Helmet Choices

[angusgreene]

Hi All,
This is my first post on here, so bear with me! My father and I are doing a trip from Melbourne to South Africa via Asia and Europe next year, and we're just starting to get around to beginning the long road of purchasing.
My background is in dirtbikes and I rode them while growing up, so I've only ever really worn motocross helmets before.
I'm just seeking advice in terms of helmet choice. In particular, I'm curious as to what style of helmet would be most appropriate. We'll be riding through a lot of different environments and climates, and will probably be incorporating a com system. I can see that it's pretty much a choice between the 'Enduro Style' and the traditional full-face style of helmet.
I was wondering if someone could provide some insight as to what would be the more suitable of the two styles for this type of trip, or whether it just comes down to personal preference?
Thanks in advance,
Angus

[*Touring Ted*]

The Arai Tour-X4 is probably up there as one of the best travel helmets.

I ain't cheap though. If that's too expensive look for something similar.

A peak is really nice to have on sunny days (you'll have a lot of those)
A pinlock visor is great when it rains all day (You'll have a lot of those)
You want a lightweight lid on a long trip. Helps to reduce fatigue.
Removable washable liner (You're gonna stink)
Reputable brand..

The tour-x4 ticks all these boxes. I have the original X1 and used it in all continents over the last 8 years.... It's battered now but still holding up.. I dream of replacing it with an X4


You can get the X-3 model cheaper now the X4 is out and it is still an incredibly good helmet.

[brclarke]

Originally Posted by angusgreene

My father and I are doing a trip from Melbourne to South Africa via Asia and Europe next year ... I'm just seeking advice in terms of helmet choice.

When Ted Simon rode his first trip around the world in the mid-1970s, he wore an open face 3/4 helmet so that when he rode into some obscure village, people would immediately see his face and treat him like a human being rather than an unknown stranger. I believe that when he did his second trip a few years ago, he had changed his mind and wore a full-face for better weather protection.

I would say just go to the local moto shop and try on a wide variety of helmets. See what works best for you; helmets are a very personal fit, and what one person likes another might hate.

Helmets vary from about $150 for a budget no-name full-face to well over $1000 for a top-of-the-line Arai. My opinion is that as long as it meets safety standards, one full-face helmet is going to do as good a job in a crash as another. The extra money goes for more comfortable materials for the liner, better venting, higher quality optical plastic for the visor, etc.

If you are going to be riding several hours per day for months, you probably want to spend a bit more and get a helmet you will really be happy with. On the other hand, helmets can be and do get stolen, so I wouldn't recommend breaking the bank to get one either.

[Fantastic Mister Fox]

With many things in the adventure world it's up to the individual rider, the most important thing is fit then it's up to personal preference.

For our trip next year we chose the Nolan N43 Air (or Trilogy depending on where you live). Because it offers the protection of a full face for main roads and big cities but in the back o beyond we can put the chin bar in our luggage and where it like a traditional trials helmet.

[oldbmw]

For me a peak is essential. I like to have a visor also. and I wear spectacles. Never yet found a helmet with all of those features but still looking. I do have a full screen fitted to the bike that really helps.

[dash]

I've probably done over 10,000 miles in my enduro/MX lid and goggles. Not ideal for doing motorway speeds in the rain (although a Buff/scarf/etc over your face helps), but you can get used to it. Much nicer than a normal full face if you're anywhere warm because you don't have to compromise eye protection to get ventilation.

I've never been a fan of the adventure/dualsport type halfway-house lids because they strike me as 'worst of both worlds'. Peak to pull your head off at high speed, and a visor you have to open if it's hot or you're breathing heavily on difficult ground.

(I've also inadvertently caused someone to crash while trail riding because he was riding with the visor up when I overtook him through a rather large puddle. I had goggles on, and forgot he didn't)

There's also the fact that I've been racing the last few years, so had to buy a proper off-road lid anyway - a DS lid would have been an extra, rather than a substitute.

That said, I've not entirely ruled getting one for my US trip next year. The problem there is it's a trip of two halves - the first being the full length of the TAT, the second being a more tarmac based sightseeing jaunt where a visor might be nice.

Can anyone recommend a dualsport type lid which you can wear with goggles for extended off-tarmac sections?

I'm actually also seriously considering a Roof Boxer. They have a reputation for being well vented to the point of draughtiness, so might be fine for gravel roads with the visor down, then use as an open face through the really slow sweaty bits. The latest one is apparently actually tested as a full-face, and you get the benefits of an open face for talking to people, using cameras, etc.

[chris]

Originally Posted by dash

Can anyone recommend a dualsport type lid which you can wear with goggles for extended off-tarmac sections?

You can wear googles with all helmets. Just remove the visor. I've seen people with TourX (Arai) and Hornet (Shoei) helmets do this.

You can store it in your tankbag. FWIW, when touring I keep a spare visor in my tankbag inside a sock.

[Threewheelbonnie]

Originally Posted by dash

I'm actually also seriously considering a Roof Boxer. ....

I had one for 2 years and would say to avoid. It's just an open face scooter helmet with a poorly fitting lump of cosmetic plastic nailed on the front. The bendy plastic and poppers used to retain the chin piece dropped off in no time so in a crash they'd do the same. No more protection than any open face.

I like my open face and aircraft goggles for summer road rides, have used a MX lid when riding more than 20% off road and now have a Fly Trekker that I am getting on well with. The visor on this is cut back so goggle straps don't foul. No need muck about with screws before you switch to goggles, but it is as noisy as a MX lid.

Andy

[othalan]

I am currently traveling with the Arai XD-3. It has been a fantastic helmet. A peak to keep the sun out of my eyes. A visor for when it is raining or there are lots of bugs. I can wear goggles without removing the visor, and even close the visor over the goggles. I have a pinlock visor, however the insert needed replacing about eight months ago and I haven't been able to find a replacement anywhere in South America so I consider that a useless feature and a waste of money.

In the past six months I don't think I've closed the visor once. Most of the time I just wear sunglasses as my goggles are not very comfortable. I think I would actually be happier with a full MX helmet, however I've rarely ridden in the rain during this time.

The one change I would make is to add a quick-release to the chin strap so that I can get it off a little bit faster/easier when talking to people. I am tempted also to try a helmet with a flip-up front, but I would miss the peak and good air flow I have now.

[Island Hopper]

I purchased a Shoei Hornet helmet about 3 years ago and quite like it... This helmet fits my head shape {oval} very well... If you have more of a round head shape then another brand would be better... My only complaint with the lid has been shield fogging in cold and humid conditions... I fixed this by installing a pinlock visor... With this helmet I can wear goggles with the shield up or down and remove the peak to stop it from catching wind on long HWY jaunts...

I also use and like the Nolan Flip front and own 2 of them {older and newer gen} which fit a head shape similar to what the Shoei does...The flip fronts offer a lot of real advantages for traveling over fixed chin bar helmets, namely not having to remove your helmet for conversing, picture taking and at border crossings and checkpoints... The helmet also is equipped with a retractable sunshade which is quick to operate... The perceived disadvantage of flip fronts is the chin bar may not be as strong and open up on impacts... I have tested this first hand in an offroad crash where the chin bar took an impact, stayed shut and saved me from facial damage...

I have 2 friends that purchased the Aria XDs {1st and 3rd gen models} and just loves those lids except for the fact that both of theirs have stripped off and lost the vent covers after riding some bushy tracks... You would think that such an expensive helmet would have a better method of fastening its parts to hold up to a bit of abuse...

[XRL GEE]

Hi, I'm new here and yes, this is my first post......I would like to say that the Arai X3 is an amazing helmet for myself. I think that a lot of what needs to be considered is comfort and the Arai, fits my head perfectly. When looking for a new helmet this time around (no bike for 10 years!!! OMG!!) I was thinking budget and tried on a few accordingly......none felt like I would be happy to wear for a few hours at a time and I remembered how my old Arai would feel so good on my head so, off to the "Locked Glass Case" to look at the Arai's.....I cringed when i saw prices......but, once the X3 was on my head......money was no object......that was it....bought. And, I am so happy I did.....I love to put it on, cause I know in 2 minutes....I will have wind in my face!!
If I had to replace I would look to the Acerbis Active......I like the dual shield idea.......wish the Arai had it.
Anyways.....this is a great site with great members. I am dying to travel on my bike every time I come on this site!!
Peace and safe travels everyone!!

XRL GEE