You can purchase the orthrus full face motorcycle helmet in matte black (and other colors) from amazon, where it currently averages 4.5 out of 5 stars with dozens of verified purchases. There's nothing wrong with a little anonymity behind a helmet. Check price on Amazon.
For instance, you're probably thinking of how much money you'll save versus a Shoei or Bell helmet.
Specs and build quality
The orthrus full face motorcycle helmet is built using a lightweight ABS shell, combined with a thick EPS foam liner. At this price point, ABS is standard material and provides enough toughness to absorb the impact of forces. while still being light enough for extended periods of riding. The ABS shell used on the helmet has a smooth matte black finish. Unlike glossy finishes, matte black resists fingerprint smudges better and shows fewer signs of dirt from the road.
Another feature that stands out relative to the price is the dual visor system. With the helmet, you receive 2 visors: a dark-tinted visor for daytime riding and a clear visor for nighttime riding. Swapping these visors in/out takes only a couple of seconds via the quick release mechanism located on either side of the helmet. Therefore, no separate sun shield or sunglasses underneath the visor are needed for daytime riding. simply swap to the tinted visor.
Ventilation is provided by 2 intake vents positioned on the front/top of the shell along with 2 exhaust ports at the rear of the shell. The airflow path is created from the front chin vent where air enters the helmet, flows across the inside of the helmet then exits out the rear. This airflow allows for continuous airflow over your face when riding in warmer temperatures. reducing fogging on the visor when you are stopped at an intersection.
Additionally, there is a ventilation port positioned near the top of the shell which draws air over the crown of your head and exhales hot air out through the rear spoiler section.
The liner is made from a 3-dimensional molded plastic that fits closely to your head. It is very comfortable when new and becomes even more comfortable after several rides due to "break-in" of the padding. The fit is very close to true-to-size based upon owner feedback. Medium typically fits an average adult head. The entire liner is removable and can be washed with mild soap and water. After a long summer ride you can remove the liner, wash it and have a clean liner ready for the next days ride.
The chin strap uses a quick-release ratcheting buckle instead of traditional d-rings. While some people prefer d-rings because they never break, many find that ratcheting buckles provide an ease-of-use advantage. particularly when wearing gloves. Additionally, ratcheting buckles provide a consistent amount of tightness every time.
safety and protection
This helmet is DOT certified and therefore meets federal motor vehicle safety standard number 218 (FMVSS-218). DOT is the minimum requirement for helmets to be legally worn for street riding in the usa. Testing procedures include impact attenuation, penetration resistance, strap retention, and field of view. Based on results from testing conducted by orthrus utilizing their ABS shell and EPS foam liner combination, they were able to meet all DOT testing requirements.
The EPS foam liner absorbs and distributes the impact forces generated by an impact. When a helmet impacts a surface, the EPS foam liner compresses to slow-down the deceleration of your head. The thickness of the EPS foam liner directly affects how much energy it can absorb. Since orthrus has designed a multi-density EPS foam liner that varies the density of foam throughout different sections of the helmet. they are providing improved protection to various parts of your head.
The chin-bar portion of the helmet is reinforced with the same ABS shell as the rest of the helmet. As previously stated. full-face helmets provide protection to your jaw-chin region in case of a crash whereas half-helmets and three-quarters helmets expose this area. In particular, new riders may consider full-face helmets to provide maximum protection as opposed to half or three-quarters helmets.
Note that this helmet is not certified under ECE or SNELL standards. Although both ECE 22.06 and SNELL m2015 require more stringent testing than DOT. both offer greater levels of protection than DOT. Specifically. ECE 22.06 adds rotational impact testing and lower g-force limits than DOT. For commuter riding, weekend cruising or general street riding. DOT certification is acceptable. However. if you plan to participate in racing or track events or engage in high-speed riding for extended periods. you may wish to explore helmets with multiple certifications. Please refer to our comparison page for DOT and ECE-rated helmets to identify more helmets within your budget that meet your criteria.
what amazon reviewers have said
Overall. the orthrus full-face motorcycle helmet averages approximately 4.5/5-star ratings among amazon customers who purchased it. many of whom have reviewed their experiences. Repeatedly. customers praise the orthrus for delivering incredible value relative to price. Many customers have described it as offering far more than any competitor in this price category. stating that it feels more expensive than it truly costs.
Some customers complimented on the versatility offered by having both visors included in the packaging rather than having to spend additional funds purchasing an additional visor. Customers state that they love being able to choose which visor suits their preference for daylight vs. night-time riding conditions. Additionally, customers report that swaping visors is quick-enough to accomplish at a gas station without requiring any tools.
Customers consistently complimented on quality of comfort provided by the 3d molded comfort liner. Multiple customers report that this liner remains comfortable even after riding for prolonged periods (typically 2-3 hours). Several customers also noted that although the helmet was initially slightly too snug for them. it broke-in perfectly after 50 miles of wear.
Few negative comments were reported regarding this product. One group mentioned that compared to premium helmets. wind-noise may be somewhat louder when traveling at highway speeds. however this is typical of lower-cost helmets in general. A second comment group mentioned that wind-noise can occur through the chin area and/or where the visor seal meets the helmet. Lastly. some customers noted that the visor-locking mechanism could be stronger as some models allowed moderate amounts of wind to enter and open-up the visor slightly.
In summary. owners recommended this helmet for new riders seeking their first helmet. budget conscious commuters. and anyone needing a secondary helmet for a passenger. Owners felt that this helmet delivered on expectations without pretending to be anything it wasn't.
who is this helmet for?
If you need a helmet that complies with u.s. Department of transportation (DOT) regulations. and would like to spend money on other gear (jacket/gloves/etc.) before spending money on a full-face helmet that exceeds minimum standards...this is your helmet!
Alternatively, if you need a second full-face helmet to serve as a spare unit for your passenger, this is a great alternative at a very affordable price.
Finally, regardless of type/style of motorcycle (cruiser/standard/sportbike etc.), black helmets are generally versatile in style. and won't draw unnecessary attention. Additionally. with black being such an easy color to match with jackets and boots. you will be able to make this work easily with almost any combination.
If you're planning extensive highway travel or touring. you might want to consider helmets that offer superior wind-noise management and higher safety standards. Similarly, if you intend to install a bluetooth headset and/or intercom device. interior space may become cramped depending on your preferences.
To learn more about helmets rated with DOT/ECE/SNELL certifications (as well as compare prices). please review our full list of helmet reviews.
frequently asked questions
is orthrus full-face helmet DOT compliant?
Yes! The orthrus full-face motorcycle helmet has been tested against u.s. Department of transportation (DOT) FMVSS-218 standards. As such, it meets all federal regulations for street riding in all 50 u.s.a. States and completed all requisite testing (impact attenuation. penetration resistance. strap retention. field of view.)
does my orthrus full-face helmet come with both tinted & clear visors?
Yes! Your orthrus full-face helmet comes packaged with both visors: dark smoked visor (for daytime riding) and clear visor (for nighttime/low light visibility). Both visors are interchangeable via simple side plate release mechanisms.
may i remove/wash my orthrus full-face helmets' interior liner?
Yes! The liners are completely removable and washable (with mild soap & water). Simply hand-wash after removing from your helmet, hang-dry prior to replacing.
how does sizing work on my orthrus full-face helmet?
According to owner reviews, sizing is accurate: if you fall between sizes, order larger. All liners break-in within 25-50 miles.
may i install an intercom device to my helmet?
Interior space is relatively limited. therefore installing a bluetooth intercom system with speakers/microphone(s) may result in reduced internal space. Some users report successful installations using thin speaker systems and/or wired microphones rather than booms. Prior to installing an intercom system, measure ear pocket depth.
what's the difference between DOT and ECE ratings?
While both DOT and ECE (European certification authority) regulate helmets. ECE includes additional safety-testing beyond DOT. For example: ECE testing includes evaluation of rotational impacts and lower g-force limits than DOT testing. If you plan on participating in racing/tracking activities or riding at high speeds for extended periods. consider helmets meeting both DOT/ECE/ SNELL standards.
Therefore, if you are looking for a helmet that provides adequate safety protection without breaking-the-bank while allowing you to spend money on other gear. take a closer look at this orthrus full-face helmet.