Can Off Road helmets used on tarmac?

[Motu]

Uh oh,I've stuffed up your post Merv - I edited it for my reply,but being in mod mode I edited your original post,maybe it is something with this temp server,there was some wierd stuff going on then - the page binked like a cat's eye and the background colour changed.

[Kickaha]

As far as i know you aren't allowed clip type strap helmets for racing over here either. They all have to be double d rings.

Any type of strap is allowed,as long as the Helmet has the correct standard on it,I've used Laser helmets for years and they have clip type straps

If a helmet comes off,then I would say it either wasn't done up properly or it wasn't the correct fitment for the riders head and in all the time I have been racing or road riding I have seen it happen once and that was because the helmet(with D Ring) wasn't done up properly

[merv]

Uh oh,I've stuffed up your post Merv - I edited it for my reply,but being in mod mode I edited your original post,maybe it is something with this temp server,there was some wierd stuff going on then - the page binked like a cat's eye and the background colour changed.

Yeah you've deleted half of what I said.

[Blakamin]

Any type of strap is allowed,as long as the Helmet has the correct standard on it,I've used Laser helmets for years and they have clip type straps

hmmnm... I'd heard "D ring" helmets were the only type allowed too....cant remember where tho....

[Skunk]

I agree with most comments here. I'd say that a Motocross style is fine if ya speeds are under 120ish...

I only have double D ring helmets btw :spudbooge

[Motu]

Yeah,but you don't post anything worth reading anyway Merv - welcome to the power of your new moderator...it's like giving a 9 yr old an AK47! I had a mad panic when I saw what I'd done and tried to fix it but had to race off out,now I'm back and gone straight away again....

[NordieBoy]

Yes, but I think the motard folks should be stopped using them if they are racing only on track - which is whats done here. Proper motard is mostly on dirt and the speeds are not as high.

Proper Motard is 30% dirt 70% road.
They try and keep the max speeds down to 160kph or so.

The basic rule is that the faster you can go, the more serious a lid you should be using. Dirt bike lids are not designed for high speed crashes and its quite common for the straps to break on them in road crashes - you'd think a strap was a strap but apparently they use a different standard.

Same standard - same straps.

I use a MX lid all the time.
I get neck problems/headaches from road lids as the visor is catching more wind and putting more pressure on my neck (I'm sitting upright and not leaned forward like the angles the helmet is designed to work at).
The MX lid is lighter and has the peak (hole filed out - Motu) dropped a bit which keeps it basically neutral at 100kph and keeps the sun off nicely.
Speed? Not a problem as I don't go above 120kph unless in an emergency.

My chiropractor can tell which helmet I've been wearing that day.

[laRIKin]

Well I ride on the road with a MX hemet on my 640 LC4 with goggles and a nose piece and have had no problem.
And use to do it (and mates) on the old XT500 when I had it.(years ago)
I do this when I ride to the river and then ride up tracks and roads.
And as for the MX helmets not being good for speed, what speeds do you think that the desert races do.(160+ KPH)
Or up Pikes Peak or at our own Gold Rush.
I think the helmet's are up to a good knock.
If you tip the peak down it not a real problem at speed, that is cruising a 100- 120KPH.
If anything the goggles press real hard in to your face.
And sometimes I use a road helmet, like today as after yesterdays ride in 32degs heat, do 140k's going though dirt track and rivers and gravel road and some tarseal riding, it stinks.

[clint640]

I use both - the MX (Fly 606) is great for trail rides, 'round town & quick blasts, especially on a hot day, but is bloody noisy and gets buffeted a bit at highway pace. The road lid (KBC TK8) gets used for any trip over about 30km.

I'm with ya on the Nolan helmets having no ear room Merv, I got the local shop to get me in one of their dualsport helmets, It looked good, the price was right, but it was totally uncomfortable.

Cheers
Clint

[Wellyman]

In my opinion it should be legal for motard racers to use a dirt lid but it should be illegal for road users due to safety risks.

[Coldkiwi]

sweet as guys, thanks for the input. I had a look at a couple of Shark lids at Mt Eden (one MXR off road and the RSF2 on road) and the Motox style is definitely lighter so that would be a plus.

The real reason I'm looking at them is because I'm planning to move away from the supersport bikes (I agree with ya there Jackrat, Motox lid + GSXR = nonce) altogether but I'm still planning to do 100% road riding.

Anyone have problems with nasty sweaty bands from the goggles in hot weather?

[laRIKin]

BOTH of my helmets have the SAME grade safety stickers on them.
TWO stickers on both helmets.
And my partners helmets have the same stickers and so do our old helmets.

So they are BOTH been tested to the SAME level.
And pass two independent testers, in different countries.

I could road race or MX or SX or want ever in EITHER.
In NZ, Ozzy Europe and a lot of other countries

So they are BOTH safe to use.

Why do some of you guys still think they are not safe?





I give up. Have a nice day

[laRIKin]

Anyone have problems with nasty sweaty bands from the goggles in hot weather?

If I under stand you correctly. Not really. unless you are working hard on
the bike (MX or trail riding when it's warm).
Road riding, no problems at all.
But maybe on a real hot day around town.

If you want to stop fogging I remove the foam rubber from the vents.
Both top and bottom.
If you are road riding or trail riding you will find it OK.
Properly better as you will not fog up when you stop or going slow, after you have been working hard.
If I was to do MX again on a dusty day I would leave the foam in place.
I have 3 pairs of goggles so it's not a problem for me.
OK I'll explain why, one got rolloffs and ones got tearoffs.
And my old pair has no foam, which I now use all the time.
So it was a waste of money buy new ones when the foam got buggered.

[Coldkiwi]

I could road race or MX or SX or want ever in EITHER.
In NZ, Ozzy Europe and a lot of other countries

So they are BOTH safe to use.

Why do some of you guys still think they are not safe?

my question was more 'suitable' rather than 'safe' I guess. You are aware that neither helmet would've been tested on a chin impact basis? But they are clearly different designs so obviously a particular safety rating in the chin area wasn't the controlling factor.

If they are both done to the same penetration and crush test standard and they're comfy enough for highway use with goggles, I'll probably look seriously at them!
cheers

[Beemer]

I'm with Clint, Merv and Motu on the Nolan helmets. I've got an N70E and it would have to be the most uncomfortable helmet I've ever worn after an hour or so. It was on special and I took it for a ride and found it really good - but on a ride longer than an hour, it is torture! And it can't be because we've all got fat heads because I take an XXS in helmets!

We've done everything we can to try and make it fit better, but it still feels like someone is pressing just under my ears. I wore it on our two week South Island trip and some days we'd be riding for hours - I couldn't wait to get off the bike each night and get some relief. The peak is great for low sunlight and there is more ventilation than in a normal full-face helmet, but it has certainly not inspired me to ever buy another Nolan helmet.

I can wear my Shoei all day without any problems and that's what I expect from a helmet.