# Choosing a new helmet **URL:** \ **Category:** PittSpeed Automotive\ **Created:** [April 24, 2007, 6:07pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/choosing-a-new-helmet/189514 "2007-04-24T18:07:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![imported\_gearhead](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/imported_gearhead/32/5957_2.png) [@imported\_gearhead](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/imported_gearhead)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2007, 6:07pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/choosing-a-new-helmet/189514/1 "2007-04-24T18:07:02Z")
I’m just about ready for a new helmet. My old one is officially out of date and too small, so I’ll start the search. My little delema is that I’d like a helmet that I can use for drag/autox/roadrace AND on a bike. I don’t know what is best for all worlds, or if its best to have different kinds… I like the open face for autox, but I’ll probably definitly need a full face for a bike. Since some of the helmets i’ve seen approach 3-400, even 500… id’ like to do this once. I’ve also seen flat black helmets that look SICK… but i have no idea where ot look for them. Thanks all. ---
**Author:** ![YellowZ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/edb3f5/32.png) [@YellowZ](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/YellowZ)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2007, 6:29pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/choosing-a-new-helmet/189514/2 "2007-04-24T18:29:48Z")
Sounds like you need one that is snell and dot rated. Try Crossroads Motorsports off Rt 8. ---
**Author:** ![beat90tsi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/43a26b/32.png) [@beat90tsi](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/beat90tsi)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2007, 8:27pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/choosing-a-new-helmet/189514/3 "2007-04-24T20:27:55Z")
I picked up an Icon Alliance SS in Rubatone (flat black). It’s pretty sick, but doesn’t get much use. Helmets feel so cumbersome to me. [http://www.streetbikerider.com/h-helmets/icon/pr-helmets-icon-street-2007-alliance-ss-solid-rubatone.htm](http://www.streetbikerider.com/h-helmets/icon/pr-helmets-icon-street-2007-alliance-ss-solid-rubatone.htm) A local guy here in Murrysville did me better than the $200 list price. I think it was called Get High Racegear, that’s the only real bike accessory I’ve purchased lately. ---
**Author:** ![noahTHEpurdy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/87869e/32.png) [@noahTHEpurdy](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/noahTHEpurdy)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2007, 8:46pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/choosing-a-new-helmet/189514/4 "2007-04-24T20:46:59Z")
The Icon Alliance SS is a sweet piece of head gear. ---
**Author:** ![imported\_gearhead](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/imported_gearhead/32/5957_2.png) [@imported\_gearhead](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/imported_gearhead)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2007, 6:26am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/choosing-a-new-helmet/189514/5 "2007-04-25T06:26:11Z")
thanks, i’ll have to check them out. what is each snell rating about? ---
**Author:** ![YellowZ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/edb3f5/32.png) [@YellowZ](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/YellowZ)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2007, 7:37am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/choosing-a-new-helmet/189514/6 "2007-04-25T07:37:49Z")
Snell ratings get updated every 5 years. Typically helmets are acceptable for auto racing for 10-15 years. A snell rated helmet is not necessarilarry dot approved, but I would feel safe riding a bike with one. A dot helmet is what you need for a bike but is not acceptable for auto racing. Ideally you would want one that has both, but sounds like definately snell. The biggest difference I think is that a snell is designed to withstand multiple impacts like if a car flipped and has fire resistance. The downfall is that they might be heavier for riding a bike. ---
**Author:** ![whitey](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/whitey/32/5911_2.png) [@whitey](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/whitey)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2007, 10:17am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/choosing-a-new-helmet/189514/7 "2007-04-25T10:17:03Z")
check out this thread: [http://www.pittspeed.com/forums/showthread.php?t=20086](http://www.pittspeed.com/forums/showthread.php?t=20086) ---
**Author:** ![Corners](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6bbea6/32.png) [@Corners](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Corners)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2007, 8:26pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/choosing-a-new-helmet/189514/8 "2007-04-25T20:26:08Z")
Shoei. :bigthumb: I like the Shoei RF-1000. Great helmet. Quiet, comfortable, and the vents work great. It’s about $350 for a solid color off the net. Check [HelmetHarbor.com](http://HelmetHarbor.com). They have pretty good prices. [http://www.helmetharbor.com/Products/ModelDetails.cfm/Search/Results/ManuID/380/Model/RF-1000](http://www.helmetharbor.com/Products/ModelDetails.cfm/Search/Results/ManuID/380/Model/RF-1000) The other brand I’d recommend is Arai. Don’t cheap out on a helmet or you may find yourself skipping out on wearing it. Go for high quality and you’ll actually find you’re more comfortable with it on that if you didn’t. Be sure not to get a helmet that is too big. The natural tendency is to get one that is too big because a helmet that is too big will feel a little better when new and trying them on in the store. A new helmet should fit pretty stinkin’ tight. It will break in and conform to your head and be more comfortable with time. And a tight fitting helmet will help you stay more comfortable on rides, since a helmet that is too big will blow around and you’ll be fighting it the whole time moving your head, which actually wears you out faster. ---
**Author:** ![slowcamaro](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/slowcamaro/32/5975_2.png) [@slowcamaro](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/slowcamaro)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2007, 10:03pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/choosing-a-new-helmet/189514/9 "2007-04-25T22:03:56Z")
this is the hemlet i want ![http://admin.pomocom.com/Images/StoreImages/2/24287_4.jpg](http://admin.pomocom.com/Images/StoreImages/2/24287_4.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Sight\_N\_Sound](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/sight_n_sound/32/5950_2.png) [@Sight\_N\_Sound](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Sight_N_Sound)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2007, 10:18pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/choosing-a-new-helmet/189514/10 "2007-04-25T22:18:08Z")
The Icon Domain Helmets are also very good. They are a step up from the alliance SS (which I also have). The airflow though the vents on the Domain helmets is such a big difference than the alliance. Also if you are buying a Motorcycle helmet and it has a Snell rating for motorcycles, it automatically meets DOT and will be marked as such with the snell rating and DOT sticker. There is no such thing as a Snell rated only motorcycle helmet. Here is my helmet I just got new for 2007. It also comes in Red and Blue ---
**Author:** ![PurpleMongoose](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/purplemongoose/32/3349_2.png) [@PurpleMongoose](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/PurpleMongoose)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2007, 8:21am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/choosing-a-new-helmet/189514/11 "2007-04-26T08:21:17Z")
Anyone know a place to get a Snell-rated helmet on the cheap? ---
**Author:** ![beat90tsi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/43a26b/32.png) [@beat90tsi](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/beat90tsi)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2007, 10:16am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/choosing-a-new-helmet/189514/12 "2007-04-26T10:16:10Z")
> [@Need some help](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-some-help/29746/2): > > The natural tendency is to get one that is too big because a helmet that is too big will feel a little better when new and trying them on in the store. I did this… > [@Need some help](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-some-help/29746/2): > > It will break in and conform to your head and be more comfortable with time. Mine fits a little looser now… > [@Need some help](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-some-help/29746/2): > > And a tight fitting helmet will help you stay more comfortable on rides, since a helmet that is too big will blow around and you’ll be fighting it the whole time moving your head, which actually wears you out faster. I concur… I don’t like long rides for other comfort reasons, it doesn’t actually blow around that much, but I hate having shit on my head/face, so I cheated to the larger side…whoops ---
**Author:** ![imported\_gearhead](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/imported_gearhead/32/5957_2.png) [@imported\_gearhead](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/imported_gearhead)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2007, 1:40pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/choosing-a-new-helmet/189514/13 "2007-04-26T13:40:46Z")
thats whitey… i’ll be dammd if i actually search pittspeed :tounge: Seems like some good info. I guess i’ll just shop around. ---
**Author:** ![berad](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/berad/32/5953_2.png) [@berad](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/berad)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2007, 1:46pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/choosing-a-new-helmet/189514/14 "2007-04-26T13:46:38Z")
> [@anyone with a sports bike that rides...](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/anyone-with-a-sports-bike-that-rides/29728/4): > > I picked up an Icon Alliance SS in Rubatone (flat black). It’s pretty sick, but doesn’t get much use. Helmets feel so cumbersome to me. > > [DropCatch.com](http://www.streetbikerider.com/h-helmets/icon/pr-helmets-icon-street-2007-alliance-ss-solid-rubatone.htm) > > A local guy here in Murrysville did me better than the $200 list price. I think it was called Get High Racegear, that’s the only real bike accessory I’ve purchased lately. That is probably the sickest helmet I’ve ever seen. Flat black ftw ---
**Author:** ![imported\_gearhead](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/imported_gearhead/32/5957_2.png) [@imported\_gearhead](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/imported_gearhead)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2007, 7:32pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/choosing-a-new-helmet/189514/15 "2007-04-26T19:32:08Z")
i’m definitly down with the flat’ness ---
**Author:** ![Corners](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6bbea6/32.png) [@Corners](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Corners)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2007, 4:17pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/choosing-a-new-helmet/189514/16 "2007-04-27T16:17:13Z")
[quote=“PurpleMongoose,post:27,topic:28603"”] Anyone know a place to get a Snell-rated helmet on the cheap? [/quote] [HelmetHarbor.com](http://HelmetHarbor.com). Check out the HJC CL-15. $117. It’s ok, and had a Snell rating. However, I recommend spending extra money for a nicer helmet if you can. This is the newer version of the helmet my wife has, since she doesn’t ride with me that often. [http://www.helmetharbor.com/Products/ProductDetails.cfm/Search/Results/ProductID/430259](http://www.helmetharbor.com/Products/ProductDetails.cfm/Search/Results/ProductID/430259) ---
**Author:** ![imported\_gearhead](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/imported_gearhead/32/5957_2.png) [@imported\_gearhead](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/imported_gearhead)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2007, 5:47am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/choosing-a-new-helmet/189514/17 "2007-04-28T05:47:39Z")
upwards of 500 is going to be tough to do… but that one for 117 isn’t bad.