Know PA? Where to shop for helmet: Off-topic discussion forum: Grassroots Motorsports Magazine

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April 29, 2011 2:46 p.m. daytonaer Reader

I've saved up some $$ and decided to buy a helmet (no more loaners)

I live near Pittsburgh, which brings up BeaveRun, I have never been there but assume they have some local shops specializing in racing gear. I found nothing on their official website.

My parents live in northern pa, a short drive from Watkins Glen. I have been there a few times but never visited any shops.

Anyone have any tips where to buy a helmet in the general PA/upstate NY area? I want to try on before I invest, and would prefer $ to stay local, relatively. I could visit the rents for a weekend so the glen isn't really that far. I don't want to limit myself to motorcycle helmets unless it is common to be sold with an SA rating? If so, I have lots of local options.

Thanks
April 29, 2011 3:44 p.m. Rob_Mopar Dork

We're over in the south-eastern part of PA and were having trouble finding a place I could test fit helmets (I have a big melon). The local motorcycle shop is an Arai dealer. He gave us the number for the distributor. The distributor is in the Scranton area. Those guys helped us out since there isn't a racing helmet dealer in the area.

That was back in '07. If I dig through the old PC I might be able to find their contact info.
April 29, 2011 3:57 p.m. ddavidv SuperDork

Most of the better mail order suppliers will allow you to return and swap out helmets that don't fit your melon. I have no local shops here with auto racing helmets. Motorcycle ones aplenty, but the sizing does not necessarily transfer over. If you pick which brand you want there is typically a sizing and "how to measure" chart on their web sites.
April 30, 2011 2:22 p.m. Hal Dork

Check out some of the local motorcycle shops. Around here many of them carry the "SA" as well as the "M" helmets.