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Sep 22, 2009 | 07:38 PM

boosted475

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my stupid question

Does anyone know why motorcycle and car helmets are different?

Motorcycle helmets have a much larger opening/visor than car helmets..

Sep 22, 2009 | 07:40 PM

Nagase

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With motorcycles, seeing is surviving. It's good to have a wide range of sight. In cars, if you're wearing a helmet, you're probably racing. If you're racing, you're probably looking mainly forward. Especially with HANS and halo seats.

Sep 22, 2009 | 07:50 PM

SamS

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Motorcycle helmets are also designed to absorb general forces from hitting just about anything in the event of a crash. Auto helmets are mostly designed for hitting roll bars.

Sep 22, 2009 | 08:03 PM

Nagase

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That's a good point too. Also, motorcycle helmets (gear in general) needs to withstand a lot of friction while you slide along the pavement (which feels a lot like a cheese grater at speed -.-; ).

Sep 22, 2009 | 08:10 PM

Joe Perez

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Direct from the horse's mouth:

What are the differences between the SA, M and K standards?

The SA standard was designed for competitive auto racing while M standard was for motorcycling and other motorsports. The K standard was released to accommodate helmets used in karting. There are three major differences between them:

The SA standard requires flammability test while the M and K standards do not.
The SA and K standards allow for a narrower visual field than M standard (Some SA and K certified helmets may not be street legal).
The SA and K standards include a rollbar multi impact test while M standard does not.

Source: FAQs about Snell and Helmets

For more detail, here are the actual standards themselves:

M2005

SA2005

Sep 22, 2009 | 08:14 PM

Mach929

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also mc helmet nowadays are designed with airflow in mind, ie. vents/fins. also noise levels are a factor

Sep 28, 2009 | 04:01 PM

boosted475

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oh ok.. I personally would like a wider field of view while racing in a car also though

Sep 28, 2009 | 04:42 PM

Rennkafer

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Mach929

also mc helmet nowadays are designed with airflow in mind, ie. vents/fins. also noise levels are a factor

All the SA helmet manufacturers do that as well... airflow and noise are just as important at 160 in a Formula Atlantic as they are on a bike.

Sep 29, 2009 | 11:47 AM

ScottFW

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Quote:

Originally Posted by boosted475

oh ok.. I personally would like a wider field of view while racing in a car also though

Then get an SA helmet with a wider/taller viewport. That's one of the reasons I bought a Bell M4 Sport (SA2005). It allows a huge field of view compared to many others I tried on, and I have no problem seeing everything I need to see on track. It was also budget-friendly, under $400. Some SA helmets do have teeny tiny claustrophobia-inducing eye slits, but not all.