So, you have finally achieved your goal and bought the dirt bike that you have been dreaming about buying for a long time. But before you ignite the engine, put it in gear and start your riding journey. You need to check that you have all kinds of safety gear with you for driving your dirt bike, like boots, gloves, body armour, riding pants, knee and elbow guards, motorcycle shoe protectors, eyewear or eye protection, and most importantly, a helmet.
Your life is priceless, and safety is important when you are riding a bike. You need to have a dirt bike helmet, as it will be a worthy investment for you. Helmets are essential riding gear that offers protection to the head and brain from all types of injuries during riding. Whether using a dirt bike, traditional bicycle, power bike, or street bike, you should always use the right-fitting helmet. It will keep your head cool and comfortable. However, before you go out and make the purchase, you need to know about a few crucial things.
Here we will give a piece of complete information about dirt bike helmets so that you can spend your money wisely on a helmet that will be best suited for your requirements. By learning all the information in this guide, you will not suffer the financial loss of buying the wrong type of helmet. You will know what kind of dirt helmet you should buy and the amazing advantages of wearing this helmet while enjoying a thrilling ride on your outstanding dirt bike.
“The helmet has a special meaning for many drivers. How important is it to you? - It protects my head.” ─ Kimi Raikkonen
What Is A Dirt Bike?
There are various kinds of bikes made for different kinds of roads, thrills, and conveniences such as commuter, classic, cruiser, touring, sports and many more. Dirt bikes are also one of the bike categories. These bikes are specially manufactured for riding on off-roads and rough surfaces like mountain roads, deserts, and forests. These bikes are very popular to be used in extreme sports events like racing in motocross, freestyle motocross, hillclimbing, and gymkhana. In many places, driving a dirt bike on the road is considered illegal because it does not have the necessary pieces of equipment like headlights, brake lights, and mirrors.
Due to the lack of these features, this bike is not considered street-legal in many places. However, with the passing of time, there are few companies that have added these gears to their bikes and made them street-legal. One of the best qualities of these bikes is that they are lightweight, which makes them easier to handle. They have robust suspension systems that efficiently absorb impacts from jumps and bumps. Dirt bikes come with off-road tyres that give rough friction so that the rider does not lose control by slipping on dirt, gravel, mud, and other off-road surfaces.
What Is Special About A Dirt Bike Helmet?
A dirt bike helmet is a helmet that is specially designed for the specific use of riders who mostly drive off-roads. There are plenty of various types of helmets, such as full-face helmets, open-face helmets (half-face), modular helmets, half-shell helmets, off-road helmets, and dual-sport helmets. These helmets are different from regular road helmets as they work as a shield, protect the bike rider’s head and face from any kind of impact, and prevent the penetration of dust, dirt, and debris.
When a bike rider goes on an adventurous off-road trip, he or she has to face lots of challenges, and a regular helmet is not designed to face those challenges. Dirt bike helmets are constructed from highly durable materials that are also lightweight. Some of the dirt bike helmets have advanced with time and have built-in advanced features like Multi-directional Impact Protection System (MIPS) technology. This enhances the protection of the biker.
Important Features To Consider When Buying A Dirt Bike Helmet
Dirt biking is exciting and also considered an extreme sport. And because of these reasons, it is really important that a rider make sure that he or she has a proper dirt bike helmet for their protection. However, before you go ahead and pick a dirt bike helmet, there are a few factors that you need to consider so that choose the helmet that suits you best.
1. Size And Weight Of Helmet
The first important feature that you need to consider is which size helmet will fit your head and how much weight a dirt bike helmet will be best suited for you. Even though the weight of these helmets is lighter than any other street motorcycle helmet, buying the right size and weight helmet will not just provide you with safety but also provide you with lots of comfort. The right size helmet will neither be too tight for your head nor too loose.
If you choose a helmet that is too small, it will cause you discomfort and can also become the reason for headaches. Whereas a large-sized helmet cannot provide you with good protection from accidents, a lightweight helmet can reduce the stress on your neck and shoulders, which is an extremely beneficial factor during long rides. While a heavyweight helmet will cause a burden on your head and can make you feel fatigued over time.
2. Ventilation
Another important feature that you need to consider during your purchase of a dirt bike helmet is ventilation. It is really important for you to check that your helmet has a ventilation element in it. There are several reasons why ventilation is extremely important. Dirt biking is a sport that demands physical strength, and when a person is involved in dirt biking, they generate lots of heat. Ventilation allows the warm air to escape from the helmet, which helps prevent overheating, discomfort and visors from getting foggy.
A ventilated helmet keeps the rider comfortable and cooler, and this helps them focus better on riding. As a result, the rider’s safety is increased, and the rider remains more aware, allowing them to make quick choices in various kinds of situations, such as taking sharp turns and applying breaks timely in case of emergency. Dirt biking is a sweaty sport and because of it lots of moisture can build inside a helmet. This can cause big problems for the rider as not only the helmet will become uncomfortable to wear, but it also can increase the chance of accidents.
3. Shape and Design
The shape and design of the helmet that one wants to go with completely depends on their choice and preference. These features are directly connected to the safety, comfort, and performance of a rider. Dirt bike helmets are designed to protect the rider’s head by absorbing impact during any sort of accident. These helmets are designed in a specific shape that enhances one’s safety and reduces the risk of head injuries. The shape of the helmet also plays a big role in how well it fits on a rider’s head.
During dirt biking, a rider has to keep in mind the concept of aerodynamics (the way objects move through the air). A properly shaped helmet with a great aerodynamic design can help the rider cut through the air and move more efficiently. This is especially important during sports and racing. Dirt bike helmets are manufactured with built-in visors that provide extra protection from dirt and debris while riding, as well as from weather conditions like sun glare and rain.
4. Looks
Looks are not as important as other features in a dirt bike helmet. However, there are plenty of individuals who consider looks to be one of the most important parts of a helmet. These riders prefer to look stylish while they are stunting and riding their dirt bikes. So, even though looks can be considered an important factor, riders should understand that they should never compromise their safety to just look outstanding.
Nowadays, many riders prefer to add Bluetooth to their helmets, as it can serve as a multipurpose tool for talking, calling, and listening to music that also looks fancy. Some riders customise their helmets by painting them and adding stickers to them to give them the elegant look they desire. By doing this, they showcase their identity and style through their helmet. Lots of riders prefer to have a helmet that matches the colour scheme of their dirt bikes and other safety gear like gloves, shoes, and jackets. The colours and patterns in the helmet can give it a new aesthetic look.
5. Overall Safety
This is the last and most important factor that every rider needs to consider while buying a helmet i.e. safety. However, many riders make the mistake of ignoring this factor and giving their attention to other details. The basic reason a person wears a helmet is to provide their head with proper protection. There are a few things that you should check before buying a helmet, such as whether it should have multi-density foam and quick-release pressure or not.
Multi-directional Impact Protection Systems, or MIPS, is a well-known industry, and many helmet manufacturing companies have put their trust in this technology for building their helmets. The Magnetic Visor Release System (MVRS) is another amazing technology that was developed by Fox Racing. This epic technology manages the rotational force responsibly at the time of the accident. The visor of the helmet is placed over the body of the helmet with magnetic strength, and this gives it some extra strength. This strength can extend to the fact that the visor can endure any damage from different riders, and it gets detached in case of an accident.
Best Dirt Bike Helmet Brands Australia
You have learned about the importance and amazing features that a dirt bike helmet will offer you. However, there are so many companies, from local to national and international, that make dirt bike helmets. Choosing the right brand is also a really important part of buying a helmet. A local brand helmet is not made of good-quality materials, so it would not be able to protect your head as efficiently. It is essential to choose the right helmet when you are making a valuable investment for your safety.
Some of the most well-known brands have a high reputation in the market for providing their customers with dirt bike helmets that are manufactured with top-quality materials. So, if the rider meets with a tragic accident, their helmet will be able to protect their head. The names of these famous brands are 6D, Acerbis, Airoh, Alpinestars, Arai, Bell, Caberg, Fly Racing, Fox, Hightail, HJC, JUST1, Leatt, M2R, Nitro Helmets, Nolan, Oneal, RXT, Schuberth, Shark, Shoei, Shot Race Gear, Thor, Troy Lee Designs, and XFMT. One of the best features of the helmets from these brands is that they provide their consumers with a warranty and support.
How to Know When to Replace Your Helmet
Although a helmet is a worthwhile investment that can last for months or even years, it cannot last forever. In the worst-case scenario, if you have an accident and your helmet gets impacted by falling, crashing, or something heavy dropping into your head, then your helmet is going to be damaged in order to protect you. You will need to buy a new helmet for yourself. Even if you don’t have an accident, with regular use, even a helmet that is made from the best quality materials can wear and tear over time.
A rusty helmet will not be able to protect you properly. So, it is important for you to know when you should replace your old helmet with a brand-new one. If you are not sure whether your current helmet needs replacement or not, then you should do a simple test. Start looking and counting all the scratches, chips, or dents. The presence of numerous scratches and dents, along with the deterioration of the padding and lining, indicates that your helmet is beginning to degrade. This will be your sign that you need to make a purchase of a new helmet.
Final Considerations
Here, you have learned everything about dirt bikes and dirt bike helmets, the importance of wearing a helmet, and the incredible features they carry. You also got to know the names of some of the renowned brands that make the best dirt bike helmets. Since we have covered all kinds of essential factors such as size, weight, ventilation, shape, looks, designs, and all-around safety, With the valuable knowledge that you have gained from this detailed guide, you have the confidence to make the right choice while selecting the helmet.
A properly fitted and comfortable helmet is much more than just protective gear for your dirt bike. It is a crucial piece that gives you confidence in your adventurous journeys. You can now start the engine of your dirt bike, go on amazing bike experiences or long drives, and create new and special memories.
Frequently Asked Questions
Dirt biking is an extreme sport, so you should not make a quick and hasty decision while choosing a dirt bike helmet. It is important to pick the best helmet, as it will provide you with safety and protect you from getting harmed. A person should do proper research about the safety marks of the helmet, which size will be suited for their head, the weight of the helmet, and whether it has ventilation quality. All of these factors should be considered before you buy a helmet. Choosing the right helmet can help you ride comfortably while providing you with protection.
Lots of people wonder why dirt bike helmets look different from other helmets. There are several reasons behind the different designs of dirt bike helmets. These helmets are specially designed differently to provide the riders with extra protection from dust, dirt, and debris. It also saves the rider’s face from sun glare and keeps the temperature inside the helmet cool by maintaining a proper flow of air. This quality does not let the rider feel any kind of suffocation and also saves them from coughing, which can be caused by inhaling dust.
Apart from giving dirt bike helmets a cool, stylish, and modern look, There is an important reason that these helmets have visors in them: dirt bikes are used for riding offroad. Rides have to face lots of dust, debris, mud, dirt, and tiny branches in their path. The unpredictable weather can rapidly change from a sunny day to rain and thunderstorms. To protect riders from all of these problems and offer them a convenient and comfortable riding experience. These dirt bike helmets are built with visors that work like a shield for the ride from all kinds of outside elements and obstacles.
There are several benefits to a dirt bike helmet besides providing safety and protection to the rider. They are very comfortable to put on, and the riders have no trouble communicating with other riders. Many people often debate that these helmets are not as safe as full-face helmets. However, this is just a myth, as dirt bike helmets do provide complete protection to the riders, just as well as a full-face helmet.
There is a common misconception among people that all helmets are basically the same size. However, the size of the helmet depends from person to person. If helmets were made of one size, then they would not be able to fit every person. There are different companies that manufacture different models, and size varies from product to product. It is important for a person to know which size will be best for their head. To maximise your safety and comfort, you will require a right-sized helmet. To get an idea, you can take a look at the table given below:
| Size | Centimetre | Inches | Hat Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quadruple Extra Small (4XS) | 51 cm | 20″ inches | 6 ⅜ |
| Triple Extra Small (3XS) | 52 cm – 53 cm | 20″ inches | 6 ½ – 6 ⅝ |
| Double Extra Small (XXS) | 54 cm | 21″ inches | 6 ¾ – 6 ⅞ |
| Extra Small (XS) | 55 cm – 56 cm | 21″ inches – 22″ inches | 7 |
| Small (S) | 57 cm | 22″ inches | 7 ⅛ – 7 ¼ |
| Medium (M) | 58 cm – 59 cm | 22″ inches – 23″ inches | 7 ¼ – 7 ⅜ |
| Large (L) | 60 cm | 23″ inches | 7 ½ |
| Extra Large (XL) | 61 cm – 62 cm | 24″ inches | 7 ⅝ – 7 ¾ |
| Double Extra Large (XXL) | 63 cm – 64 cm | 24″ inches – 25″ inches | 7 ⅞ – 8 |
| Triple Extra Large (3XL) | 65 cm – 66 cm | 25″ inches | 8 ⅛ – 8 ¼ |
| Quadruple Extra Large (4XL) | 67 cm – 68 cm | 26″ inches | 8 ⅜ – 8 ½ |
Yes, you can use dirt bike helmets on the roads of Australia. There is no law or rule against it. If the vehicle you are riding is registered and you are of legal age and have a driver’s license, Then nobody is going to stop you from using an off-road helmet on a normal road or a highway. However, most people usually do not prefer to use a dirt bike helmet on the roads.
There is a lot of difference between dirt bike helmets and motorcycle helmets. Below you will see a table that will show you the differences in terms of design, visors, features, weight, safety standards, and other things.
| Features | Dirt Bike Helmet | Motorcycle Helmet |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Angular, aerodynamic for off-road agility | Streamlined, aerodynamic for high-speed stability |
| Visor | Large, extended for debris protection | Smaller, integrated for wind resistance |
| Features | Reinforced chin bars, and visors for debris | Noise reduction, aerodynamic shaping |
| Weight | Lighter for agility and maneuverability | Slightly heavier due to added features |
| Ventilation | Enhanced for heat and sweat management | Balanced for comfort and aerodynamics |
| Safety Standards | Typically DOT, ECE for off-road safety | DOT, ECE, Snell for road safety |
| Goggle Compatibility | Often compatible with goggles | Generally not designed for goggles |
| Communication Systems | Less focus, some models integrate with radios | Integrated communication systems available |
| Intended Use | Off-road, motocross for rough terrain | On-road for high-speed stability |
| Impact Protection Focus | Falls, collisions in off-road conditions | High-speed impacts, abrasions on roads |
| Price Range | Varies, generally more affordable | Varies, often more expensive |
