Count Down Untill 2012 Season!

[timmyho414]

18...

[Jim]

friday practice and race entrees booked

[Pigman]

I just wanted to say GOOD LUCK to all my fellow racers and hope everyone has a fun and productive season and hits there Goals....Good Luck ALL

[JettaJayGLS]

Trailer is done...still working on the wiring for my car, trying to figure out an easy way to do this and not jeopardize my warranty. Waiting on a small box of parts from Smutty which they for some reason redirected to to Kansas City? Also waiting on my carbon belly pan, then I really just need to finish up the safety wiring and do some gear shopping. I have all the necessary gear, but I'm not sure if I'm sure its all race worthy. On the list is a new back protector and a set of helds. Also, a good fitting, in-expensive HJC or some other affordable helmet. I love my Shark, but its a super hard to find design and I don't want to risk damaging it.

[JettaJayGLS]

No bump today, huh?

17

I'm getting damn antsy about this. I can't wait to actually get a chance to wring the bike out and make a turn or two.

[butcher bergs]

You sure you wanna skimp on the helmet?

[JettaJayGLS]

You sure you wanna skimp on the helmet?

I don't really consider it skimping. I figure I can get HJCs at my local shop extremely easily. Its DOT rated (which I don't really agree with, but its required) and as long as it fits perfectly, I don't see it being much, if any less protective than an arai or my shark or any other premium brand. Its going to be a bit heavier, not have the amenities like removable liners and nice ventilation, but from what I've read through all the helmet posts, it will save my noggin just as well as an expensive helmet. Again, this is assuming it fits correctly. Why pay for the nice designs/selling points for a helmet that fits the same and has the same protective qualities (according to the DOT standards, maybe this is not true in real life accidents), when I'm inevitably going to crash in it a lot more than riding on the street and have to replace it?

If this is a poor way of looking at it, I'm 100% open to criticism. Not trying to start a huge helmet debate, but that's my logic.

[csmutty]

I don't really consider it skimping. I figure I can get HJCs at my local shop extremely easily. Its DOT rated (which I don't really agree with, but its required) and as long as it fits perfectly, I don't see it being much, if any less protective than an arai or my shark or any other premium brand. Its going to be a bit heavier, not have the amenities like removable liners and nice ventilation, but from what I've read through all the helmet posts, it will save my noggin just as well as an expensive helmet. Again, this is assuming it fits correctly. Why pay for the nice designs/selling points for a helmet that fits the same and has the same protective qualities (according to the DOT standards, maybe this is not true in real life accidents), when I'm inevitably going to crash in it a lot more than riding on the street and have to replace it?

If this is a poor way of looking at it, I'm 100% open to criticism. Not trying to start a huge helmet debate, but that's my logic.

You need SNELL btw.

[JettaJayGLS]

You need SNELL btw.

Sorry, that's what I meant. Typed before I thought.

[union]

I don't really consider it skimping. I figure I can get HJCs at my local shop extremely easily. Its DOT rated (which I don't really agree with, but its required) and as long as it fits perfectly, I don't see it being much, if any less protective than an arai or my shark or any other premium brand. Its going to be a bit heavier, not have the amenities like removable liners and nice ventilation, but from what I've read through all the helmet posts, it will save my noggin just as well as an expensive helmet. Again, this is assuming it fits correctly. Why pay for the nice designs/selling points for a helmet that fits the same and has the same protective qualities (according to the DOT standards, maybe this is not true in real life accidents), when I'm inevitably going to crash in it a lot more than riding on the street and have to replace it?

If this is a poor way of looking at it, I'm 100% open to criticism. Not trying to start a huge helmet debate, but that's my logic.

It depends on what the helmet is made out of. Dont show up with one made from polycarbonate (plastic). Youll be sad when you get denied and have to buy another helmet. A lot of the cheaper helmets are made out of polycarbonate so make sure to look inside on the label.

A great fitting helmet is very important. This is why I have an Arai. It goes on and I dont even think about it. Ive crashed them pretty damn hard and was ok the race that later that day with a new helmet

You can get an Arai or Shoei relativity cheap although still more then HJCs. Just buy the solid colors. I dont care about paint design. At some point you will crash and wreck one. No point in spending the extra 100 to get something pretty.

[butcher bergs]

I don't really consider it skimping. I figure I can get HJCs at my local shop extremely easily. Its DOT rated (which I don't really agree with, but its required) and as long as it fits perfectly, I don't see it being much, if any less protective than an arai or my shark or any other premium brand. Its going to be a bit heavier, not have the amenities like removable liners and nice ventilation, but from what I've read through all the helmet posts, it will save my noggin just as well as an expensive helmet. Again, this is assuming it fits correctly. Why pay for the nice designs/selling points for a helmet that fits the same and has the same protective qualities (according to the DOT standards, maybe this is not true in real life accidents), when I'm inevitably going to crash in it a lot more than riding on the street and have to replace it?

If this is a poor way of looking at it, I'm 100% open to criticism. Not trying to start a huge helmet debate, but that's my logic.

Quality of materials and quality of design plays a huge part in how a helmet performs when you need it most regardless of which safety standards it may pass. As far as the ventilation, it's the difference between wearing 22 winter hats with a hard outer shell and wearing 22 winter hats with holes in them with a hard outer shell. When it's 95 outside and the track temp is exceeding 120 you are going to want every bit of flow you can get. Heat exhaustion is a killer and no amount of fluid that you take in is going to prevent that if you don't have a way to remove the heat from your brain.

I am big on fluid intake and there are a few times I have come in off the track and went blind from my head/ body overheating even before I even dismounted my machine.

Protecting your head is fine and all but there are a bunch of other considerations to look at, IMO.

[CBR929RE]

Sorry, that's what I meant. Typed before I thought.

so does this mean you don't agree with it having to be snell rated? if so then get a BSI/ECE rated helmet. That's what Suomy uses to rate their helmets and I've been wearing them for years.

and as James said get a solid color to save money. I wish Suomy would make the top of the line helmet in solid colors but they stopped doing that a couple years ago. I'm not happy about it but they are the only company I've seen lower their prices rather than raise them.

[JettaJayGLS]

so does this mean you don't agree with it having to be snell rated? if so then get a BSI/ECE rated helmet. That's what Suomy uses to rate their helmets and I've been wearing them for years.

Yes, I side on the argument of Snell being too high of a rating. I thought for racing BSI/ECE isn't enough and Snell was required? Another reason why my Shark won't work.

The higher end HJCs I've been looking at all are available for sub 200, I will take a much closer look at the materials they are made out of, for sure.

[oldepicker]

I've crashed an Arai and an HJC, and it's the same for both(which helps explain why I went to HJC's from Arai's!). The Snell rating is the criteria I use... if it's Snell, that's just Swell!. Venting and the like are subjective. I care more about the date on the helmet than anything else these days; wanna maximize my helmet money. Paid $140 for my current helmet at the bike place 5 miles south of the track in Loudon. My helmet is one of the last things I worry about these days! If I can buy an extra rear tire instead of a $400 helmet, that's where I'd rather spend it, since a fresh tire will help me stay off my head in the first place.

[timmyho414]

The new SNELL 2010 is "softer" then the SNELL 2005. I cann't remember all the details but I read an article on it that made me want the 2010 over the old one. Shitty side, I ordered my helmet in 2010 and I specifically asked it it was SNELL 2010, I was told yes. As delivered, SNELL 2005. Oh well, next time.

[BrianC]

Pre-reg'd today for Sat. Race 2 Am gtu
Race 4 Am hwss
Race 11 Am mwgp

Sun. Race 1 Am mwsb...

see you all at the track!

[WinVT]

Yes, I side on the argument of Snell being too high of a rating. I thought for racing BSI/ECE isn't enough and Snell was required? Another reason why my Shark won't work.

The higher end HJCs I've been looking at all are available for sub 200, I will take a much closer look at the materials they are made out of, for sure.

I don't know that you will pass tech with a basic HJC, even if it is snell approved. I may be wrong here, but those helmets have a polycarbonate shell, which I don't think is allowed.

If you want to save some money and get a nice helmet, get an HJC RPS-10. Retail price on the solids is $350.00 and it's an awesome helmet. I mean, Ben Spies wears one so its gotta be good!

[CBR929RE]

Yes, I side on the argument of Snell being too high of a rating. I thought for racing BSI/ECE isn't enough and Snell was required? Another reason why my Shark won't work.

The higher end HJCs I've been looking at all are available for sub 200, I will take a much closer look at the materials they are made out of, for sure.

you should read the Rulebook and pay a little more attention. BSI/ECE is perfectly acceptable instead of Snell. I bet your Shark is BSI or ECE approved.




Jimmy I think you asked me about installing the shark guard. I did it today. pretty easy. I taped the guard to the swingarm then took a qtip and some white paint to mark the holes. take the guard off and hit the marks with a center punch. I drilled some pilot holes before hitting it with the bit 7/16" bit. I also drilled the 2 bolts so I can try to run some safety wire through them cause I'm paranoid and don't want one coming out and the guard moving and hitting the chain/sprocket. my biggest suggestion would be to remove the wheel.

[Trackday Guru]

Got home yesterday and I had two nice new HJC RPS-10 helmets waiting for me in the garage. I've worn other helmets for years.....Arai, then Suomy (Last year), now HJC for 2012. I gotta say, the RPS-10 is VERY impressive. If it didn;t have the HJC stickers on it, you'd propbly guess it was a MUCH more expensive brand. Well done HJC.
Buy one - you WON"T be disappointed.

[WinVT]

Got home yesterday and I had two nice new HJC RPS-10 helmets waiting for me in the garage. I've worn other helmets for years.....Arai, then Suomy (Last year), now HJC for 2012. I gotta say, the RPS-10 is VERY impressive. If it didn;t have the HJC stickers on it, you'd propbly guess it was a MUCH more expensive brand. Well done HJC.
Buy one - you WON"T be disappointed.

agreed!

[Jim]

Thanks Brett.

[JettaJayGLS]

you should read the Rulebook and pay a little more attention. BSI/ECE is perfectly acceptable instead of Snell. I bet your Shark is BSI or ECE approved.

You are correct, guess some things slipped through the cracks. I'll probably try to find a helmet that fits correctly and is ECE approved, probably just buy a solid color version of my rs650 as they are discontinued and discounted heavily, I know they fit me well, and they are ESE22-05 Thanks for the info, pretty pumped I can use the same helmet.

[CBR929RE]

You are correct, guess some things slipped through the cracks. I'll probably try to find a helmet that fits correctly and is ECE approved, probably just buy a solid color version of my rs650 as they are discontinued and discounted heavily, I know they fit me well, and they are ESE22-05 Thanks for the info, pretty pumped I can use the same helmet.

whoever you order it from ask if they can check the date on it first. I just ordered my new helmet from speedaddictcycles.com. I talked to them on the live chat before I ordered and while he didn't check the exact helmet he said they had gotten the whole batch in from Italy in Dec so they should be pretty new. I'll probably crash it anyway so getting the full 5 years out of it is a pipe dream.

[JettaJayGLS]

whoever you order it from ask if they can check the date on it first. I just ordered my new helmet from speedaddictcycles.com. I talked to them on the live chat before I ordered and while he didn't check the exact helmet he said they had gotten the whole batch in from Italy in Dec so they should be pretty new. I'll probably crash it anyway so getting the full 5 years out of it is a pipe dream.

Will do for sure.

[Kurlon]

Got home yesterday and I had two nice new HJC RPS-10 helmets waiting for me in the garage.

You gave the UPS guy keys to your garage?!