I'm planning a trip to Mexico & South America on a KLR 650 - dirt & street. I'm new to motorcycling and I'd like advice as to helmet choice. Thanks!

Sig

Could do a lot worse than one of the Arai MX lids. As long as its high standard (over here in UK we have ACU gold approval being the highest), I think that's like the Snell (?) you have in the US. Otherwise whatever is the most comfortable fit really

Rob

Hi Sig,
A couple pointers - I think Bell Helmets used to have an ad campaign that said "If you've got a $10 head, buy a $10 helmet". I do agree with them. As tempting as I'm sure it is, don't buy a cheap helmet. I'd avoid injection molded helmets and stick with the kevlar/fiberglass models. Arai, Bell, Shoei make the nicest helmets and you can't go wrong with one of theirs. I've had some nasty head injuries (including breaking a very good quality helmet and sustaining a broken jaw) and I'm sure I'd be dead if I was wearing a cheap helmet in any of those crashes.

I also don't think that open-face helmets are a good idea if you're new to motorcycling, you're best off getting a full-face helmet that will keep your teeth intact if you do end up crashing face-first. But ultimately it's up to you - if you want to ride with an open-faced helmet, your chance of serious injury goes up.

The nice thing about open face helmets is that when you're travelling, it's nice for people to be able to see your face, especially when asking directions or crossing borders. Most people seem to feel intimidated (or insulted) when approched by someone whose face they can't see.

There are helmets I've seen that offer full-face protection but have a mouth piece that flips up to expose your face, and I think that they'd be great for a long adventure trip.

I'd also recommend a street helmet over a motocross helmet, since motocross helmets can get really loud when you ride fast, as they're not designed for keeping wind noise to a minimum. I ride with a motocross helmet and I wear earplugs because the wind gets so loud in my helmet that it would certainly cause hearing loss if I made a habit of riding without earplugs on the highway. Also, with a motocross helmet you'l have to wear goggles, which is an extra bit of gear you'll have to keep your eye on.

Hope this helps,
Wright

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Wright Bagwell
http://fwc.webjump.com/xr650l/

Re Helmets; Having used most of the following Maybe this can assist you.
1;Open face lids are ok but as mentioned have no facial protection.
2;Full face have all you need but get hot and sweaty (smelly!)even with treated linings.So opt for one with a removable,washable interior,ie top of the range Arai,shoei.
3;Look at a hybrid lid such as Shoei Syncrotec and New Nolan N100 classic/trend.
These are flip up front helmets.
(fixed lining but sanitised interior)
Shoei is v.good but has single button opening.Can open if hit when hitting ground!
Nolan has double mechanism, more secure but not quite in the same league as Shoei.Incidently, the Nolan are reputedly made at same place as BMW flip-up lids.
Bmw lids are v.exp for what you get.
Hope that helps a bit.
Nod
Ps Single operation helmets only have to pass the Open face helmet test. Nolan is tested under full face conditions.
[This message has been edited by NormanSmith (edited 08 May 2001).]

[This message has been edited by NormanSmith (edited 09 May 2001).]

Flip up helmets, I have had the BMW Sysyem 1 then the System 2 after that they quit importing them to the U.S. After that I got the Shoei it diden't fit as good as the BMW. Last year I got a Arai RX7 non-flip up. It was the lightest and coolest helmet I ever had.
Schuberth used to make the BMW helmets. The new to the U.S. Schuberth Concept helmets look real good,filp-up, light, good vents and built in sun visor.

I always have used flip-up helmets which I think are more comfortable than full face ones. Right now, I want to get a new flip-up helmet but I have to decide among two, the new BMW and the Nolan X-1001. The second one is very similar than the Nolan N-100 but is made of the same material than the BMW.
The BMW and the X-1001 have about the same price.
What is your recomendation or opinion?

Thanks

My first "good helmet I bought in 1971 that was a Bell Star. It cost $50.US. That was the best I knew of at the Time.
On average most things cost about 6 times as much now as they did then. That would come to $300.US now. One year ago my Arai RX7 was $450.US Of course its lighter and has better visibility and vents.

Some points to consider when choosing MX style helmets over street models.
They are usually lighter.
The Cost of a replacement Visor for a street helmet is much more than a replacement Goggle lens.
You can carry multiple lenses easily try this with visors!
Dirt roads = Dust+Plastic lenses = scratches.
Street helmets are not designed with dust filters.... Goggles with a little baby oil on the foam stop a lot of dust.
If you are worried about going deaf wear earplugs as wbagwell suggests.
I have an Arai MX/pro which is basically an open face with a mouthguard attached Plain white costs less than the colours.