[mitchntx]

Trying to learn as much as I can ....

I realize what is the best ... full face and a Hans.

And not wanting to get into the whole "how much is your head/life
worth" conversation which never answers any real world questions ...
I drove motorcycles for years and have heard it all ...

I currently use an open face helmet. I like OF better because it's
easier to use with my glasses and it just seems to be cooler and
easier to breath.

Whether that is reality or psychological is between me and my
therapist.

What head restraint systems are availble for an OF helmet? What is
real protection and what is just hype?


Suits ...

1 piece or 2?
single layer or multiple?
Do brands really matter?

[Blainefab]

The scoop on the SFI numbers here: http://www.sparcousa.com/resourceFiles/24.pdf The most important part here is how the rating number relates to "seconds to 2nd degree burn". Generally more money in the suit buys you more seconds. The cheaper suits also tend to have stiffer fabric that doesn't breath as well as the pricier weaves.

That suit is available in red/blue/yellow too, any would be a cooler choice than black.

A set of Nomex undies will add more seconds to that burn time, and also soak up sweat better than the suit, and dry faster, and are simpler to wash than the suit. A second clean set of undies for Sun AM is nice, but is another $110. At least get a second pair of Nomex socks, they are cheap.

I've never used the reflective covered shoes, suspect that it is not very durable, and designed to reflect radiant heat, not the heat we get on an Fbod from long tube headers. I'd put a heat shield under the footwell, and get the $90 regular Simpson hitops instead.

I like the Simpson gloves, too.

And a Bell M2 works fine with glasses.