A helmet for dual-sport riding that combines the features of a dirt helmet and a street lid is the ILM Dual Sport Adventure Motorcycle Helmet. The primary idea of an ADV helmet is to split the difference between a dirt helmet and a street helmet. In terms of features, the ILM helmet offers a drop-down sun visor behind the main shield, a peak visor that looks right on ADV and dual-sport motorcycles, a 7-position ventilation system and a face shield that accepts a Pinlock lens. Additionally, it carries a DOT certification under FMVSS-218 and a quick-release buckle instead of the usual D-rings. Based on specifications alone, there is little question that this is a well-equipped helmet for the budget-conscious ADV rider.
Specs and Build
The ILM dual-sport helmet is made from an injection-molded thermoplastic polycarbonate alloy shell that keeps weight to a minimum without sacrificing impact protection. Below are the construction details for this model:
- Shell. Polycarbonate alloy manufactured via injection molding.
- Safety certification. Meets Department of Transportation (DOT) standards for motorcycles under Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 218 (FMVSS-218).
- Visor system. Main shield with clear visibility and compatible with Pinlock lenses. Internal drop-down sun visor operated by a slider on the left side of the helmet.
- Peak visor. Detachable peak mounted above the main shield. Screws on and off easily with a hex wrench.
- Ventilation system. Adjustable 7-position venting on the chin bar and crown, along with exhaust ports at the rear.
- Closure. Quick-release buckle with a spring-loaded button. Metal closure mechanism.
- Weight. 3.6 lbs in a medium.
- Size range. Available in sizes XS through XXL.
- Interior liner. Moisture-wicking interior liner that can be removed and washed.
The unique aspect of this helmet is the dual-visor design. Many helmets in the ADV category offer one visor or the other. Either you receive a peak visor and a clear shield with no sun protection or you receive a tinted shield with no peak. The ILM provides both. The clear main shield protects you from the elements and allows for a Pinlock anti-fog insert. The internal drop-down sun visor can be flipped down when sunlight interferes with your vision and tucked away when entering a tunnel or a shaded canyon road. It works from a single slider on the left side of the helmet, just above the cheek pad.
One additional feature worth mentioning is the removable interior liner. For those who ride extensively in warmer temperatures or on consecutive days, removing the liner, washing it in mild detergent, allowing it to air dry and reinstalling it is a convenient option. The fabric used is a moisture-wicking material that performs better than the cheap foam found in lower priced helmets. While it is not premium microfiber fabric such as the high-end liners offered by Shoei and Arai, it far exceeds glued-in liners that harbor odors and bacterial growth.
Safety
DOT certification means the helmet passed the FMVSS-218 impact, penetration, and retention tests. That requires the helmet to absorb a specific amount of energy during a drop test onto a flat anvil and a hemispherical anvil, and the chin strap retention system must hold without stretching beyond limits. The penetration test uses a pointed striker dropped from a set height.
While this helmet does not carry European ECE certification, it does carry DOT certification for the US market. As previously stated, DOT certification is essentially self-certification. The manufacturer conducts their own testing or utilizes a third-party laboratory, and once they verify that the product complies with federal regulations, they mark it as DOT certified. NHTSA randomly inspects products sold in the US for compliance, and fines manufacturers whose helmets fail. Therefore, the presence of a DOT sticker on the ILM indicates that the manufacturer tested it to comply with FMVSS-218 and that it met those requirements. This differs from ECE certification, which involves a third party testing samples pulled from the production line.
As an added safety benefit, the quick-release buckle serves not only as a convenience but also as an asset in an emergency situation. When you go down, you can simply press the release button to quickly release the buckle and free yourself from the helmet. Using a buckle with a button rather than D-rings reduces fumbling with gloves during an emergency. The buckle mechanism is metal, feels solid when it clicks closed, and will not release accidentally during a fall.
What Amazon Reviewers Are Saying
Amazon customers provide substantial insight into what they think about products. Their comments reflect both positive and negative aspects regarding performance, durability, and overall satisfaction.
Positive feedback. Reviewers were very pleased with the dual visor system on this helmet. Many felt that having both an internal sun visor and a removable peak visor was extremely beneficial. One reviewer noted that the internal sun visor provided relief from low-angle sunlight while riding trails during early morning hours. Another expressed appreciation for having a peak visor that looked right on his ADV bike. Overall, customers appreciated the versatility of being able to flip the internal sun visor up and down based on how much direct sunlight they encountered. Many reviewers were also impressed by how easy it was to install and maintain Pinlock inserts, reporting that the shield holds the insert tight with no fogging afterward.
Negative comments. Some reviewers reported significant wind noise at speeds above 65 mph while wearing this helmet. Since the peak of the helmet creates airflow disturbance when traveling at higher speeds, this is consistent with expectations for an ADV-style helmet. Removing the peak visor eliminated nearly all of this noise according to one reviewer. Some reviewers also note a small gap around the bottom edge of the sun visor that lets a bit of light through, an issue that bothers some riders more than others. Lastly, although some reviewers initially experienced discomfort from the cheek pads being too tight, almost all agreed that this was a break-in issue and that by approximately 100 miles they had loosened sufficiently.
Notes regarding durability. Overall, reviewers praised the build quality for its value considering its price point. A few thought that the quick-release buckle seemed slightly less secure than typical D-ring fasteners, though almost all eventually became accustomed to it and preferred it. According to long term reviews, the visor mechanism holds its adjustment and does not sag or develop play over time.
Check the current price and read more customer feedback on Amazon.
Who Is This Helmet For
This helmet was clearly built for dual sport and adventure riders who require a versatile helmet capable of protecting their head on paved surfaces and dirt trails alike, but who do not wish to incur exorbitant costs for doing so. It is not trying to compete with the Arai XD-4 or the Shoei Hornet ADV for riders who need top tier off-road protection.
Dual sport and ADV riders. If you ride a KLR 650, a DRZ 400, a Versys 300X, or anything with a beak and knobby tires, this helmet will work well for you. The combination of peak and dual visors gives you optimal lighting control for varying road conditions, and the ventilation handles the heat of warm off-road riding.
Budget conscious buyers. If you are on a limited budget but still want an ADV style helmet with an internal sun visor that accepts Pinlock anti-fog inserts, plus DOT certification, this is your best bet.
Novice riders. For newer riders still learning how to gear up efficiently before heading out, the quick-release buckle greatly reduces the frustration of fumbling with D-rings while wearing gloves. There is also a case for buying an affordable helmet early on. You will replace a helmet eventually, whether from a drop in the parking lot or damage in an accident, and this one won't crush you financially when that happens.
Who should look elsewhere. If you spend most of your time at 75 mph and above and don't plan on taking your bike off-road often, an ADV helmet with a peak creates aerodynamic drag and generates wind noise at highway speeds. A full-face street helmet would be more suitable. Also, if you ride in Europe or otherwise need ECE certification, with its third-party testing of production samples, you'll want to consider something else such as our ScorpionEXO R330 review or the LS2 FF800.
See it on Amazon for the latest pricing and color options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the ILM dual sport helmet have a Pinlock insert included?
No. Your ILM dual sport ADV helmet has Pinlock ready posts to accept an anti-fog lens insert, but the insert itself is not in the box. You will need to purchase a Pinlock 70 or Pinlock 120 separately depending upon your fogging conditions. The 70 is sufficient for most riding situations. The 120 provides better protection against extreme cold and humidity.
Is the peak visor removable?
Yes. The peak attaches via two hex bolts on each side of the shell. Removal takes approximately a minute with a 2.5mm hex key. Some riders remove their peaks for long highway trips and reinstall them before going off-road again. Although the helmet looks a little bare without its peak because the mounts remain visible after removal, it functions fine either way.
How does the sizing run?
ILM sizes fit close to true to size based upon user testimonials, using an intermediate oval shape. Measure your head circumference just above the eyebrows and match that measurement to ILM's chart rather than guessing from your street helmet size. Cheek pads are tight out of the box and break in over the first hundred miles or so, so you want a fit that feels firm around the jawline but comfortable across the forehead. If you are right between two sizes, go up.
Is this helmet good for off-road riding?
Yes, with certain exceptions. The peak visor and seven-position venting make it functional for trail and gravel road riding, and the liner handles dust and sweat well. But this is not a motocross helmet. You get a full face shield instead of goggles, and the chin bar is much less scooped than a pure MX helmet. For dual sport riding where you spend a lot of time on pavement connecting dirt sections, this is an excellent choice. For hard enduro or motocross track riding, a dedicated off-road helmet with goggles works far better.
How loud is this helmet on the highway?
The most common negative comment from customers concerns wind noise, caused by turbulence as the peak catches air at highway speeds. Riding positions on adventure bikes with tall windscreens seem to move the helmet into cleaner air more effectively. Generally speaking, customers found wind noise to be audible above 65 mph while wearing this helmet, though the level of annoyance varied widely. Wearing earplugs on highway rides regardless of helmet selection remains highly advisable.
What colors are available?
The ILM dual sport comes in various color options including matte black, gloss white, matte army green, matte titanium, and several graphic designs. Solid colors typically cost less than the graphic versions. Check Amazon for current availability in your desired color option.
Still comparing? Look at the HAX Amatista modular and the LS2 Strobe II modular, or browse the full motorcycle helmet comparison.