Best Adventure & Dual-Sport Helmets

Adventure and Dual Sport helmet product links and timestamps:

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[FortNine]

Adventure and Dual Sport helmet product links and timestamps:

[DanteYewToob]

Ryan, I was going to ask what a helmet peak is actually for... and I realized...
As someone new to motorcycles and helmets, I think a video about helmet design and details would be a huge help for newer riders.
A video explaining why certain helmets are shaped certain ways, what the features are actually for, what to look for when buying a helmet and how to chose one for your type of riding.
A few points for noobies would be;
- What are helmet peaks for, advantages and disadvantages, etc.
- Explain the shapes of different types of helmets and what the design elements are for, like slippery race helmets designed for a tight tuck, vs a comfortable touring helmet.. etc.
- Explaining the common features and their consequences, such as certain hipster helmets that might look good but be less safe, or the pros and cons of certain features and amenities like drop down visors and stuff like that. So many people say stuff like "That helmet looks cool but it's garbage!" Like the Bullit or Gringo... but why? What makes them garbage?
- Value and affordability. Too many new riders get pressured into buying expensive gear, because snobs convince them that more money automatically means more safe. Maybe explain why certain helmets are more expensive. Is it brand mark up? Are the materials worth it? Are there features not obvious to a newbie?

I think a video like that could help a ton of new riders and I trust you would do it justice!

P.S. I just got my first helmet, the Shark Evoline 3 in matte black, and I have 3M black reflective vinyl and I'm going to make my own design! I chose it because I'm claustrophobic and wanted something that could help me transition from a open to a full face helmet and it was perfect for me.

[jonathanclee]

Funny thing is, 4 years after this video released, three of those helmets are still considered the best. Maybe now we have the Klim Krios Pro added to that list.

[wrbit]

I own a GM11. Even if this review sound a bit bad, I would recommend it. Ryan gave the good sides of it, and he's right. Take my review as a long-term abused review. I did over 75 000km in 3 years with it. Bought the clear and dark smoked single lens as well and I recommend you doing that & taking care of em; especially if you off road, because they are pretty fragile to scratches. But overall I like the helmet. Its a good all-arounder for the price. Over time, the "clickers" that keeps the visor up keep breaking off. I broke problably 4 pairs of those since I have it, so order a few sets if you intend to keep it because it's going to happen (about 5$ each, but it's pretty annoying if you dont have a spare set... (keep in mind I was wearing it 10h/day, every day, for 9 months). The vents sliders came off (and lost em) pretty fast as well. The beak is a weird shaped wing that either pulls your head down or catch any buffeting winds, so you want to take it off unless you have a bay-window as a windscreen... I found that it also does't seal of properly when riding in hard rain condition.

[marcmaz]

Ryan I have pretty much watched all of your videos and have to say I really enjoy how you give these reviews. Simple, entertaining, and filled with info I can actually use instead of technical crap. Great job and look forward to seeing more of your videos.
Marc

[saxon]

How does this guy not have more subs? He makes great quality videos!

[motoboh]

First and foremost, I absolutely love your reviews RyanF9, keep up the great work!

One comment regarding the XD-4, which I've put over 50K miles on mine, the Pinlock sucks!!! First of all, for a lid this pricey, make the Pinlock standard, don't have it as an option, but what's happening with mine now going on 5 times, is the Pinlock lens won't seal properly, allowing for dust particles to get sucked in between the lens and face shield, resulting in the scratching/scuffing of the interior of the face shield. I cannot tell you how many emails, phone calls, helmet shipping back and forth to Arai etc. I've done on this issue, but bottom line, Arai admitted it was a design flaw, and replaced the shield and lens one time, gratis. For this reason alone, I'll never purchase another Arai.

[daftnord]

i got the gmax gm 11 a few years ago specifically for winter for winter commuting. SD winters are as bad as most of canada, rode all the way down to -15F one evening just for the test of it, a tiny air leak froze inside the lens so i had to reseal and i kept going no issue. i always wore a balaclava to help catch breaths, but the winter kit with the nose seal mostly helped cold are from blowing up into my eyes. Couldn't be happier with the gmax gm11. i dont winter commute anymore, only use it for a summer trail riding helmet

[rustiklemon]

FortNine has awesome production value, useful information, and most importantly, the largest entertainment value of any bike channel on YouTube. Thank you for your videos and I hope you keep them up!

- a fan/fellow bike enthusiast/fellow Canadian

[stcenturycareersearchsys]

Great review. Own an XD4, which is really quiet compared to some of the other helmets I've worn. So aerodynamically quiet, I heard so many more engine noises I took my bike to the shop to find out what the heck was wrong with the bike? Also works great with communication systems.

[mojostew]

Having owned the Bell MX9 Adventure now for 4 months I have to agree with most of your comments on it. Here in Australia it offers excellent value for money. I'm in Queensland and findnit offers great ventilation and when compared to my road helmet, An Arai RX-Q, a helmet lauded for its quietness, I find the Bell much quieter even on the street. The only two drawbacks for me, personally, are the clear visor can introduce some distortion if only partly opened, and the padding doesnt allow sunglasses to be worn, although i have been using some 'bobster' style goggles both on and off road with great success. over all I am amazed at this lid and very happy to find my melon actually fits nicely into something other than an Arai.

[jenschristensen]

Perfect!! I just incidentally got the MX-9 (it was the only dual sport in the shop), so this is a nice reassurance that I should keep it :)
Thanks FortNine, for some great informative and fun videos!!

[wheelAdv]

I noticed you didn’t mention the MIPS system in the Bell MX 9 Adventure. It might not have been around when you made this video but something to definitely look at. I agree that the Arai makes one of the best dual sport helmets in the game. I would like to see them incorporate MIPS into the design and stay ahead of the pack.

[JasonWD]

Excellent review Ryan; I see your channel going far if you can keep this quality up. Thanks!

[motoboh]

As always, fantastic reviews Ryan. However, I've had an XD4 for several years now (mostly on-road, adv touring, x-country riding), and I was immediately upset by the fact that Arai doesn't include a pinlock shield, which is absolutely a necessity with this lid. Only problem, when I installed mine, the insert caught on the gasket around the helmet opening when opening the visor, effectively rendering the pinlock useless. I contacted Arai, who had me ship the lid to their Allentown, PA US hqs...after several weeks of playing with the helmet, they actually shipped it to Japan for their engineers to trouble-shoot! I finally get it back many weeks later, and problem solved...so I thought. After riding across the Trans-Canada and up to Prudhoe Bay, the insert separated, dust got in between the inside of the insert and shield, and totally scratched the inside of my shield. I contacted Arai, and they basically told me this is a known problem, where the insert will not stay sealed, due to the curvature of the shield (and something they and Pinlock obviously have never sorted out). Arai comp'd me a new shield and insert, only for this to happen now 5 more times and counting, so I'm approaching the cost of the helmet in just shields and inserts! That aside, I love everything about this lid, however, the fact that Arai never sorted this pinlock issue, and the time spent emailing, calling, and shipping my helmet (several times) to Arai, makes me never want to purchase another Arai again. My next adv helmet will probably be a Shoei.

[Winterstick]

My do it all helmet in hot, humid Thailand weather is a Fox, vented off-road helmet. DOT and ECC rated, great ventilation and wide vision.
Guard Dog shades or goggles.

[chrisc]

Have you ever tried the Scorpion Exo AT950? It's a modular helmet and looks nice. I'd love to hear about how noisy or quiet it is.

[sharrison]

I have the MX-9 Adventure and Shoei Hornet-X and one other consideration is how they fit with glasses. The MX-9 presses the ear pieces into the side of my head. I don’t have that issue with any of my Shoei helmets. You should try helmets on with glasses when you do these reviews.

[beardedbarnstormer]

O’Neal Sierra 2 I think dethrones the gmax. Under 150. Ece and dot rated. Light for its price. Amazing visibility out of the lens. Flip down sin visor. It really is the perfect entry level helmet

[d.e.cooney]

Ryan, good job on the videos, and thanks for taking the time to provide your thoughts how YOU see it. Never mind the NaySayers. Keep it just like you are IMO. I've actually bought, demo'd, and returned a few of these helmets including the Shoei X2, and I'm a Shoei diehard. Agree, it's large, vibes at 65mph+, ugh. Glad you noted the Bell MX-9. It is a solid value if you don't need adjustable vents. Also, you may want to check out another...I tried the Suomy MX Tourer, returned it, way too narrow even one size up. Super light at 2.97lbs, but not for me. Close. Finally caved in and bought the "gold standard", Arai XD-4 Mission, as you noted. Quality, but you pay the price for it. Thought/Recommendation: Include updates on each helmet about which ones can accommodate comm unit speakers. Some helmets may not have pockets but do offer recess areas to hide large Sena speakers, etc. People are starting to buy DS helmets based on what fits comm units now days too. Keep up the great work. Thanks.