Why Do ATV Helmets Have Peaks?

The peak on an ATV helmet, also known as a brim, is an important feature of this safety gear. It is a protruding extension, attached to the upper front of the helmet above the goggles. If you are a beginner ATV rider, you might wonder why do ATV helmets have peaks. 

From deflecting rocks and dirt to keeping harsh weather elements out of your face and protecting eyes from sun-glare, there are many reasons why motocross helmet or ATV helmet has a peak. 

Many novice off-roaders confuse the helmet peak with visor whereas these two off-road helmet accessories are way different except for a common trait of protecting the eyes and face while riding.

In this article, I shall take you through an in-depth analysis of why I should get an ATV helmet with a peak, how peak and visor differ if they do.

Reasons why ATV helmets have peaks?

ATV helmets come with peaks for a few key reasons. First, the peak offers increased protection from debris and other objects flying from the ground or other riders. The peak also helps block out direct sunlight and can provide shade for the rider’s eyes, especially in extreme terrain conditions such as dunes or high-elevation areas. Here you will find more.

Protect the Skull

The shape of the peak is also important, as it should be designed to follow the natural curve of the rider’s forehead to fit their head correctly. This ensures maximum coverage of vulnerable parts of the skull and face while allowing enough room for proper ventilation inside the helmet.

Protect from harsh weather conditions 

When riding an ATV on a bushy or woodsy part of the ATV park or trail, the chances of encountering harsh weather conditions are very high. From excess sunshine to rain, there is an array of extreme weather conditions that can affect your vision during your riding sessions. Thankfully, the ATV helmet peak helps to keep these elements at bay.

For instance, the helmet peak will help to block the direct sunlight from your eyesight, especially when your goggles are already dusty. Moreover, it prevents your face from getting sunburned when the weather is hot. In case of sudden rain, the peak will keep your face drier if you tilt it forward a bit, but it will fall short of barring rain for longer.

Deflect tall branches 

You might have to weave your way through trees and bushes now and then while riding along off-road trails. The ATV helmet peak will come in the way between tall branches and bushes and your face.

Although you might have worn a pair of goggles, the peak will add a much-needed extra layer of protection. Keep your head tilted forward to pass through bushy or thorny trails hassle-free. Thus, the peak, usually sticking out ahead of the forehead, will act like a face shield.  

Deflect roost

Roast refers to the trajectory of objects such as dirt, debris, and rocks being thrown up by the rear tire of the rider in front of you during the ATV riding sessions. Here, these elements are sprayed in the air and can hit your face and eyes without protection from a peak or any other face shield. 

Thus, wearing an ATV helmet with a peak will protect your face during the riding sessions and prevent potential injuries that you might get along the way.

ATV Helmet Visors Vs. Peaks vs. Combos: What to Prefer

Yes, ATV helmets mostly have and should have a peak resembling a basketball cap rather than a visor. 

ATV riding is done mostly along off-road tracks, so the eyes and face of the rider remain the most exposed to the flying debris, rocks, thick tree branches and brushes, and even tall grasses while in the woods. While plowing through beaten tracks with the sun shining hot in the sky, your eyes must withstand sun glare and your face the burn of it.

Now, what can give you the maximum protection against the said dangers – a see-through face shield called or known to be visor or a plastic brim attached just above your ATV helmet goggle? 

Whereas a visor can block dust and dirt but not to the last particle, withstanding flying rocks and debris and blocking sun glare is not the job of a transparent plastic visor. Moreover, dust will find its way inside, defying the visor.

On its top, a visor being more sealed/enclosed, accumulates a thick layer of fog caused by your breathing. ATVs running lower than 30mph will not allow gusts of wind in through the helmet vents. 

Conversely, a peak, tilted a bit forward and stooped, can keep the thicker and fiercer intruder out of your eyes, face, and goggles. And being an open-face option, an ATV helmet with a peak and goggles will not grow heavy fog screening your sight.  However, one potential downside of using a helmet peak is that it can obstruct your vision if not positioned correctly. So, it’s important to ensure that the peak does not interfere with your line of sight while riding.

Yes, you can opt for an adventure or dual-sport helmet featured with a combo of visor and a peak called peak visor by some. But the peak in those helmets is too short to block sun glare and deflect brushed, branches, and flying objects. 

A visor extends downwards from the front of the helmet and typically includes adjustable vents for better airflow during hot rides. This feature allows riders to easily flip up or remove the visor when not needed, increasing visibility without compromising safety. Additionally, some visors are tinted or equipped with anti-fog coatings, providing added comfort in different lighting conditions.

Ultimately, whether you choose an ATV helmet with a peak or a visor will depend on personal preference and what type of riding you plan on doing most frequently.

What are the different types of visors found on ATV helmets?

It is no secret that visors come in different shapes and styles. However, there are only two main types of visors. These include:

Retractable visors

As the name suggests, occasionally, these can be removed from the helmet. With detachable or retractable visors, you will have the luxury to switch between different visors depending on your trail. With wider visors, you will enjoy increased protection from tree branches, harsh weather conditions, and even roost.

Built-in 

Unlike retractable visors, built-in visors cannot be removed from the ATV helmet. Therefore, these are permanently fixed on the ATV helmet. Unlike other visors, these are short in size. However, they are very optimal when it comes to rain and sun protection.

The other advantage of short visors is that they offer much-needed protection to the eyes and the head in case you are involved in an accident. This is because longer visors can damage your eyes and head during a crash landing. Finally, if you have to ride your ATV during harsh weather conditions, you must consider using break-away visors.

Which is the best Peak for your dirt bike helmet or ATV helmet?

Well, the selection of an ideal peaks for your ATV helmet will depend on a number of factors. For instance, consider using a built-in visor if you are riding on a casual trail. This is because they offer better visibility and protection to your eyes and head when riding your ATV. Additionally, they hardly leave the helmet when you are riding.

However, consider using a detachable peak if you are riding your ATV in harsh weather conditions or rough terrain. This is because these helmet peaks will always detach in case, they get caught up by anything along the way. Consequently, your neck will not be pulled back or injured.

Also, there will be minimal or no chances of these visors causing damage to the rider’s eyes in case of an accident. After all, these visors are meant to detach from the helmet in case of such occurrences.

What is an off-road helmet visor made from?

First, visors come made from different materials and with multiple designs. The most common materials that these visors are made from include:

• Simple plastic
• Touch Plastic
• Semi-rigid plastic

The visors mentioned above are removable, as you can easily clip and unclip them from their respective mountings on the ATV helmet. However, the current ATV helmets come with visors that are made from carbon fiber.

It is imperative to note that these visors are usually designed, painted, and even color-coded to match the style and design of a particular motocross helmet. Some of these visors can easily be removed, while others are not detachable. 

Are there side effects of using an ATV helmet with a peak?

Although the ATV helmet peak comes with a number of benefits, such as the ones we have listed above, it is not immune to specific challenges. Some of these challenges include:

• Sometimes, they can create unnecessary drag. As a result, it can mess up the aerodynamics of your ATV helmet, thereby making it less ideal whenever you want to speed up your ATV. In fact, the drag can cause fatigue if you have to ride for longer distances.
• Some riders claim that the peaks easily catch brushes, branches, and tall grasses. This annoys them as the ride becomes less enjoyable.

Why do motocross helmets/ATV helmets have goggles?

Since ATV helmets come with an open-face design, the rider must wear goggles to protect his face whenever he is riding an ATV. Besides this, the goggles usually create the much-needed tight seal, thus protecting the rider’s eyes from dust, debris, and harsh weather elements such as snowflakes while not creating breathing issues that the visor does.

Thankfully, the pair of goggles come with an elastic strap that helps to keep them in place. Finally, the goggles come with thick foam padding doubling as a sweatband. Therefore, the rider can ride longer distances without worrying that sweat will enter his eyes.

FAQs

What is the benefit of having a dual-visor helmet?

You can enjoy better road visibility when riding your ATV with a dual-visor helmet. This goes a long way in enabling you to remain secure while on the road.

Which color visor is best?

Ideally, you should go for visors with warm colors. More particularly, go for those that have an orange or yellow color. Unlike other visors, those with warm colors are ideal when riding an ATV at dusk, as they can be seen from afar.

Additionally, they become instrumental if you want to ride your ATV in the rain or during foggy weather. Finally, warm colors are known to reduce the effects of glare when the sun is shining brightly.

What is the best type of helmet for ATV?

If you are an ATV enthusiast, consider investing in a full-face helmet. Investing in this helmet can protect your mouth and chin whenever you are in your riding session. Compared to an open-face helmet, the full-face helmet offers much-needed protection to riders in case of a crash landing.

Having said that, a properly fit helmet with ride-appropriate accessories like goggles, visors, or peak that add to the safety and comfort is the best ATV helmet as helmets are meant to be protective.

Avail ATV Helmet Peak

So, it is clear that ATV helmets may have visors, and some brands manufacture helmets designed with both visors and peak. It suggests that the visor is not a deal breaker. However, a peak enjoys more popularity because it doesn’t ensure increased comfort and safety. 

And a peak combined with a goggle in your ATV helmet will defeat the helmet with a peak and visor. Because a goggle will bar dust and debris on top of causing no foggy screen and encountering challenges riding through trees and bushes.

Some ATV riders avoid helmets with the peak in the jungle and high grass tracks as it catches flexible branches and tall grasses. Now that you know why ATV helmets have visors, peaks, or both, favor the option offering max comfort, convenience, and safety.