[SonicSid]

I'm wanting to get serious about some driver training and track days, but I'll need to get a helmet. Do you know of any shops, especially in the south bay that have helmets you can try on for fitment? Thanks!

 

[JazzCatGab]

I'm wanting to get serious about some driver training and track days, but I'll need to get a helmet. Do you know of any shops, especially in the south bay that have helmets you can try on for fitment? Thanks!

My dealership sponsors the local PCA HPDEs and typically keeps several "loaner" helmets around. I found a Bell that fit nicely, noted the size and then shopped Bell helmets on Amazon and bought one that was worth what my head is worth (even so, I did get something slightly nicer than that!). A good picture or two of what I ended up with on my showcase.

 

[sobiloff]

The wife and I just stopped by Wine Country Motorsports in Sonoma earlier this week to buy our DE helmets. Excellent service and selection, and well worth the seven hour round-trip from Reno. I have a long oval head, while my wife has a round head, so unfortunately we can't share helmets. I ended up with a Stilo while the wife went with an Arai (which is odd, since Arais usually fit me better than her, but that's why I simply can't stand to buy helmets via mail-order!).

Also, make sure you get a balaclava, too. They help keep your helmet fresher, plus in the worst case scenario they provide important fire protection. Just make sure you try on helmets while wearing the balaclava.

 

[SonicSid]

Thanks for the advice! I already have a balaclava from some go-kart places, so I'll make sure to bring one for helmet fitting. Wine Country Motorsports is a bit of a haul from my location, but is certainly much closer than if I was traveling from Reno. They have great reviews, so I'll just have to pay them a visit.

 

[gfspencer]

Can I use a motorcycle helmet or does it have to be car specific?

 

[JazzCatGab]

Can I use a motorcycle helmet or does it have to be car specific?

I'm not sure, but I think motorcycle helmets have a different rating system, so check the rules before you buy. I think some places/organizations require SA2015 or later.

 

[gfspencer]

I'm not sure, but I think motorcycle helmets have a different rating system, so check the rules before you buy. I think some places/organizations require SA2015 or later.

Thanks. I just checked. There is a BIG difference between the two. Much different requirements. I have a number of motorcycle helmets but I'm not sure they would work.

 

[Mr. Maboomba]

I live in San Francisco and I have a RaceQuip PRO15 Helmet (XL, White, Snell SA2015 rated) new in box. I bought a Large and XL from Amazon to test sizes and didn't return this XL in time. If that's the right size for you I will sell it to you for a reasonable discount to Amazon's price.

 

[Treemagnet]

Our PCA and SCCA Track Nights require helmets with Snell SA2015 or SA2020 ratings.

 

[Merlotsj]

Most track day vendors in the Bay Area require SA spec, current ot previous version (SA2015 or SA2020 currently). For autocross, with Golden Gate region PCA anyways, they allow the motorcycle spec also, same years.