Posts
730
Joined
12/1/2018
Location
The Garden State, NJ, USA
Edited Date/Time
5/27/2025 6:34am
I'm in the market for a new helmet, and I've updated my 2023 chart with the 2025 stats and models. It's more difficult than it should be to find some of these stats, but I pulled everything that I could from manufacturers' websites, RMATV-MC, and Motosport. Hopefully, you guys in the market can benefit from a consolidated list. If anything seems alarming inaccurate and you can cite your dispute with reliable evidence, let me know and I will update it. The purpose is to provide unbiased data for the benefit of everyone. The subjective opinions of fit and technology are for you to interpret.
Which one are you going to get?
Still undecided. I've had a Moto-10 for 2 years and I like it, but I'm a bit disappointed to learn that it might not actually be ECE 22.06 certified, especially for the price that it is. The 6D ATR-3 seems pretty hard to beat. It has some awesome tech, they shaved some weight from the ATR-2, and it's $702 with the KEEFER25 25% off discount code. Also considering the Astars SM10, but I hit the deck a lot and don't want to be replacing visors all of the time haha.
Get an Arai, thank me later
This independent review of the VX-Pro4 list the weight of the size large helmet as 1571 grams, which makes sense. Those things are heavy.
https://www.webbikeworld.com/arai-vx-pro4-review/
The Shop
DeCal Works Huge Plastic Inventory of UFO and Polisport kits.
Luxon 4-Post Bar Mounts
$189.95 - $239.95
Free shipping: VITALMX
I’ll update when I’m back on my computer tomorrow.
So if I buy a helmet from dirtbike bitz, chromeburner, or any other Euro distributor it weighs less? Honest question, why?
I have heard the shell needs to be slightly thicker to pass the US dot penetration test vs ece.
Sm10 dot is listed as 1360 on the Astars site. The ece version is 1260g.
Thanks. I updated the chart, along the the LS2 helmet and Arai weight.
https://just1racing.us/products/j22-carbon-fluo-2-0-orange-fluo-silver
3K Carbon Fiber Shell
S.D.C Sequential Density Construction energy management system
4 Shell and EPS/EPP sizes for personalized fit
Impact visor release system
E.R.C Emergency Removable Chin Bar / Cheek Pad System
Removable / washable PROTX2 ™ antimicrobial liner
Fully Ventilated EPS-lined chin bar
9 intake and 6 exhaust ventilation system
Integrated vented roost guard
Certification: DOT – ECE
Weight: from 1350+/-50g
Does anyone know why the Moto 10 costs so much more than the others? Is it just a case of the market for it setting the price that high? It doesn't seem technologically that much better than the other premium helmets, if at all better.
ECE 22.06 seems to be the best standard to go off of for motocross. Though they use a slightly lower max impact energy for linear impact attenuation, it also tests for rotational impact force and uses more realistic headforms. Snell 2020 is a good reference for street helmets where penetration resistance (like a curb) is more important. Don't base a helmet choice off of DOT testing.
The LS2 is so compelling, so far as I know it's the only one, not only on the list, but period, to have met the new FIM standard for MX helmets.
Not saying others won't follow, but on the surface it's a very impressive helmet for a low cost.
I didn’t even know about this helmet until @MXer391 brought it up. It’s super appealing… lightweight, good price, ECE 22.06 certified, and looks pretty cool. I think the only thing holding me back on it is that I’m just unfamiliar with the brand.
I have this helmet, as do several of my riding buddies, and I’m wondering the same thing. I like the tech and the way that it looks, but the US weight (heavy compared to others) and lack of ECE certification are pretty big drawbacks. I feel like the US version would pass ECE 22.06, but it just hasn’t been tested. Who knows though.
Appreciate the chart! I went through this a while back and the consolidated info helps.
Another consideration, the Klim F3 Carbon Pro ECE comes in at 1200g (large). The Koroyd is great for ventilation, especially for slower off-road riding. The quick release strap Klim uses is something I never thought about but really like now.
I feel like the Moto10 was a spaceship when it came out, sort of like 6D - but now everyone has caught up. It's still dead sexy, but Bell pays a ton of pros to rock it, and they just keep that flagship price point.
The DOT version is downright silly in weight for a carbon helmet. When you start comparing some Euro brands like Airoh, and Acerbis, Just1, etc - and even KLIM, LEATT, LS2 - the price point becomes even sillier for a 1500 gram lid (in DOT form).
CF isn't the flex it was, now it's just what premium and even mid-premium helmets are made out of - it's just taking the big "US" players longer to catch up to that, and they have the marketing share/distribution network to keep the status quo for a while.
Pit Row
LS2 has been around a while, they did a bunch of sponsorship stuff at LL years back - not sure if they still do. They also have quite a few riders in MotoGP/2/3, WSBK, etc running their FIM homologated road race helmets.
In moto shops the Subverter line is usually stacked deep on the shelves. A lot of people turn their nose up at it because it was "cheap," Chinese and has that euro style.
Yet most helmets are Chinese these days, and if you ask LS2 owners about their $150 Subverters most seem quite happy with them 3-4 years down the line.
The X-Force line is pretty groundbreaking with a lot of cool features/tech.
Ill just say this. If you can get a Europe spec TLD SE5 Carbon its unreal. A helmet that weighs 1160+or- 50g with mips is unreal. Mine is size small and is -50g of the advertised weight. When I got my latest SE5 Carbon it was north American spec and I was disappointed with the weight.
I normally wear either a 6d or SM10 but the price and specs look good on the LS2 X-Force. Sounds kinda petty but I'm personally not digging the looks of that big Darth Vaderish chin bar. Like a lot of stuff , maybe after seeing it for awhile , it might grow on me.
What about Justin Cooper`s signed helmet at mxlocker.com. HJC RPHA 01X Carbon, being released next year I think.
Edit: Forget it "This helmet is meant to be a collector's item and as such, has had its chin straps removed so the helmet can't be worn for riding activities."
https://mxlocker.com/product/justin-cooper-race-worn-and-signed-hjc-helmet-W5ZWT
As long as You are able to find the visor, they will pop back on. I've sold a bunch of SM8's andSM10's . Both use the same visor and attachment . And only have had 1 customer ask for a replacement visor.A lot of the helmets I've sold were wrapped so if the customer was to crash and need a replacement visor, they would liley at least reorder the wrap for the new visor from me if not both. They do not seem to pop off for locals at the rate they do on TV. Opinion or experience, relevant or not You decide.
The 6d helmets are hard to beat as far as being safe and You can rebuild them if You do not damage the shell. 6D offers a rebuilding service for the ATR 2 and 3.
Leatt has a discount for riders who damage the helmet in a certain timeframe.
I'm not sure if any of the others You listed have any type of discounts available after a crash or not. I think that should also be factored into the purchase considerations. I always tell my customers Do not buy a helmet You can not afford to crash in.
If You buy a top of the line helmet and then crash and damage it, and do not replace it. It is not going to protect as well and You may be better off in a less expensive helmet that fits very well, that You can replace if crashed in. Not necessarily targeted advice for You ,the OP. a more general advice.
I was just reading other helmet threads and you’ve provided a lot of valuable info - thanks! I’m between the SM-10 and ATR-3 at the moment. I think the SM-10 is the better looking helmet and obviously has great tech. Aside from my current Moto-10, I’m also Astars from chest to toe so I could match well lol. However, the US spec ATR-3 is lighter (important for us enduro/harescramble guys), and is much cheaper with the Keefer discount code. I’m not totally sold on the way it looks, but function>fashion when it comes to preserving the few brain cells that I have left haha
what is the difference in the us spec vs eu spec helmets ?
They are only ECE certified (rather than SNELL or other street legal certifications) and can get away with thinner shell material since you do not need a motocross helmet to be as resistant to penetration as a street helmet. This not only makes it lighter, but also safer as the shell might absorb part of the energy, whereas a stiffer shell might not.
I miss the Arai MXV evo which has ECE R22-06
the atr-3 breathes and ventilates extremely well. Love this helmet.
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