Needing ideas on what to look for in a DS helemt ?

[aaronc]

After Making a 4800+ mile trip to Moab and back Wearing a Fulmer FlameThrower/Jaw breaker Helmet , by the time I got home I wanted to can it   ... The Flame Thrower helmet has a weird size to so it wobbles on my odd shaped head. I wear a Large in all the MX helmets I have " all of them are Fulmer " and I have two other fulmer full face helmets that are large and fit great , there just wore out.
The Flame Thrower has/HAD real neon orange that " WAS " HIGH VIZ in the day time and a reflective white that was great at night.
The jaw breaker is nice but HEAVY , the High Viz Orange faded to white in three months , the vents leave allot to be desired making it hot... So I started to look into D.S. Helmets and found a couple that I like. I also sent a email to a contact I know at Klim and asked if him if they had ever thought of making a DS helmet " I'm fond of Klims gear " , Nate sent a email back to me asking if I would send in some specific suggestions on the Helmet. So I thought I would start a topic on hear and see if I could get some ideas from everyone on here " what do or would you look for " in or on a Dual Sport helmet. Taking all ideas " with-in reason ......

[gunny]

The afx 87ds helmet, cheap, well vented and light but most of all, just get a helmet that fits properly, makes a world of difference.

[SFCMiddleton]

I'm planning on getting this helmet soon.  It has an air bladder inside like a football helmet.  There is a small pump that you can pump to adjust the fit for a more personal fit.  It's very comfortable and the price isn't bad at $139.

[Guido]

I like my Shoei Hornet. I had to do a little sanding down of the foam front and rear to dial in the fit but now it's quite comfy. It was expensive and it does fogs easily, but those are the only downsides. An anti-fog face shield would be a nice addition on the ultimate DS helmet.

Needs to accept goggles.

An adjustable length visor would be nice - shorter for high speeds, longer for trails and low angle sun. Don't think anyone makes one currently.

You know what would be cool? A flip-front DS helmet, where the chin piece flips up into the visor so you can eat and drink more easily on the trail. I mean if KLIM is making it why not shoot for the moon? On second thought it might get a bit crowded up there under the visor with both face shield and chin piece. But that's what design engineers get paid to figure out.

[SLO-KLR]

If you're looking to buy a helmet right away, here is a great deal on close out Arai XD-3's. http://www.compacc.com/Arai-XD-3-Dual-Sport

I have a Shoei Hornet and agree with Guidos comments.  The Hornet is a big zero in anti-fog which is rediculous when you spend that kind of money.  The visor at times is just too short and I have found myself numerous times looking for a way to shield my eyes from the sun.
I think a modular dualsport helmet would be cool.  I loved my X-lite just because I could swing the front out of my face to talk, eat, drink, or catch a good breath of air without ever taking my helmet off.

[Green Machine]

I am maybe a little prejudiced with my Shoei Hornet as I paid a lot for it, but I like it 

The peak could be a little longer for more sun block but the trade off would be the amount of air it would catch. I just wear sunglasses that fits easily with this helmet as it has channels for the sunglasses arms to fit into. For a DS helmet is fairly quite but I still wear earplugs, the airflow is not bad either and it is on of the best money can buy.

Ultimately, a DS helmet should be good on the road at high speed and functional off-road, my short list:

Should be able to use goggles with it
Removable liner for cleaning
Must be able to fit the helmet to the individual with different sized cheek pads
Easy visor changes
Plenty air flow
Low fog
Light

[aaronc]

Good Stuff !!! 

[Guido]

When I was looking for a DS helmet 2 years ago there were only two choices (at least here in the States), Shoei and Arai, and the Shoei had just come out. The Arai just did not fit my head, which surprised me because I think I have a more oval shaped head for which the Arai was supposed to be good.  Maybe I was between sizes. The Shoei felt better initially but as it broke in I began to get a painful pressure point right in the middle of my forehead after about an hour of wear. I took the liner out and looked at that stryrofoam inner shell and figured, "what the heck" and went to work on it with some coarse sandpaper. Removing just a couple of milimeters, front and back, did the trick and now it's all day comfortable. I don't know if that's a common practice, sanding the inner shell, but it reminds me of the fitting process one uses with ski boots, or especially kayak cockpits.

I wonder if anyone has tried making a motorcycle helmet with an injectable foam liner for a custom fit, like they do with ski boots.

I think that AFX helmet is worth looking at. It's certainly less money. What do you get with a more expensive helmet? I think mainly better fit and finish.

And for the fogging problem maybe this is a fix: the Pinlock Visor Insert. Google it.

[Green Machine]

The Pinlock system is very interesting. Has anyone used it yet and have comments ?

[aaronc]

No i just got through reading about it myself , looks neat ! 

[oldstove]

Hey, great idea aaronc!

Like Guido said, I think it would be great to have a flip front styled DS helmet maybe based on the AFX like Hondo has. You know, the one with the integrated shield. That would be the cats meow in my book!

[SLO-KLR]

The Pinlock system is very interesting. Has anyone used it yet and have comments ?

My X-lite had a pin-lock antifog shield in it.  It worked well and was easy to install and remove. 

[Guido]

When last I looked for a Pinlock insert to fit the Shoei Hornet the only source I could find was out of the UK. But this morning I found this:

http://www.amazon.com/Shoei-Shield-Pinlock-Motorcycle-Accessories/dp/B003MOSC88/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&m=A2XS5ZEYFJT14W&s=automotive&qid=1277044157&sr=1-5

Appears to be an online store based out of California. It looks like you get a replacement shield AND insert for around $50, plus shipping. I'm kind of in spending shut-down mode right now but I may have to spring for this.

[SFCMiddleton]

http://shopping.scorpionusa.com/C55D9C025BA44D11A3713BF0D546303C.asp?cat_id=FBF05AC4DB8843C1B0FF76893F5540D5&pcs_key=B4E59F0DAD8846028CD2E80DAD3D34F4&retpage=%2FF4BD78EED51D4762989F1184B1165B96%2Easp&nm=VX+24+Ampt&spath=Home+%3E+Equipment+%3E+Off%2DRoad+Helmets&path=Home+%3E+Equipment+%3E+Off%2DRoad+Helmets&sc_id=A89B3570ED72424C8C6C852D21685297

I forgot to post the link to this helmet.

[Hondo]

I have an AFX & like it very much -

[anomad]

I have the Fulmer dual sport lid. Dual helmets are a compromise, just like dual sport bikes. I have only a few rides with it, but so far so good. A basic off road helmet is better suited to the vast majority of my riding. Doesn't take much road riding for me to want the face shield though. And it doesn't take much dust for me to want goggles...now I have options.

[SLO-KLR]

When last I looked for a Pinlock insert to fit the Shoei Hornet the only source I could find was out of the UK. But this morning I found this:

http://www.amazon.com/Shoei-Shield-Pinlock-Motorcycle-Accessories/dp/B003MOSC88/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&m=A2XS5ZEYFJT14W&s=automotive&qid=1277044157&sr=1-5

Appears to be an online store based out of California. It looks like you get a replacement shield AND insert for around $50, plus shipping. I'm kind of in spending shut-down mode right now but I may have to spring for this.

I think that is the shield only, no insert.

[Guido]

I think that is the shield only, no insert.

Yeah, I think you're right. I did find an inserts on their site though:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003MOKFOW/ref=noref?ie=UTF8&s=automotive

for $27. So now we're looking at $80+ shipped. I think I'll call them this week and see if I can get the straight story..

[anomad]

what about a breath box G?

[SLO-KLR]

I think that is the shield only, no insert.

Yeah, I think you're right. I did find an inserts on their site though:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003MOKFOW/ref=noref?ie=UTF8&s=automotive

for $27. So now we're looking at $80+ shipped. I think I'll call them this week and see if I can get the straight story..

A FogCity insert is for your current face shield is the most economical solution.  They work great and cost only $20.  I'll be putting one in my Hornet when the cool weather returns.
http://www.cyclegear.com/spgm.cfm?L1=&L2=&L3=&L4=&item=TUC_55-0026_G

[aaronc]

Ok I've been slacking lately , so we got -----

Anti-fog face shield
Needs to accept goggles
An adjustable length visor – shorter for high speeds and longer for trails and low angle sun – don’t think this is on the market – yet?
Channels for sunglasses arms to fit into
Removable liner for cleaning
Different size cheek pads to fit the helmet to the individual
Quick change  visor
Plenty of air flow
Light weight
Flip front style jaw
Option for a breath box

[TUFFGONG]

I have an AFX & like it very much -

+1 i love my afx and the $ is way right......

[snowlover]

New AFX (Polaris) owner.  Happy so far.  Bought different cheek pads and a dark shield.  Clear shield has some distortion, but dark one is fine.

[SPANKY]

That is a great wish list Aaron...I use Bausch and Lomb Sight Saver wipes with Silicone. Does not eliminate the fog entirely but it does not linger as long! Shoei Sonora owner here...and I echo all of the Shoei DS points listed above. It is one of the best brain buckets I've owned!  

[MarkShelley]

In the UK most of us use pinlock inserts due to the cold!  I have them fitted in 3 of my helmets. You can drill your existing visor rather than buy one with the pegs already fitted as they come with the pegs, but you have to drill the holes accurately. I drilled all mine no problem.