![]() After trying on several models in the store, I settled on a Bell M4. I knew I wanted a full face since I plan on getting into track events again. Overall though, I'm in the full face camp for track events. They're also cooler, which you'll appreciate on a hot day. However, an open face helmet is lighter than a comparable closed faced, which is typically an advantage in the event of an accident. You can't actually see any better in the open, but it certainly feels like it. The visibility in an open helmet only seems to be better. As for open vs closed, most people will recommend using a closed face helmet for track events, but I don't think there's a 100% correct answer there. I don't recall the details, but I believe that the SCCA recommendation against full face helmets was based on incomparable testing. I am a newbie to the track, so I'm certainly open to advice and suggestions. I feel safer with the better visibility of an open face, plus I've read that SCCA recommends against full face in any car with an airbag. The reason I've been leaning towards open face is twofold. I do plan on using it for HPDE track days and autocross. It's very informative, especially the "helmet lift" test where you strap on the helmet and try to remove it by pulling from the bottom, rear of the helmet. Whatever you buy, I recommend going to the Bell helmet web site and reading their guide on proper helmet fit. I have to say that I have also had a Simpson full face helmet, and my new Bell full face is higher quality and a better fit. Most of the higher end helmets (Simpson, Bell, etc.) also offer most of their helmet in number sizes rather than S, M, L, which gives a larger range of sizes to fit you correctly. My wife also switched from a GF to a Bell (BR-1 $400), and the Bell fits much better on her as well. The Bell fits much more securely on my head, no comparison, and has a firmer inside material rather than the spongy inside of the GF. The GF has a spongy inside material and didn't stay on my head as well. More importantly, the Bell fits MUCH better than the GForce. ![]() The Bell's will be a little lighter, which will reduce the chance of injury in an impact. I'd be perfectly comfortable using the GForce for autocross. While all of them meet the same safety standard, I would recommend spending a little more money than the GForce if you're going to use it on track. I've gone through a few GForce open face helmets and now use Bell. ![]()
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