The following are similar hybrid MX and full face concept helmets where you get the benefit of good MX ventilation but with a conventional visor and with the option to use goggles when appropriate:

Aria Tour-x or XD
Shoei Hornet
HJC CL-XS
Airoh Tyger
BMW Enduro

Question is have any of you used them and how did they perform? Any additions to the list? I have search and found comments on the Arai but none of the others...

Helmet selection does really come down to personal fit and a bargain bucket may feel more comfortable than the more expensive options but more information on robustness, ventilation etc would be helpful

As a side note: BMW had to delay their launch of their new Enduro helmet for two reasons: (1) Initial delay due to BMW sign being fitted slightly skew in the factory so all were recalled prior to selling; (2) You can now get XS-M sizes from some dealers but L and XL come in a different size shell and the machining tool for that size shell in their factory broke and had to be replaced hence the further delay for the larger sizes. I had a close examiniation of a M and they are the lightest helmet I have ever felt. Retailing at £225 for plain colours or £255 for patterns. At last some competition for Arai.

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If there's a will there's a way so I will anyway!
http://www.buyaikhaya.blogspot.com

I wish Arai would make a flip front .

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Blessed are the cracked, for they let in the light. - Spike Milligan
"When you come to a fork in the road ,take it ! When you come to a spoon in the road ,take that also ."

Hi - Afraid the only one on your list I can comment on is the Arai Tour X. I use one of these regularly (in fact it's sitting next to me on my desk at work right now) usually in 'road mode' with the visor. It's dead comfortable, but a little noisy as a road helmet - which I guess you'd expect given the design.

As an enduro helmet (visor out, goggles on) it's absolutely great. Maybe just a wee bit heavier than my Lazer MX helmet (1560g vs 1350g) - but usual Arai thing of being nicely put together/well finished etc.

Only (minor) complaint is that the 'open weave' cheek pad material doesn't stand up awfully well to by admittedly stubbly face.

Cheers - Andy

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AndyBee
(04 KTM 640 Adv 'Naartjie'/11 KTM 990 Adv 'Tsumeb')

I have a Tour-x and am suprised how good it is but it aint quiet.
Fitted it with my Autocom gear, no probs. At 5'9" (1.75mtr) I dont get a lot of buffeting on my r100gs.

I tried on the HJC CL-XS and Airoh Tyger and did not like the fit and finish but then they dont cost a lot.

Shoei's dont fit my headshape;-))

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Nostradamus Ate My Hamster

I also tried on a few and found the Airoh fitted my head perfectly (I have an odd shaped head and finding good fitting lids is always a problem).

I liked them so much I bought 2 - long story actually, but I have 1 matt black in street mode and 1 blue and white in goggles mode. And for the price, they are good quality.

Got excited about the possibility of getting a BMW Enduro lid when I am in South Africa in a couple of months (any effort is worth it in an attempt to save a few £££s).

Called a mate who works at BMW Motorrad SA, and it turns out that they retail for around R4000.

So, for once, buying in the UK will save a bit of moola

And, about the odd shaped heads... no such thing, only mass produced helmets that don't fit unique heads
(I have unique hands... still searching for gloves)

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What do people think of the tour cross or others on the motorway? Does the peak want to rip your head off?

I use a standard MX lid on my KTM and for town riding on the GS but tend to put a full face on when going long distances when motorway riding is involved. Always found that the MX lid puts a lot more strain on your head and neck at speed and i guess the tour cross would be the same?

But i do like them and am considering one in time for a trip round europe next year.

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KTM supermoto
BMW R1100GS
"tourer in waiting"

The only I can speak with any authority on is the BMW ... the peak vibrates a lot on the highway, and thats even behind the big adventure screen. I cant compare it to the others as I have not used them ... you dont hear the vibrating too much normally (cause it drowned out by the wind noise that any enduro type helmet will give you), but when you wear earplugs to cut out the wind noise, the vibrating is all you get and its unpleasantly intense.

The peak though doesnt make your head want to rip off when you do lifesavers on the motorway. On that aspect its ok... its just the vibes that take some of the fun out of it

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I have a Tour-X and to be perfectly honest I'm beginning to wonder whether it was such a good buy. I got mine from Crescent in Verwood and Adam the manager of the clothing dept took a lot of time making sure it was the right size for me - imagine my surprise when having assumed that for the last 15 years I was a Shoei M (57) size, that I was actually a 55 when the helmet was 'properly' fitted. Anyway to cut a long story short, I eventually bought a 55cm shell with a 3mm skull cap (the std cap is 5mm). I can only describe the fit as 'tight', which Adam assured me would ease with use. I've worn it for a total of about 20 hours now and yes it has eased but it's still tight almost to the point of discomfort. I guess I'll persevere and one day it will feel ok, hopefully sooner rather than later!

The plus side... the helmet is as cool as f*ck and I feel like a Jedi knight on holiday when I wear it
The not so plus side... the visor isn;t as optically good as others I've tried, maybe because it's quite aggressively curved. The noise levels are ok with plugs, the peak vibrates like a pig over 50mph and gives me a headache and double vision (950 Adv 'S' with +3" lip)

Greg

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I wish my wheelies were intentional...

I can really recommend the Arai Tour-X. Picked one up from the UK importer direct before I left for Australia. Very comy, and of course looks the business. If you're looking at getting one, make sure it's the newer Tour-X2 model (2006 onwards I think). They've removed the main vent on the top of the helmet to reduce the amount of noise inside. I'm sure there will be a few unscrupulous retailers looking to offload their old stock before people get wise to the changes.

I have the BMW Enduro helmet and can give the following points;

1, very light and the sizes are totally different from earlier BMW helmets. I believe they're made by a different company.

2, the visor's the worst I've ever used for misting up in poor weather conditions and scratches easy.

3, the general noise levels are pretty high unless you simply cruise around at 60'ish.

4, the peak creates a resonance that shakes your specs and promotes a quick headache (unless you cruise at below 60).

5, general fit and comfort are fabulous and suits the shape of my head.

So as you can see I like the fit and find it suitable for slow cruising on my Serow but for faster riding it's shite!

I've tried the Tour X and reckon that's a quieter helmet but heavier and also affected by the peak.

I now remove the peak for road use and re-attach it for off roading.

Regards

The Cameraman

is it possible to take the peaks off in all 5 brands?
looks like they are creating trouble in high speeds.

thanks

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ozhan u.
website under construction

I eventually got hold of a HJC and although it's fit is ok the visor is very flimsy and does not seal (2mm gap between bottom of visor and gasket)

I am still waiting for our local BMW to stock their enduro

I have tried the Arai and yes it does feel like a glove but at £350 it bloody well better. The price has put me off but I'm monitoring Ebay for stock dumping.

Shoei Hornet is not imported into the UK so that rules out that option.

I see Airoh have brought out a new 2006 model "S4". Looks good and the visor looks like it can seal down nicely. I am just battling to find a stockist in the Dorste area. Closest is Dirtbike Xpress in Minehead.

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If there's a will there's a way so I will anyway!
http://www.buyaikhaya.blogspot.com

I am using now for a few month the new X-Moto helmet from Marushin.Fiberglas,convertible.Middle range price(112 euros at Ebay).
Removable liner(ideal for cleaning it).
Not heavy,very silent ride( i have an Shoei and is more noice inside).
I am very happy with it.
Any one else have it?
KH

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America is a nice continent,not a country.All people who lives in this continent are americans.Discover it in peace!

I've tried a couple of those on your list and they were great helmets, but I've found one that beats everything else, in my humble opinion. Comfortable, isn't a problem with my spectacles, has never fogged up, and even looks good. It's a Simpson GS3-MX. Had to bring it in from the US so it wasn't cheap, but if you're in the States, they are great when they're on special, direct from Simpson. To date it's the best thing I've had.

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And at night the wondrous glory of the everlasting stars.
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