surprised at the number of juniors currently utilizing this companies equipment and the quality. Check it out.

[Jeff Myers]

thanks for all the good advice....

no choice made yet - want to shop and try-on some helmets... SO - we're making the trip to the KMI show sunday to look around.... will be sure to stop at the Birel booth... oh hey - isn't there a birel rep putting on a seminar???

if we don't buy/order while in chicago - we'll be looking at helmets others have at lowes...

thanks, jeff

[Bruce Woodrow]

Although it is a very long article, this is well worth reading before making a helmet selection:

http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/gearbox/motorcycle_helmet_review/

Before anyone says; "...but this is about motorcycle helmets", motorcycle and karting accidents are more similar in nature than karting and other auto racing accidents, due to the rider/driver typically being unrestrained.

Bruce