Anybody have experience with the Fly Trekker DS Helmet or AFX FX-39 ? Either one better than the other when the pace picks up on the pavement ? I have never had a DS helmet and I read that some can be noisy and windy at higher speeds
Just returned the Fulmer ADV helmet because: 1) peak lift was annoying, 2) fit is for round head and gave head ache after 30 min, 3) optical distortion. Nice looking but a piece of crap, obviously never wind tunnel tested. Had more lift than my MX helmet (no joke). Received my AFX FX-39 2 days ago and rode 80 miles after dark last night. Much quieter and no annoying lift on peak when looking at mirrors and fit is good. It is more a warm weather lid as there is no chin curtain and a little drafty but as a result will keep you nice and cool. If purchased adjust chin strap (cool ratchet style) the first time and cut of excess strap (no retention button) and slightly burn tip with match to seal. Revzilla has in stock all colors, as does Amoto. Not sure about Fly but I'd stick with the AFX fx-39 which webbikeworld, amoto, revzilla, and motorcyclce superstore all gave great reviews.
The fly is supposed to have a regular chin strap not a ratchet strap. Vents are different, padding may be slightly different as well. Ive been waiting for the FLY.
Well, the ratchet chin strap is great, a serious time saver and wish my other helmets had it. I agree without seeing in person you cannot be sure that vents work same or that interior materials the same, etc. With all the positive reviews on Revzilla, Amoto, Webbikeworld, why would you take the chances with Fly over AFX? Plus Revzilla has no tax, no shipping fee, ships same day and has free first exchange and even pays free return shipping (first return).
I personally don’t like the ratchet chin strap and I’m not in that big of a hurry that Id need it. I got free shipping from atomicmoto and those guys are F^%King great to do business with. I think the FLY looks a little better as well. I already have the old FX-37 which I found adequate, nothing great but good for the price, so the new ones should be even better. As anyone can see they are basically the same helmet so I don’t think the risk is that great. After the fly has been out for a bit it may be better than the FX-39 but I doubt it will be any worse.
Update on my new AFX fx-39 Yesterday I had a chance to put on about a 100 miles of highway and mixed riding. Overall, I am very impressed with how well it did at speed with the peak installed at its factory setting (evidently it's adjustable?). At a steady 80-85 mph it is very tolerable. Twice I zipped up to 105 mph without any serious lift from the peak when there were no cross winds to speak of. I am confident that 120 mph would have been do-able without neck snap. With cross winds of 20+ mph, later in the day, 80 mph was comfortable but above that speed the cross winds could be felt more than a pure road helmet. Noise was very acceptable with a good set of ear plugs but I have certainly had slightly quieter road helmets. I'd wear this on a longer overnight trip, even with peak installed, but if doing something closer to an Ironbutt 1000 I'd use the quietest helmet I own. Peak lift and aerodynamics are worlds better than a competing affordable DS helmet the Fulmer ADV helmet which I returned in one week due to this reason plus it also had optical distortion, and poor fit for my oval (Arai profile-shaped) head. One nice feature of AFX was that on the highway with one hand it was easy to loosen the rachet chin strap. That would not be possible on the similar Fly helmet which has a D-ring strap. Because the padding on the chin starp is a bit cheaper than other helmets I found that after an hour I wanted to loosen it a bit, as maybe the padding compressed, which is easy to do without stopping. About as easy as opeing a vent.
I have the AFX FX-39. Thanks to Brian at Atomic Moto for the fitment tips. I bought the AFX becuse they run larger. The FLY Trekkers run true to size. Very happy with the Large FX-39. I usually wear an XL but the FX39 Large is perfect. No disdortion that I can percieve, might be different at night with glare and a scratched lens. The rachet strap is a nice touch, makes putting the helmet on and taking it off with gloves super easy.
Here is my new FX-39, Over 1,300 miles in 3 days, no Problems at all!! I was skeptical to say the least, but for $116.01 shipped...How could you go wrong?? I was tired of spending 500+ for an Arai XD when I crash them up every year. I was really impressed with the fit, (runs big) and the finish, the closeable vents, and the wonderful chin ratchet system!! Overall, I would buy this helmet again. Opps, I all most forgot, ZERO wind buffiting (sp?) even at 90mph+
I'm new to motorcycles and motorcycle helmets so I don't have a lot of comparisons. I just received my new FX-39. I like the helmet, but there is a piece of rubber that rubs my nose and mine catches the wind at around 65 mph and kind of lifts it off my head - probably just need to tighten the strap. Good airflow from the vents. I ordered the medium, and I think it's a good fit around my head, just hits my nose. I wear a 7 1/4 long oval hat. I'm 6'2" and I bet the little KLR wind screen doesn't help matters.
I just bought the FLY Helmet, and I'm quite pleased with it. I was skeptical about the visor catching wind and parachuting my head back (like my motocross helmet does), but going down the highway with the wind coming straight on I was pleasantly surprised and happy with the air flow. The only complaint I have is when there is a cross wind. I've noticed the airflow then starts to move your head around a bit. I bought mine for 100 at a local shop, so for the money I feel I'm way ahead than most of the other helmets on the market.
I have had this helmet since July and over 2000 miles wearing it and overall its not a bad helmet. No buffeting, on the loud side, okay vents but some padding buttons dont work, faceshield doesn't close tight and the #1 thing - it sits crooked on my mellon. I have had several people try it on and it sits crooked on everbody. Sent several emails to AFX and nothing but for the price - you cant beat it
or...... love mine... http://www.buycheapr.com/us/result.jsp?q=tms+dual+sport+helmets&qs=ti&ga=us15&ts=go
I had the same problem with the breath guard, so I just pulled it out. It really doesn't do much anyway. With the breath guard removed, you can position the helmet with the chin bar a little lower. This puts the visor at a better angle to cut through the wind without lift. I crash tested my first FX-39 and it worked. I have replaced it with another FX-39. I did look at the Fly, and did not notice any significant difference with the exception of the ratchet strap. I do love that feature.
For Those coming back to this thread or finding this for the first time and are having problems with the medium afx fitting their head but to close to their face, you should buy the large fly instead. When moving from the medium to the large size the shell is the larger mold but on the fly the inside fits slightly smaller so someone who is a medium on the afx and touching their face would be a large on a fly and lots of room out front. find somewhere that has both and try it, you might be surprised!
The Trekker and the FX-39 seem identical other than the strap. Question I have are, is the face shields exactly the same? They each have different colors options at motorcycle-superstore. I have the light smoke and must say it is VERY light. It's a nice tint for night riding. BTW: I have the Fly Trekker, my only complaint is the shield has only 3 positions; open, half-way open, and closed. When it's half-way open the bottom of the visor is in my direct line of sight. Is the AFX like this also?
Also bought the external sun shield which is a nice feature. This way I can have the Visor clear for night and flip the shield down for the Sun. Optically clear both Visor and shield and I wear glasses. Road tested to 100 mph with no lift or buffeting on my Super Ten. Slight buzz somewhere from the peak attachment. I ride with Ear Buds and music on trips so it is not an issue. Got to figure, for the price of an Arai I can have a good looking and functional AFX helmet and a set of K60's
Yes, only 3 positions. I removed my shield and cut another tooth for the detent so it will moreorless stay just cracked. They are a biatch to remove, so it's not something you want to plan on doing in the field. I wear tinted goggles with mine, and for off pavement, then flip down the shield for higher speeds and hiway. And of course, at night. No worry about changing sheilds. I've put a couple of thousand on the AFX and it's great. Hot, cold, rain, the full array. And yes, the two brands are identical but they fit different, so go with the one that fits you personally. And yes, the Fly fits true, the FX runs large. I usually wear a large but the fly was a bit loose, so the M FX fit perfectly. They are an excellent buy. And yes, they vent well for offroad use so they are a little more airy and noisier than a roadbike helmet. No lift from mine, but if you turn your head at speed then you can feel it catch the wind. For cold temps wear a bandana or balclava under. For hiway ear plugs. No issues. The ratchet strap tends to be further back on the shell than most, so some may find it irritating. But it is handier than hell. And yes, pulled out the breath guard right off and tossed it. Love it for dualsport riding. For all road I like a fully enclosed road helmet. But with contact lenses, the goggles are the hot setup so the AFX is the schiznit.