Road helmet off road?

[Zadkiel]

I'm keen to try out some trail riding in the near future. I'll probably be hiring a bike, but to save costs I was thinking of simply using my on-road helmet. Are there any major disadvantages to doing this?

[Ender EnZed]

I'm keen to try out some trail riding in the near future. I'll probably be hiring a bike, but to save costs I was thinking of simply using my on-road helmet. Are there any major disadvantages to doing this?

Not that I'm aware of, I've always used road helmets off road. I think most of the differences are to do with all the extra mud getting thrown up and to avoid fogging up at inopportune moments. With lower speeds and shorter periods between rests the additional air flow isn't the problem it would be on road.

[clint640]

No worries if it's just some casual riding. Biggest issue with a road helmet is fogging it up when things get physical. Pop the visor off & wear sunnys or safety glasses.

Cheers
Clint

[Crisis management]

What Clint said, if your near Hillsborough I have a very basic medium size helmet your welcome to borrow... looks like a helmet and will probably not damage your brain too much?

Has mildly gay pink colours in places!

[Padmei]

What Clint said, if your near Hillsborough I have a very basic medium size helmet your welcome to borrow... looks like a helmet and will probably not damage your brain too much?

Has mildly gay pink colours in places!

Hey I grew up in Mt Roskill (RichardsonRd) & there was absolutely no mildly gay pink colours when I was there!!!

I ride with a road helmet & as the others say only a bit foggy when going slow,heaps warmer on the travel sections tho. I'm gonna run a strip of black tape along the top of the visor to block out a bit of the low sun this time of year

[NordieBoy]

Get an open face for the Steve McQueen look.

[Woodman]

Road helmets fine, just get out and ride.

[Ricardo S]

have u considered the newer dual-sports / adventure sort of models?

[Crisis management]

Hey I grew up in Mt Roskill (RichardsonRd) & there was absolutely no mildly gay pink colours when I was there!!!

Well, the area's improved since then......







How's your homophobia?

[Woodman]

How's your homophobia?

I have seen him riding a DR.

[NordieBoy]

I have seen him riding a DR.

Getting airborne on one too...

[Padmei]

And funnily enough the DRs did come out in ghey 80s purple & yellow.

OMG I'm coming outof the closet- oh the lite & colours- it's.. it's... magical

[wysper]

I think some of the dual sport helmets or adventure helmets will give you better peripheral vision. Some have peaks which might help with sun when riding.

For my very brief experience with dual sport I just used my Raid II. It was fine.

[warewolf]

I think some of the dual sport helmets or adventure helmets will give you better peripheral vision. Some have peaks which might help with sun when riding.

I thought that helmets were not allowed to restrict your peripheral vision?

Just do it.

Two problems I experience off-roading in a road helmet: they're bloody hot in slow hard-slog trail riding, and they get filthy muddy/sandy/salty which seems fine at the time but not later on-road. Yuk. I use my road helmets when adventuring, but I choose the time and place due to the above.

[Crisis management]

And funnily enough the DRs did come out in ghey 80s purple & yellow.

I have to confess to having owned one of the purple framed, grenading starter clutch monstrosities, a life changing experience!


Back to the original question:
If you are hiring a bike that probably means at the Sandpit (Woodhill) in which case the gear is only an extra $20 for everything, do that rather than getting your road helmet well sweated up.
Another thing to be aware of is the requirement to go through a basic dirt riding instruction course before they will hire you the bike, run by Tony and he's is a good teacher.