****** - Verified Buyer
4.5
I drive on narrow mountain trails in the tropics, so I wanted a helmet that would keep me as cool as possible. Fortunately, I found the LS2 Subverter. I've used it for a few months, so here is my initial review.STRENGTHS:1. Vents - I ride in heat and humidity, so I wanted a helmet that had as much air flow as possible. My street helmet has a few vents, but they really don't move air in any noticeable way. But the Subverter has loads of vents, in the forehead, crown, and back of the head. These vents go all the way through, even the liner and best of all. . . they actually work. I can feel and hear the wind flowing through it.2. Washability - The cheek pieces remove quickly, not only is this good if you need to remove the helmet easily if you get an injury, these cheek pieces and the entire internal padding can be removed for washing. Below it, the smooth plastic inside can be easily wiped down and dried.3. Color - Since I live in a hot climate, I try to get ALL my dirt bike equipment in the lightest colors possible to reflect the sun's heat. Luckily this helmet came in the perfect color for that - white. Not only does it help with heat, it makes me very visible to other riders without having to use those garish neon colors from the 80's. I don't know why, but it seems like no other company makes a dirt bike helmet in plain white.4. Value - I could spend $400 or $500 dollars on a super high quality helmet, but I'm not a professional in Enduro competitions. What's more, I don't have that much money to spend on my gear anyway. I feel like the money paid for the overall quality of the helmet is one of the strongest points to recommend the Subverter.WEAKNESSES:1. Weight - This helmet is rather heavy. I've compared it to my friends' helmets of other brands, and the weight difference is obvious. This may be a problem for someone doing all day hard enduro, but for me, I don't find it a deal breaker. But be warned, the low price of this helmet is really apparent in the weight.2. Fit - It is too tight, especially around the cheeks. Normally, I wear an XL, but with LS2 I always have to order an XXL, and even then - it's still too tight. When I first put it on, the cheek pads smashed my face so hard, it hurt the glands in my cheeks and neck. I washed the pads twice, then tightly strapped about 6 rubber bands around each pad to flatten them down, and they are STILL a bit too tight. I don't want to wear something that after 20 minutes leaves my face hurting for 2 hours. Be warned, this sucker is tight, and the cheek pads are the worst part.3. Strap - The strap is secured by the old fashioned double D ring. What is this the 1960s? I've never had a helmet that used this antiquated system, even back in the early 90's all my helmets had some sort of clip or ratchet system. There are plenty of strong devices that securely clip a helmet strap in, spare me the ancient securing system when I've got gloves on.4. Internal colors - The bright colors of the padding shows dirt really easy, it would have been better to use a more dark color like navy blue or dark green. The bright fabric looks filthy after a few uses.5. Internal build quality - the cheek pads clip into a black plastic mounting system. Even after unclipping the pads only THREE times, on of these brackets began to come loose, meaning I will probably have to super-glue it soon. So LS2 made a helmet where you can quickly pull out the cheek pads, and the mounting brackets will likely come out with it. NOT good.Summary: The helmet has good airflow, nice color, and is very safe, but some of the other build quality and design choice attributes let it down. I'm overall happy with the purchase, but a few modifications might be in order.I have the black version of this helmet. Has held up great through half the motocross season, even after a huge crash. Breathes well, a little snug getting on your head but fits well after it is on. I wear a XL in all other helmets, but ordered mine in XXL. Glad I did. I love that the chin bar is farther down than most models, gives more protection for your face and goggles fit great inside the helmet. I love this helmet so much that I just got one for my son tooBest helmet out there 100%As someone who overheats easily and rides in the North Carolina heat and humidity, I was really hopeful that this helmet would meet my needs.1. This helmet looks really well ventilated but the truth is, it makes little to no difference because the vent holes on the inside are about the diameter of a small pen. Even at speed on dirt roads there is no noticeable air flow. It's possible it helps dissipate some heat but it's not enough to notice.2. This helmet has all the current safety features MIPS etc, but it's also not lightweight. I have a Troy Lee D3, Fox V1, and HJC and they're all lighter than this helmet. Yes, I weighed them all.3. Of all my helmets, this is the least comfortable. I wear a medium in everything and even my Troy Lee is tight but this thing will cause some pain. I have a narrow face and the cheek pads are so tight my jaw will hurt after a couple hours of wearing it. I'm hoping these pads will break-in a little as the rest of the helmet is comfortable4. There is really no room for an ear piece for an intercom. I made it fit but again now it's pressing on my ears and becoming uncomfortable. All the other helmets have an area to accommodate ear pieces.5. Obviously the styling is a little different, but I like it. Until I tried to mount things to the helmet and realized there are no flat surfaces. I made it work but even the visor is curved so much I don't have lot of faith my gopro mount will last. The visor is also very flimsy. This will probably help when crashing but it also makes my gopro bounce around whereas you don't get this with the other helmets.I do believe this is a quality helmet but for the price I would expect some improvements.fits small order next size upGreat Helmet, ordered two before I got the right one. AWESOME HELMET! Worth way more than I paid. Order a size or 2 bigger.Great ventilation and light weight, was recently hit by a car on the freeway (hit and run), bounced off the concrete a bit, hitting the back of my head. Very light damage to the outside of the shell but the eps liner was crushed up. In short this helmet did it's job very well for me so I ordered a replacement of the exact same one. I have a large face so the cheek pads take a bit to break in, after that it is good. These helmets breathe exceptionally well compared to the previous Fox V2 and HJC motocross helmets I have used.Bought this for my wife , size d correctly . She really likes the graphics and so does everyone that sees it . I really like the multiple density paddings , multiple absorption safety devices , light weight . Very pleased .NOTE : When they say it is highly vented , it is not an exaggeration. Vents everywhere !. Great for the Texas heat but something to think about in other climates.Con: When registering for the warranty it states the warranty only applies to European Union members . Well despite all the positives I started to send it back but kept it because my wife likes it . Hope it helps , stay safe , God BlessLots of airflow for sure, in the super hot weather, trail riding or racing its perfect BUT if your doing roadwork for any length of time, you notice the wind noise is high compared to a regular helmet. Earplug are a must for DS rides of any appreciable length. I was never caught in the rain with it but i imagine you would get a real soaking!The face/eye opening is very comfortable for any type of goggles. I wear OTG goggles and there is plenty of room.Well built, priced right, Would suggest trying one on before buying, the cheek pads were a bit too snug for several rides.This helmet is perfect! We use it for dirt biking. It is snug and protective, the sizing is accurate. It arrived two weeks earlier than expected! Communication with the seller was clear and accurate. Fantastic experience, top to bottom!!Helmets are sweet love the emergency pull out padding in them but warning!!!! You will get SLAMMED with duty if your in Canada I paid as much in duty as I did for a helmet! It suckedNice looking helmet, fit was good...went to 1 size larger than old HJC helmet.Bonne grandeur pareil à image
