Need new track helmet, any recommendations?

[Priller]

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So I just looked up my Shark Race-R Pro manufacturing date, and it turns out it's just about five years old. Time for a new lid, I guess..

I'd like something with up-to-date rotational protection, ideally the FIM standard or equivalent, and designed for track use. No drop-down visors, stable at speed, not fussed about noise, lighter is better.

The options that I'm looking at so far are the following:

- Shark Race-R Pro GP FIM: I love the non-GP one I have (doesn't have the giant rear spoiler), fit should be similar, quality product with amazing visor, surprisingly quiet. Not cheap ($1000 online, $1500 locally), and I'm unclear about the difference between the GP model and the FIM model, as pricing is similar.
- Bell Race Star Flex DLX: Bell has been a leader in rotational protection, and it's a bit cheaper than the Shark at $870 online ($1000 locally), but I can't find their FIM version for sale anywhere. I've never tried a Bell on and nobody I've called has any plans to stock one locally, so it would be a gamble, but I've heard nothing but good things.
- Scorpion EXO-R1 Air: Not a brand I'd normally look at, but the small version of this one is FIM certified, and apparently the bigger ones are the same, just not tested. A relative bargain at $500 locally ($400 online) and GP Bikes has a few on the shelf to try (to be clear, if I tried there, I'd buy there). Carbon option drops 200 g for $150, not worth it...

There's also Shoei, but it's priced similarly to the Shark, and I prefer Shark as a brand. Arai is out, have never clicked with their stuff, even if their colourways are by far the nicest. HJC has a helmet listed on the FIM page (RPHA 01r or 1), but it doesn't seem to exist for sale anywhere and I'm not clear if the RPHA 11 is equivalent.

Does anyone have any experience with the helmets above? Anything to add regarding the FIM standard and what it actually means compared to similar helmets? Or any other track-focused lids you would recommend?

Right now I'm leaning towards the Scorpion, just because it's so much cheaper. Half the price for similar safety is hard to ignore, even if the build quality isn't quite on par. If it's good enough for Quartararo etc.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Ash]

My only experience of the listed ones is with the Bell Race Star. I've owned 3 regular Star models for both the street and track, and picked up a Race Star over the winter. Even though they have different shell construction the fit and internal shape of the Race Star is almost identical to the regular Star, so you can try on any Star model to get an idea of whether it will work for you. The internal shape is quite narrow, and they are the only helmets that have ever fit my head properly. Everything else gives me a hot spot on my forehead.

The visor only has three positions (all the way up, all the way down and latched, and all the way down but not latched which gives you a couple of millimeters of defogging airflow). You could file a notch into the side plate if you wanted a partially-open detent for on the street. I like the centrally placed visor tab. Swapping visors is really easy - you can do it while still wearing the helmet if you want. I have a Transitions visor but I haven't used it yet, as I generally prefer the darkest smoke visor.

The visor latch on the Race Star is noticeably stronger than on the regular Star. The Race Star also has titanium D rings instead of steel, and a stronger strap retention magnet, and slightly nicer internal fabric. Other than that, the features between the models are fairly similar, aside from the shell construction. The Race Star is noticeably less squeaky when putting it on or off than the regular Star. On both models I have to pull some foam out of the cheekpads to relieve some pressure on the cartilage of my ear.

 

[Ash]

On the cheaper side, the regular Star is totally serviceable as a track helmet, and has MIPS. I think even the budget Bell SRT (the regular SRT, not the SRT modular) is Snell approved for less than $300 with a similar fit.

 

[Priller]

My only experience of the listed ones is with the Bell Race Star. I've owned 3 regular Star models for both the street and track, and picked up a Race Star over the winter. Even though they have different shell construction the fit and internal shape of the Race Star is almost identical to the regular Star, so you can try on any Star model to get an idea of whether it will work for you. The internal shape is quite narrow, and they are the only helmets that have ever fit my head properly. Everything else gives me a hot spot on my forehead.

The visor only has three positions (all the way up, all the way down and latched, and all the way down but not latched which gives you a couple of millimeters of defogging airflow). You could file a notch into the side plate if you wanted a partially-open detent for on the street. I like the centrally placed visor tab. Swapping visors is really easy - you can do it while still wearing the helmet if you want. I have a Transitions visor but I haven't used it yet, as I generally prefer the darkest smoke visor.

The visor latch on the Race Star is noticeably stronger than on the regular Star. The Race Star also has titanium D rings instead of steel, and a stronger strap retention magnet, and slightly nicer internal fabric. Other than that, the features between the models are fairly similar, aside from the shell construction. The Race Star is noticeably less squeaky when putting it on or off than the regular Star. On both models I have to pull some foam out of the cheekpads to relieve some pressure on the cartilage of my ear.

Amazing reply, and very helpful. Thanks!

The Race Star is definitely the one I'm looking at, and those visor settings are all I use anyway.

Good to know the fit is similar, I'll see if anyone local has one on the shelf...

 

[Mad Mike]

So I just looked up my Shark Race-R Pro manufacturing date, and it turns out it's just about five years old. Time for a new lid, I guess..

I'd like something with up-to-date rotational protection, ideally the FIM standard or equivalent, and designed for track use. No drop-down visors, stable at speed, not fussed about noise, lighter is better.

The options that I'm looking at so far are the following:

- Shark Race-R Pro GP FIM: I love the non-GP one I have (doesn't have the giant rear spoiler), fit should be similar, quality product with amazing visor, surprisingly quiet. Not cheap ($1000 online, $1500 locally), and I'm unclear about the difference between the GP model and the FIM model, as pricing is similar.
- Bell Race Star Flex DLX: Bell has been a leader in rotational protection, and it's a bit cheaper than the Shark at $870 online ($1000 locally), but I can't find their FIM version for sale anywhere. I've never tried a Bell on and nobody I've called has any plans to stock one locally, so it would be a gamble, but I've heard nothing but good things.
- Scorpion EXO-R1 Air: Not a brand I'd normally look at, but the small version of this one is FIM certified, and apparently the bigger ones are the same, just not tested. A relative bargain at $500 locally ($400 online) and GP Bikes has a few on the shelf to try (to be clear, if I tried there, I'd buy there). Carbon option drops 200 g for $150, not worth it...

There's also Shoei, but it's priced similarly to the Shark, and I prefer Shark as a brand. Arai is out, have never clicked with their stuff, even if their colourways are by far the nicest. HJC has a helmet listed on the FIM page (RPHA 01r or 1), but it doesn't seem to exist for sale anywhere and I'm not clear if the RPHA 11 is equivalent.

Does anyone have any experience with the helmets above? Anything to add regarding the FIM standard and what it actually means compared to similar helmets? Or any other track-focused lids you would recommend?

Right now I'm leaning towards the Scorpion, just because it's so much cheaper. Half the price for similar safety is hard to ignore, even if the build quality isn't quite on par. If it's good enough for Quartararo etc.

Thanks in advance!

I've never owned a Shark or Bell, I do have a Scorpion. You get what you pay for... it's comfortable, but feels more like a cheap Chinese lit. I'm disappointed in 3 things: 1) the chrome plated logo and trim crinkled and peeled off. 2) The ear pads are constructed with a gap that sends a steady jet of air to to my ears, this caused ear aches a couple of times on long rides. 3) The plastic that holds the trim in place has been replaced 3 times as it's cracked.

Scorpion is IMHO a big a step down from my Shoei and Schuberth lids, I guess you get what you pay for.

 

[Priller]

I've never owned a Shark or Bell, I do have a Scorpion. You get what you pay for... it's comfortable, but feels more like a cheap Chinese lit. I'm disappointed in 3 things: 1) the chrome plated logo and trim crinkled and peeled off. 2) The ear pads are constructed with a gap that sends a steady jet of air to to my ears, this caused ear aches a couple of times on long rides. 3) The plastic that holds the trim in place has been replaced 3 times as it's cracked.

Scorpion is IMHO a big a step down from my Shoei and Schuberth lids, I guess you get what you pay for.

Out of curiosity, what model was it? I've always avoided the cheapo brands, but have heard good things about this model. I'm not sure if the Scorpion quality issues go right across their range. They do seem to be trying to follow HJC out from the bottom of the barrel, especially as they're both Korean...

 

[timtune]

Recently started wearing a new HJC RPHA11. Ok lid. Normally a small in HJC but had to get a medium in this model.
ECE R 22.05 & FMVS 218 certs.

 

[Priller]

Recently started wearing a new HJC RPHA11. Ok lid. Normally a small in HJC but had to get a medium in this model.
ECE R 22.05 & FMVS 218 certs.

Yeah, it looks like a very nice helmet, and a sign of how far HJC have come. I'm just not sure if it's the same as the one they have FIM certified.

As for ECE 22.05, ECE 22.06 is out now (mandatory in Europe by 2023) and includes many similar elements to the FIM test. It's just coming online now, and only Arai (Quantic, no North America equivalent, I don't think) and Shoei (NXR 2, Euro spec a bit like the RF-1400) have helmets that meet the new standard at the moment. Both helmets are more street than track, so I don't think offer much more than the racier models from the Japanese outfits.

One interesting thing to note is the new standard has regulations about UV degradation and longevity, which may result in some lids that last well beyond the current 5 year standard. Not that the manufacturers are ever likely to admit to that.

 

[Mad Mike]

Out of curiosity, what model was it? I've always avoided the cheapo brands, but have heard good things about this model. I'm not sure if the Scorpion quality issues go right across their range. They do seem to be trying to follow HJC out from the bottom of the barrel, especially as they're both Korean...

Mine is an EXO 900, a little dated now but a premium helmet in its day. Scorpion cheaped out its replacement, the 900x by eliminating the high end visor, removing the air pump and dropping CE and Snell approvals.

Its the most comfortable helmet I’ve owned, but the small flaws are annoying. Plastic chrome peeled off, the back trim is delicate and has been replaced a few times, and there is a wired air flow that gives me periodic ear aches. more of a peeve, the sunshade doesn’t clear eyeglasses like the Neotech or C3.

 

[TheNightOwl]

I know you said you prefer Shark over Shoei but my experience is with a Shoei X-12 and X-14 and they fit me like a glove. They are both track focused helmets, the X-12 is discontinued but the X-14 is even better. It is pricy but my understanding was that Arai was the best and Shoei was not too far behind. But as they say fit is everything and Arai did not fit me very well. I've also tried on HJC but nothing has fit me as well as my Shoei so if the fit is right I can't recommend it enough. Hope this helps.

 

[BigEvilDoer]

Have you looked at any of the LS2 Arrow Carbon Fiber line? I have a "Shoei" head, and the LS2 fits like a glove.
Actually, just wore it on the track today!

 

[Priller]

I know you said you prefer Shark over Shoei but my experience is with a Shoei X-12 and X-14 and they fit me like a glove. They are both track focused helmets, the X-12 is discontinued but the X-14 is even better. It is pricy but my understanding was that Arai was the best and Shoei was not too far behind. But as they say fit is everything and Arai did not fit me very well. I've also tried on HJC but nothing has fit me as well as my Shoei so if the fit is right I can't recommend it enough. Hope this helps.

The X-Fourteen is a class looking helmet, for sure. The FIM lists it as certified (up to SM size), but I'm not clear if that's the same helmet as what's been on sale for over five years now. Either way, it's priced similarly to the Shark, which I know works well for me, so unless a helmet is safer or cheaper, I'll stick with what I know. (I've had an RF800 and RF1100, and really liked them both, though)

Have you looked at any of the LS2 Arrow Carbon Fiber line? I have a "Shoei" head, and the LS2 fits like a glove.
Actually, just wore it on the track today!

I haven't. Looks like they actually have two FIM certified helmets, the Arrow and the brand new Thunder, which is on pre-order for $6-700 CAD. My only concern is they seem to be listed as a 'long oval' helmet, where the ones I've had that fit well are listed as 'intermediate oval'. Did you buy yours locally or online? Sounds like trying before I buy would be in order...

 

[BigEvilDoer]

I haven't. Looks like they actually have two FIM certified helmets, the Arrow and the brand new Thunder, which is on pre-order for $6-700 CAD. My only concern is they seem to be listed as a 'long oval' helmet, where the ones I've had that fit well are listed as 'intermediate oval'. Did you buy yours locally or online? Sounds like trying before I buy would be in order...

I had a cheaper LS2 Arrow that I purchased at a local shop. It fit well, so when I found the Carbon one on a super discounted 1-day flash sale I snapped it up.
I wore a Shoei RF1200 for a few years as well, and I found the fit comparable.

 

[Aens]

I'm in the same boat. Looking for a cheap but crash safe track helmet. Gonna stick with a helmet with creature comforts like a drop down visor and cheap replacement screens for street. I'm probably reading the same stuff as you Priller as the Scorpion R1 Air Carbon has had glowing reviews but I'm afraid to buy without try, and the ECE version is suppposedly much lighter than the DOT version, and has more color ways.

 

[TK4]

Yeah, it looks like a very nice helmet, and a sign of how far HJC have come. I'm just not sure if it's the same as the one they have FIM certified.

As for ECE 22.05, ECE 22.06 is out now (mandatory in Europe by 2023) and includes many similar elements to the FIM test. It's just coming online now, and only Arai (Quantic, no North America equivalent, I don't think) and Shoei (NXR 2, Euro spec a bit like the RF-1400) have helmets that meet the new standard at the moment. Both helmets are more street than track, so I don't think offer much more than the racier models from the Japanese outfits.

One interesting thing to note is the new standard has regulations about UV degradation and longevity, which may result in some lids that last well beyond the current 5 year standard. Not that the manufacturers are ever likely to admit to that.

FIM, ECE 22.06 and Snell 2020 approved products all seem to be slow becoming available (Covid, supply chain issues ?).
That's likely why towards the end of last year there were so many blowout sales for old stock with old approvals.
Buy what you want now (if you can find it), or be prepared to be patient.

 

[SavageDoo]

I'm also shopping around for a new helmet. Interested in a Shoei X-14 in M (solid matt black pref) however every place I checked is out of stock until November.

 

[Priller]

So after pushing it back and forth a bunch of different ways, it ultimately came down to the Shark, Scorpion, and a temporary contender in the Shoei. Bell was no cheaper than Shark, and the model lines are super confusing (the FIM one is old and no longer on their website), so it went first.

Shark was second to go, despite my brand loyalty. Just too expensive and again, unclear if the GP model is the same as the FIM certified one, and that one was listed as a 2019 model. I'm not spending >$1000 on a lid that's already 2+ years old. The Shoei is rated so highly across the board (including a recommendation from @Pilot above) that I started looking more closely at it. When I saw Champion Helmets had a solid white for $768 CAD with a free smoke visor, I hit 'Add to Cart' and tried to go for it. Sadly, an error popped up saying it wasn't eligible for shipping to Canada. Sad trombone. Other Euro vendors would ship here, but the pricing is in line with local at about $1000 plus shipping plus $90 for a dark visor...

So back to the Scorpion. Champion would actually sell me a solid white one for just over $400 CAD, with free shipping and a third reflective visor (comes with clear and smoke in the box). A little research revealed @Aens is right, the Euro version is nearly 200 g lighter (~1300 g vs ~1500 g for a medium), so I decided to pull the trigger there vs paying $500 at GP. It's a gamble to buy without trying, but everything I read says it fits very similarly to the Shark and Shoei, both of which work on my head.

While I am taking experiences like @Mad Mike 's on board, it's just so much cheaper than equivalent (and available) helmets, I figure it's worth a shot. I can buy two for less than the competition, and if it turns out to be less than durable, I'll just get the X-Fifteen/X-Spirit IV or whichever Shark has ECE 22.06 by then.

I just wish the Europeans didn't always get the cool s**t, between their non-gimped bikes, ultralight helmets, and safety gear that's actually tested...

I'm in the same boat. Looking for a cheap but crash safe track helmet. Gonna stick with a helmet with creature comforts like a drop down visor and cheap replacement screens for street. I'm probably reading the same stuff as you Priller as the Scorpion R1 Air Carbon has had glowing reviews but I'm afraid to buy without try, and the ECE version is suppposedly much lighter than the DOT version, and has more color ways.

Not sure what size you wear, but I'm happy to let you try my Large if that fits. Either way, I'll let you know how things go with Champion...

FIM, ECE 22.06 and Snell 2020 approved products all seem to be slow becoming available (Covid, supply chain issues ?).
That's likely why towards the end of last year there were so many blowout sales for old stock with old approvals.
Buy what you want now (if you can find it), or be prepared to be patient.

Yep, and it seems like all these standard changes are coming all at once. It's another reason why I ordered the Scorpion now, as it'll take some time for these regs to become universal and there'll be lots of all-new models as a result. I'm not a huge Arai fan, but the new Quantic looks really slick, with cool (but possibly pointless?) details like the intake vent in the raised logo.

Apparently R&D got almost entirely halted by Covid, so more than just supply chain delays in the picture. According to MCN, Shark has explicitly said their ECE 22.06 helmets are way behind schedule for that reason. Covid delays may also explain why the higher-end helmets (i.e. not made in China) are thinner on the ground as well, as China was back up and running long before Japan and Europe were...

I'm also shopping around for a new helmet. Interested in a Shoei X-14 in M (solid matt black pref) however every place I checked is out of stock until November.

If you're willing to spend similar to local pricing, there are excellent Euro sellers with stock of the identical X-Spirit III. FC-Moto has a white in medium for $867 including shipping (no large for me, sadly), or if you're really stuck on the colour, The Visor Shop has a matt black in medium for $1,097 including shipping and SportsBikeShop.co.uk has the same for $1095. I've ordered stuff from FC-Moto and Sports Bike Shop, and both have been excellent with shipping faster than Canadian or US sellers. You'd better be sure about sizing, though, as return shipping is on your dime...

 

[Mad Mike]

I didn’t mean to dis Scorpion. I love the fit, comfort and features, I still don that helmet despite its age. My needs are for the road, not the track, so to get past the ear ache and visor with glasses problem, I renewed with a Schuberth.

let us know how you like your new lid.
Chrome issue.

Rear trim, replaced a few times.

The area that passes an air jet that gives me the ear aches. To be fair, this happens only when I run visor up.

 

[Priller]

I didn’t mean to dis Scorpion. I love the fit, comfort and features, I still don that helmet despite its age. My needs are for the road, not the track, so to get past the ear ache and visor with glasses problem, I renewed with a Schuberth.

let us know how you like your new lid.

Oh, I didn't think you were dissing Scorpion, more like being realistic about what they are. To be fair, I expect the difference between the Scorpion at $400 and the Shoei at $1000 will show most in fit and finish over time. In five years, assuming a reasonable level of care, the Shoei or Shark would look almost identical to new (as mine have), while the Scorpion will likely be starting to look rough around the edges...

 

[Iceman]

I recently checked out an AGV K6 Carbon at gp bikes. It was hard to believe I was holding a real helmet, it was so light.

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