Thinking about getting a full face helmet and considering an Arai XD-4. Some of the things I like about the xd are the excellent visability, doesn't feel like tunnel vision, and alot of airflow through the helmet. I know this is considered a dual sport helmet but wanted to know if anyone is riding with one and how it works for the street?

 

Any of the D/S helmets are going to cause lift from the visor. You'll do much better comfort-wise with a standard full-face or modular.

 

I believe the visor(peek) is removable on most of the D/S helmets. I have actually researched this a little since I am also interested. So far, the main knock on these dual sport helmets is noise level.

 

You can remove it, but then why have a D/S helmet? It's definitely louder, and it's not designed to work behind a fairing, so the venting isn't all that good. The XD-4 is a good helmet, but I know I wouldn't be happy wearing it all day at highway speeds....That's not what it was designed for.

For $50 more you can get a Neotech which is a modular, has a drop-down sun shade, is much quieter, and vents better.

 

Desertwolf, I have a Arai XD made about eight years ago. I've used it on Beemer D/S, a R 1150 G/S and a Dakar. I never had a problem with helmet lift and the 1150 G/S goes a whole lot faster than any Harley. Now I use it with my KLR year round and the Harley as a winter/bad weather helmet.


It has good air flow and I like to tilt the faceshield up about a half an inch, except in rain or below 40 degrees. My Harley is a FLHTC with the 10 inch shield and I can ride with the shield all the way up most of the year.


The shield has no distortion when tilted and under the chinbar is an air deflector that pulls down in very cold weather. That was real nice to have this winter.


Some of the posts here are written by internet riders who have not used the XD on a real bike in real weather. Read with your B/S detector on.

 

This is a great post....finally a review from someone who has actually owned the product. The new D/S helmets have come a long way, and the manufacturers are aware that the fighter pilot look has caught the eye of the naked bike riders and some of the younger Harley guys.

Check this one out:

http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/agv-ax-8-evo-naked-helmet

Super light...tons of features and it doesn't have the visor on top.

 

Wouldn't know about that. All I know is that my Neotech is far more comfortable than my XD-4 on the highway. Whether that was on my R1200 GS/A, my K1600GTL, my KLR, my Night Train, or my CVO Ultra.