Another RIDE Adventures video review was posted on YouTube today, this time complimenting our earlier review of dual sport helmets: AGV's AX-8, the Shoei Hornet, and the Arai XD3.
Speaking of which…
A funny question occasionally arises on the big motorcycle forums and around gas station pumps: "Why do you feel you need to wear a helmet with a peak/visor? Is it because it 'looks' right?"
No doubt, guys like Ewan and Charlie when teamed with Arai sure did plenty to promote this "look" with regards to motorcycle adventures. Can other riders really answer the question about the "looks" though? Just in case you can’t, I’ll do it for you...
With sunglasses, there always seems to be 2 options: a) Wear a pair dark enough to really block out the low sun, and they'll be too dark when you're in the shade (under tree canopy for example.) Or, b) wear a pair light enough that they can be worn in the shade, and they won’t block out the sun sufficiently when you’re headed into it. Sound right?
SO, by having a “peak” or “visor” on your dual sport helmet, lighter sunglasses can be worn, and then when the need arises, your helmet will do it’s job to block out that blazing ball of fire off in the distance. It might require a slight tilt to your head to get the job done, but if you can’t handle that…
Then why aren’t the sport bike riders wearing helmets with peaks? Why only the “adventure-type” riders? Because we have big, glorious windscreens that typically make it aerodynamically possible to ride with a horizontally mounted thin piece of plastic on the front of our helmets. That’s why.
If you’ve been riding with one of these dual sport helmets….and weren’t able to answer the question above….just remember who got you out of the jam next time the question comes up. I like lighter sunglasses, and darker beers.