(image source rakuten.co.jp, where I also found a crazy orange helmet from Osbe and other stuff you can’t get in the USA)
You remember Nexx? The helmet company from Portugal that we were so excited about back in 2007? Well, guess who’s now available in the USA… THAT’S RIGHT! Nexx has landed! The helmet I was referring to in the title was what you see in the collage, the Nexx X60 Air (in Orange). Check out those huge screen vents on the sides! I haven’t had a chance to ride with one yet, but it seems that besides looking cool they’d actually keep you pretty cool too.
The Nexx X60 Air is ECE/22-06 and DOT approved. It weighs 2.3 lbs, has a washable lining and a flip down eye shield.
And yes, while open face helmets are fashionable they are usually not the safest choice. If you feel like an experienced, safe and confident rider and you like to talk to the people you’re riding with all the while looking rather dashing, then Nexx might have a lid for you. Ask your local dealer if they have them on order.
***UPDATE 1/8/09***
Casey comment on this post saying “that’s some serious vent-age”, which made me think. Vintage? Who made the first motorbike helmet? The answer is University of Southern California (USC) Professor C. F. “Red” Lombard back in 1953 and I looked like this: 
Just 4 years later the Snell Memorial Foundation was established to create helmet performance standards. Thank goodness.
8. January 2009 at 10:25 pm
Dyaammm! that is some serious vent-age.
8. January 2009 at 11:59 pm
Are there any filtered-air helmets available in the US yet? I know they exist overseas where pollution is worse. I am more just tired of choking when I am stuck behind a pickup truck burning oil or one of those 70′s TurboDiesel Mercedes burning god knows what as fuel. Also would make scooter rides where I am stuck behind a 2-stroke tons more pleasant too.
9. January 2009 at 2:08 am
Hey Eric! Not that I’m aware of, at least not here. But you know what I had considered? Wearing something like the Techno Filter Mask.
Some people swear by them:
http://www.superforest.org/2007/12/things-i-love-techno-air-filter-mask.html
9. January 2009 at 2:12 am
The scooter shops even sell them in Vietnam!
http://www.saigonscootercentre.com/respo.asp?idBasket=&idcat=&itemid=&p=&c_id=&s_id=
9. January 2009 at 3:22 pm
The Nexx people gave me a tour of their factory a few weeks ago. It was cool seeing all those helmets being made.
Pics here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/hugojcardoso/sets/72157612320623756/
9. January 2009 at 4:16 pm
Ranger Bob! Cool inside scoopage! Thanks for sharing. Too bad about “no free helmet” though. ;)