Noob helmet question

I just ordered a sa2015 open face race quip for me. 1st time hemlet buyer long time listener. 

A day later my buddy says that he has one in his garage from his motorcycle. It's a m2005 rated helmet with a build date in 2006.  I want to do autocross and some minor track days.  The scca says m2005 is ok for my usage. Any thoughts on the age? Should I just return my helmet to amazon and use the free one for a year?  Is there a 10 year Turkey time on helmets like belts?

I'll take my answer off the air. 

Keep the new helmet if it fits well.

M2005 is technically okay but when the 2020 spec comes out, it will no longer be okay.  Plus, that particular helmet is 13 years old, the plastics and foam don't last very long.  Heck my M2010 helmet is frickin' gross and I'll probably replace it soonish.  Plus. it's a G-Force, which isn't a bad brand, but Simpsons fit me a whole lot better.

For AutoX the M2005 is probably OK, but for track days I would reverify that. Also, a cheap helmet works well if your head is cheap.

As has been mentioned, despite the standard being okay for AutoX the build date on that helmet is very expired. Helmets are good for 2 years before the foam begins to chemically break down. It might get you onto the course but if you ever needed it your melon would not be well protected. 

Keep the new one. 

I would say get the best you can afford. Having a nice comfortable helmet makes driving that much more fun and enjoyable.  Also get the newest one  you can spend less now but if you get a newer on that will be good for another five years it is often cheeper if you look at the cost per year versus having to purchase a second helmet sooner  

I would also recommend a full face helmet over an open face helmet.  Especially if you are not using a full set of 5/6 point belts  greatly reduces the possibility of smashing your face in to things.  

I also agree Simpson fits me really well. 

dean1484 said:

I would also recommend a full face helmet over an open face helmet.

I wear big frame glasses..  I've had issues with Full face helmets not fitting my sun glasses or regular glasses at karting places.. so I figured the full face will work.  

This will be my starter helmet to see if I get into it more.  

Fueled by Caffeine said: 

This will be my starter helmet to see if I get into it more.  

I understand this mindset, but crashes don't get softer just because you're a beginner. My two cents: Keep the new helmet. If the sport isn't for you, sell it to someone else.

I will ad that you should try on every brand before making a purchase decision. For the same measured circumference there are an infinite variety of head shapes. One helmet may be too tight side to side, another too tight fore and aft, a third brand may fit perfectly. For example I fit Bell or Gforce, while an Arai is way too tight fore and aft but sloppy loose side to side on my head. The person that owned the Arai in question could not get my Bell over his ears. 

Try a Simpson Voyager. It is my preferred helmet for the very large opening gives me better peripheral vision that I find really helpful . It also means it works very well with glasses.  In my case originally sunglasses then I got a polarized  visor. Then inevitably I needed prescription glasses and the Voyager (a new one by then and my current one)  works extremely well with them. 

Race long enough in any form and you will crash. It is just part of the sport. 

The advice of others above is spot on.  Spend more on you helmet and safety gear. It really is worth it. If you get serious about the sport start saving for a Hanz and a good fire suite gloves and fire proof underware and a balaclavas. All of these items are places not to be cheep. Fire and crashing does not care about your experience level or how much you spend on safety stuff. 

Are there places to try on helmets? I need to find one for my big ol' melon. The autocross rental helmet was ok but it just said it was size XL, and I didn't notice the brand.

In reply to slowbird :

Brick and mortar stores are good for a reason.  If there's any retailer near you, try helmets on there.  And please BUY from there, even if you can save fifty bucks online.

In reply to Knurled. :

Plus two on this comment. buy your helmet from the brick and mortar store please.