SoloRacer.com is very excited to sponsor the MINI COOPER Online Racing and Competition Forum. My name is Brett and I'm the owner/operator of SoloRacer.com. As a moderator, I hope to visit the forum occasionally to answer questions and provide feedback on some of the products we offer at SoloRacer.com.

Things have been real hectic around here lately, so your best way to contact me with immediate questions is via email at sales@soloracer.com. I'll try to get back to you as soon as I can.

If you're interested in taking your MINI autocrossing or to the track, please checkout our special section for MINI racing goodies here... http://www.soloracer.com/mini.html. I hope to add more products in the near future.

 

I like that

 

Is soloracer.com still a sponsor here? I scanned the vendor directory and didn't see it.

I am researching helmets. I want to get a motorcycle this spring, but I also attend numerous autocross and HPDEs in the MINI throughout the year. I was really hoping to find a good dual purpose helmet. I was looking on the site at the Pyrotect Full Face SA2005. Is there any difference in wind noise between the M2005 and the SA2005? Any other reasons it might not work well on the motorcycle? Also, is the Amber shield available for this helmet? If so, what are the positives/negatives of that shield.

I'd really appreciate any feedback!

 

I think the biggest issues you run into with a motorcycle helmet vs a non-moto is vision and venting. car helmets tend to have fixed venting (meaning you can't open/close them) and a narower field of view vertically. on a bike the venting might not a huge issue depending on the helmet and riding conditions, but the field of view obviously can be.

The main difference between the a SA snell rating vs a M snell is that a SA rating has to pass a rollbar impact test and the lining must have a fire rating where bike helmets do not (not saying that a bike helmet wont pass a rollbar impact test, its just not rated to). That 's the problem you run into at the tracks with a moto helmet. I'm using an Arai rx-7 moto helmet and so far haven't had any issues at the auto-x events I've been to so you might be best picking up a good motorcycle helmet and using that for both events, though I've been told they are stricter on your helmet ratings at track/HPDE events.

 

I was hoping to be able to approach it the other way - finding a good SA rated helmet that was designed well enough for use on a motorcycle. That way I wouldn't have to worry about it either way. I know that the staff at BeaveRun would only let me get away with an M helmet at an autoX, not a full track session. Plus, I KNOW I'll be on the track with the MINI, I'm still just planning on the motorcycle.

...very good points about visibility and ventilation though...

 

I think that should be possible. For instance my Simpson Super Voyager SA95 has a notably large eyeport, which all M helmets do, but only some SA's. I wanted the large port, partly for good visibility but also to allow easy placing and removal of glasses. Look around and you should find something that'll work for you.

Neil
05 MCS
96 M3

 

Thanks for your input. So far, I'm leaning toward this Pyrotect helmet (in Black) unless I can find something better or a reason to avoid it. It is described as having a large eyeport and it appears that virtually the same helmet is available with the M rating. Unless the photos are generic, there doesn't appear to be any difference in the eyeport or ventilation between the SA and the M rated versions. It even has some variable venting up front. I'll probably get black, but here is one photo of it:




Another question: As with anything, I'm sure it varies greatly, but any ideas on what I can expect to pay for a custom design on the helmet? I've only just thought about it, but have no idea what cost range to even expect.