Helmet for adventure bike
Discussion
I've got a new bike coming soon. It's a V2 Ducati Desert X that will be mainly on road, but I hope to try a few gentle fire roads and green lanes.
My 6 year old Shoei GTAir took a knock last year, so need to be replaced. I'm thinking about a peaked ADV helmet, like a Shoei Hornet or Arai Tour X5.
Are there any significant disadvantages to ADV helmets? Should I just get another touring helmet?
Any opinions welcome especially from people who have experience of ADV helmets.
My 6 year old Shoei GTAir took a knock last year, so need to be replaced. I'm thinking about a peaked ADV helmet, like a Shoei Hornet or Arai Tour X5.
Are there any significant disadvantages to ADV helmets? Should I just get another touring helmet?
Any opinions welcome especially from people who have experience of ADV helmets.
My experience of ADV helmets is that on the road they are more a hinderance than a benefit! I have a mix of helmets and now find myself reaching for a touring helmet when going on longer rides on my V85TT.
The peak tends to catch airflow, particularly if doing shoulder checks and quickly becomes annoying and tiring on longer journeys, most ADV helmets that have detachable peaks recommend removing them for road journeys. Objectively touring helmets are better at everything you want for a road ride, noise, comfort, features, price etc.
The peak is really only there for when you are on gravel/dirt/mud to help stop dirt flicking onto the visor (which you would probably not be wearing as you would have goggles on instead ............) I tend to find they are of limited value for sun shade on roads, usually a pair of sunglasses or drop down shield/pinlock is a better bet.
Obviously there is the "look" factor, they do look cooler, but go in understanding that they aren't "better" helmets for road use.
The peak tends to catch airflow, particularly if doing shoulder checks and quickly becomes annoying and tiring on longer journeys, most ADV helmets that have detachable peaks recommend removing them for road journeys. Objectively touring helmets are better at everything you want for a road ride, noise, comfort, features, price etc.
The peak is really only there for when you are on gravel/dirt/mud to help stop dirt flicking onto the visor (which you would probably not be wearing as you would have goggles on instead ............) I tend to find they are of limited value for sun shade on roads, usually a pair of sunglasses or drop down shield/pinlock is a better bet.
Obviously there is the "look" factor, they do look cooler, but go in understanding that they aren't "better" helmets for road use.
I've had an Arai Chaser, a Schuberth C3, then I changed to a Shoei Hornet ADV, now I have a Airoh Commander 2. All on the same bike.
My honest opinion would be that the peak is mostly for looks, I've not really found that it adds much other than reducing glare in some conditions. I can't really see the peak past the brow of the helmet when wearing it so I can't really use it to shield my eyes in low sun. It does look good though!
I've not really found any downside in terms of aerodynamics either, side winds catch the helmet more but it's barely noticeable.
I'd say the biggest advantage of an ADV helmet is the chin bar being further away from your chin, that's a better feel for me and also better ventilation generally. The visors also tend to be pretty large so you get a very nice field of view when riding.
My honest opinion would be that the peak is mostly for looks, I've not really found that it adds much other than reducing glare in some conditions. I can't really see the peak past the brow of the helmet when wearing it so I can't really use it to shield my eyes in low sun. It does look good though!
I've not really found any downside in terms of aerodynamics either, side winds catch the helmet more but it's barely noticeable.
I'd say the biggest advantage of an ADV helmet is the chin bar being further away from your chin, that's a better feel for me and also better ventilation generally. The visors also tend to be pretty large so you get a very nice field of view when riding.
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