Here is a review from this time last year with an XD3 on my KLR. I have the adjustable windshield bracket (that I HIGHLY recommend) and stock shield on my Tenere. 11,000+ miles and plenty of 10+ hr days in the saddle later I am still pleased. Yes an Arai touring lid would be smoother but I love the visor on bright sunny days. I'm 5'9". 8)
Arai XD3 Review
Picked up an Arai XD3 at the IMS Saturday, tested it today.
Riding conditions: 80 F, sporadic 20 to 30 mph winds, KLR with a factory HIGH windscreen with Laminar Lip, sitting, standing, up to 80 mph.
Sitting behind a good windscreen:
- Quiet, less wind noise. Big improvement over other inexpensive helmets I have worn
- Amazingly quiet with the face shield up
- Very good air flow through the vents
- Cross winds moved the KLR but not the helmet
- No problem looking full left/right
- Excellent peripheral vision
Standing up, 80 mph: This is where it shined
- Still pleasingly quiet, some mild wind whistle
- NO buffeting looking forward unless I raise my chin, and not bad then
- Surprisingly little buffeting looking left/right. Noticeable but nothing that snatched my head.
- Immediately standing up above the wind screen looking straight forward did NOT snap my head back
General Observations:
- Obvious all around quality
- Light weight
- Good fit on my egg
- The long visor works great when the sun is low on the horizon. BIG+
Negatives:
- As stevepsd said in an earlier post, "the D-rings are slightly smaller than any other helmet I have used ". I agree.
- Price, I say it is worth it
In Summary:
- Any worries I had about the big visor and wind buffeting at highway speeds are gone
- It works as Arai claims, at least up to 80 mph. I would have tested at faster speeds standing up if my faithful KLR had permitted.
- The visor is removable for VERY high speed riding
- This would be a good lid even on a bike with NO windscreen at average highway speeds
... so says k woo, this 28th day of Feb, 2011