The Nexx XG200: a quality composite fibre retro motocross helmet.

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Review of the Nexx X.G200 retro dirtbike crash helmet.

Portuguese helmet makers, Nexx, are starting to build a bit of a reputation in the retro helmet world.

First we saw their XG100. Which they then stuck a visor on it to make the more practical (and still cool) XG100R.

And now, with the XG200, there’s a funky retro dirt bike variant.

Looking at the spec sheet, it’s got a fibreglass-based composite fibre shell, some always open vents, a (slightly) adjustable peak and… and that’s about it.

But then, it’s a retro helmet and retro mostly means large helpings of old school style together with big dollops of compromise.

So, if the style of the XG200 works for you and you’re thinking you might like one as your next lid, then here’s what the Nexx XG200 offers…

Retro motocross helmet
Composite fibre shell
Medium oval fitment
Adjustable peak
Double D-ring fastener
DOT and ECE versions
Sizes XS-XXL
Expect to pay £240-£290

Best places to buy a Nexx XG200?

Please click below to visit the Nexx XG200 helmets pages at our recommended stores. And if you buy from one, we get a small sum from the sale at no extra cost to you – a massive THANKS! (it’s how we finance the site).

Overall/Summary

What you see is pretty much what you get with the Nexx XG200.

Nexx-XG200-purist-white-retro-motocross-helmet-front-view-2 — Front view of the plain gloss white ‘Purist’ XG200

There’s no visor of course, so you’ll have to dig out those old Oakleys.

And while you’ll get some protection from that (carbon reinforced) chin bar and composite fibre shell should the worst happen, you’ll still be open to the elements, grit and noise that’s part of the territory with a dirt helmet.

So if you’re looking for a road helmet for the city, you should be OK. But if you’re looking to up the miles and speed – then maybe not.

The XG is nicely made though, with some great finishes and graphics that’ll complement most retro rides.

And for a decent price, you get a nice quality helmet that’s ideal for urban cruising with a bit of offroading thrown in.

Overall then, while it probably won’t be the best protecting helmet out there, if you’re looking for a real statement helmet for good money and don’t mind the lack of bells and whistles, then the Nexx X.G200 is a stylish lid that’s well worth a look.

Safety

(more about helmet safety)

If you’re looking for a helmet that’ll offer the best protection, Nexx has an OK reputation. Not the best but OK.

nexx xg200 desert race black retro helmet side view — Desert Race XG200

That’s based on historic SHARP test data where we can see that every one of their independently tested helmets has scored 3 stars out of a maximum 5.

That includes a couple of composite fibre helmets which have similar construction to the XG200 too.

OK, we don’t know exactly how well the XG200 will stack up if SHARP was to test it – it may score 5 stars for all we know. But we’d expect another 3 star rating, for obvious reasons.

The shell on the XG200 is made using Nexx’s X-Matrix 2 construction methods. That’s a fibreglass composite that should make for a particularly stiff helmet shell that’s pretty light weight too.

nexx xg200 rok on retro helmet front view — Rok’on graphic XG200

In fact it weighs around 1.3kg (2.9lbs) which is nice and light weight – and that’s great for safety as well as comfort because there’s less inertia caused by the helmet during an impact.

While it’s a motocross helmet, so doesn’t come with a visor, the viewport is wide so it gives great peripheral vision. Again, great for safety.

And there’s an old-style double d ring fastener to keep the helmet securely tied to your head.

The Nexx XG200 is of course ECE 22-05 approved (DOT if you buy one in the US) so, while it hasn’t been independently tested by SHARP, it has been put through its paces by the ECE testing crew.

Nexx makes the XG200 in two shell sizes which is OK and gives you a little bit of size/safety optimisation over single shell helmets.

And they’ve also reinforced the chin bar with carbon fibre, I guess to increase rigidity and reduce weight a bit there.

nexx xg200 super hunky motocross helmet top view — Top-down view of the XG200 Super Hunky

If you like carbon fibre helmets, there’s also a XG200 Carbon version which we suspect is the same composite fibre shell but with a layer of carbon fibre over the top to give it that full carbon look.

Helmet Noise

(more about helmet noise)

The XG200 doesn’t have a visor so there’s a shed load of space for wind and noise to get inside the helmet. It does have 3D cheekpads and a reasonably plush liner though which will both help with reducing noise.

But like most dirt bike helmets, don’t expect it to be particularly quiet and expect to need to wear ear plugs to make it tolerable for riding over distance if you’re planning on taking it on the roads.

Ventilation

(more about helmet ventilation)

Those seven vents in the chin bar are the most obvious way air’s going to get inside the helmet.

Nexx-XG200-desert-race-retro-motocross-helmet-side-view — This one’s the Desert Race XG200 in yellow

But there are also a couple of forehead vents hidden beneath the peak if you look closely.

Like the chin bar vents, they’re always-open so you can’t close them off. But there is a bit of protection given by the helmet peak to stop rain getting in there. And those forehead vents do take air through the helmet shell and into channels cut into the internal EPS liner to give some venting to your head.

All the vents are covered by a metal mesh which should stop the worst of the road dirt and flies getting inside the helmet. And while the forehead vents are a bit minimal (so don’t expect the best helmet venting in the world) the chin bar vents should let in a stack of air.

Although, because it’s a motocross helmet without a visor, they’re probably more about looks and image than giving riders ventilation around the mouth. I mean, there’s not exactly much need!

Visor/Goggles

(more about visors)

Nexx-XG200-star-race-retro-helmet-concrete-front-view — Nice large goggles port on the Star Race XG200

The XG200 is a retro motocross helmet so there’s no visor available (yet!). Though we wouldn’t be surprised if Nexx don’t offer a snap-on visor in the not too distant future.

But, for now, if you do buy one, expect to use a pair of shades with it – or budget for some goggles too.

There’s a nice large goggles port in there so it should fit a wide range of goggles. Though it’s not exactly designed to really cater for goggles very well.

There isn’t a rear moulding to keep a strap in place or a goggles loop either; so expect a bit of fiddling to keep your goggles in place.

Mind you, retro helmets are never the last word in practicality so you kinda expect to have to make do to some extent.

A couple of useful links…

– All our Motocross helmet reviews –
– Mid priced helmets –

Peak

The peak on the XG200 clips onto the helmet using the 3 studs above the viewport, and includes vent slots to help reduce lift when you’re upping the pace.

It’s a basic peak, though it is slightly adjustable up and down which will give you a little flexibility to set it up just how you like it – whether that’s to reduce lift a bit or give more shade.

Comfort and Sizing

(more about comfort and sizing)

The internal fitment of the Nexx XG200 is medium oval so it should suit most rider’s heads (if you’ve a longer head shape, take a look at some longer oval helmets). And it’s made in fitment sizes XS-XXL.

Nexx-XG200-carbon-fibre-retro-motocross-helmet-side-view — Side view of the carbon fibre composite XG200

The interior uses Nexx’s X-Mart Dry fabrics which are soft to the touch and are moisture wicking and hypoallergenic. It’s also designed to look suitably retro with fabrics coming in either a black or tan to mimic the colours of leather found in older quality lids.

The internal lining is removable and washable and, unusually, it’s held in entirely by velcro. So expect it to be mega easy to remove but take a bit more time and fiddling to refit.

If you’re looking to fit a bluetooth kit inside your XG200, there aren’t any speaker pockets in there so you’re going to struggle a bit. Having said that, we have heard of one owner who managed to fit his Sena kit inside so it sounds like it is possible.

Looks & Graphics

As you’d expect with a helmet like the XG200, most of the helmet graphics are classic and retro inspired.

Nexx-XG200-star-race-retro-helmet-concrete-rear-view — Rear view of the Star Race graphic XG200

You can get a plain gloss white, plain matt black (called Purist) or gloss carbon fibre versions if you prefer not to have graphics on your lid.

If you do like retro graphics, there’s 4 different designs, each with a choice of colours. That’s the Super Hunky design, Desert Race, Rok On and Star Race – and you should find examples of all up and down the page.

To get the latest prices and find any deals, please visit our recommended stores using the links below. Cheers.

Best places to buy a Nexx XG200 helmet?

Nexx X.G200 Video

Here’s a short video by some guy who’s loving his XG200 for urban riding.

Other stuff – warranty

Nexx XG200’s come with a 2 year warranty extendable to 5 years if you register it (Europe only).

Good Alternatives to the Nexx X.G200?

Surprisingly, for what you’d expect to be a niche sort of helmet, there’s some great alternatives out there.

Shoei Ex-Zero motorcycle helmet Equation TC-2 front side view — Shoei Ex-Zero Equation

The obvious one is the funky Shoei Ex-Zero. It’s a fibreglass retro mx helmet too but also has an EQRS liner and comes with a drop down clear visor for some added practicality.

Bell-Moto3-classic-yellow-motorcycle-crash-helmet-front-view — Bell Moto 3

Or there’s the original retro – the Bell Moto 3 based on their original 70’s scrambler helmet. If having the real thing’s important to you, then this is the one to go for.