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MX or street helmet ? MX or street helmet ?
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Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear? Anything to do with the bikes equipment, saddlebags, etc. Questions on repairs and maintenance of the bike itself belong in the Brand Specific Tech Forums.
Photo by Marc Gibaud, Clouds on Tres Cerros and Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia

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Photo by Marc Gibaud,
Clouds on Tres Cerros and
Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia



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  #1  
Old 18 Sep 2008
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For me there's only one helmet choice for touring or indeed any recreational riding: Open face. In bad weather I wear goggles so I can still see, I don't find heavy rain or sleet on the rest of my face too bothersome.

The advantages of open face are being able to communicate with people properly without having to remove your helmet. I find not being able to see somebody's face very rude, so if I'm wearing the full-face the first thing I do when stopping is taking off my helmet even if it's only for less than a minute. I also find open face allows better peripheral vision, and keeps your head cooler. Two years ago I was in Greece and had no choice but to remove my full face helmet on entering any town or village, and only put it back on upon exiting where the traffic cleared. Couldn't cope with that 40degree heat whilst stationary sat on a running bike with full face lid.

Another advantage is being able to take photos quickly without the need to remove your helmet (although digital cameras with screens rather than view-finders negates this).


Basically I go touring/travelling to enjoy being in different places and countries, and I find having a big hunk of plastic infront of my mouth obstructs this.
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  #2  
Old 18 Sep 2008
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Originally Posted by Nath View Post
Basically I go touring/travelling to enjoy being in different places and countries, and I find having a big hunk of plastic infront of my mouth obstructs this.
Aye man, and you can drink and smoke a fag too!

I agree an open face helmet is a great way to feel part of your surroundings - even moreso if you face plant at 40mph...

Seriously though, all that "I'd never wear an open face lid" is all bullsh*t - I agree you should wear what you want, and suck up the consequences... I'll most likely buy an open face Arai when I get back to the States next month, as I like that feeling and appreciate the benefits Nath discribes... but it would have been no bloody fun riding 600kms on the Autoroute in the pouring rain which I did earlier this summer in France...

xxx
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  #3  
Old 20 Sep 2008
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Helmets
Hiya.
After trips with MX lids, open face, full face I've now found my balance point of a decent flip front lid that you can remove the chin piece from and use as an open face with goggles and a scarf ect.
There is a newish lid on the market (shark evoline) where the chin piece folds all the way over to the back of the lid similar to the roof type. A mate bought one but recons its a bit too heavy.
Brasso is quite effective at polishing light scratches out of goggles fyi.
David.
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  #4  
Old 20 Sep 2008
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I tour with a MX lid...
I have an Arai full-face, and a HJC MX lid. I initially bought the MX lid as it was the only lid that offered full-face protection and allowed me to squeeze one of those cycling maskswithout having to rearrange onces facial features. I wore this for the air pollution when I was riding into London for work every day.

Since then I really like them.

I still use both, but the MX lid is what I use on overland journeys as its face opening is so much bigger than the Arai. It almost feels like a open-face, so people can see all my features (although perhaps they'd rather not after a day in the dirt!), without removing the lid. I can also hold a camera to my eye (although a bit trick with an SLR) without removing the lid, etc. In hot climates it is also far cooler. The peak does offer more sun protection than the Arai, too.

Downsides are that in cold weather you get colder, and in rain, you get wetter. A flip-up is an option, but those that I have tried do no like my glasses and catch their corners when you close or open the front, or the sun-shade tries to remove my nose in much the same fashion....

Horses for courses. For me the MX lid ticks more pros than it does cons.
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Old 8 Oct 2008
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Back in the UK I have a Shoei Raid II road lid and out here in Oz I currently have a Thor Force Carbon fibre MX lid... have to say there are some aspects I love about the MX lid and other bits I hate, when on the road.

I love the light weight and open ventilation during hot days with the Thor. I also don't think I could live without the peak after getting so used to using it to avoid things hitting me in the face when on dodgy roads or just keeping sun out of my eyes.

However as said above its noisy, if its cold outside its not pleasant (just brought a thin balaclava for early morning riding to try and solve this) and if traveling at speed (over 50-60kph) during rain you have to ride one handed to block the gap between nose and goggles to stop your face stinging.
Last edited by Korath; 8 Oct 2008 at 04:48.
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  #6  
Old 8 Oct 2008
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Originally Posted by Korath View Post
and if traveling at speed (over 50-60kph) during rain you have to ride one handed to block the gap between nose and goggles to stop your lip stinging.

rain can hurt alot! I ride everywhere with my mx helmet and once a bug hit me in the nose, at first I thought it was a wasp because it hurt so much.
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Old 8 Oct 2008
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Something in between.
I've been reading good reports about the Givi X.01



which looks like an interesting idea. You've got a full face for winter riding or whatever, and then you just swap various bits over and you've got something with loads of ventilation. I've even seen pictures of people using it with no chin guard so in fact you've got three helmets in one. Not as versatile as a flip front maybe, but at 1400grams or less it's not that heavy either. Aooarently it's been tested with both chin guards in place.

Thing is I've not seen one anywhere, has anyone tried one?
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