Why are street motorcycle helmets different than off road helmets?

Question

I ride an off road/enduro motorcycle and would like to use a street helmet instead of a typical off road helmet, but I would like to know if there are any safety or technical reasons that I should be aware of.

Answer 1

please post in the motorcycles category... this is Cycling, as in Bicycling

Answer 2

All helmets have a rating like DOT or SNELL. A similar rated helmet is going to provide similar protection. The biggest difference is that off road helmets are vented because in theory you will spend much time going slow and working up a sweat. Road helmets are aerodynamic because they are expected to be used at high speeds. Most offer very poor slow speed ventilation. Road helmets are often heavier also.

If you are riding your enduro mostly on dirt roads then a road helmet should work fine.

Answer 3

i dont think there is a significant safety difference, as long as it is DOT approved, its fine. street helmets have a face visor on them to diffuse all the wind blowing in your face since you are usually traveling a lot faster on the road. i think the off road mX style helmets look better then most helmets, unless you fork out big $$$ for a sweet BMW made lid like this one:

http://www.diseno-art.com/images/bmw_helmet.jpg