The LS2 FF325 is the Modular option, or if you prefer your helmets not to be named after fax machines, the strobe.

Of all the modulars I’ve tested, this is perhaps the most impressive. The shielding mechanism is tight, slick, and quick releasing. The chin bar mechanism is easy to find and smooth.

The sun shield is low. The neck roll is reflective, and the ratchet strap has a comprehensive seal. That last bit makes the strobe quiet, which is rare for cheap modulars.

Even more rare is the featherweight 1630 grams, I have no idea how LS managed to put out a thermoplastic Sun Visor modular within that weight class.

All for a humble $200 bucks. Whereas, comparable helmets charge north of 5. But every cheap rose has its thorns, the tight neck roll makes the strobe hard to put on, and then the pin lock ready face shield doesn’t come with an anti-fog pin lock lens.

Ventilation is stuffy with absolutely no exhaust ports whatsoever, so fogging is frequently an issue.

Then the safety ratings are excellent everywhere except the left side, where it sucks so bad that the whole helmet lost two stars from sharp.

LS2 is good at writing glasses on the inside of their helmets, but not very good at carving eyeglass channels.

I know that sounds like a lot of flaws, but some core stuff, this news flip-up, a big Sun Visor to quiet patting, the lightweight are incredible, I don’t think I’ve ever seen those things done this well for $200.

That leaves the LS2 MX436 Pioneer, which is very strange. The shell is KPA, a pretty chunky blend of polycarbonate and thermoplastic.

Plus, there’s a Sun Visor, a pretty good one, and a peak. I would expect the whole thing to weigh as much as a small cow, and yet it comes in at only 1520 grams.

How did they do that? Probably the same way they can sell it for $170, mass production magic.

Visually I see the profile of an MX helmet, and I also see a bright orange interior, reminiscent of a motocross immature sense of fun. I see eyeglass badges, but with LS2, we all know that doesn’t mean much.

I also see vents on the flanks of the chin bar, very Batman. I see a hideously tacky main event that looks like it was made by fisher-price, not very Batman.

I see emergency pad releases, which are still rare on an ADV lid for unfathomable reasons.

Functionally
The shield takes the strength of a Greek god to open, and then it stops moving once it hits the Sun peak, which is a bit crude.

Also, the optical distortion from the bottom ridge is noticeable; at least you can wear goggles with this helmet.

Ventilation
The forehead vents are permanently open to the rain, and then the peak adjusters are thumbscrews on the top and a regular screws on the sides just because it’s more annoying that way.

Fitment wise this helmet is long and low, it’s a narrow oval head shape and not that tall.

The pressure point right on the top of my head reminds me of the AGV AX8 in that sense, not the right choice for coneheads.

I’m sure the LS2 Sun peak has never seen the inside of a wind tunnel. Very briefly choose the LS2 barber if you want an oval open-faced.

It’s a fiberglass helmet that sounds impressive for $150, but the thing that still weighs is an average of 1100 grams.

It is slim and nicely made. The trim is real leather, and the liner is synthetic suede. I can’t tell where one ends and the other begins, I guess that’s a good thing.

Also, the snap-on some peak is removable and adjustable. The LS2 comes with vintage goggles, which is like getting a toy in your happy meal. Yes, they feel cheap and sucky, but who’s going to complain about a free toy?