[jxision]

Anyone using HJC Ar-11 for karting?
Any info on how good it is compared to Arai SK5?


http://www.motoworld.com.sg/detail.php?pid=222

[TJ Koyen]

I have it and love it. Its the most comfortable helmet I've ever worn. And its cheap and looks cool. The only problem is that it is a bit warm.

[jxision]

is it lighter than Arai Sk5? and feels warmer or cooler than Sk5?

[TJ Koyen]

I don't know. Never worn the SK-5 for long periods of time. I think it weighs about the same though. I've only tried the SK-5 on so I can't tell you if its warmer or not.

[Jules]

I got two mates who uses it for karting here..... it's designed by Schubert, lite and reasonably priced. No complaints here about heat but it does have plenty of vent holes on the top, so I am miffed about TJ's claim on the AR11.

Two issues I am not comfortable with on this helmet....
1) Its not FIA approved or at least I dun see this on the homologation
( http://www.fpak.pt/INFO%20CLUBES/MAN%20 ... e%205B.pdf )
2) There is no HANS post pre-drilled though this is marketed as a Nomex line Automotive helmet....so I think it should be HANS ready but its not sadly!

Any comments?

[Jules]

Btw, I think Arais are overprice and a lot of hype......its also heavy esp the SK5.

My current lid is a OMP Formula ( yeah its old and obselete ) but it is featherlite too.

HJC is on my radar "for a new helmet" quest but the above 2 points......are making me hesitant.

[Mikko Nassi]

Two issues I am not comfortable with on this helmet....
1) Its not FIA approved or at least I dun see this on the homologation
( http://www.fpak.pt/INFO%20CLUBES/MAN%20 ... e%205B.pdf )

You mean the "APPROVED HELMETS COMPATIBLE WITH HANS" list?

By having the Snell SA2005 standard it is approved for racing by FIA - it just isn't approved for use with HANS. The helmet is listed on the snell website lists on smf.org .

btw best to go directly to www.fia.com for the latest FIA lists . The one in your link has old stuff in it.

2) There is no HANS post pre-drilled though this is marketed as a Nomex line Automotive helmet....so I think it should be HANS ready but its not sadly!

Not an issue if you're only going to do karting with it .

[Jules]

Two issues I am not comfortable with on this helmet....
1) Its not FIA approved or at least I dun see this on the homologation
( http://www.fpak.pt/INFO%20CLUBES/MAN%20 ... e%205B.pdf )

You mean the "APPROVED HELMETS COMPATIBLE WITH HANS" list?

By having the Snell SA2005 standard it is approved for racing by FIA - it just isn't approved for use with HANS. The helmet is listed on the snell website lists on smf.org .

btw best to go directly to http://www.fia.com for the latest FIA lists . The one in your link has old stuff in it.

2) There is no HANS post pre-drilled though this is marketed as a Nomex line Automotive helmet....so I think it should be HANS ready but its not sadly!

Not an issue if you're only going to do karting with it .

Mikko,
I looked thru FIA website briefly and I cannot find if HJC is listed there......can u find it? Yep, my list is old but its good to some time in 2007....

As said, if they have nomex on the AR11 - then its meant for auto racing and HANS is the way forward, no?

[Mikko Nassi]

No it's not listed as a HANS Compatible helmet and neither is any other HJC helmet although there are a few that come pre-drilled.... it might be possible that some HJC helmets are listed as a Schuberth under a different model name? Or then they just aren't FIA Compatible with HANS - or FIA just hasn't updated their lists in a while.

As said, if they have nomex on the AR11 - then its meant for auto racing and HANS is the way forward, no?

I'm sure getting the "HANS Compatability" costs something... low prices are also the way forward . Most manufacturers don't bother making a non-nomex helmet for karting as the nomex one is just as fine and appeals to a larger market and they don't have to go through the trouble of getting the K2005 standard. K2005 can only be used by karters - whereas SA2005 can be used by karters and car racers (just not with hans in this case since they haven't gotten FIA approval.)

If you think you'll be using hans don't get the helmet .

[TJ Koyen]

One reason I might find mine warmer is that the plastic intake vent on the top flew off during a race so I don't have that anymore. That might've helped force air into the helmet.

[mlange]

If you wear spectacles like I do and hate wearing contact lenses, I suggest you check how simple it is to slide in your spectacles through the helmet you are looking at.

Before I purchased my SK5, I tried it on at Chiap Lee http://www.chiaplee.com.sg/contact.asp

I couldnt fit in my regular set of spectacles, so I came back the next day with another set of spectacles with thinner metal frames, and that worked (barely).

If you have a chance, you should check out Bell or its equivalents, since Jacques Villeneuve uses them whilst wearing spectacles.

ps - my SK5 is definitely lighter than some other helmets I've tried but never had the chance to try Bell or HJC. However, I do find that the helmet shapes slopes towards a narrower mouthpiece, and the padding against my cheek gets warm after awhile.

[jxision]

I intend to try the SK5 and AR 11 to see which one suits me better when I buy my own helmet.

and the avability of visors may affect my choice..I want a Caracoat Iridium Visor, or a dark black or silver one..It seems difficult to find one for HJC Ar11..

to mlange, does Chiap Lee sells visors for SK5?

whats the difference between a smoke visor and a iridium visor anyway?

[Jules]

I intend to try the SK5 and AR 11 to see which one suits me better when I buy my own helmet.

JX,

After all our answers, your above posting seem to hint you still have no idea yet....

Btw, I am not sure if u can really get a try of the helmets to see which suits ur type of head - cos they wun be keen to sell "worn" helmets....nor will they have so many stock for u to try typically.

Last of all, the 2 helmets u mentioned are miles apart in terms of pricing......so u better have any idea what u can really afford ( add $$ for ur tinted/iridium visor ) before going in!

[mlange]

to mlange, does Chiap Lee sells visors for SK5?

whats the difference between a smoke visor and a iridium visor anyway?

Chiap Lee doesnt sell CaraCoat visors as the demand is low due to the high price.

You can try eBay http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cara-Coat-Gold-light-smoke-shield-ARAI-GP5-GP5S-K-SK5_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ107069QQihZ006QQitemZ160256735601QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

or Suntrad http://www.suntrad.co.jp/others/helmet/cara/cara_coat01.html

Take note that CaraCoat visors are not cheap.

[jxision]

I intend to try the SK5 and AR 11 to see which one suits me better when I buy my own helmet.

JX,

After all our answers, your above posting seem to hint you still have no idea yet....

haha, because both helmets has each got their own good points..