Helmet Question

Fr0dders

Fr0dders

Fr0dders

Caporegime
Joined
18 Oct 2002
Posts
33,467
Location
West Yorks
After doing the VXR trackday, i have to say im still buzzing now and i really enjoyed it.

Im now dieing getting as much track time as i can, but one thing that really annoyed me was the helmets we had to wear.

I swear mine was too small, it was so snug around the ears, that i couldnt hear the instructor unless he deliberately raised his voice. Also found it very difficult to judge engine note as it all sounded muffled.

Is it normal for your hearing to be impaired that badly ? like you've got your hands clasped tightly round your ears ?

or should it be looser ? as i may just go and purchase my own. Arai GP-Jet is about £500 and i think it would be worth it so i could enjoy my track time more.
 
It's supposed to be snug as if you crash you don't want your head rattling around like a bean in a tin can :)

Though when I went go-karting I couldn't hear a thing either. So assumed that was normal.
 
I've never worn a helmet that wasn't majorly muffling of any sound, but then again they have all been off the shelf/general use ones and I have a massive head
 
Not one of my bike helmets has muffled the sound so much that I could not hear people speaking clearly. They can never hear me though :p

I'd assume that you've just been wearing them a touch too small.
 
To me a helmet should be snug and push your cheeks in a little bit without being uncomfortable.
 
mk1_salami said:
To me a helmet should be snug and push your cheeks in a little bit without being uncomfortable.
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That would depend on the shape of your face and that of the helmet.

The best test is to put it on and try to shake it around with your hands; if it remains in place without crushing your head it's small enough to do its job.
 
Sounds pretty normal to me. I use my bike helmet in the car but it might be quite nice to have an open face car helmet for regular use.
 
Is it normal for your hearing to be impaired that badly
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Yup. As said, it should be as small as possible without being majorly uncomfortable.

And you're right, I miss the engine sound/exhaust note as well, which is why I now use foam padded sunglasses for road use when it's warm. Obviously not an option for the track.
 
I wear earplugs in my helmet and I can still hear the engine quite distinctly, but then again we are sat on top of them on bikes :p
But no cant hear people talking unless they talk really close or shout!
 
If you're only doing track days in a tin top why not get an open-face helmet? Much easier for communicating with instructors.
 
Shad said:
If you're only doing track days in a tin top why not get an open-face helmet? Much easier for communicating with instructors.
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This. Plus it will also allow for a much better field of vision compared to a normal lid, which is never a bad thing on track :)
 
dale1uk said:
This. Plus it will also allow for a much better field of vision compared to a normal lid, which is never a bad thing on track :)
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Does it make a difference then? On the bike on track I've never felt that I can't see enough but obviously I've never tried without or with an open face. Also I guess we have no pillars, windows or other obstructions in the way so we get the full visor's worth of vision.
 
Dureth said:
Does it make a difference then? On the bike on track I've never felt that I can't see enough but obviously I've never tried without or with an open face. Also I guess we have no pillars, windows or other obstructions in the way so we get the full visor's worth of vision.
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Totally depends on the individual, I've found some people get on better with an open face. It can provide an easier transition into track driving, but certainly helps when I'm trying to help them get a bit more out of the car since they can hear me better!

But I've driven a variety of things on track, with and without windscreens and never found a problem with visability.
 
I went for an open face helmet purely because I felt it would be better to talk to a passenger and on a hot day it will be cooler and your face wont sweat the same!

Just go somewhere and try loads on, I went to Demon Tweeks as it was fairly close by and tied it in with a shopping trip to Cheshire Oaks for the girlfriend.
 
Yeha it's normal. it's a thick padded box. hearing will be serverly reduced.

if you don't like their helmet find out what standard they use. No idea what it is now and go buy one. if you do a lot of track it's well worth it.
Always ask the staff to check it fit's properly if you don't know what it should be like. You can then always buy it online. After you have tried it on in a shop.
 
MrLOL said:
I swear mine was too small, it was so snug around the ears, that i couldnt hear the instructor unless he deliberately raised his voice. Also found it very difficult to judge engine note as it all sounded muffled.

Is it normal for your hearing to be impaired that badly ? like you've got your hands clasped tightly round your ears ?
Click to expand...
Needs to be like this to stop wind noise from damaging your hearing on a motorbike..
 
There's no way a random used helmet is going to fit you properly, and there's no way of knowing a new £500 helmet will fit you properly either unless you try it on. Different manufacturers use different shell shapes and they change these on a regular basis so you need to try on a helmet before you buy it and your purchase should be made on fit not price. Full face helmets are important for bike riders to stop chins getting smashed and dragged along the road, in a car I'd imagine with a decent seatbelt setup an open face is just as effectice in a smash but is better for communicating. Probably best to see what type of helmet your compatriots are using, and then try on as many as you can.
 
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