Maybe this is a silly question, but I've been wondering what the purpose is for the different style of helmets for off road riding vs. on road. Like the longer, more pointed chin vs one closer to the face. Including a visor I presume is just because you're going slow enough that you actually can.
Not shopping helmets or anything. Just wondering.
Maybe the pointy parts are better for deflecting all the branches and crap you'll run into riding off road? Also, you're riding slower so I suppose ventilation needs are different.
I think it's because offroad helmets are generally worn with goggles. A road helmet with a visor would fill up with dust and dirt so it would be hard to see.
Off-road - The visor and chin are there to push branches out of the way and help deflect roost from other riders. Big, wide open eye ports for easy use of goggles and lots of ventilation when going slow in the woods or sweating your ass off around a motocross track.
On-road - Nice round aerodynamic shapes to better cut through the wind. Less stuff to catch and drag and cause a tumble or a break when crashing on pavement...
In reply to skierd:
Thanks!
Yikes! I just had visions of a visor digging into pavement and twisting one's neck around. No thanks.
That's why they're made of softer plastic and held on with soft plastic screws, at least on dual sport helmets.
Appleseed wrote: Yikes! I just had visions of a visor digging into pavement and twisting one's neck around. No thanks.
A lot of people had that vision, hence the HANS Device.
Visor won't do it, but a chin bar could. At least that was the claim. It really doesn't seem to hold water.
http://www.msf-usa.org/downloads/imsc2013/Oct17_Session2-Thom_Ouellet_Smith_Hurt-Helmets_and_Neck_Injuries_in_Fatal_Motorcycle_Crashes_PAPER.pdf
Yeah, you're probably right. But I'll stick to helmets designed for were I'm riding.
There are helmets designed for dual sports?
I've seen helmets marketed as being for dual sport, I've yet to see one I'd say was designed for it.
The chin bar of a MX type helmet gives less protection to your chin if you are sliding down the road face down and backwards, ask me how I know
When you turn your head while wearing an off-road helmet at road speed, the wind will try to twist your head off.
HappyAndy wrote: The chin bar of a MX type helmet gives less protection to your chin if you are sliding down the road face down and backwards, ask me how I know
How do you know? 
He knows a guy...
Appleseed wrote: He knows a guy...
I know him quite well indeed
HappyAndy wrote: The chin bar of a MX type helmet gives less protection to your chin if you are sliding down the road face down and backwards, ask me how I know
Since the chin bar on a motocross helmet doesn't extend any less far downward than a typical street type helmet, I'd say it's a wash. Neither are going to do much for the underside of your chin when sliding face down backwards.
But it is something to consider when selecting a helmet.
I've snapped MX visors off just crashing on my DH bike, so I wouldn't be worried about one in a road crash.
HappyAndy: Owww. 
If/when I get a DS bike, I'll get helmets for street and dirt (DOT). In the unlikely event I'm riding to my dirt location, I'll wear the dirt helmet with goggles.
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