Dual Sport Helmet Options For Less Than $200
Buying a new Dual Sport helmet doesn't have to drain your wallet
Dual Sport helmets are great for Adventure Bike riders because they give you the best features of both street and dirt helmets. A typical Dual Sport helmet includes a face shield, sun visor (or peak) and a wide opening around the eyes to allow fitting goggles.
The visor is designed to be aerodynamic so that there is less buffeting at highway speeds and is useful for blocking out the sun when riding late in the day. With a Dual Sport helmet, you can use the face shield on the highway for a quieter ride or use goggles off-road for more ventilation and to keep the dust out of your eyes.
Dual Sport helmets have been around for over a decade now, but until just a few years ago there was very little choice on the market. If you wanted a Dual Sport helmet, you had to buy either a Shoei Hornet or Arai XD; both of which cost over $400. Helmet purchases can become a major expense, with manufacturers recommending helmet replacements every five years. Buying an affordable Dual Sport helmet is a smart decision that can save you a lot of cash.
The popularity of Adventure Bikes and Dual Sport riding has created an explosion in the number of choices today as more manufacturers have gotten into the game. While Arai and Shoei are still commanding top dollar for their helmets, you won’t have any trouble finding a quality Dual Sport helmet from other manufacturers in the sub-$200 range.
Knowing what your choices are is always a good thing, so we have compiled an extensive list of Dual Sport helmets that you can purchase for less than $200. Compare each helmet’s specifications and check out the reviews below to find a helmet that meets your needs for safety, comfort and style.
Acerbis Active ($197) — Buy It Now!
Weight: 3.5 lbs.
Safety: ECE
Features: Built-in flip down sun visor, adjustable air vents, ABS Shell
Speed and Strength SS2500 ($170) — Buy It Now!
Weight: 3.6 lbs. (Large)
Safety: ECE, DOT
Features: Adjustable air vents, quick release chin strap, tri-composite fiberglass shell
Review:
LS2 MX453 ($170) — Buy It Now!
Weight: 3.3 lbs.
Safety: ECE, DOT
Features: Anti-lift visor, adjustable air vents, tri-composite fiberglass shell construction
Review:
Joe Rocket Hybrid ($158) — Buy It Now!
Weight: 3.9 lbs. (Large)
Safety: ECE, DOT
Features: adjustable air vents, composite poly-alloy shell
Review:
AFX FX-41 ($136) — Buy It Now!
Weight: 4.0 lbs.
Safety: ECE, DOT
Features: Built-in flip down sun visor, anti-lift visor, adjustable air vents, composite poly-carbonate shell
Review:
Fulmer ADV ($125) — Buy It Now!
Weight: 3.6 lbs.
Safety: ECE, DOT
Features: Adjustable air vents, easy visor-less conversion
Review:
http://rideapart.com/2011/08/gear-fulmer-adv-helmet/
FLY Trekker ($125) — Buy It Now!
Weight: 4.0 lbs.
Safety: ECE, DOT
Features: Adjustable air vents, poly alloy shell
Review:
MSR Xpedition ($119) — Buy It Now!
Weight: 3.6 lbs. (Medium)
Safety: ECE, DOT
Features: Adjustable air vents, Poly Alloy shell
Review:
Cyber UX-32 ($117) —Buy It Now!
Weight: Unknown
Safety: DOT, ECE, Snell
Features: ABS shell, adjustable air vents
GMax GM11D ($108) — Buy It Now!
Weight: 3.8 lbs.
Safety: DOT
Features: Poly alloy shell, easy visor-less conversion, adjustable air vents, anti-lift visor
Review:
BiLT Explorer Adventure ($100) — Buy It Now!
Weight: Unknown
Safety: DOT
Features: ABS shell, adjustable air vents, Built-in flip down sun visor
Airoh S5 ($183) —Buy It Now!
Weight: 3.3 lbs.
Safety: ECE, DOT
Features: Thermoplastic shell
SparX Nexxus ($88) — Buy It Now!
Weight: 4 lbs. (Large)
Safety: ECE, DOT
Features: Adjustable air vents, thermo-composite shell
Review:
BiLT Explorer Discovery ($70) — Buy It Now!
Weight: Unknown
Safety: DOT
Features: ABS shell
TMS Dual Sport ($40) — Buy It Now!
Weight: Unknown
Safety: DOT
Features: Thermoplastic shell
Author: Rob Dabney
Rob Dabney started a lifelong obsession with motorcycles at the age of 15 when he purchased his first bike – a 1982 Honda MB5. Through his 20’s and 30’s he competed in off-road desert races, including the Baja 250, 500 and 1000. Eventually, his proclivity for exploration led him to dual sport and adventure riding. Rob’s never-ending quest to discover what’s around the next bend has taken him on Adventures in Latin America, Africa, Europe, Asia, and throughout the American West. As a moto journalist, he enjoys inspiring others to seek adventure across horizons both near and far.
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Nice write up and collection of these type of helmets! For the dual sport I use the G max. The biggest thing for me other than correct fit is being able to flip the face shield all the way up so I don’t have to look through the bottom of the shield. I have had a few other helmets for much more money that the shield didn’t go all the way up. It drove me nuts looking at the bottom of the shield in the extreme sections when I would flip it to the full up position. Thank you for putting this all together!
No problem Tim. Glad you found this useful. The GMax is a nice looking helmet. It meets all 3 major safety standards as well (ECE, DOT, SNELL). Not too heavy either. It’s nice to know what other options are out there besides Shoei and Arai.
Great write up Rob. I have the Fly Trekker and have been amazed at how great of a helmet it is for so cheap. Sure it isn’t as quiet as my $350 Shoei street helmet but it ventilates well and is very comfortable. The perfect companion helmet for my WR250R.
Thanks for your comments Mike. It seems like the Shoei’s and Arai’s haven’t gotten any cheaper over the years. That Fly Trekker is definitely one of the nicer looking helmets. It is amazing how many people have bought an expensive helmet only to go for a less expensive helmet later without regrets.
It is so good to see a review like this to help us make better choices and to see that so many choices are out there.
The GMAX GM11D is DOT certifified only, not ECE or Snell.
Thanks Rodney.
i think it can’t compare to AFX FX-39 DS Adventure Helmet. This helmet is a well-built flat back adventurer helmet with a stylish aerodynamic composite poly alloy shell, removable and washable hypoallergenic liner, and a single-turn face shield with side covers. The shield is optically corrected to improve vision. It is also scratch resistant, durable, and protects the face and eyes from ultraviolet rays. Currently, it is the best helmet in the market.
source: http://top10bestreview.com/top-10-best-adventure-helmet-of-2015-reviews/
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Poor quality helmet and service
i bought an AFX fx 39 ds helmet and the visor does not seal properly, there is a gap of between 2mm and 3mm at the top of the visor between the seal and visor.. this lets in freezing cold air in onto the face around the eyes.. I contacted the retailer, the retailer told me to contact AFX direct, then AFX rold me to contact Parts Europe, then Parts Europe tell me to contact the retailer I am going round in circles and getting nowhere, 2 months of contacting them and still not sorted out. Overall.. I am dissasified with AFX helmets and their so called customer service.. I will stick with HJC helmets in future..