New ADV Helmet and Neck Brace, Time to Upgrade my Protection | Unboxing Leatt 3.5 and Arai XD-4 Gear

When I crashed my 2020 Moto Guzzi V85 TT Adventure bike last month, I came away practically unscathed because of the safety gear I wear at all times. But if I'm going to continue riding, I need to address two chinks in my armor--my cheap HJC helmet and my lack of neck protection.

Learn all about my crash here:    • I Crashed my New Moto Guzzi V85 TT Motorcy...  

So while I'm shopping for a new bike (thank you for all the great suggestions in the comments!) I've ordered two top-of-the-line safety items, the Leatt GPX 3.5 neck brace and the Arai XD-4 helmet.

Invented by South African doctor and motorcyclist Chris Leatt, motorcycle neck braces are designed to prevent fatal and paralyzing injuries that occur when the neck overextends or compresses. They keep the head aligned properly, as they deflect the energy of an impact into the muscles (and the rest of your armor) of the torso.

While still considered new, early studies are promising. The Great Lakes EMS Academy analyzed over 9,000 motorcycle accidents that occurred between 2009 and '18 to see how effective neck braces were at preventing life-altering or life-ending injuries. The study showed that cervical spine injuries of any kind are 82% less likely when a neck brace is worn.

I chose the Leatt GPX 3.5 neck brace, available for $290: https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/l...

While my HJC RPHA 70 ST Terika helmet is nothing to sneeze at (DOT/ECE-approved with plush add-ons like Pinlock antifog, flip-down sun visor, and emergency cheek pads removal), it is not among the best helmets out there. I didn't hit my head at all when I came off my bike, but I definitely reconsidered how I'd feel if I'd hurt my skull after saving a few hundred bucks on a mid-range lid.

The Arai XD-4 is world renowned for being the one of the best ADV touring helmets on the market and one of the few that achieves a Snell safety rating.

For over 60 years, the SNELL Memorial Foundation has independently researched and developed a strict safety standard for motorcycle helmets. The new update for M2020 increases expectations for a helmet’s structural integrity. It demands a ridiculously low 275-g maximum energy-transfer between two blows on an even more aggressive anvil profile. SNELL also evaluates helmets for Positional Stability, Retention, Impact Management, Chin Bar Aptitude, Shell Penetration, Face Shield Penetration, and Removability. SNELL standards exceed any requirements from the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Economic Community of Europe (ECE).

The XD-4 is the helmet of choice for ADV enthusiasts and sets the industry standard for comfort, quality, and safety. We'll see how I feel about the "peak" (the bill that extends over the brow) when compared to the flip down sun visor on my other helmet.

The Aria XD-4 helmet is available for $740: https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/a...

I ordered one that's just a bit too large--it doesn't grab my face tightly enough to form reassuring "chipmunk cheeks." So I returned it for a medium. No rush. I'm still shopping for a replacement for my totaled V85 TT Adventure. Looking for something smaller, lighter, cheaper, and one that can be repaired in my city! (I found that no shops within 300 miles will work on Italian bikes!) So right now I've narrowed the search down to the BMW G 310 GS, the KTM 390 Adventure, the Yamaha XTZ 250 Ténéré, and the Kawasaki Versys-X 300. I'll keep you posted.

0:00 Introduction
1:00 Leatt Neck Brace
2:30 Arai Helmet
2:57 Fit Testing
5:30 Conclusion

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