graham harvey
Club Member
I'm sure this subject has been done to death on here and the GT3 forum but has anyone had an experience of these helmets. Seem good value for money?
http://www.v2sport.com/
http://www.v2sport.com/
Track Day Helmets
- Thread starter graham harvey
- Start date
Lots of threads on these! Check blatchat to see.
http://www.blatchat.com/t.asp?id=160263
Lots of opinions on them. Roger Ford, who comments quite a lot, has done his research and has used (As in properly) quite a few so should know!!
http://www.blatchat.com/t.asp?id=160263
Lots of opinions on them. Roger Ford, who comments quite a lot, has done his research and has used (As in properly) quite a few so should know!!
Richard Dawson
New member
Read the thread, have a word and buy a proper helmet.
graham harvey
Club Member
ah , ok I presume by your post that these are too good to be true?
timarnold
New member
I saw their stand at the Autosport show (a last minute job set up with a bit of cloth on a pasting board) - I spoke to the owner at length about them and he claims to have worked for and supplied most of the major manufacturers. He said his helmets 'aren't cheap' it's all the other's that are 'massively overpriced'.
I don't know much more other than that I saw for myself that the helmets have Snell 2005 Approval (which means they pass the same tests that Arai, Bell, Simpson, etc do and are therefore FiA approved).
However, their finish was poor - badly fitting visor and visor pivot/locking system; cheap nasty looking lining that didn't have the quality look and feel you would get with an Arai; sizing was out... I take a large in an Arai and it fits snugly - with their large I may as well have had wheelie bin on my head; their small fit better but was not very comfortable. In fairness the guy was aware of his helmet's failings and said they would be improved over time. They are manufactured in China (nothing wrong with that) hence the price can be kept down.
Would I use one? No. But then it would take a lot of persuasion to get me away from Arai.
When it comes to helmets for motorsport, price shouldn't be an issue. If you can afford a Porsche to do track days in, whether it's a £5,000 944 or a £120,000 GT2... you can afford £500 for a decent helmet. My recommendation would be the Arai GP5K which is probably the most popular helmet used in racing - and there's a reason for that! It's approximately £560+vat... or get the cheaper Kart version (SK5) for app. £340+vat the difference is it's not fireproof - so is not allowed for racing - but it otherwise has the same construction as the GP5K.
Don't compromise on safety equipment - especially helmets!
I don't know much more other than that I saw for myself that the helmets have Snell 2005 Approval (which means they pass the same tests that Arai, Bell, Simpson, etc do and are therefore FiA approved).
However, their finish was poor - badly fitting visor and visor pivot/locking system; cheap nasty looking lining that didn't have the quality look and feel you would get with an Arai; sizing was out... I take a large in an Arai and it fits snugly - with their large I may as well have had wheelie bin on my head; their small fit better but was not very comfortable. In fairness the guy was aware of his helmet's failings and said they would be improved over time. They are manufactured in China (nothing wrong with that) hence the price can be kept down.
Would I use one? No. But then it would take a lot of persuasion to get me away from Arai.
When it comes to helmets for motorsport, price shouldn't be an issue. If you can afford a Porsche to do track days in, whether it's a £5,000 944 or a £120,000 GT2... you can afford £500 for a decent helmet. My recommendation would be the Arai GP5K which is probably the most popular helmet used in racing - and there's a reason for that! It's approximately £560+vat... or get the cheaper Kart version (SK5) for app. £340+vat the difference is it's not fireproof - so is not allowed for racing - but it otherwise has the same construction as the GP5K.
Don't compromise on safety equipment - especially helmets!
graham harvey
Club Member
Yep, agree with your comments, thought it was too good to be true and it appears it is.
timarnold
New member
I'm not sure that I agree with that... I've currently got three Arai car helmets, a GP4 (predecessor to the GP5), a GP5K and a GP Jet (open face), all of which have seen a lot of use. The Nomex does wear thin eventually around the base and the cheek pads where it's rubbed through putting the helmet on and taking it off; my four year old GP5K's lining is getting thin around there but the main interior lining is still mint. The GP4 is the same and the Jet hasn't worn much at all. But Arai or it's distributors will re-line them four you.
I think it's just that Nomex is less durable than the materials used for lining other, non-fireproof helmets.
For me too it is the nomex around cheekpads that has worn, but within 1 season I've had a scrutineer say its so bad, he'd fail me if he saw it again. And you are right Arai will reline them, which isnt bad, and their service is pretty good. But fellow competitors with Bell or simpson helmets dont have the same issue (still snell 2005). Where as I know a few people with Arai's who have had them re-lined.
I was looking at these (V2 Sport) recently as I wanted to buy my own helmet for Spa rather than taking the old bike helmet. I'm still unsure what to buy and the main sticking point was not knowing whether it would feel comfortable when it arrived in the post.
They seem good value and I thought would be fine as a 'beginners' helmet for the occasional trackday and something people would consider if they were buying a first helmet to see if they like the whole track thing - before going on top buy a more 'serious' helmet once they are bitten by the track bug.
The Blatchat thread concludes that they are decent enough quality with Snell rating for a good price - the only outstanding issue is whether they are made out of carbon kevlar or f/glass - and if they are f/glass the price seems very good compared to an equivalent Sparco or OMP.
Are they really to be avoided or is their an element of helmet snobbery in play here?
They seem good value and I thought would be fine as a 'beginners' helmet for the occasional trackday and something people would consider if they were buying a first helmet to see if they like the whole track thing - before going on top buy a more 'serious' helmet once they are bitten by the track bug.
The Blatchat thread concludes that they are decent enough quality with Snell rating for a good price - the only outstanding issue is whether they are made out of carbon kevlar or f/glass - and if they are f/glass the price seems very good compared to an equivalent Sparco or OMP.
Are they really to be avoided or is their an element of helmet snobbery in play here?
] Any helmet advice for me then Matt?
As step into helmet ownership for your first trackdays - I think they are fine. The opinions on the blatchat thread are from some seasoned racers, who have had to use their helmets in anger (i.e. accidents). I think the fact that they pass the same safety standards as the others says a lot. If you get one, and decide the quality isnt that great (in terms of fit, or linings etc), then upgrade later. That way you arent putting £600quid into something that you might use once or twice. There is an element of helmet snobbery around I feel.
All of the above said I wear an Arai, and probably always will.
All of the above said I wear an Arai, and probably always will.
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