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Whether you do Motocross or take your dirt bike out with friends and family, one thing is needed: a strong helmet. Wearing a helmet while riding your dirt bike is going to keep you safe and may even save your life one day.
There are a few things to consider when you are purchasing the right helmet. You want something that is going to withstand impact, you want something that is aerodynamic for those high jumps, and you want something that looks cool, too.
Other things will factor in as well. Price, durability, and reliability of a helmet are things to think about. Before buying one, you should read any personal reviews from other riders about what they thought of it.
Motocross and dirt biking, in general, have come a long way. There are many new features on helmets that are out now. They can give you a really good edge when it comes to riding safely.
According to our tests, the best dirt bike helmet is the O'Neal Off-Road Style 5 Helmet. O'Neal is a solid brand for motorcycle gear, and this off-road polycarbonate helmet is designed to keep you cool is DOT certified to keep you safe.
HELMET | Summary |
|---|---|
O'Neal Off-Road Style 5 Helmet  | The O’neal Off-Road Helmet is a polycarbonate helmet with a removable padded liner that can wick away sweat. Also, it has vents that will keep you not only dry but cool. |
LS2 Helmets Unisex Offroad Helmet  | Not only does this helmet come in a variety of sizes, but it also provides extreme air ventilation with 35 different ports for the air to flow through! |
Fox Racing V1 Helmet  | This helmet meets ECE and DOT guidelines and has 4 EPS and 3 shell sizes allowing you to find the perfect fit. |
Troy Lee Designs SE4 Polyacrylite Helmet  | This helmet has a unique safety feature which minimizes rotational force to the head and possesses sturdy, yet easy to break away visors in the event of an accident. |
Yema YM-915 Motobike Off Road Helmet  | he great features of this helmet are adjustable air vents, a quick-release buckle for emergencies, removable liner pads for wash-ability, and extra room to wear Bluetooth speakers. |
5 Best Dirt Bike & Motocross Helmets
Pros
Cons
More About The O'Neal Off-Road Style 5 Unisex Helmet
The Coolmax liner has a plush feel so that you feel comfortable wearing while riding. Because it does wick away your sweat, it is removable, allowing you to wash it. The shell weight is relatively light, which will add that additional comfort and mobility that you need while riding.
This helmet is designed for both men and women, plus it is made by a company that has been in the industry for over 40 years. Made with polycarbonate, the shells of these helmets are made for durability and are also lightweight.
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Shop Related Products | |
|---|---|
Arai VX-Pro 4  | Fox Head Rampage  |
Bell Moto-9 Flex  | NENKI Helmets NK-316  |
Pros
Cons
More About LS2 Helmets Unisex Offroad Helmet
The shell of this helmet is made with a Kinetic Polymer Alloy which makes it ultra lightweight and durable. Not only that, but it has three different shell sizes to choose from. This allows you to pick out the best fit for your head, adding that extra security and comfort.
Although it does not have a shield, it allows for virtually any size goggles that you prefer, while providing a variety of awesome patterns to choose from. It’s designed to absorb the most possible energy, so that in the event of an impact, it can take the brunt of the hit with minimal impact to your head.
This is an ideal helmet if you do dirt bike racing because it is designed to use the air from the speeds you reach to go through each of the 35 ports to cool you down at the same time.
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Shop Related Products | |
|---|---|
Arai VX-Pro 4 | Fox Head Rampage |
Bell Moto-9 Flex | NENKI Helmets NK-316 |
Pros
Cons
More About The Fox Racing V1 Helmet
The Fox Racing helmet has a variety of sizes with three different shell types to allow you to find your perfect fit. The airflow system contains 4 exhaust and 9 intake vents to keep you cool and dry. It has also surpassed the DOT and ECE safety ratings.
The best part? The price. This helmet runs cheaper than other racing dirt bike helmets.
Shop Related Products | |
|---|---|
Arai VX-Pro 4 | Fox Head Rampage |
Bell Moto-9 Flex | NENKI Helmets NK-316 |
Pros
Cons
More About The Troy Lee Designs SE4 Polyacrylite Helmet
The Troy Lee Designs helmet is a great helmet for racing and stunts. It has 3D cheek pads that not only add an additional layer of comfort and safety, but also have an emergency release that allows EMS responders to remove the helmet in the event of an accident. This can reduce any further injury to an already possibly injured head and neck.
As far as DOT and ECE standards go, this helmet surpasses them when it comes to their safety levels. It also comes in a variety of colors and patterns, so you know you can look good and be safe at the same time.
Shop Related Products | |
|---|---|
Arai VX-Pro 4 | Fox Head Rampage |
Bell Moto-9 Flex | NENKI Helmets NK-316 |
Pros
Cons
More About The Yema YM-915 Motobike Off Road Helmet
The Yema YM-915 is designed with an ABS shell and pads that can be removed and washed. This is a full-face helmet that has an extra durable chin strap for added protection. It is DOT certified and good for any outdoor off-road activity that requires protective head-gear. This helmet is great for long term riding, it has extra space for speakers if you want to listen to some music while you ride. Check out The Riders Market picks for motorcycle helmet speakers.
An additional feature is the emergency button. It allows for easy removal of your helmet in the event of a crash.
Shop Related Products | |
|---|---|
Arai VX-Pro 4 | Fox Head Rampage |
Bell Moto-9 Flex | NENKI Helmets NK-316 |
Features of a Dirt Bike Helmet
So, you might be wondering: What makes up the anatomy of a dirt bike helmet? There are many components that need to be considered when designing and creating a safe and comfortable helmet. Here are a few examples:
The Shell
The shell is what makes up the outer portion of the helmet. This is usually made up of a polycarbonate or other lightweight material to ensure that the helmet’s bulk doesn’t add too much weight while being tough.
This is also the portion of the helmet that has to be designed for extreme durability because it is the first part that hits anything with force in case of an accident.
Absorbing Liner
This absorbing foam liner is designed for comfort and safety. It is like a “second skull” as it is intended to protect your head in the same way. This is attached right underneath the shell and it is designed to absorb most of the energy from any impact.
It is the second layer, along with the shell, designed to keep you safe. It’s the buffer that allows you to protect your skull and have the least amount of impact to your head as possible.
Comfort Padding
This padding is usually made from foam that can contour your face and provide a comfortable, yet secure fit. It is often removable so that you can wash it because it does absorb your sweat. Good padding will contour to your cheeks and feel snug against your face.
Ventilation
Ventilation is important because a good dirt bike helmet will be a full-face helmet. It is designed to cover all of the face except the eyes, which would then be protected by goggles.
When you wear a helmet like this, you need to make sure you have adequate air. This will keep you cool and dry, as well as minimize sweating.
Proper ventilation will keep you from overheating. Additionally, helmets will often have intake vents and exhaust vents. This ensures adequate circulation for your comfort.
Chin Guard
The chin protection is the portion of your helmet that covers the chin and mouth area. It is an added layer of protection for your face in the event of an impact.
The Straps
The straps are located at the bottom of your helmet and are used essentially to “strap in” to your helmet. The straps are adjustable for a snug fit and are what keep your helmet on once in place.
A good dirt bike helmet will have some type of emergency release on these straps to make it easy to remove in the event of said emergency. Still, they should be able to stay securely in place while you ride.
How to Choose a Dirt Bike Helmet
There are many factors to consider when choosing the right dirt bike helmet. These helmets are designed differently than other motorcycle helmets (To learn about the best motorcycle helmets, check out our post about the best ones available: https://theridersmarket.com/best-motorcycle-helmets/). Price and special features do play a role when choosing what is right for you.
If you are a seasoned rider, then you may already know what your likes and dislikes are. You may be trying to fine tune your helmet’s features for the ultimate comfort and safety. If you are a beginner, you may want to stick to a basic helmet until you decide what is going to work best for you.
You also may not want to pay for an expensive helmet with all the bells and whistles until you know for sure that you are going to stick to dirt bike riding. Whether you’re a beginner or you’ve been riding for years, there are things to keep in mind when choosing a new helmet.
Head Size and Shape
The size and shape of your head are going to be the main determining factors in the type of motorcycle helmet you buy. To start, measure the circumference of your head using a flexible measuring tape.
You want to rest the tape gently above your eyebrows and go behind your ears to the largest point of your scalp. You’ll compare this measurement to the sizing chart of the helmet you’re looking to buy and that will help you find the correct size.
Make sure you look at each size chart for different helmets. Some helmets may run small and you will have to go a size up. You want your helmet to have a snug fit. If it’s loose, it can feel cumbersome and not provide the protection you need.
Your head shape will also play a role. Always try on any helmet you’re thinking about purchasing before you actually do so. There are many different head shapes that helmets are designed for, so you will want to try them on until you find the right fit for you.
DOT and ECE Ratings
DOT and ECE Ratings are the safety ratings in the U.S. and Europe. In order for these helmets to be considered safe, they have to pass these ratings.
Many will exceed these ratings and that’s what you’re looking for. Helmets that go through the rigorous testing process to pass will give you the peace of mind that they can withstand high impact and keep you protected.
SHARP Ratings
SHARP is another rating system that rates safety on a scale of 1 to 5. SHARP ratings are done on helmets that have been through the DOT or ECE process and the higher rating they give, the safer the helmet is.
Ventilation and Cooling
A good helmet is going to keep you cool and dry. When you sweat in a full-face helmet, inadequate ventilation will make your goggles fog up. This poses a threat to your safety because it interferes with your vision.
Lack of ventilation and cooling properties can also lead to overheating and dehydration. Make sure you choose something with an adequate ventilation system and a good sweat absorbing liner.
Technology
Many helmets have Bluetooth technology. This is great for listening to music to get in the zone, to talking to people on the ground during a race.
If you’re a beginner, though, this may be a distraction. These helmets also tend to be a bit more expensive, so if you’re not sure that dirt bike riding is something that you’re in for the long haul, then maybe opt out of this for now.
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Maintenance
Taking care of your helmet will help maintain its longevity. Helmets can last a long time when they are properly cared for. Here are some things to consider:
Crashing
One thing that does happen often in dirt bike racing and stunt riding, is crashing. With adequate body gear, many riders can get up and walk away from these crashes.
When you take a bad dive and your helmet takes the impact, you will want to buy a new one. A hard crash will lower the integrity of the helmet. It may not hold up so well the next time.
Cleaning
Cleaning your helmet will help it last the duration it was designed to. Washing the liner after each use is important because the liners soak up your sweat. Keeping the inside of your helmet clean will help keep your air flow at its best.
If you have removable liners, they can be thrown into the washing machine to clean. If your helmet doesn’t have removable liners, you’ll want to soak the entire helmet in water. A large sink or a bucket full of water can do the trick.
Washing the outside of your helmet will get dirt and debris out of the crevices. Spraying the outside of your helmet with a hose will get the mud and dirt off and also clear the vents out. Making sure the vents are clear of debris will ensure that you are getting the best air circulation each ride.
Conclusion
Dirt bike riding and racing is fun and intense. You’ll want to make sure that you are protecting your body so that you can continue having fun even after a crash. A helmet will keep you safe, minimizing the impact to your head. It can prevent major concussions and keep you alive.
Making sure you find a helmet that fits you not only keeps you safe but maintains comfort. A helmet that is comfortable will add to the joy of the ride. It’s one less thing you have to worry about, so you can focus on your stunts.
