What Are the Differences Between Road, Motocross and Adventure Helmets?

July 13, 2022

What Are the Differences Between Road, Motocross and Adventure Helmets?

A helmet is the most important piece of equipment needed before you start riding a motorcycle. Making sure you choose the right helmet for the type of riding you’re doing and being confident in the fit and feel of the helmet you choose is paramount before you start gripping and ripping that throttle. 

There’s a number of factors you need to take into consideration when purchasing a helmet. What type of riding you’re doing, are you riding motocross, are you riding on the road or are you heading off on an adventure? There’s significant differences between Motocross, Road and Adventure helmets and all though the look of the helmet is an easy way to decipher which helmet is meant for which style of riding, there is lots of other things you need to take into consideration. We’ve written up a guide for you to check out to make sure you’re wearing the correct helmet for the type of riding you’re going to be doing and making sure you keep that noggin of yours safe! 

Why are there differences between road, adventure and motocross helmets?

As stated above, all these helmets are specifically designed for the environment and type of riding conditions the rider wearing the helmet will be encountering. Although all helmets are made for safety, they all provide specific and unique features. 

Road helmets

Road helmets come in all shapes and sizes, for example you have Open Face, Modular and Full face helmets. 

An Open face helmet is one that leaves your face exposed and doesn’t have a chin bar, it still covers the top and side of your head but as the name perceives it leaves your face open. The Open face helmet, obviously has incredibly airflow and is a good option for scooter or low powered motorcycles. If you’re considering this option – pairing an open face helmet with a pair of goggles or visor is a good option to ensure your eyes and face are still protected by debris in some way. 

Modular Helmets are a hybrid option, combining an open face helmet and full face helmet together by having the option to ride with the helmet fully open or shut. Some helmets have the chin bar flip to the top of the helmet, others flip all the way around to the back of the helmet. All though a great option, the modular helmet isn’t going to be as safe as the full-fledged full face helmets, and due to having to have the mechanisms in place to make them modular can be on the heavier side too. With that being said these are good option for the commuter that has to deal with traffic, especially in Australia’s hot climate – being able to pop the front of the helmet up and get significant air flow is a great feature

Full face helmets are top tier when it comes to the safety aspect of riding and the most popular helmet purchased by road riders. You can choose between a less aggressive commuter style helmet, that typically will be a little bit quieter, have an internal sun visor and is designed for that more of an upright riding position. Or if you have a sports bike and are in that aggressive down low riding/racing position you can choose an sports/race helmet that’s specifically built around managing wind resistance and getting the most speed out of your positioning. Both styles are made specifically for the position of riding you will be doing so if you’re buying a full race helmet and you’re on an upright bike in an upright position your field of vision may be limited and the same applies if you swap the scenario to a commuter helmet on a sports bike. Both offer great full face protection and both have external visors that protect your face and eyes from oncoming debris. 

Motocross Helmets

Motocross helmets are designed for completely different riding, terrain and conditions. Being in the dirt and typically around a number of other riders a motocross helmet will come with a peak for you to be able to deflect “roost” from other riders. They have a wide port for you to place your goggles in to protect your eyes also from dirt, debris and roost and are extremely light weight and ventilated to accommodate for the hot conditions. They also come with a low chin bar that is extended out compared to road helmets to open up ventilation and make breathing a little easier as Motocross is such a physically demanding sport.

Adventure Helmets

Adventure helmets are a mixture of both a motocross helmet and road helmet. Offering an external visor to keep wind noise down over long adventures, but still having a lower, extended chin bar and peak to offer appropriate ventilation and protection from roost, dirt and debris. Typically adventure riders are going on just that, an adventure so having a lightweight, ventilated helmet that’s comfy and reduces wind noise is what they’re going to need for hours upon hours of seat time. 

Hopefully this guide gave you a bit of an insight into what helmet might be suited to your riding needs. If you have any extra questions that may need answering either call us on 07 3386 1600 or 07 5432 3999 and talk to on of our knowledgeable staff members. Or shoot us an email at info@amawarehouse.com.au and we’ll happily answer any extra questions you may have.