Since I acquired my BMW F 750 GS a couple of years ago, I’ve gone through several helmets. It isn’t easy deciding which exactly fits the bill, and so much depends on the type of riding you do. Having said that, we riders are all looking for a few things in common: noise reduction, great air ventilation, light weight, and durable construction.
Motorcycle helmets have a vast price range—the Arai Corsair-X, which uses airplane-type carbon fiber, retails for just under $1,000—and a vast array of simpler models can retail for less than $100. For this field test, I decided to measure these variables on the lower end of the price scale, particularly for newer riders like me, who may not yet be ready to invest $1,000 or more into headgear before they know what they’re really looking for.
KYT, World-class Helmets
When Marc Beyer of OCD Custom Cycles in Santa Fe, New Mexico, told me he was considering adding the KYT line of helmets to his retail section, my ears perked up. Marc and his wife, Frances Sayer, are incredibly selective about their products, so I knew the line had to be worthy. I promptly ordered my own KYT NF-R touring helmet in bright red. This full-face helmet was indeed a pleasant surprise. Retailing for $255, the superb fit and luxurious comfort was a bit more than I had expected, with the same soft padding the company uses in its NZ racing models, which retail for $499. But let’s talk function, airflow, and aerodynamics.
I attached the helmet’s Pinlock Max Vision to the visor—an anti-scratch Class 1 optic—and headed out into the New Mexico desert. On the first ride, I encountered a considerable amount of rain. The pin-lock worked like a charm, and the helmet’s internal shade visor was easily lowered and raised as the sun peeked in and out of the clouds. Wind noise was minimal, although I did have my Bose earbuds in place (I never ride without them). KYT claims their internal polystyrene liner works in symbiosis with the air intake on the external shell, which is created with a high-impact mix of thermoplastics. Suffice it to say, this helmet’s light weight, aerodynamics, and fit sold me, so much so that it has become my touring headgear of choice. It’s wind resistant and the most comfortable helmet I have ever owned.
HJC DS-X1
The HJC DS-X1 dual-sport helmet offered me my first experience with a helmet peak. This feature—commonly miscalled a visor—shades riders from the sun and offers protection against branches and other debris when off-road. I wondered if the peak would affect aerodynamics at higher speeds, and it did, but only slightly and not to the extent I had imagined it would. Still, the peak is adjustable or removable, so take your choice.
HJC is the top helmet manufacturer in the country by volume, so they’ve had a lot of practice in design. Unlike the KYT, which is more of a touring helmet, the HJC DS-X1 offers more versatility in function for on- and off-road riding. It comes with no internal sun shade, but flip up the clear visor and add a pair of goggles, and you can head into the dirt on your favorite four-stroke. The helmet’s ventilation system is comfortable, as is the removable interior padding, although it’s not as comfortable or as soft as KYT’s. The advanced polycarbonate composite shell is lightweight but slightly heavier than the KYT model. Wind noise was more noticeable as well. Still, for the money, this all-around solid helmet is excellent for a day on dirt roads.
KYT NF-R
kytamericas.com | $249
HJC DS-X1
hjchelmets.us/product/ds-x1 | $189
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