Are Motocross Helmets Street Legal

July 07, 2022

Are Motocross Helmets street legal? Can you ride a motocross helmet off the road?This is a common question among road and dirt bike riders. Well, the simple answer is yes, provided that the helmet has met certain standards set by the Australian Government. In the country, helmets must meet either the Australian Standard or the European Standard for them to be legally used on the road. The Australian Standard for helmets is “certified” by a privately owned certification services company. European helmets, on the other hand, are “homologated” by a European Government. DOT and SNELL helmets are not currently legal for road use in Australia.

Your MX Helmet must have a label sewn into the helmet declaring the standard that they meet. This is generally either in the crown liner of the helmet for Australian Standards or on the chin strap for European Standard. There may also be a sticker on the outside of the helmet.

However, take this with a grain of salt. Helmets are all designed to reduce the force of an impact on the head in case of a crash or fall. However, not all helmet are designed the same or equally safe. Street motorcycle helmets are not the same as motocross helmets s Since they are designed to be worn on two separate terrains. Road helmets are mainly designed to keep riders protected whilst maintaining road visibility. They provide the rider relief from the outdoor elements like the wind. On the other hand, motocross helmets are built for sport and are meant to be used on dirt/mud tracks. These helmets need airflow and protection from roosts, ruts, and rocks mainly due to the unpredictable obstacles of dirt bike tracks. 

Benefits to MX style helmets

MX helmets have better ventilation and peripheral vision, weighing lighter than to street helmets.

Due to their distinct functions, motocross helmets differ from standard street bike helmets. Dirt motorcycles are much slower and need the rider to navigate several obstacles, which may be tiring. That’s why MX helmets are always lighter and less padded. One unique feature of dirt bike helmets is their extended chin for better airflow. They also come with a peak and goggles that offer better protection from dust, dirt, rocks and even the sun. However, dirt bike helmets are a bit bulkier and don’t offer the same aerodynamic sleekness as street helmets. 

Benefits to road style helmets

Wearing road style helmet with a visor keeps wind out of your face and improves your visibility.  This makes them more compact and provides additional covering for your head. Since street riders share the road with other motorcycle rider and other types of vehicles, your ears will also benefit from reduce wind noise of the busy road, resulting in a quieter ride.

Since street riders share the road with other motorcycle rider and other types of vehicles, your ears will also benefit from reduce wind noise of the busy road, resulting in a quieter ride. Wind noise reduction can help you hear what's going on around you, keeping you aware of any potentially hazardous conditions while driving. 

Why do MX and dirt bikers wear goggles

Due to the open-face design of motocross helmets, goggles are required to protect the rider's face. Although dirt bike helmets have visors, a motorcycle helmet does not properly shield the rider's face from dust. Goggles are more than just accessory they protect your eyes from dust, harmful glare, and wind, making them a crucial piece of equipment to wear in conjunction with your helmet.

Riding a dirt bike without goggles can make your ride a bit more uncomfortable not to mention unsafe. The glare from the surrounding can impede your peripheral vision. Your eyes can also be subjected to tons of dust, roost, and other debris that can be dangerous that is why wearing goggles is important and should not be taken for granted.

Can you wear a motocross helmet on the road? 

So can you wear a motocross helmet for on-road riding? Yes and no. You can wear MX helmets as long as they meet all the same motorcycle helmet safety standards that street helmets do. Because they are designed for a specific environment, motocross and road helmets have different levels of safety. Off-road helmets are intended for slower speeds and a lot of bumps. They might not perform well at high speeds on a congested roadway. Dirt helmets are not meant for aerodynamics, therefore riding at 60-70 kph on the road while wearing a dirt helmet can be dangerous.

There many benefits of using MX helmets. One is that they have better airflow compared to motorcycle helmets. The ability to wear goggles for eye protection instead of the face shield can also provide added comfort on an extremely hot weather. With all these great features, dirt bike helmets can be worn on the streets. but it all comes down to your personal preferences! Just make sure to use all the essential motorcycle safety gears before hitting on the road.

Looking for the right motocross gear for you? Check out our complete range of motocross helmets and other gear and accessories here or come in-store and have a chat with our staff members who are always stoked to help out!