Scottish Elises

As you may or may not be aware the regs have changed regarding helmets for 2010. No longer can you use a BS type A helmet has to be at least A/FR. So as I was using one of my old Aria bike helmets I now need to get a new lid.
Looking for recommendations for any of the following
Simpson Bandit
Aria GP-5K
Aria GP-6K
Bell RS3
Or any other for that matter, and somewhere cheap to get one. Might end up waiting as I am in the states in a month so might get it there.

Mikie,

Goes without saying but make sure you've got your copy of the blue book with you in the states - certainly in the bike world some of their helmets don't meet EU standards.


Mac

Cheers mac, but if I do get one over there it's likely to be one of the Simpson Racing helmets that are Snell SA2005 rated. At least going by their site they are.

Simon Ironside bought his from the states and had no issues - but it's handy to have the blue book with you so you can compare SNELL labels rather than just going with SNELL standard in your head.

Yeh, I have the Simpson Bandit - nice helmet btw and significantly cheaper over there.
It has the correct Snell (2005 IIRC) label and matches the one in the blue book.

I'm in the same boat, and can't get to the Autosport show next weekend, whetre there might be some relative "bargains" to be had on stuff like that.

SA2005 is the one you want to go for. MIght wait and see what the feedback is about th new batch of V2 helmets, and then see whether I can get one.

Might see if I can pop down to the Autosport show as I am off the rig on Wednesday. Problem is there is probably a lot of people in the same boat might mean helmets are in short (ish) supply. I know the V2's are hard to get hold of.

Never go helmet shopping with your heart set on a specific model/brand... better to go shopping with it set on finding a helmet that fits your head shape properly

Having spent years on bikes I kinda know which shell type/make fits and which don't. Apart from the Bell I know I fit any in the above list having either owned or tried in the past, hence no V2, Sparco or OMP on the list as there are no stockest of them in the NE.
Just had a look to see if I could get cheap (ish) flights to Birmingham for the Autosport show but have left it to late, can't be arsed driving down.

I've got a Sparco WTT Touring which is very comfy and looks the part. Its rated to bsa blue and red label and is FIA approved. Got it cheap of ebay, might be worth your while looking there. If I has the money then it would either be a carbon bell/arai or GP-K5.

Mike, if you know that you have a "Bell shaped head" then the Sport 4 is what I have had for the last couple of years. They are a fair bit cheaper than the RS3 and for a fully approved helmet at £300 its not a bad deal.

Not sure what size mine is (can check) but you could try it for sizing purposes and if it fits mail order from the cheapest. (Although DT do free exchanges of sizes if it doesnt fit, but its a bit of hassle).

Dave

I managed to pick up a brand new Arai GP-5 with 3 visors, clear, smoked and dark for £500 which I thought was a bit of a bargain bearing in mind the visors are £60 ea and the helmet is £580+vat.

Good deal!

Where did you get yours Mike?

I got a mega deal at Autosport (from DT), I don't have a Bell shaped head.
Arai GP5 (PED with bag for 750), could maybe do with a dark visor for the summer though...

Mine is a GP-5 ped. Got off good old ebay. It wasn't even assembled, guy bought it and planned to get it painted but never did. Sat in the box for a year never even wore it, only thing it doesn't have is hans posts although it is pre-drilled for them and I don't need them................yet.
Visors are pricey, was surprised to find the anti-fog clear is £64 +vat and the light and dark tint ones are £51 +vat each. That's £200 for the set I got with it so £300 for helmet. Well chuffed.