The MX-9 Adventure bridges the gap between a dirt-bike and a street helmet. It can be run with or without the peak, with or without the shield, or upgraded to a tinted shield for sunny days. It works with goggles too, and will easily take any sunglasses. [Note: to avoid getting a ticket in NYC we suggest the foam backed DOT riding glasses]

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It comes with side plates to cover up the hinges once the peak is off. Dirt bike helmets actually make great summertime city helmets because they flow air so well, and offer a huge eye port.

Plus, they’re super well-vented to allow for the huffing and puffing you’d experience while riding off-road. All these features translate to a well ventilated, heads-up city helmet with a dash of Mad Max for good measure. Like most Bell full-face helmets the MX-9 ADV's relatively lightweight polycarbonate shell comes in three shell sizes to help keep the bulk down—although his category of so-called ADV helmets is inherently a bit bulky.

But big can still be beautiful. Around town, off-road, urban commuting – check. On the highway this thing will get a little noisy – you can’t have everything. For the ultimate in premium ADV style helmets check out the Shoei Hornet, which we just started stocking and will get up onto the website ASAP. But the Shoei, or the closest class competitor Arai XD4 will set you back easily twice-plus the cost of this circa $200 ADV-style option.