MX-style helmets

[Tugrik]

I mean these things:



I see dirtbike riders wearing them. The infamous BMW "I wash mine" GS ad has the rider wearing one. I've never seen one one in use on the street, though.

I actually found an MX helmet, DOT and SNELL rated, in my size (which is spooky, as I can barely fit in an Arai 3XL). What are the advantages/disadvantages of using an MX helmet w/goggles vs. a fullface? Does anybody here on ADVrider use them regularly? What riding conditions best warrant using MX over fullface?

And more importantly, what safety issues come up from wearing an offroad helmet on-highway and vice versa?

So far what I notice is that it's a lot easier to stay cool in the MX helmet, and you get a lot more air. The two disads so far are how loud it is (but earplugs solve that), and the slight limitation on peripheral vision (but that appears solveable by choosing better goggles). When it's stupid-hot out, I'd like to wear the MX helmet on the street, but I want to make sure that's not a really dumb idea. I definately want to use it when I go down to Hollister to practice dirt-running.

(no, I never rode dirtbikes as a kid, so yes, I realize that these may all be extremely 'well, duh!'-level questions.)

[Grover]

Actually I'm curious about this myself. 99% of the time, I ride with the clear plastic visor flipped up and sunglasses, and I've been thinking something like this might be a bit more natural to use.

[Marc]

Tug raises some good questions here. If it's DOT and SNELL approved, has full face coverage and offers similar visibility, why the hell not? I mean, when it's REALLY HOT out, it kinda makes sense. There are times when I'd really appreciate the advantages of this type of helmet. Safety mavens??? Experienced riders? Nows the chance to step up and be heard.

M

[Shazam*]

I have a motocross style helmet as my "spare"
Unfortunately, as my girlfriend has no helmet, when we go riding together, I get the motocross and she gets the full face.
Definitely nice to get the extra air.
Visibility is good.
Unfortunately...
Its LOUD.
You get little bits of road crap hitting you in the forehead between goggles and helmet.
At certain speeds, positions, etc, the wind catches the visor and tries to rip my head off.
so...
Bottom line for me is that they are great when cruising around town or on backroads. On the highway though, I hate it and think it may be somewhat dangerous.
Note, however, that I only have limited experience. Perhaps I simply have a loud motocross style helmet (seems like the would all be though) Perhaps its a windscreen/helmet incompatability issue.
Good spare, but no good on the highway. IMNSHO.

[Gravel Seeker]

Over the last week I've covered 1500kms with an mx helmet. Ranging from 50-130 km/h.
I don't find that it catched air more than my Shoei Syncrotech does. I have the "Shade" all the way down and still have a clear view.

Pros:
You get air, but your eyes remain dustfree.
A fullfaced helmet will fog up when going offroad and if you open the shield you get dust in your eyes.
Minr point - It looks cool when riding an offroad machine.

Cons:
Louder than a regular helmet.
Rain hurts like a son of a bitch on the nosetip and cheeks. This can easily be solved by adding a rain shield to the bottom of the goggles.

All in all I doubt I'll be wearing the Shoei much any more.

[Shazam*]

Yeah, it may be just a combination of my BMW High screen (F650GS) and the helmet.
I find that the problem usually hits around 140-150 km/h.
I may also be further forward than usual (riding two up)

[Gravel Seeker]

I have the stock windscreen on my 650 dakar, but I don't travel at those speeds, only stints now and then up to 120-130. Eventhough I pretty much kept it steady at 120 for about an hour on my ride home from the buckride this saturday night (only slowed down to about 50-60 at the moose crossing points).

[Chopperman]

you guys do know that those visors come off. right?
I imagine it would be easier on the neck if you removed it before the long slab haul.

[Gravel Seeker]

Yes Chop, I know.
However, it never dawned on me to take it off, lol.
Good idea though.

[Shazam*]

Well sure they come off...
But then you look like a knob...
And risk getting eaten by Satan!

You are right, of course, and I'll probably remove it before my next time out on the slab, but for now, I just wear the full face helmet when I know I'm hitting the highway.

[motojedi]

I wear an Arai VX-Pro (MX style).

It has a heavily vented visor which elimiates the neck strain.

It's cooler.

Better peripheral vision with the right goggles(Oakley pro)

Goggles don't fog as easily as shields

Works better with winter face gaurds(balaclava's)has more room

Visor is nice on sunny days and when you're bud is tryin' to roost on ya.

My Arai is DOT and Snell approved.(although these are pathetic tests for modern helmets)

It's an expensive helmet but the best stuff usually is.