Motorcycle Half Helmet Review : Twister 2.0
- Motorcycle Gear Reviews
- Mar 3, 2024
- 3 min read
If you love the wind in your face feel of riding with a motorcycle half helmet, but hate the goofy mushroom head appearance from most DOT Approved half helmets, the Twister 2.0 might be for you. The Twister 2.0 is from a California based company called MicroDot. I've ranked their Blister helmet as the top pick in Half Helmets. The Twister 2.0 has all of the great features that we love about the Blister, but in a unique style.
Motorcycle Half Helmet - Style
The Twister 2.0 is a reversable helmet. It has a small "bill", much like a baseball cap. This bill can be worn facing forward to provide a little shade or backwards for a great aerodynamic look. Personally, I can't imagine ever wearing the helmet with the bill facing forwards. It just looks a little silly to me. I do, however, love the look of the bill facing backwards. You used to see a lot of riders wear a hat backwards under their helmet, which is a horrible idea. This helmet reminds me of that look.
Low Profile Helmet
The MicroDot Twister 2.0 uses the minimum amount of foam required to be DOT approved and sits low on you head. This combination makes it one of the lowest profile helmets on the market. In fact, if it weren't for the DOT sticker one the back, you might confuse this helmet for a novelty helmet. With a properly sized helmet, you will not have the mushroom head look we all hate. You have the choice of a flat or gloss black. Of course, this is simply a matter of preference. I prefer the flat black, as it is less noticeable, which is really the point of a low profile helmet.
The Twister 2.0 has a ABS outer shell, which makes this helmet very light, even for a motorcycle half helmet. If you are looking for something even lighter, you can opt for the Twister 360, which offers a fiberglass shell. The Twister 360's fiberglass is coated with a high impact resin which allows for better energy distribution in the case of an impact. With whichever option you choose, you will not be disappointed.
The interior of the helmet is fully lined. In the quest for the lowest profile legal helmet, there are really two major players. MicroDot and Crazy Al's. Both do a great job of eliminating the mushroom head look. The reason the MicroDot wins out is the interior of the helmet. Crazy Al's has a small glued on foam pad at the inside top of the helmet and the rest is exposed Styrofoam. It makes the helmet uncomfortable and causes the helmet to feel like it's lifting off of your head at highway speeds. The full lining of the Twister 2.0 provides a snug secure fit and is very comfortable to wear, even on an all day ride.
The Twister 2.0 uses a Y strap with an adjustable ratcheting buckle. The ratcheting buckle allows you to dial in the fit of your helmet by selecting the proper notch when fastening the helmet. The design also keeps you from having to tuck a loose hanging strap like you find on a lot of lesser quality helmets. What I like the most about the buckle is how quick and easy it is to strap on the helmet or take it off. You can easily put the helmet on or take it off while still wearing gloves.
Motorcycle Half Helmet D.O.T. Standards
If you are searching for the safest helmet on the market, this isn't it. Obviously, no half helmet provides any protection other than the top part of your head. If that is your concern, you should consider a full face or modular helmet. But if you want a barely there style of helmet to satisfy your states helmet laws, the Twister 2.0 is a great choice. It's the helmet for the rider that doesn't want to wear a helmet. As far as half helmets go, this one does meet all safety requirements. The DOT has minimum thicknesses of foam requirements. They also require a strap under the chin that is securely riveted to a hard outer shell.
The Twister 2.0 is a very affordable helmet as well. Of course, there are cheaper helmets on the market and I've tried most of them in the search for the lowest profile design. I find the MicroDot helmets to be the best value out there for the low profile look. You can buy the MicroDot helmets directly from MicroDot. They offer great customer service, a lifetime safety feature warranty, and will even replace your helmet if you are in an accident.
