Anyone know when the new helmets come out? Due for a new one. Curious if anyone is in the know on release dates on the new ones.
Also, do you think they will allow the S.A. 2015 helmets to go for 10 years like the 2010s?

As i recall, the Bell factory burned down in 2014 delaying the 2015s and the national shortage didn't get fixed til like 2017?? Now that things are caught up, you think the 2015s will be retired in 2020?
Might be able to get a good deal on a 2015 soon with 2020 coming out. But not worth it if 2015s won't clear tech.

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I only run with a small number of organizers and they allow up to 10 years from the approval date. That means 2010-spec helmets are ok until 2020. For your situation, just take a look at what helmets the organizers you're planning to run with are taking today - are they 2010's or 2015's? If they're allowing 2010's now then they'll probably bump the limit to 2015 in 2020.

It's been 2010 but it was only because of the shortage that they allowed it. I'll have to check with them to see going forward.

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There is so much confusion on this stuff...

Not that it matters, but Bell moved their factory from China to Belize and it took an extraordinary amount of time for them to get up to speed, which put pressure on the rest of the market. Bell hasn't been made in the USA for a loooooooooooooooooooooooong time, FYI.

The 2020 standard will be released for sale on October 1, 2020. https://www.smf.org/standards/sa/2020/SA2020_cover.pdf

So, at the quickest, sanctioning bodies would roll over their standards on Jan 1, 2021. I have been selling helmets a long time (since 1999) and *all* of the changeovers have gone like crap. THe 2015 was extra ugly with the Bell thing. I would expect, best case, that it be late Q1 of 2021 before the supply pipeline is fully stocked. I would *guess* that discounts will start coming on 2015's mid next year.

Without knowing your sanctioning body/club/organization (and I might not know then either, but we could look it up), we can't tell you how long a 2015 will last. Even the strictest clubs that I am familiar with allow the current standard and one previous. So, 2015 and 2010 until 2021 when 2020 and 2015 would be legal.

HOpe this helps,

Dave Whitworth
Solo Performance - Est 1999

Didn't Bell moved their factory to Bahrain a few years ago? My SA2015 CF helmet took forever to get here. I think I finally had it by late spring 2016.

VoodooBoss said:

Didn't Bell moved their factory to Bahrain a few years ago? My SA2015 CF helmet took forever to get here. I think I finally had it by late spring 2016.

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I think you are correct, I had my B countries mixed up. It was well into 2017 before there was any reasonable inventory anywhere. I lost all my emails before about July 2017 in a ransomware attack, but I have an inventory report from 8-18-17 that shows almost everything backordered/negative numbers.

DaveW

DaveW-
Thank for the details! I knew someone on here would know the real deal. Seems you da man! Thanks for the info!

Over the course of 5 years, the inside of a helmet gets gross. I know people wear head socks etc to try to keep it cleaner but the sweat gets thru and I'd never expect to get 10 years out of a helmet anyway. Just hate to buy a 2015 only to need it replaced in 2 years.

In your opinion, have there been any substantial safety improvements in a 2020 rated helmet vs a 2015 that should warrant consideration for purchasing it over the older models?

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I don't think the new standard is enough of an upgrade to warrant a helmet change all on its own. If whoever you run with only allows the current standard or some other situation that will make a 2015 purchased now only good for 2 years, then I would wait for the 2020.

If you are going to get 5+ years of eligibility out of it, then I would probably wait until prices start dropping on 2015s and use that as an opportunity to get a much nicer (lighter) helmet for the same money I may spend on a shiny new 2020.

All IMO,

DaveW

Drlee50 said:

DaveW-
Thank for the details! I knew someone on here would know the real deal. Seems you da man! Thanks for the info!

Over the course of 5 years, the inside of a helmet gets gross. I know people wear head socks etc to try to keep it cleaner but the sweat gets thru and I'd never expect to get 10 years out of a helmet anyway. Just hate to buy a 2015 only to need it replaced in 2 years.

In your opinion, have there been any substantial safety improvements in a 2020 rated helmet vs a 2015 that should warrant consideration for purchasing it over the older models of snell sa2020 helmet?

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I want to take my '15 to the local track, and almost did last weekend till I checked the rules. 13.99 and faster requires a Snell approved helmet. There a good place to get these other than say Amazon or eBay? Most of them show up as motorcycle helmets too. Is there a specific terminology I can search with to find what I need? Thanks!

busbuddy said:

I want to take my '15 to the local track, and almost did last weekend till I checked the rules. 13.99 and faster requires a Snell approved helmet. There a good place to get these other than say Amazon or eBay? Most of them show up as motorcycle helmets too. Is there a specific terminology I can search with to find what I need? Thanks!

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You want a helmet with a SA2020 rating for automotive use. Look at site sponsor Competition Motorsports.

This is an old thread. There is zero reason to get a 2015 helmet even if you can find one. 2020 will be on close out late next year.

as far as where….last i checked Amazon or eBay had never given a club you run with any support but the site sponsors are making this conversation possible. Also pretty sure no one from Amabay has given much

if competition can’t help you we certainly can www.soloperformance.com

DaveW