Two questions

[young1]

Helmets
I ride with a full face Shoei Hornet. Last weekend I was following Leanne (she is learning to ride her DR200) and put my old MX helmet on to do it. It felt good. I wondered what it would be like riding a long way with that sort of helmet and goggles on vs a full face helmet. What are the advantages and disadvantages other than the obvious (colder in winter and more bugs inside your helmet)?


Front mud guards
Would there be any disadvantages if I put a high front guard on the 990 for everyday type riding eg on a wet day would the low guard keep me drier? At speed would the high guard make the bike a bit more unstable?

[Motu]

I often wear an MX helmet on hot days,you can really feel the cooling effect,especially over the top of a sweating bald pate.There is much better visability,but you lose that with MX goggles,and they are sweaty too....so I use some good sunglasses that seal around the eyes.Not much good over 120kph,but I don't do that often.

I used to run high and low guards on the XLV750 - the low guard keeps the engine cleaner.In mud the high guard is better of course.I've gone to a high half guard on my airhead - the engine gets filthy.The short rear guard is what gets me wet and dirty.

[DR650gary]

Don't forget to remove the sun visor

[blackdog]

the only disadvantage i have found with an MX lid is it will shake around a bit more when you are up past 100 clicks or so.

[Bass]

I bought an Arai Adv helmet for the big Oz trip - bit like MX with a visor. The peak had to come off on day 3 and for any highway stages thereafter. The extra drag for over 800km on day 2 gave my neck hell.
I had to do something or the trip would have ended right there.

[Taz]

Also rain stings your face.

[Oscar]

I had two fenders on my 950 for a while.
The high fender keeps the crap off the engine and from around the steering head area.

[Tony W]

Do try both guards at once and be a trend-setter.
MX helmets are hard work over 90kmh.