I'm new to the ADV life. Just ordered a Terra. I've also ordered a helmet -- the ADV AX-8 Dual Evo. It has a slide down visor and no apparent room/design for goggles. My main question is this: With such a helmet, what does one do to shield the sun? Sunglasses underneath the clear visor? Goggles underneath the visor/helmet? A tinted visor (that you'd have to swap out once the sun was gone and you still wanted to ride)? Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks.
Sun glasses. I wear photogray ones that will change how dark they get depending on how much sunlight hits them.
I have the Arai XD, with the visor up you can use standard goggles. I don't think any other ADV helmet has that feature.
I have a Shoei Hornet DS. You can wear goggles with that and I normally do when offroad DS riding in hot weather to keep the dust out and allow for better ventilation. My son has the Arai and wears the goggles so he can use the goggle mount for the Contour helmet cam. I just glued mine on the side so I can use it with or without the goggles. http://www.shoei-helmets.com/Helmet.aspx?Hornet-DS&h=16&t=2
You should be able to use goggles with the visor either up or at least removed. It's kind of silly to wear goggles with the visor down... right?
I used a (non-DS) Shoei RF-1000 that I have owned for many years. I have been wanting to purchase a DS style helmet for a while now and last weekend I bought a Built Expedition Series DS helmet from the local Cycle Gear. One cool thing about it is the built in flip down tinted visor that is independent of the front clear visor! There is a little spring loaded slide button on the side that you push to make the internal tinted visor go up and down.
A great feature usually only found on modular(flip up) helmets. Good find kjack. Wish the Arai XD had this feature, as it is the best fitting lid for my nogggin
I also just bought the Bilt Explorer--I think that's what you meant ! At it's current 50% off price I thought it was worth a go. http://www.cyclegear.com/CycleGear/.../Explorer-Adventure-Helmet/p/43199_200897_199 It's the least expensive helmet I have ever purchased, but it seems well made and the look and features were what sold me on it. After wrecking my 4 year old Scorpion Exo1000 a few weeks back it was time for a new one
If money were no object..... http://www.boxer-helmets.com/roof-boxer-v8-helmets I like the Desmo models a little more than the Boxers.
I have an AFX FX39DS, an inexpensive comfortable helmet that works with goggles visor up or visor down (I use Scott over-the-glasses goggles even without glasses to keep sweat-generated fogging down - so these are larger than most goggle sizes). I think I paid about $120 for it. Having the ability to pull the visor down over the goggles is cool: crank up to high speeds flip the visor down, turn off down the dirt road behind your dufus dust-generating friends as you get ready to pass, visor up! IMHO this helmet is a great design - the visor is shorter than the full on dirt helmets, as you would expect for a dual-sport highway capable design.
I have a cabinet full of helmets, as I'm sure many of you do. I've been using my Arai XD 3 for a while and it's a great helmet. I had a heck of a time finding goggles that would fit in the opening, but eventually I was successful. I seldom wear them though unless dust is a real problem. The Arai is sunglasses friendly in that there is a channel in the lining for earpieces. That said, I just bought one of the Bilt Explorer's from Cycle Gear, for $99! What a deal! I have around 2000 miles on it now and like it very much, although it is loosening up just a tiny bit too much. 'Only a problem at 70mph and up, and not a big problem then. The Bilt is not sunglasses friendly, but the built-in sunshield works nicely and I don't need regular shades when riding now. Next time I make a long (multi-thousand mile) trip I will more than likely use a street helmet instead of the dual sport. One thing I'm looking at is the new Arai CT-Z. I really like that style helmet for all-around riding as it leaves your face open and lets you relate to folks much easier. The CT-Z also has a nice visor that isn't as long as on the DS helmets. That will make it better on the highway at speed but still let you tilt and block the sun. Big Bucks though!
I use one of the cheapys too, lots of wind noise and heavy. I am still searching this is the one I am thinking about http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/icon-variant-big-game-helmet
I was definitely able to put glasses on with the Bilt, but the padding put a lot more pressure on my earpieces than does the XD. Perhaps it was just my glasses design. I think the channel on the bilt is smaller, but if your earpieces fit, sweet.
I wear the Icon Variant when its colder out for dual sport and supermoto. Its nice and good build quality, considering Ive been wearing full face helmets from Arai, Shark, and Suomy, Id say its not far from that quality level. Look around for discounted ones. I found mine on ebay. Revzilla might be pretty cheap too.
Yes, I´ve got the Shoei too. After about two years´usage, I´m not that enamoured with the quality. Bits are loose etc. I wouldn´t spend all that on a Shoei again.
