Best Dual Sport Motorcycle Helmets

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Key Takeaways

  • A good-fitting helmet should be snug but not annoyingly tight. It's meant to protect your head from injury, not cause it.
  • Keep in mind that brand sizing varies, so always measure the circumference of the size you're considering.
  • If you're between sizes, go with a smaller one.

A helmet's primary purpose is to protect your head from injury, so what are the best dual sport motorcycle helmets?

The best dual sport motorcycle helmets are:

  • Shoei Hornet X2
  • AFX FX-41
  • Bell MX-9
  • AGV AX-9 Carbon
  • Arai XD-4
  • Klim Krios Helmet
  • Scorpion EXO-AT950

We discussed what the best helmets are with riders and prominent names in the riding sphere to discover which products are deemed the best and what exactly constitutes a high-quality dual-spot motorcycle helmet. Here's what we learned.

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The Best Dual Sport Motorcycle Helmets

Regardless of what anyone tells you, motorcycle helmets reduce the risk of head injury by nearly 70% and the risk of death by 42%. Of course, as the general rule of thumb, the better the helmet, the more protected you are. Here are some of the best dual sport motorcycle helmets:

Shoei Hornet X2

Shoei is probably one of the most prominent motorcycle gear manufacturers in the world. The brand enjoys worldwide respect from its fans, primarily due to the company's dedication to quality and the wide assortment of helmet styles that meet all the necessary safety requirements. And one of their best dual sports head protectors is the Hornet X2.

Hornet X2 is a great option for both beginners and expert riders, regardless of whether you occasionally ride the trail or you alternate between off-road and on-road riding. The helmet is known for its fantastic fit, and anyone who ever had the chance to own or at least wear a Shoei helmet has to be aware of the comforting fit the company's helmets offer.

It's made of Shoei's unique composite materials, which give the Advanced Integrated Matrix shell its recognizable durability and lightweight. Admittedly, they aren't as great as carbon fiber options, but they're nearly comparable when it comes to quality.

The internal liner is yet another Shoei-exclusive component, carrying on the theme of exclusive materials. In addition to helping to wick away moisture, the 3D Max Interior System II is made to follow the natural contours of your face. It also has a removable piece over the ears, which is fantastic in case you're wearing headphones over the ears during riding.

Nearly every other aspect of the Hornet X2 helmet is well-designed and thought off, including the wide field of view and the ability to remove the shield without having to remove the visor. It's generally quiet inside, and the ventilation is perfect for all riding conditions and circumstances.

The only downside is its weight. Despite being made of generally lightweight material, the overall robustness of the Hornet X2 makes the helmet a bit heavy during extended rides. If you're interested in obtaining a Shoei Hornet X2 helmet, check it out at Revzilla — the company also offers free shipping across the USA.

Pros

  • DOT approved
  • Very quiet
  • Face shield

Cons

  • Weighty

AFX FX-41

The popular option among riders is that the FX-41 looks aggressive, which is mostly prompted by the helmet's design consisting of sharp angles and edges. However, those who like a more "extreme" appearance will appreciate the helmet's flair and comfort, despite its hostile appearance, especially since we're discussing a very capable helmet.

The integrated ventilation system of the FX-41 is one of its best-selling points, as it consists of 17 entry and exit points, allowing the air to circulate around your head more effectively compared to other helmets. So, owning this model is particularly useful if you intend to off-road in the summer heat.

Since this helmet is primarily intended for off-road use, several of its features are reachable with the gloves on. This means that you can flip the face shield u or down without having to take off the visor, and changing the peak doesn't actually require you to remove your gloves.

The shield is tough and capable of withstanding light physical force, as it's made of scratch and UV-resistant material, which is also fog-resistant, even though it lacks pin-holding features. The majority of the FX-41's features are of a good caliber; however, the noise level is a significant flaw.

Most riders will undoubtedly appreciate the superb ventilation offered by the helmet, but the noise levels might prompt them to invest in earplugs. Admittedly, this is only an issue on the freeway; off-road driving minimizes the noise to bearable levels. You can check out this helmet at Revzilla.

Pros

  • Good value for money
  • Very modern styling
  • Comfortable liner and padding

Cons

  • Louder than expected

Bell MX-9

Most riders are familiar with Bell, as the business specializes in half and three-quarter designs, and the majority of their products are more oriented towards casual riding. The MX-9, however, competes favorably with the best in terms of trail and adventure riding. This helmet is not only one of the safest types available; it also has a nice design.

The proprietary design is the secret to the MX-9's impeccable safety ratings. The Multi-Directional Impact Protection System (MIPS), created by Bell, aids in stabilizing the rider's head in an impact and preventing serious injury.

This doesn't mean you shouldn't be careful while riding — quite the contrary. But it's nice knowing that this dual sport helmet will protect your head better than most other helmets available on the current market.

One more factor that separates the MX-9 from all the other helmets is the comfort the helmet offers. Bell has always produced superior internal textiles and padding, and this particular model is extremely comfortable. Additionally, the fabric is ideal for a summer ride because it wicks away moisture and controls body temperature.

Another benefit of this helmet is the ventilation. Air enters fast and effectively through the two forehead vents and three front vents. You won't get too hot when wearing the MX-9, no matter what the riding conditions are.

Unfortunately, wearing this helmet won't be very pleasant for anyone who wears glasses. The padding's continued flush contact with your face is the source of the pain. As a result, you won't be able to ride for very long because the side handles of your glasses will grind into your face.

The helmet is also quite noisy due to the number of air vents, but this isn't much of an issue if you're wearing earplugs. The helmet is currently available at both RevZilla and CycleGear.

Pros

  • Excellent ventilation
  • Very Durable

Cons

  • Noisy

AGV AX-9 Carbon

AGV is one of the more expensive dual-sport helmet brands available today; however, the helmet guarantees a good return on your investment. Those who used the AX-8 will be pleasantly delighted to learn that AGV did pay attention to user comments while developing the AGV AX-9 — which is now an obvious successor to the previous model and an even better motorbike helmet.

The quality of construction of this dual-sport helmet is the first thing you'll notice. A composite of carbon fiber, Kevlar, and fiberglass is used to create the shell. However, a few extra bucks can help you secure a helmet made entirely of carbon fiber.

The AX-9 is well suited to these materials because they offer good protection without adding a lot of weight. As this model weighs only 3.4 pounds, the majority of riders will feel as though they are wearing nothing at all.

For safety reasons, you want a helmet shell size that closely fits your head. For the AX-9, AGV has thankfully created three distinct shells, making it simpler for riders of all forms to find their ideal fit. But that's only a part of its appeal.

The AGV AX-9 helmet has excellent visibility, especially if you enjoy riding in the sun. The peak visor is more apparent on the AX-9 compared to the previous model, which is one obvious difference. This eliminates the need for tinted goggles when riding and provides greater shade.

Most of the time, a greater price is justified with greater quality, and the MX-9 excels in every aspect except the noise. Additionally, despite AGV's claims that this helmet has the greatest visibility, the difference is abysmally subtle. And although there has been a noticeable improvement over the previous model, this one is not that different from other bike helmets in its class.

The helmet is currently available at both RevZilla and CycleGear.

Pros

  • Very sturdy and durable
  • Adjustable ventilation system

Cons

  • Noise

Arai XD-4

The vision of the Arai XD-4, its aesthetics, and its design give the helmet the appearance of something you'd love wearing while dirt biking. Thankfully, it also receives good marks for street riding since Arai is a well-known helmet brand that is frequently praised for having a premium appearance and feel.

The XD-4 has one of the greatest composite shells the company has to offer, making it both lightweight and durable. The modular design of this adventure helmet is one of its best qualities. You can embark on the route fully equipped with a windscreen and a peak visor. But if you want to simplify it, you have a lot of options for how the helmet feels and looks when you ride.

The XD-4's excellent ventilation is one of its other best features. The location of the vents helps ensure that you won't overheat even after riding all day because it was designed to be used on the track.

The airflow is so amazing because Arai incorporated a few more chin vents to achieve optimum effectiveness. The best part is that you can change the flow because you have complete control over the openings.

Thanks to the composite shell and its overall features, the DOT and ECE have both certified this helmet, which makes it road-ready. Although there is excellent ventilation, the airflow inside does somewhat resemble a wind tunnel. This implies that there will be a lot of noise as you ride, especially if you take off the shield and wear goggles. If you're in the market for a new helmet, look for XD-4 at RevZilla and CycleGear.

Pros

  • Incredible comfort liner and padding
  • Great safety ratings
  • Excellent vent system

Cons

  • Noisy

Klim Krios Helmet

Riders of all skill levels are drawn to dual-sport helmets, as they're made to function in a variety of environments and can be used for both recreational and competitive riding. This helmet from Klim Krios essentially has no drawbacks in comparison to the majority of the other models on this list. Casual riders wouldn't want to make such a large commitment, though, as it has a high price tag.

The carbon fiber construction of the Klim Krios helmet makes it both dependable and light. There are two shell variants and four different size options for this model. Due to its versatility and ability to fit practically all skull shapes, very few riders will feel uncomfortable while wearing this helmet.

Despite the rugged and rough exterior, the inner is soft and velvety, and the liner's ability to conform closely against the skin — whilst also retaining some elasticity — is why this helmet is as popular as it is. You won't have to worry about pinching or rubbing if you have to ride with glasses (or headphones).

In terms of road visibility, you can see both the road and the trail as clearly as possible since the point of view facilitated by one of the biggest face shields on the market doesn't hinder your peripheral vision.

This particular type is suitable for most weather conditions because it has both a transparent and a tinted cover. Although it doesn't have a pin-lock insert out of the box, it is also pinlock-ready to prevent fog.

The Klim Krios' breathability more than makes up for the fact that it isn't the quietest helmet. Even in the height of heat, riding will keep your face rather cool. This all leads us to the helmet's drawbacks, of which there are virtually none.

The only thing about the Klim Krios helmet that might deter someone from purchasing it is its high price. It's a top-notch item. However, if the budget isn't an issue, the helmet can be found at both RevZilla and CycleGear.

Pros

  • Durable carbon shell
  • Comfortable inner liner
  • Transition shield

Cons

  • Pricey

Scorpion EXO-AT950

Scorpion is a moniker that suggests that this helmet will have an intense appearance, and thankfully, it won't let you down in that regard. The EXO-AT950, like the previous dual sport helmets, seems to best fit in the motocross section. Its construction and safety ratings, however, are more than adequate for riding on the street as well.

Finding the proper helmet size is one potential problem that some motorcycle riders may experience. That's not a concern with the Scorpion EXO. With sizes ranging from XS to XXXL, you can always find the perfect fit.

The shell and the liner are the two parts to pay attention to while sizing a motorcycle helmet. Generally speaking, you want a shell that tightly fits your head. In a collision, the helmet won't move around as much if done this way.

Scorpion makes the EXO extra-safe by providing three different shell sizes. One of the most comfortable motorcycle helmets on the market is made possible by the liner, which is also amazing. The lining material is a brand-specific choice known as KwickWick.

It's created to be silky smooth on your skin and to wick moisture away as quickly as possible. So you won't have to worry about having a damp face while riding on a hot summer day. You can use the face shield as you would with any other dual-sport helmet, or you can take it off and use goggles.

It will be rather quiet if you want to take the EXO on the street. However, you'll discover that it can get a little loud when you hit the trails. Additionally, its ventilation systems fall short of what most riders would expect from a helmet within this class. The helmet can be obtained from RevZilla and CycleGear.

Pros

  • Soft interior
  • Vast size selection
  • Lightweight

Cons

  • Poor ventilation