LS2 MX702 Pioneer II Namib

After a good experience with this helmet's predecessor (MX436) which was an ECE 22.05 I decided to upgrade to the MX702 which is ECE 22.06 homologation. The only real difference other than compliance is that the MX702 has a removable peak with separate fixings from the visor, whereas the MX436 could not be used with just the visor if the peak was removed.

My first use of the MX702 was a 15 minute ride on the highway, which left me towards the end of the ride barely able to see as my eyes were stinging so badly and watering to the point my vision was blurring. This was with the visor down. I concluded that the padding was still off gassing chemicals, so did the return trip slower with the visor open along with the vents being open too. I have subsequently left the helmet sitting with the visor open on a cupboard with one end propped up so that there is air flow for 2 weeks and have only used it since, with all vents open, but the visor down (on highway).

The peak grabs a tad less wind than the one on the MX436, but realistically, anything over 80 km/h and you need to remove the peak.

Removing the peak takes several minutes, you use an Allen key (supplied with the helmet), undo the strange looking retainer disks and plates, which releases the visor thus revealing the 2 plastic screws that retain the peak. Also you need to undo the 2 plastic wingnuts on top of the helmet. Then realign the visor and refit the retainer plates and do up the retainer disks. Due to the plastic nature of the Allen disks and screws, I doubt their durability for repeated removal. I think seasonally at the most, rather than weekly.

As with the MX436, wearing glasses is not a problem. The helmet is very comfortable and good value for money. The tinted internal visor has the same problem as most other helmets, it won't come low enough and you get a band of bright light across the lower third of your vision. Unlike the HJC i80 I reviewed, the chin strap on the MX702 is comfortable and its anchor points have been sensibly located so that it doesn't press on my Adam's apple.

But for the off gassing of the padding, I would have given the MX702 a 5 star review, the off gassing experience was exceedingly unpleasant.