Over the past few years, O'Neal has made a huge impact in the competitive world of helmets. So when it introduced the new 904 helmet for the 2004 season, we took notice. The 904 is constructed of a hybrid carbon fiber and Kevlar in a rather unique shape, which is instrumental to directing air through vents into the removable CoolMax liner for cooling. Venting has become more of an issue with helmets over the last few years, and O'Neal offers a well-devised system.
At first glance, we were a bit concerned with the shell's size. It looks quite a bit bigger than most helmets, and the nosepiece is the largest on the market. After wearing the lid for the first time, all the concerns about its being too big go away. The fit is snug and comfortable, with tons of room in the ear area and no tight pressure points on the head. On the track, the big nosepiece disappeared and was actually praised by one tester, Matt Armstrong. He had come under fire from the rear tire of a YZ450F and was pelted with rocks, and he liked how the nosepiece really blocked the hard-hitting roost from his face.
After a few laps, you can tell that the vents in the 904 do a good job of keeping your melon cool. The liner is easy to remove from or insert into the helmet, and it was simple to hand wash to remove all that sweat it soaked up. The $299.95 lid is Snell- and DOT-approved and is available in black/chrome ($329.95), blue, red or yellow or ini a LaRocco design.