When you climb onto an adventure bike, your hands are your primary interface with the machine. They modulate the clutch on technical ascents, feel the front tire traction through brake levers, and absorb endless vibration over corrugated gravel. Yet, in hot weather or on low-speed trails, it is tempting to strip off riding gloves for better airflow or tactile comfort. Doing so compromises both safety and control in ways that can instantly end a trip.

Abrasion and Impact Protection

The most immediate argument for gloves is protection during an unexpected dismount. Human instinct is hardwired to extend hands first to break a fall. On asphalt, skin meets road at highway speeds; without heavy-duty abrasion protection, severe friction burns and deep lacerations occur in fractions of a second. Off-road, falling onto jagged rocks, coarse sand, or hardpack clay can crush delicate metacarpal bones and tear tissue. Adventure-specific gloves incorporate molded knuckle guards, palm sliders, and abrasion-resistant materials like goatskin or Kevlar to absorb kinetic impact and sliding forces.

Environmental Shielding and Fatigue Reduction

Beyond crash protection, gloves act as a vital barrier against environmental wear and tear. Long days on dual-sport routes expose your hands to constant elements:

• Debris & Vegetation: Roost kicked up by bikes ahead, flying gravel, and overgrown trail branches hit exposed knuckles like small projectiles.

• Weather Extremes: Cold winds numb fingers and slow reflex reaction times, while intense sun exposure leads to severe sunburns across the back of the hand.

• Vibration & Blisters: Sustained engine feedback and rigid handlebar grips cause severe palm fatigue and painful friction blisters over multi-day journeys.

Properly padded gloves isolate your nerves from high-frequency handlebar buzz, preserving grip strength and hand endurance.

Control and Tactile Precision

Sweaty or rain-soaked palms slip easily on rubber grips and metal levers, making fine throttle modulation and precise clutch control difficult in critical off-road sections. Modern motorcycle gloves feature textured palm overlays and silicone print patterns on control fingers, ensuring consistent grip regardless of mud, moisture, or sweat.

Ultimately, your hands contain dozens of small bones, tendons, and nerve pathways that require months of complex rehabilitation if damaged. Investing in quality adventure gloves ensures that your primary interface with your motorcycle stays protected, comfortable, and responsive through every mile of terrain.

THE BOTTOM LINE: Do Not Ride Without Gloves

Touratech and our partners are the best ADV Glove options. Click here to find yours.

Physical Hardware and Screen Engineering

The environment of an adventure bike cockpit requires screens that survive baking in desert sun, freezing mountain rain, and heavy glove strikes.

Garmin Zumo XT2

The Screen: A 6.0-inch HD multi-touch glass screen pushing 1,050 nits of brightness. It uses standard high-brightness TFT tech with a white backlight. It features dual-orientation software, allowing you to mount it vertically (excellent for seeing further down a route) or horizontally.

Rugged Armor: Built to MIL-STD-810 drop-test ratings. It carries an IPX7 water rating,    meaning it easily survives pouring rain storms, but shouldn’t be blasted at point-blank range with a high-pressure car wash wand.

Battery Life: Runs on a internal lithium-ion battery giving up to 6 hours of life—but if cranked to 100% brightness to fight the midday sun, it drops closer to 3.5 hours.

Garmin Zumo XT3

The Screen: Introduces a massive choice in form factors. You can choose the traditional 6.0-inch screen or a minimalist 4.7-inch version. Both resolutions are high-definition (1280 x 720 pixels), rendering incredibly crisp vector maps.

The Post-Mount Advantage: The 4.7-inch model includes special M8 post-mounting hardware. This allows the unit to bolt directly to your bike’s top handlebar clamps or rally towers via rigid thread bolts, minimizing screen shaking compared to long rubber-isolated arm mounts.

Battery Life: Efficiency has improved drastically. Despite the faster performance, the XT3 achieves up to 7 hours of total run time, and holds out for a full 5 hours even with the backlight pinned at 100% capacity.

Garmin Tread 2

The Screen: It is built around a robust, 6.15″ W x 3.5″ H x 1″ glove friendly screen.

Extreme Silt Armor: Carries a higher IP6X dust rating combined with IPX7 moisture defense. This makes it impervious to microscopic, abrasive trail dust or silt that can clog buttons and speaker meshes on standard electronics.

Magnetic Locking Mount: Uses a heavy-duty locking, magnet-assisted power dock. It snaps in place with extreme magnetic force, and then a physical lever locks it down so it cannot vibrate loose even on washboard dirt trails.

Battery Life: The Garmin Tread 2 provides up to 7 hours of battery life on the 6-inch model, dropping to a maximum of 5 hours if you lock the high-brightness screen at 100% capacity to battle direct sunlight. The larger 8-inch Overland configuration draws a bit more power, offering up to 6 hours at half brightness and down to 1 hour if pushed continuously at full brightness.

Satellites, Signal Accuracy, and Compute Brains

When you ride under heavy tree canopies, through slot canyons, or next to steep mountain cliffs, regular GPS chips lose signal or “drift” your position into nearby rivers or cliffs.

Garmin Zumo XT2

The Satellite Engine:Uses standard 10 Hz Multi-GNSS positioning tracking. It samples your location roughly 10 times a second using standard GPS and Galileo networks.

Storage capacity: Comes with 32 GB of internal space, which is enough for standard continental street maps and a few regional topo files, expandable up to 256 GB via microSD.

Garmin Zumo XT3

The Satellite Engine: Houses a revolutionary 25 Hz Multi-GNSS processor. This updates your absolute placement 25 times per second. When carving canyons at 60 mph, the map glides with absolute smoothness. Your vehicle icon never lags behind your physical position, and direction indicators never spin out when you stop.

Storage capacity: Bumped up to 64 GB internal storage, giving you double the room for massive geographical files out of the box.

Garmin Tread 2

The Satellite Engine: Utilizes a highly stable 10 Hz Multi-GNSS array. However, it features a special connection port for an External GPS Antenna. If you have a large rally fairing or luggage blocking your view of the sky, you can run a wire to a remote puck on your tail rack for a clear satellite signal.

Storage capacity: The Garmin Tread 2 comes equipped with 64 GB of internal storage out of the box, offering plenty of native room to hold its massive preloaded library of Forest Service trails and public land boundaries. If you want to download extensive high-resolution satellite imagery or thousands of custom GPX tracks, you can expand that capacity by adding a microSD card up to 256 GB.

Mapping Ecosystem & Trail Intelligence

Garmin Tread 2

Preloaded Land Boundaries: Natively comes with full U.S. Public Land Boundaries (BLM land, National Forest borders) and Private Land Parcel Maps for sections larger than 4 acres. For adventure riders who love primitive, dispersed wild camping, this lets you instantly check if you are legally allowed to set up camp on a patch of dirt.

USFS Motor Vehicle Use Maps (MVUM): Includes complete, preloaded Forest Service maps. This tells you exactly which dirt trails are open specifically to motorcycles, ATVs, or full-sized 4×4 vehicles, keeping you clear of illegal wilderness trails.

Trail Difficulty Ratings: Uses crowd-sourced OpenStreetMap data to apply color-coded difficulty metrics directly to dirt paths so you don’t accidentally try to ride a 600-pound adventure bike down an intense, boulder-filled single-track.

GPS Track Management & Behavior

Garmin Zumo XT2: The Collection Manager

The Zumo XT2 handles tracks using a system of “Collections”. When you import a multi-day BDR file via the phone app, you must organize the tracks, waypoints, and alternate routes into distinct folders to avoid overwhelming the map screen.

The Conversion Trap: The XT2 often tries to automatically convert an imported off-road track (a static, unchangeable string of breadcrumbs) into a route (which provides spoken turn-by-turn directions). On asphalt, this is great. On dirt, if the unit recalculates your route because it doesn’t recognize an unmapped trail, it can aggressively reroute you back toward major highways, throwing off your entire itinerary.

Best Practice: On the XT2, experienced riders disable automatic route recalculation and configure the raw track to show up as a high-visibility colored overlay (e.g., bright pink or neon green) to follow visually, rather than relying on spoken prompts.

Garmin Zumo XT3: The High-Speed Vector Handler

The Zumo XT3 uses a streamlined data architecture that separates “Tracks” (off-road breadcrumbs) from “Routes” (turn-by-turn guidance) much more cleanly than its predecessor.

Visual Route Planner: The XT3 features a refreshed on-device “Visual Route Planner”. If you are riding a custom GPX track and hit a sudden roadblock (like a wildfire closure or a washed-out bridge), you can tap the screen to drop a new point and shape a diversion route directly over the top of your custom file.

Render Performance: Thanks to its upgraded internal processor, the XT3 can display dozens of highly detailed, thousands-of-points-long GPX tracks simultaneously without causing the map to stutter or freeze when you zoom out to look at the day’s horizon.

Garmin Tread 2: The Direct Track Navigator

Because the Tread 2 is an off-road native, it doesn’t try to force your backcountry tracks into street-style navigation constraints.

Navigate-a-Track: Features a built-in function called Navigate-a-Track. When you load a raw, unstructured GPX file, the Tread 2 generates a clean directional compass indicator and off-road distance calculations along the path of that track, even if the line cuts through areas completely unrecognized by standard road maps.

Offline Independence: If you change your plans deep in the woods where you have zero cell service, the Tread 2 allows you to select any recorded track on the screen and invert it (Track Back) or slice it into segments directly on the device. It completely bypasses the need to sync with a smartphone app to clean up your data in the field.

Quick Comparison: Track Capabilities

Zumo XT2: Best for loading pre-planned routes. It requires a bit of menu digging to turn off street recalculations when riding raw off-road tracks.

Zumo XT3: Offers seamless, lag-free rendering of massive GPX files. It makes on-the-fly modifications to custom tracks smooth and intuitive using the on-screen visual planner.

Tread 2: Exceptional for pure track following. Its software treats raw dirt tracks as primary data, giving you distance metrics and direction pointers over track lines that cross open terrain with zero road data.

Peripheral Connections

Your navigation unit acts as the main control tower for your communication, safety, and power setups.

Garmin Zumo XT2

Group Ride Mobile: Uses your cell phone’s data connection via the Tread app to track your riding buddies on your screen in real time. If you lose cell service, however, the tracking drops out unless you buy a separate long-range physical Group Ride Radio antenna module.

Garmin Zumo XT3

Zumo R1 Radar Link: This is a major software upgrade. It connects over ANT+ wireless to Garmin’s R1 Rearview radar unit. When cars approach from behind on high-speed asphalt lanes, the side of your GPS screen lights up with color alerts tracking the vehicle’s closing speed.

Rider Telemetry: Works with built-in accelerometers to save a digital footprint of your cornering dynamics (lean angles) and braking forces, which can be shared via the phone app afterward.

Garmin Tread 2

Garmin PowerSwitch Integration: Natively links to Garmin’s digital 12V switch box. This lets you wire up auxiliary fog lights, heated grips, or horn upgrades to a control box, and turn them on or off digitally using macro buttons on your GPS touchscreen.

Group Ride Radio Native Build: Optimized to accept physical VHF/UHF radio antennas directly. This enables tracking and voice communication with other Tread users over miles of wilderness completely independent of cell service towers.

Pros and Cons:

Garmin Zumo XT2

PROS: + Excellent value for money; premium features without the latest generation price markup. + Superb, ultra-bright 6-inch screen that works flawlessly in direct sunlight. + Highly intuitive “Adventurous Routing” sliders for fun pavement and gravel detours. + Slim profile fits cleanly on standard adventure motorcycle handlebars.

CONS: – Off-road topographic mapping is basic; lacks preloaded public/private land borders. – Plastic snap-in mount can wear at the pin connections over years of heavy off-road dust. – Standard 10 Hz refresh rate can lag slightly during rapid, tight switchback turns.

Garmin Zumo XT3

PROS: + Blistering 25 Hz refresh rate completely eliminates map lag and icon drifting. + The 4.7-inch model is an exceptional option for minimalist dual-sport and rally setups. + Rear-facing radar support (via Zumo R1) significantly increases highway safety. + Captures advanced telemetry like lean angle and G-forces for post-ride analysis.

CONS: – Expensive entry point ($499 to $599 depending on size). – Advanced track features (lap timers, drag metrics) are locked behind a monthly fee. – Focus leans heavily toward street performance rather than hardcore wilderness mapping.

Garmin Tread 2

PROS: + Preloaded public land boundaries (BLM) and USFS MVUM maps make wild camping easy. + IP67 silt-proof rating handles deep mud, sandstorms, and pressure washing easily. + Magnetic-assist locking mount is incredibly secure on aggressive off-road terrain. + Native integration with 2-way radios and digital accessory switch boxes.

CONS: – Thick, and heavy chassis can be clunky. – Included mounting hardware is biased toward UTV/ATV roll cages rather than handlebars. – Lacks pavement-focused motorcycle software like “Adventurous Routing” or lean tracking.

Which One Should You Buy?

Buy the Garmin Zumo XT2 if…

You want the best balance of price and performance for 50/50 riding. If your adventures consist of riding highways out to the countryside, seeking out winding asphalt backroads, and tackling established gravel forestry roads, the Zumo XT2 is the logical choice. It gives you an excellent, high-brightness screen and great road-routing tools without making you pay for advanced racetrack telemetry or rugged overlanding hardware you won’t use.

Buy the Garmin Zumo XT3 if…

You ride a lighter dual-sport, want maximum tech, or commute on busy highways. The XT3 is the premium choice for two distinct types of riders. First, if you ride a lightweight dual-sport or aggressive adventure bike (like a KTM 500 or Yamaha T7) and want a small, indestructible navigation setup, the 4.7-inch XT3 bolted directly to your bar clamps is unmatched. Second, if you spend long hours on multi-lane interstates to reach your riding zones, the ability to pair a rear-facing blind-spot radar directly to your dashboard is a massive safety upgrade.

Buy the Garmin Tread 2 if…

You are a dedicated dirt purist and backcountry explorer. If your idea of adventure riding means loading up soft luggage to tackle multi-day Backcountry Discovery Routes (BDRs), hunting for legal dispersed camping on BLM land, navigating tight OHV trails, and dropping your bike in mud or silt, buy the Tread 2. Its preloaded Forest Service trail maps, land-ownership borders, and ultra-rugged IP67 chassis make it a dedicated piece of survival equipment rather than just a digital map.

If you still want to talk about GPS options for your motorcycle, feel free to call a Touratech Adventure Expert at 1.800.491.2926 or go to touratech-usa.com to chat with us.

This is the Dust Rider suit by Touratech—the ultimate remedy for “Adventure Suit Heatstroke.”

In recent years, the trend in adventure gear has been toward massive suits loaded with endless features. The problem? They’ve become heavy, stiff, and plain suffocating to wear—especially for riders tackling a BDR or sweating through peak summer temperatures.

Touratech looked at those bulky, oven-like suits and decided it was time for a change. They built the Dust Rider specifically for the off-road, summertime adventure rider. For anyone who loves exploring desert landscapes in the spring and mountain trails in the summer, this suit solves the age-old problem of constantly overheating.

Built to Breathe

As seen right here in the video, this suit is all about maximum airflow. It features massive mesh panels designed to dump body heat instantly, paired with strategic zipper vents that blast the rider with cooling air on the move. The combination makes for a best-in-class riding experience when the thermometer spikes or the terrain gets technical.

Instant “Dry-Mode”

When the skies inevitably open up, riders don’t have to scramble. The Dust Rider comes with lightweight, compact rain gear that seamlessly integrates with the suit.

• No Roadside Wrestling: Touratech added a full-length zipper to the rain pants, meaning riders can slip them on over bulky adventure boots without doing a clumsy, one-legged roadside dance.

• Inside or Out: The rain gear can be worn over the suit for quick protection, or snapped securely inside the jacket and pants.

Serious Armor, Zero Stiffness

Just because it’s breezy doesn’t mean it’s flimsy. Safety is a massive priority here, which is why the suit is armed with CE Level 2 protection in the back, shoulders, elbows, and knees, along with Level 1 armor in the hips. Key impact zones are also reinforced with heavy-duty, rip-stop, abrasion-resistant fabric.

But notice how the rider moves in the video. Thanks to a generous, articulated cut, the Dust Rider doesn’t make the pilot feel like a stiff robot. It allows total freedom of movement, making them feel lighter and more agile on the bike. For low-light situations, built-in reflective panels ensure they stay visible.

A Place for Everything

For the rider who loves organization, this suit is a dream, packing 8 pockets into the jacket and 4 into the pants—all easily accessible.

• The Rear Storage: The large lower pocket on the back of the jacket perfectly stows the rain shell when it’s not in use.

• Hydration on the Move: The upper back pocket is dedicated to a hydration bladder, complete with a pass-through port and routing loops to keep the hose right where it needs to be.

The Verdict

Whether a rider prefers their pants over the boot or tucked inside, the Dust Rider delivers. It prioritizes cooling, refuses to compromise on safety, and packs a brilliant, lightweight rain system—all wrapped up in some seriously sharp Touratech styling.

To gear up for the next hot-weather adventure, riders can head over to Touratech-USA.com or give us a call today.

Another big advantage of hard panniers is their durability and weather resistance. They shrug off heavy rain, flying gravel, and unexpected tip-overs far better than most soft bags can. When the road turns rough or the weather turns nasty, hard panniers keep your gear bone-dry and protected from impacts. They’re also less prone to sagging or tearing over time, so you don’t have to fiddle with extra covers or worry about your luggage shifting at highway speeds. For many riders, this robust, no-fuss protection is worth the slightly extra weight.

Versatility is a another huge plus to hard cases.

Not only does a pannier make a great place to sit in camp, but you can use one case a water receptacle if needed and the inside of the removable lid is a perfect spot to place nuts, bolts and tools when making a trailside repair or adjustment.

Lastly, hard panniers make packing and organizing your gear a breeze. With their boxy shape and side-opening lids, you can easily see and access everything inside without digging through layers of soft bags. Zega EVO panniers can be quickly detached and carried like suitcases, turning overnight stops or border crossings into a simple grab-and-go. Whether you’re riding across continents or just heading out for a long weekend, hard panniers offer the convenience, security, and weatherproof dependability that can make your adventures smoother and worry-free.

Check out Touratech Zega Pannier options HERE!

The New Generation of the Helmet Made For Adventure

The Aventuro Carbon PRO helmet sets a new standard for protection, comfort, and cooling airflow for adventure riders looking for a lightweight and airy travel companion.

This is the 3rd generation of the legendary Aventuro Carbon helmet which has become a top choice thanks to the lightweight carbon fiber construction, and aerodynamic design that improves rider comfort by reducing neck strain.

The Carbon PRO is a completely new design that features more ventilation, better peripheral vision, upgraded liners with new pad-locking system and enhanced quick-release peak anchor system. The best ADV helmet just got better with the Aventuro Carbon PRO!

• More airflow with 8 intake vents and 4 exhaust vents for maximum cooling when the riding gets serious or the temperatures soar. The air efficiently cools around your head with distribution channels in the EPS foam.

• Glove-friendly controls with improved grip and function for operating vents and opening the shield on the helmet with riding gloves.

• Dual-function chin vent has been re-designed to provide rider with fine controls of the airflow to the visor and the rider.

• Updated brow vents increase the cooling airflow right where you need it for improved rider comfort when the going gets tough.

• New peak design that improves aerodynamics by cutting through the wind cleanly with less drag which reduces neck strain and increases rider comfort. The lower peak mounting points have been repositioned above the visor. This design also makes it easier to remove the shield for cleaning, installing a pin-lock or upgrading to a tinted visor.

• Improved quick-release mechanism for the peak utilizing metal threads for a reliable and secure connection. This allows the peak to be removed without using tools for riders wanting to put the helmet into ‘street mode’ for the best aerodynamics and reduced neck strain which is ideal for riding at higher speeds or street touring.

• Improved visibility with expanded peripheral range of view and shape that better accommodates glasses.

• Meets high standards for safety with both DOT and ECE 22.06 certifications.

• Communication system friendly with embossed cavities and recesses for speakers, microphone, and wires.

Updated interior with completely redesigned moisture-wicking Coolmax liner that can be washed or replaced to keep the helmet feeling fresh. It’s also equipped with 3-dimensional pre-shaped cheek pads and an F.R.S emergency removal system. The underside of the cheek pads feature reflective panels to help riders be seen in low light conditions.

Find your Aventuro Carbon Pro Here

Touratech entered the helmet segment more than a decade ago with the Aventuro Carbon which was focused on providing adventure motorcyclists with a lighter alternative to the helmets available at that time. The company is now releasing the 3^rd generation of this revolutionary product with the Aventuro Carbon PRO. This helmet sets new standards for cooling airflow, glove-friendly vent controls, and an improved liner system, while continuing to be a rider favorite thanks to its lightweight feel and low-drag aerodynamics which reduce neck strain and improve rider comfort.

The Carbon PRO has been completely re-designed from the ground up. The Peak mounting has been changed to sturdy threaded fasteners for improved reliability, and the shape has been streamlined to reduce drag for enhanced rider comfort. The new peak also mounts higher on the helmet which makes it easier to remove the shield for installing a pin-lock system or upgrading to a tinted shield.

The airflow has been maximized with 8 intake vents, 4 exhaust vents and upgraded distribution channels in the EPS liner for best-in-class cooling airflow. The helmet liner has also been upgraded to a better material and an innovative new system for locking in the cheek pads to prevent them from coming loose inadvertently.

Further changes have been made to improve the field of vision and to better accommodate glasses.

“We’re happy to see some big improvements on this helmet while retaining the lightweight and airy feeling that made it a top choice for adventure riding since the beginning. I really like the cheek pad locking system that ensures they don’t come loose and the wider range of peripheral vision and easier fit with glasses”

                                                                        -Kimmo Lasilla, VP, Sales & Customer Service

Aventuro Carbon PRO Helmet:

• More airflow with 8 intake vents, 4 exhaust vents and distribution channels
• Glove-friendly controls with improved grip and for operating vents
• Dual-function chin vent to provide fine control of air to both the rider and the shield
• New peak design improves aerodynamics and reduces drag for reduced neck strain
• Improved quick-release mechanism for the peak using metal threads for a reliable and secure connection
• Expanded peripheral range of view and shape that better accommodates glasses
• Crafted from X-Pro Carbon fiber which provides uniform strength with precise fiber distribution
• Meets high standards for safety with both DOT and ECE 22.06 certifications

Get Yours Here!

There are three things a riding suit needs to do well for adventure riding: Keep you protected from impacts, keep you dry in bad weather, and provide cooling air-flow when the weather gets warm or the riding gets challenging. The Companero Rambler is best-in-class in all three areas. It also has an incredible array of well-designed pockets to accommodate wallet, keys, phone, and more.

FORCED INDUCTION AIRFLOW – Next-level cooling is provided with the REV’IT VCS (Ventilation Control System) which includes the innovative double chest zipper that creates a 3 cm (1.2 inch) wide vent running the entire length of the jacket, delivering a huge volume of air to the upper body. The second zip ensures that the jacket remains securely closed while still allowing airflow through the mesh ventilation panel. The outer zipper can be closed to guarantee the jacket is fully wind and waterproof! The amount of airflow can be controlled by adjusting the height of the outer zipper.

ARMOR PROTECTION – The Touratech Compañero Rambler has a comprehensive set of high-tech armor providing protection to the back, shoulders, elbows, hips, and knees. These protectors are located in places to maximize protection even with the vents fully open. Elbow and knee protectors have adjustable heights to fit a wide range of body types. The back protector is in a pocket made of open-pored 3D mesh to improve breathability and ventilation. All armor is tested and meets the safety standards for CE certification.

WATERPROOF DURABILITY – GORE-TEX Pro 3-layer laminate is used extensively in the Compañero Rambler, with double layers in key areas and abrasion-resistant ARMACOR material reinforced with KEVLAR threads for added protection. The jacket also features 3M SCOTCHLITE reflective material for improved visibility in low light conditions.

INTEGRATED MIDLAYER – The Rambler Jacket comes with an integrated mid-layer that fits perfectly in the jacket for adding warmth on cool mornings or when you ride into the mountains. This warming layer zips into the outer jacket and is made of HYDRATEX Windbarrier, a 3 layer laminate with a super-soft inside surface. The mid-layer jacket makes for great casualwear for your post ride activities and features 3 zipper pockets for keys, phone and wallet.

ERGONOMICS AND FIT – A European cut favors a snug fit and minimizes extra material to keep the suit as light as possible. Adjustable compression straps at the chest, back, calf and forearm can be cinched down for slipping cleanly through the wind. The zips at the jacket hem allow stretch zones for maximum freedom of movement and comfort. The integrated, detachable kidney belt with a small zipped pocket stabilizes and supports the lower back and provides a secure place for credit cards or small change, and it can be stored invisibly in the lining of the jacket when not in use.

STORM COLLAR – The high-cut, adjustable, fully removable, or foldable storm collar with GORE-TEX Pro 3-layer laminate is 100% windproof and waterproof. The chin area is made of soft, skin-friendly neoprene.

CONVENIENT POCKETS – Plenty of pockets help manage wallet, keys, phone, snacks, and other essentials with easy access and secure waterproof storage.

Find your Companero Rambler Here

As we head into the 2022 riding season, adventure motorcycles are once again trending at a WOT pace with nearly every manufacturer offering one.

Even Harley-Davidson, for some the last manufacturer you’d think would launch an adventure bike, has entered the fray.

The appeal of adventure bikes is obvious. Not only do these machines let you endure long stretches on the back roads or highways in comfort, but when the pavement stops and the dirt begins, ADV bikes are ready for the challenge.

Just as motorcycling has caught up to the do-it-all nature of adventure bikes, helmet companies have to get in on the action too. But this poses a challenge.

Adventure helmets need to be able to provide the benefits of both road helmets and off-road helmets. How do you choose?

I’ll walk you through exactly what to look for in this guide. Beginning with some general topics, I’ll tell you what they mean and why they’re important.

First, What is an adventure helmet?

For most of the 1980s and 1990s, and well before, adventure riders would either wear a street helmet or a dirt helmet and modify as needed.

Road riders would sometimes pop off the faceshield on their street helmet and wear goggles once they got in the dirt, or they would wear their motocross helmet, goggles and all, and just build their neck muscles on the road when the wind would want to pull the beaks of their helmets towards the sky.

An adventure helmet bridges the gap between the two. It’s mostly shaped like a dirt helmet but with a faceshield built-in for road riding.

The shield is designed to go on and off easily and be replaced with goggles if you want. There are also modular helmets that flip up.

Modulars are super convenient, but there’s a minority that argues these lids are unsafe. Some say the split in the shell for the front to open harms the integrity of the lid.

I’ve known friends who have crashed with modulars and never had issues. And many of the top helmet manufacturers have put these through some serious testing with positive reviews. I have no worries about them and use modular lids often.

Adventure Helmet Guides: What to Look For

No matter what you’re looking for in an ADV helmet, the most important things are that it fits your head comfortably and meets all the required safety regulations (DOT approval!).

Your adventure helmet could have all the greatest features available, but it won’t do you any good if you don’t wear it because it’s uncomfortable.

With that said, here’s what to look for before purchasing an ADV lid.

Ventilation

If you’re riding on a hot day or just working up a sweat through a tough trail, you want as much airflow as possible.

If you’re wondering why some helmets cost considerably more than others, part of the reason is that these companies have put some thought and design work into flowing as much air as possible through their helmets.

A well-ventilated head will help keep you cool for longer. Studies have shown that once your head starts to overheat, the rest of the body won’t be far behind. And this is a huge safety risk.

Interior Liner

You’re going to be spending a lot of time inside that helmet, so the material actually touching your skin better be nice.

Most quality helmets use a material that wicks away sweat, so the incoming airflow will help cool you down. Also, a nice feature to have is a fully removable liner (some only offer removable cheek pads).

That way, when you’re done riding and the inside of your helmet is nasty—something that often happens for adventure riders—you can just toss the liner into the washing machine.

A fresh helmet helps keep a positive focus before starting any ride, and a fresh-smelling liner does this quickly.

Visor

Helmets arrive with a clear visor, which is nice for night riding or riding in adverse conditions, but a dark visor is a way to go for sunny days. Other helmets arrive with flip-down internal dark visors, which is a feature that makes riding life much simpler.

See for yourself how easy or hard it is to change faceshields. Make sure it has some sort of fog barrier, too. A PinLock system is the popular choice nowadays and is offered on the most reputable lids.

Also, look through the visor to make sure it’s optically correct. While rare, this condition does occur on some helmets. This can cause a loss of focus, increasing your risk of smashing into something.

Weight

Light makes right, as the saying goes. A heavy helmet is going to wear you out much faster over the course of a long ride than a lighter one. So keep that in mind.

The average weight of a size large adventure helmet is around 3 to 3.5 pounds. That’s light enough to keep your neck and shoulders from aching after a long day of riding.

Shape/Comfort

This one comes in two parts. The shape of an Adventure helmet could lean towards a road bias or a dirt bias, or fall somewhere in the middle. Regardless, every shape will prompt a different feel on the head.

This is a reason manufacturers like Arai offer their street lids in a few different sizes. Everyone’s noggin is different, so a helmet’s shape can be comfortable for one rider and horrible for another rider. This is why it’s always best to try on a helmet before purchasing one.

Also, going back to the fit category, make sure the helmet is comfortable. And not just for the few minutes you try it at the store. Try wearing it for as long as possible to find any uncomfortable spots, or “hot spots,” as most of these problem areas are called.

Goggles

Does the helmet allow you to wear them? Most do, but some may not. Or they may have a weird opening that might be too small for some goggles.

If you prefer goggles, make sure your helmet was designed for them.

Modular

I mentioned it earlier, but the modular option may be appealing for a lot of people. The option to flip up the chin bar will make it much easier to talk to people at a stop or while fueling up, take a drink, or just get some fresh air.

Again, some people argue the overall safety of a modular. They say because there’s a hinge in your helmet, it will never be as safe or robust as a non-modular helmet.

Price Point

This is the big one. How much are you willing to spend? Price points vary dramatically within the world of ADV lids, from $350 to over $1,000.

Fortunately, there are quality helmets at every price point. What you might give up by spending less are some of the creature comforts or slightly less ventilation.

And Remember The 5-Year Factor

How many years should you wear your helmet? The golden rule for motorcycle helmets is five years of manufacturer date. This is because a helmet’s shell naturally deteriorates over time from outside elements and simply time, which creates a safety hazard if you crash.

Most manufacturer’s dates are printed inside the shell or on the chin strap. If buying a used helmet, which is advised against because a helmet will naturally take on the shape of the previous rider, double-check that the lid is still in that window.

Know this factor also when buying bargain helmets online; contact the store and ask for a manufacturer’s date if you plan to keep it for a long time.

A happy adventure motorcyclist is a safe motorcyclist, and an essential portion of this safety factor is protecting your head with the proper helmet. But with so many choices available, finding the optimal lid takes some research.

This guide is designed to help minimize that research when you begin searching for your perfect lid. Happy ADV helmet shopping.

Shop Touratech Helmets Here

The Touratech Discovery Soft Luggage System is completely waterproof and the perfect alternative to Zega panniers. The Discovery Luggage System is lightweight and easy to install on just about any dual-sport or adventure motorcycle. The magic of this system is its simplicity. Featuring four compartments, two 25 liter roll-top packsacks and two 7.5 liter external roll-top enclosures. In addition, the center-section can be opened up and a dry bag secured within, forgoing the need for additional straps. Packed with great features, and built from the best materials available, Touratech’s Discovery Waterproof Soft Luggage System is made to go the distance.

• Adjustable Capacity – These expandable saddle bags can be adjusted, width and height, all the way up to 25 liters each side. That is plenty for all the clothes, food and other necessities needed on a weekend trip.

• External Pockets & Storage Options – One external expansion pocket on each side provides an additional 7.5 liters of storage. Perfect for first aid kits, oil/fuel bottles, rain gear and anything else you need to reach quickly. Inside the dry bag retaining strap are two additional large, zippered mesh pockets, ideal for maps, a Hi-Viz vest, or other small items.

• Optional Dry Bag Area – You can flip open the center section and secure an Adventure Dry Bag.
• Versatile Mounting System – The Discovery Luggage System mounts to the motorcycle via four straps, two forward and aft. Forward straps are best tied to your subframe or passenger pegs. The rear straps can be run underneath your subframe or even through your luggage rack.

• Interior Design – The Discovery Luggage packsacks are designed in bright Touratech yellow which let’s you find what you’re looking for faster, even in low light situations.

If your motorcycle has a high exhaust we recommend using this muffler heat shield (080-5055).

These waterproof bags from Touratech combine everything you could wish for in waterproof soft luggage. These bags don’t just look the part, they are made from the most robust material we could find. Sporting either roll-top designs, no dust, water, snow, mud or other material will get inside of them keeping your contents clean, no matter what you’ve been riding through.

Find Yours Here!

The peak is removable without tools so you can use this helmet in street mode. The shield is also removable if you want to run goggles for full dirt-mode. The back of the helmet even has a clip to keep the goggle strap located where you want it.New high-durability synthetic leather material used at bottom of neck roll and on chin skirt for longer life. Center panel perforation designed to maximize liner breathability and featuring reflective panels for visibility in low light conditions.

Included in the package is a Pin-Lock visor complete with the breathable insert to keep your vision clear on cold and wet days on the road

The result is increased comfort and reduced neck fatigue on even the longest adventures. Many riders report the reduced air-grab effect makes it easier to turn their heads while enjoying the sights.

We’ve redesigned the chin vent to have more airflow and to be operated easily while wearing gloves. It also has an updated aesthetic design.The peak is now angle-adjustable for just the right position to block the sun while maintaining visibility and providing protection from brushy trails or mother nature. The integrated camera mount also changes angle with the adjustable peak.

We’ve added a shell size, so the helmet now features a more precise fit and is available in 7 sizes XS – XXXL.

New Features:

• 40% more airflow through chin and top vents
• Vents re-designed for easy operation even with gloves
• Adjustable peak angle for better sun blockage
• Improved peak aerodynamics reducing turbulence and drag
• New Synthetic Leather material at neck roll for increased durability
• Thicker chin strap for better comfort
• New 3X size

Weight Information (Approximate):

• Small Shell (XS-SM): 1280g (2lb, 13oz) Street & Off-Road, 1380g (3lb, 1 oz) Travel Mode
• Medium Shell (MD-LG): 1330g (2lb, 15oz) Street & Off-Road, 1430g (3lb, 2oz) Travel Mode
• Large Shell (XL-3X): 1380g (3lb, 1oz) Street & Off-Road, 1480g  (3lb, 4oz)Travel Mode

Street Mode = Peak removed, visor installed for use as street helmet.  Off-Road Mode = Visor Removed for use with off-road goggles.  Travel Mode = All parts installed (Peak & Visor)

Click HERE to see the sizing chart.

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