The difference between dirt bike gear and street motorcycle gear is never more apparent than with helmets. They look completely different because they address different needs. A dual sport helmet combines the best features of both into a single package that can be effectively used either off-road or on-road. And fortunately, helmet technology has advanced so much that you don’t need to feel like you’re making a such a compromise when you choose a hybrid helmet; you’re able to take a single helmet with you regardless of what terrain you expect to find. One of the defining elements of a dual sport helmet is the visor (or peak). Dirt helmets utilize visors primarily to protect against roost or branches. With a little head tuck, the visor can catch debris and prevent it from hitting your face. If you do heavy off-roading on your dual sport motorcycle, you’re likely to utilize the visor to the same effect. But even if you don’t, many riders find the visor to be a great way to block out the sun, making it an excellent feature for pure road use as well.

So why don’t all street helmets have visors? Traditional visors – like those found on dirt bike helmets, for example – tend to catch the wind when going at speed. This makes travelling at highway speeds with a visor-outfitted helmet annoying or even exhausting. motorcycle for sale lynnwoodHowever, many modern dual sport helmets have circumvented this problem by strategically placing vents that allow the airflow to move past the visor instead of catching it. harley trikes for sale in mdSome helmets even have adjustable visors, which can help with this same problem.used royal enfield motorcycles for sale kerala Another important element of a helmet is the face shield. motorcycle helmets orange county california

It’s standard on all street motorcycle helmets, but dirt helmets do away with it altogether in favor of goggles. As a general rule, dual sport helmets do include face shields. They tend to be warmer in cold weather, and they’re important at higher speeds. motorcycle helmet minneapolisHowever, face shields aren’t ideal for dusty environments because it creates something of a vacuum and doesn’t easily allow the dust inside to escape. motorbike shop tallaghtIt can also begin to layer dust on the inside of the face shield, making it difficult to wipe off. rent scooter in phuketSome dual sport helmets include features to combat this problem, but others make it possible to simply remove the face shield altogether and use goggles instead, allowing the helmet to be customized to the type of riding you need it most for.

Another nice thing about dual sport helmets is the elongated chin bar and venting. While generally not as pronounced as on a full-fledged dirt helmet, this feature allows increased airflow. If you do any intermediate-to-advanced off-roading, this is an essential feature as it will make it easier to breathe in more physically demanding environments. It also makes you less likely to fog up your face shield through heavier breathing. At Rocky Mountain ATV/MC, we’ve assembled a large selection of some of the best dual sport helmets on the market. You’ll find a wide range of brands, including names that have left a big mark on the industry with a long history along with well-regarded brands that have entered the dual sport motorcycle segment only recently but which are still putting out incredible and innovative helmets. Reading the product descriptions is one of the most important things you can do when searching for the best dual sport helmet for you. This is where you’ll find out which features a particular helmet includes (such as those mentioned above).

And if you want the opinion of fellow riders, make sure to check out the customer reviews as well. They often contain invaluable bits of information that can help you make a good purchasing decision. Take a look at our selection of dual sport motorcycle helmets now, and pick one up today!8 Best Bluetooth Motorcycle Helmets | Whether you were born to be wild, or you're just a weekend biker, you can get your motor runnin' and cruise in style and safety wearing one of these Bluetooth motorcycle helmets. Although they will, of course, protect your noggin in the event of a spill, these models are specifically designed to enable you to make and receive phone calls, listen to music, and communicate with other riders. Click here to see our #1 pick ILM Modular Flip Up tight around the forehead one button chin bar release ece and dot certified battery lasts 150 hours on standby FreedConn Flip Up BIF01313 absorbent cheek pads and liner up to 12 hours of talk time

AVE Powersports A-13 A-Fire anti-scratch and anti-fog visor weighs just over 3 lbs dot and ece approved drop-down tinted sun shield metal mesh rear ventsHere’s a list of our top ten motorcycle helmets of 2016 so far. For a helmet to make our top ten list, it’s got to be an all-around performer for everyday riders on the street. That’s why you won’t find the most expensive race helmet money can buy on this list, or the cheapest helmet that looks great on the shelf. The competition is tough, but we whittled our list down to these top ten helmets by weighing safety, bang-for-the-buck, quality, and ride comfort. Ranging from the $130 HJC CL-17 all the way up to the $800+ Arai Corsair X, we’ve got something for (mostly) everyone. We’ve even included our favorite open-face helmet and our top modular, always a very heavily contended category. Check out our Premium Modulars Helmets Face Off to dive into our four best modular helmets. Click on the links to learn more about our top ten, and visit Road Rider or your local motorcycle gear shop to try on a variety of helmets and select the right one for you.

Shopping at your local store will help ensure you are spending your money on a helmet that fits correctly, so it can protect you when it counts.N/A (drop-down sun shield) The GT-Air continues to be one of the most highly-rated, best-selling helmets around. Renowned for delivering low noise levels and an incredibly smooth, stable ride, it’s also the only Shoei full-face with a drop-down internal sun visor. Click here to learn more… The DLX is a heck of a value for around $200, and includes a Transitions photochromic shield. Both the standard Qualifier ($109) and the DLX ($249) are available in a variety of fantastic graphics. Year after year Bell has been delivering quality helmets for folks on any budget, and the DLX is yet another winner.  The Vector 2 delivers the incomparable fit, comfort, and safety of Arai at a mid-range price. There are many reasons to choose an Arai, but safety is number one. To understand why Arai helmets are so highly regarded for their safety, read our article Down To The Details: Arai Helmets.

Or just click here to learn more about the Arai Vector 2… The C3 Pro is the best, made better–a modular masterpiece. It’s quieter, more stable, and vents 60% more air than its predecessor.  Our top budget helmet is a Snell-rated, high-quality HJC lid, available in a host of nice graphic options, and yours for around $150.  2016 is Year One for the Star reboot, and what a helmet it is, too. With 360° of innovative advancements, including the awesome new Panovision shield, it’s the new gold standard in its class. It cuts through the air and delivers a quiet, stable experience for riders of any style.  The Qwest isn’t the newest or fanciest helmet around, but it is still an awesome value for a rock-solid Shoei lid, and the buyer reviews continue to show it. It was designed to deliver optimal performance for riders in an upright position, so it vents well and is quiet and aerodynamic for the way most of us ride. The Mag-9 features a peak, pivoting shield, and an internal sun visor.