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Author Topic: Helmet shopping for NHRA strips  (Read 17827 times)

Offline Jeremygg1283

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Helmet shopping for NHRA strips
« on: December 10, 2015, 12:55:05 PM »
Hello all,
I am going helmet shopping tomorrow at chapperell and need a helmet  to pass tech at a NHRA drag  race track.
Anyone have a good understanding of what is the correct snell rated helmet to use at the track so I can avoid hassles.

Offline Ghost-Geezer

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Re: Helmet shopping for NHRA strips
« Reply #1 on: December 10, 2015, 11:58:33 PM »
Snell is a rather inexpensive helmet and I, for one, would not wear one...............try a Arai or a Shoei.  Unless you do not value your noggin'.  Just IMO.


Spend 100 or spend 500.............what is your head really worth to you?    I would hope more than 400 clams.  :mrgreen:
« Last Edit: December 11, 2015, 12:01:45 AM by Ghost-Geezer »
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Offline Jeremygg1283

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Re: Helmet shopping for NHRA strips
« Reply #2 on: December 11, 2015, 01:14:43 AM »
Snell is a rather inexpensive helmet and I, for one, would not wear one...............try a Arai or a Shoei.  Unless you do not value your noggin'.  Just IMO.


Spend 100 or spend 500.............what is your head really worth to you?    I would hope more than 400 clams.  :mrgreen:
Snell is a rating I need to race at the track. Lol

Offline turbo051k

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Re: Helmet shopping for NHRA strips
« Reply #3 on: December 11, 2015, 05:31:45 AM »
Snell is a rather inexpensive helmet and I, for one, would not wear one...............try a Arai or a Shoei.  Unless you do not value your noggin'.  Just IMO.
Seriously uncle dave? :hys: :hys: :hys:
Jeremey,Ive had Arai,Shoei and Bell helmets over the years. Arai helmets have different models to fit different shaped noggins';I've tried 3 different Arais and was never really comfortable with with them so I went back to Shoei. I have an RF1200,has both ratings and most important: passes tech w no issues. :tu:
« Last Edit: December 11, 2015, 08:01:06 AM by turbo051k »
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Offline ADMIN

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Re: Helmet shopping for NHRA strips
« Reply #4 on: December 11, 2015, 07:09:05 AM »
Yeah, many options, but the thing has to fit your head in the end. Do you have a pinhead, or does your head have it's own weather system?
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Offline turbo051k

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Re: Helmet shopping for NHRA strips
« Reply #5 on: December 11, 2015, 08:02:51 AM »
Yeah, many options, but the thing has to fit your head in the end. Do you have a pinhead, or does your head have it's own weather system?
One of the best quotes ever lmfao! Kid has a head like Sputnik  :hys:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRmLGYSc0XQ
« Last Edit: December 11, 2015, 08:04:56 AM by turbo051k »
'97 DS-80
'82 GS 1100E
'00 Turbo Busa
'05 Turbo GSXR-1000
'09 Busa
'13 GSXR-1000
'15 John Deere L-140
'06 18" Stihl Farm Boss
'07 Echo leaf blower
'09 Echo weed wacker
'15 Polaris Sportsman 570

Offline Ghost-Geezer

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Re: Helmet shopping for NHRA strips
« Reply #6 on: December 11, 2015, 03:51:15 PM »
Snell is a rather inexpensive helmet and I, for one, would not wear one...............try a Arai or a Shoei.  Unless you do not value your noggin'.  Just IMO.
Seriously uncle dave? :hys: :hys: :hys:
Jeremey,Ive had Arai,Shoei and Bell helmets over the years. Arai helmets have different models to fit different shaped noggins';I've tried 3 different Arais and was never really comfortable with with them so I went back to Shoei. I have an RF1200,has both ratings and most important: passes tech w no issues. :tu:

I also have an RF 1200 XXL............550 clams...........flat black.   Great vents and super comfy fit and good sound deadening up to 150 or so. 

I just have never had a Snell full face helmet, they make too many cheap ass ones for my taste.   

I compare Snell to Shoei like I would compare a Fiat to a Merz.  There is no comparison and there is no substitute for quality.

After all, that Foundation was started in 1957.   For me, it is now and forever a Shoei.     
« Last Edit: December 11, 2015, 04:00:50 PM by Ghost-Geezer »
"The thrill of Boost cannot be duplicated on earth."

"One drink is too many and a thousand is not enuf."

"Step UP or Step Aside"

"Four wheels moves the body,
Two wheels moves the soul."

Offline Ghost-Geezer

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Re: Helmet shopping for NHRA strips
« Reply #7 on: December 11, 2015, 03:53:00 PM »
Yeah, many options, but the thing has to fit your head in the end. Do you have a pinhead, or does your head have it's own weather system?

I have an 7 3/4 hat size.................large cranium................overflowing with a lifetime of "stuff".    :lol:

I overstated it the first time, just now checked out the size inside my Stetson.  It is 7 3/4.
« Last Edit: December 11, 2015, 04:55:29 PM by Ghost-Geezer »
"The thrill of Boost cannot be duplicated on earth."

"One drink is too many and a thousand is not enuf."

"Step UP or Step Aside"

"Four wheels moves the body,
Two wheels moves the soul."

Offline ADMIN

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Re: Helmet shopping for NHRA strips
« Reply #8 on: December 11, 2015, 04:24:37 PM »
I would like more members to post their hat sizes...
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Offline turbo051k

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Re: Helmet shopping for NHRA strips
« Reply #9 on: December 11, 2015, 06:40:57 PM »
Dave I think we have the same helmet....but I find mine very noisy,it will whistle at around-town speeds with the visor open 1/2" and it drives me nits
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Offline Ghost-Geezer

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Re: Helmet shopping for NHRA strips
« Reply #10 on: December 11, 2015, 08:17:52 PM »
Yes we do..............mine is a 2014 model;  But I only hear whistling when I have the visor on its' first click from fully closed position which is less than 1/4 inch. When fully closed in traffic I just hear my own breathing and snorting and occasional comment about some other folks I have to share the road with. That's about it.

Mine has no Kanji on the back and the visor for mine has a lift/close tab about 1/2 the size of yours and shaped like the outer edge of an aircraft wing........long section to a point then a shorter, steeper "back of the wing", basically looks like a thin triangle.
« Last Edit: December 11, 2015, 08:25:51 PM by Ghost-Geezer »
"The thrill of Boost cannot be duplicated on earth."

"One drink is too many and a thousand is not enuf."

"Step UP or Step Aside"

"Four wheels moves the body,
Two wheels moves the soul."

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Re: Helmet shopping for NHRA strips
« Reply #11 on: December 11, 2015, 09:07:55 PM »
I only hear whistling when wife is on the back. :D
Closed course. Professional rider. Do not attempt.

Still privately owned and operated by Hayabusa owner enthusiasts. 2002, small  a/a kit, CF body

If it's in a truck or trailer, it's being stolen

Offline Ghost-Geezer

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Re: Helmet shopping for NHRA strips
« Reply #12 on: December 11, 2015, 09:25:03 PM »
My wife = no ride = just fly = every-friggin'-place!!!!    While I have to take care of the bills, garden, grounds and zoo (3 cats, 1 dog and 1 rabbit).


She thinks we hit the lottery ever since I got my disability upgrade - sheesh!!!!  (Although it is tax free money)
« Last Edit: December 11, 2015, 09:27:33 PM by Ghost-Geezer »
"The thrill of Boost cannot be duplicated on earth."

"One drink is too many and a thousand is not enuf."

"Step UP or Step Aside"

"Four wheels moves the body,
Two wheels moves the soul."

Offline fvance

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Re: Helmet shopping for NHRA strips
« Reply #13 on: December 12, 2015, 12:45:13 PM »
Size 7. I wear HJC, I have crashed twice, wearing HJC, once at 210 and once 150. No head problems. Other than those associated with age and a misspent youth. :hys:
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Offline Wolf1397

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Re: Helmet shopping for NHRA strips
« Reply #14 on: December 12, 2015, 01:22:35 PM »
I only hear whistling when wife is on the back. :D

Then you are not going fast enough. That gets drowned out after 150.  :D :D :D

Offline turbo051k

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Re: Helmet shopping for NHRA strips
« Reply #15 on: December 12, 2015, 02:35:23 PM »
Yes we do..............mine is a 2014 model;  But I only hear whistling when I have the visor on its' first click from fully closed position which is less than 1/4 inch.
Same here...it's annoying as all hell....
'97 DS-80
'82 GS 1100E
'00 Turbo Busa
'05 Turbo GSXR-1000
'09 Busa
'13 GSXR-1000
'15 John Deere L-140
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'07 Echo leaf blower
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Offline ADMIN

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Re: Helmet shopping for NHRA strips
« Reply #16 on: December 12, 2015, 03:09:22 PM »
I only hear whistling when wife is on the back. :D

Then you are not going fast enough. That gets drowned out after 150.  :D :D :D

LOL!
Closed course. Professional rider. Do not attempt.

Still privately owned and operated by Hayabusa owner enthusiasts. 2002, small  a/a kit, CF body

If it's in a truck or trailer, it's being stolen

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Re: Helmet shopping for NHRA strips
« Reply #17 on: December 12, 2015, 06:55:34 PM »
Size 7. I wear HJC, I have crashed twice, wearing HJC, once at 210 and once 150. No head problems. Other than those associated with age and a misspent youth. :hys:

What did the bike look like after the 210 get off??
"The thrill of Boost cannot be duplicated on earth."

"One drink is too many and a thousand is not enuf."

"Step UP or Step Aside"

"Four wheels moves the body,
Two wheels moves the soul."

Offline fvance

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Re: Helmet shopping for NHRA strips
« Reply #18 on: December 12, 2015, 08:13:33 PM »
Pretty good. It went down on the right side and just slid, it never flopped. It was at Bonneville, I walked away. The 150'was at the inaugerel Colorado Mile. The bike, again just slid, a little more damage than Bonneville, but still just cosmetic. I got roughed up a little but nothing broken.
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Offline Jeremygg1283

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Re: Helmet shopping for NHRA strips
« Reply #19 on: December 12, 2015, 08:29:41 PM »
I went with the HJC CL-17 size small. It is rated snell M2015 and the price was something I could afford.
Very happy with it.

Offline fvance

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Re: Helmet shopping for NHRA strips
« Reply #20 on: December 13, 2015, 08:33:12 AM »
Good choice! I will be getting a new HJC soon. One crash per helmet. :hys:
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Offline Stainless1

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Re: Helmet shopping for NHRA strips
« Reply #21 on: December 13, 2015, 09:56:42 AM »
Fred, our preference is that you let them time out rather than wear them out.... had to buy a couple lately haven't you... keep the shiny side up
Us old guys should not work as Snell testers.   :tu:  :bike:
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Offline fvance

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Re: Helmet shopping for NHRA strips
« Reply #22 on: December 13, 2015, 04:30:15 PM »
It was timing out this year anyway.  :hys: :hys:
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Offline Ghost-Geezer

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Re: Helmet shopping for NHRA strips
« Reply #23 on: December 14, 2015, 12:24:48 PM »
It was timing out this year anyway.  :hys: :hys:

HJC is a good helmet - but a one-crash only helmet.  Shoei will x-ray their shit after you crash and see if the inside protective liner has been cracked and if not, you can re-use it.  Just paint it again and put a new shield on it.
"The thrill of Boost cannot be duplicated on earth."

"One drink is too many and a thousand is not enuf."

"Step UP or Step Aside"

"Four wheels moves the body,
Two wheels moves the soul."

Offline fvance

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Re: Helmet shopping for NHRA strips
« Reply #24 on: December 15, 2015, 09:00:55 AM »
Being kind of old school, :hys:, i still think one crash one helmet! At about 150$ big deal. A paint job will cost you that much.
WORLDS FASTEST PRODUCTION MOTORCYCLE
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Top Speed 235 mph
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