My wife and I are going to do a little trail riding with our new RZR and contemplating the need for helmets. We won't be doing any crazy rock climbing or high speed stuff, but I guess the small risk of going off an edge and rolling is still there.

I'd appreciate your opinions. Also, if you do wear a helmet, any recommendations for style and brand would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Mike

Question:
Do you wear a helmet when riding an ATV off road?

Choices:
Only on quads
Only on side by sides
Every time I get on an ATV/UTV
Only on technical or difficult trails
Never

 

No. But then I am an older guy and ride the side by side all over my place and I have no interest in seeing how fast I can get from one fence line to the other.

I’m not gonna put on a helmet while I’m riding fences, putting out feed, or checking on livestock.

If you go to some of the commercial trails, they will require a helmet.

^^^^^

The MN state trails require it for under 18, but not adults.

My use is at hunt camp getting to stands,I am not one that rarely get up to second gear,The Rubicon foreman would run faster than I will ever find out

For the type of riding you describe I'd be wearing a helmet. Element of safety but it's also a more comfortable set up including good eye protection such as goggles.

Some more info.

https://sigforum.com/eve/forums...890091624#4890091624

I was all set to setup the RZR with a Ruger Radios fresh air helmet system and communication but the wife loathed wearing a full motorcross helmet. The weight and restricted view and heat were issues.

I’m now looking at a half helmet or a high end certified skate board or snow board helmet and goggles. They’re not DOT rated but for our use should be sufficient. I’m mostly concerned about low speed crash or too over and heads hitting the roll cage or ground. Also the random tree branch. We have a full windshield and I’ll be installing harnesses rather than the three point belts.

We’re not crazy fast riders or hill climbers etc, but we are concerned about others on the trail that are.

We’re looking at a Bell or ProTech skate helmet.

If you go full motorcross style, I like Arai or Shoei, though HJC and Klim have some good stuff once you step up in price for the HJC for sure.

I was going to buy a Klim R1 Air helmet for the air pumper system but the fresh air will add a few hundred dollars and you need a specific helmet.

No, I don't. But if I had a Razor I be inclined to have a "real" helmet. Not a skateboard type deal.

We have a Teryx4. We don't wear helmets but don't do stupid stuff either. These are noisy and we wear intercom headphones to talk and listen to good music

No, never on an ATV.

I have a Polaris Ranger, I use it around the yard and up the private trail behind my house to my shooting range. I don't ride fast or do any crazy stuff, and I don't wear a helmet.

My ATV is a working machine. I'm either plowing my driveway, accessing a remote property for inspection, or hunting. Very seldom do I ever go faster than 5-10 mph. I've accepted the risk vs reward (better SA), and do not wear a helmet on my wheeler.

Back when I rode snow machines, I always wore a helmet. I wear one on my motorcycle, 90% of the time.

quote:

We’re not crazy fast riders or hill climbers etc, but we are concerned about others on the trail that are.

That would probably change my mind if I was in a similar situation. I'd be looking to wear a helmet also.

Just an additional point if you have already not checked in to this....may want to check with your insurance company on it. If there is ever a need to file a claim, probably more associated with a personal injury one use of a helmet or lack of one may affect the outcome of that claim.

Check the laws. In Michigan, we technically even need a helmet in our own yard on an ATV (which is obviously not strictly adhered to by anybody, but if a LEO chose to be a jerk, can result in a ticket).

Operating on roads and trails with an ATV helmets are required and enforced. They also enforce the one / two up design, where a person behind the operator isn't lawful unless the machine is specifically designed for it.

I believe the rule for UTVs is that helmet isn't required as long as there's a roll cage and seat belts in use and a wind screen negates the mandatory use of goggles. I don't have one, so I've never looked it up myself, but that's how dune buggies are.

public trails we typically do - it's the other people on the trails that I'm worried about! When riding around the hunting land doing maintenance etc we don't. Speeds are slower and we're getting dismounting to do work.

Yes on my atv but I also ride public trails.

I started wearing on after I almost got hit by a dirt bike coming the other direction on a logging road in Colorado. It was an inside curve and he was in my lane.