Owning a cafe racer is as much about style as it is about performance these days. You want to look good, feel good, and ride fast. All of those things mean you need the best helmet you can find.
You want a helmet that brings the best style, protection, and features to your head at a reasonable price.
That’s where this list comes into play. I’ve pulled together a list of the best cafe racer helmets you could ever hope to own. Check out all of the 20 different options below, and click the links (affiliate) to find out more information and see prices.
1. Bell Bullitt Helmet
The Bell Bullitt helmet is inspired by the original Bell Star. It carries on that iconic helmet’s style with some new features, including vents, a composite shell, and multi-density EPS. It is DOT and ECE rated. The helmet comes with a five-year warranty, too.
This is possibly my favorite cafe racer helmet on the market. It has been out for a while but it continues to be one of the best full-face helmets you can buy.
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2. Bell Custom 500 Helmet
The Bell Custom 500 is based on the original Bell 500 open face helmet. It’s now more modern than ever with a low-profile fiberglass shell, multi-density EPS liner, and DOT and ECE certifications. The distinct five snap pattern allows you to add an additional face shield if you would like to and the helmet comes with a five-year warranty.
I’ve owned Bell Custom 500 helmets (a couple of them) and they’re fantastic, simple helmets that are comfortable for hours. There’s a reason Bell sells tons of these and has for years at this point.
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3. Simpson Speed Bandit Helmet
The Simpson Speed Bandit motorcycle helmet is a unique and badass offering. It’s based on the original badass helmet that came from a company that got its start in auto racing decades ago. This helmet is all modern though, with venting, a large eye-port, a polycarbonate shell, EPS inner shell, and a comfy interior liner. The helmet comes ECE 2205 certified and DOT rated.
I love Simpson helmets and urge you to consider one. If the styling matches what you’re looking for, these helmets offer high levels of protection with some seriously badass style, and that’s well worth the price tag.
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4. Biltwell Lane Splitter Helmet
Yep. The Biltwell Lane Splitter looks a lot like the Simpson Bandit. It offers a unique take on the badass helmet style. The helmet features a larger eye-port, has an injection-molded ABS outer shell, an EPS inner shell, a hand-sewn interior liner, and a hand-painted finish on the outside. The helmet comes ECE and DOT approved from the factory, which is nice.
I own a Biltwell Lane Splitter and I ride with it often. It’s one of my favorite simple lids for riding a cafe-racer-style motorcycle, and I think most riders will find it comfortable, lightweight, and generally good overall.
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5. Biltwell Gringo S Helmet
The Biltwell Gringo S takes the venerable Gringo design and it adds a nice face shield to it. The helmet is a genuinely cool lid. It features an injection-molded ABS outer shell, EPS inner shell, hand-sewn interior liner, hand-painted exterior, and rubber or chrome around the edges. The helmet also comes DOT and ECE approved from the factory. ]
This is another one of my favorite helmets out there. It’s retro and is kind of bare-bones, but it provides everything you need and looks great.
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6. Simpson Outlaw Bandit Helmet
Looking for something even more sinister than the Simpson Street Bandit discussed above? Check out the Simpson Outlaw Bandit. It is much the same as the Simpson Speed Bandit but comes with a fiberglass shell, updated materials, and an even meaner and more pronounced sense of style. It comes with DOT and Snell approval.
Similar to the Simpson helmet above, the Street Bandit brings the badass style to the cafe racer market at a higher price, you generally get what you pay for, though and you won’t be disappointed with this helmet. I can almost guarantee it.
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7. Biltwell Gringo Helmet
Ah, the basic Biltwell Gringo. It’s the awesome retro-styled helmet that gives you everything you need if you just want the absolute basics. This lid doesn’t even come with a face shield. However, you can snap one on if you’d like. The specs are essentially the same as the Gringo S discussed above. It comes to you DOT and ECE approved.
I really love the simplicity here. It’s good with a snap-on face shield, good with some sunglasses, or just good as it is. Tuck your head inside this and ride on!
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8. Biltwell Bonanza Helmet
The Biltwell Bonanza is the company’s take on the Bell Custom 500 open face helmet. It’s simple and to the point and great for any cafe racer rider. The helmet features an ABS outer shell and an EPS inner shell, three snaps, a double D-ring chin strap, and that’s about it. It comes DOT approved only.
I own a Bonanza, and I find myself donning it more often than the Bell. The helmet has construction on par with the elites but without the elite price. This is a great helmet.
Check it out at Revzilla
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9. Bell Eliminator Helmet
When it comes to the Bell Eliminator, you’re really getting one of the better full-face helmets on the market for a cafe racer rider. This helmet features a fiberglass composite shell, an EPS inner shell, a ProVision anti-fog face shield, an anti-bacterial liner, and venting to keep you comfortable. It is DOT and ECE approved.
Few helmets are as attractive as the Bell Eliminator, in my opinion. It’s the helmet I’d love to wear day in and day out. While I don’t own one of these, I have worn one for a while (borrowed one for a weekend), and I highly recommend it.
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10. Simpson M30 Bandit Helmet
The Simpson M30 Bandit takes the styling of the Street Bandit and the Outlaw bandit even further. The helmet is slashed with all kinds of vents, offers a CoolMax interior liner, a fiberglass shell, EPS, and it comes DOT rated. The helmet offers a whole lot when it comes to the style of the helmet and if you want to feel like a true badass, this is the cafe racer helmet for you.
The M30 gets a bad rap. Some folks say it’s uncomfortable, but I found it to be okay. It’s not a lid I’d wear for a cross-country ride, but for shooting around town—as cafe racer riders do—it’s great.
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11. Bell Riot Helmet
The Bell Riot helmet is for the person who likes Bell’s open face options but doesn’t want to fuss with the snap-on face shields. It offers a large flip-up face shield on what is essentially an open face helmet. The Riot includes a low profile composite shell, an EPS inner shell, an anti-bacterial interior, and an anti-fogging face shield. The helmet is DOT approved and it comes with a five-year warranty.
I love the Riot. I know to some people it resembles a police riot helmet, but that’s the point. If you don’t like that then just get the regular Bell Custom 500.
Check it out at Revzilla
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12. AGV X3000 Helmet
The AGV X3000 is another simple and timeless-looking full-face helmet that comes in a variety of colors and always looks good. It’s the perfect cafe-racer helmet. The lid comes with an advanced composite fiberglass shell, EPS, a visor vent for airflow, an interior of leather and suede fabric that’s also washable, and a double D-ring retention system. The helmet is DOT approved.
I find this to be another exceptionally aesthetically pleasing helmet. It’s on par with the Bell Bullitt and the Eliminator, and AGV really knows how to make a comfortable helmet. Buy it if it’s in your price range, and you won’t regret it.
Check it out at Revzilla
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13. Arai Classic-V Helmet
The Arai Classic-V helmet is Arai’s take on the Bell Custom 500. It takes that design up a notch with an even better fit-and-finish. The helmet features PB-cLc shell, a faux leather edge trim, hidden interior ventilation, multi-layer EPS, and Snell M2015 and DOT approval.
Another open-face helmet I have worn only for a brief time. This is a helmet that has everything you want, and a lid that is on the pricey side. But then, it comes with some unique features, so I say the price is warranted.
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14. Highway 21 .38 Retro Helmet
The Highway 21 .38 helmet is another one of those helmets that takes a try at Bell’s Custom 500 lid. The helmet is simple, lightweight, and handsome. It features a fiberglass composite shell, EPS, a removable and washable liner, three snaps for adding a face shield, and a D-ring chinstrap. It comes DOT approved and is a fantastic cafe racer helmet.
The other open-face helmets on this list would get my vote before this one from Highway 21, but this helmet’s affordability makes it worth paying attention to and considering.
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15. Nexx XG100 Racer Purist Helmet
Sleek and modern but still one of the best cafe racer helmets out there, the Nexx XG100 Racer Purist helmet offers a lot. It includes a multiaxial fiberglass shell, EPS, and a soft interior liner that’s removable and washable. The helmet also features a PC Lexan face shield, chin ventilation, and comfort padding inside. It’s DOT approved.
The Nexx XG100 looks awesome, offers fantastic features, and comfortable. I find this to be one of the best if not the best retro lids out there.
Check it out at Revzilla
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16. Shoei JO Helmet
The Shoei JO is a modern take on the classic 3/4 helmet much like the Bell Custom 500. That makes it one of the better cafe racer helmets out there. The JO comes with an advanced integrated matrix shell, a drop-down CJ-3 sun visor, Nubuck leather trim, a removable and washable interior liner, and a double D-ring chin strap. It is DOT approved.
Get the Shoei JO if you want seriously modern features in a retro styled helmet with a open face design. It’s a great helmet with a lot to love.
Check it out at Revzilla
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17. Sena Savage
Even more advanced than the Shoei JO is the Sena Savage. It’s another modern take on the classic open-face helmet but it features a built-in Bluetooth comm system. The helmet features a fiberglass shell, multi-density EPS, short visor, a removable and washable liner, and a double D-ring chin strap. The helmet is DOT certified.
The Bluetooth system is what makes this helmet special. I love that it’ blends classic style with modern technology. It’s affordable, too, making it even more enticing.
Check it out at Revzilla
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18. Bell Scout Air
Say hello to the lightest weight and most low-profile of all the open-face cafe racer helmets out there. The Bell Scout Air features a lightweight Tri-Matrix shell, EPS, two peak visors, and DOT approval. The helmet also comes with a five-year warranty.
This helmet isn’t one of my favorites, but it’s good and it has a lot of people who love it. For that reason, it makes this list.
Check it out at Revzilla
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19. BILT Falcon Helmet
Last but certainly not least is the BILT Falcon Helmet. It’s a simple helmet at a budget price. This helmet features an injection molded ABS shell, quality paint finish in gloss or matte, removable three-snap visors, padded neck and ear guard system, double D-ring chin strap, airflow ventilation system, and DOT approval.
While this is not the most impressive helmet, it’s a great option if you’re on a tight budget. The helmet is simple, though, so manage your expectations accordingly.
Check it out at Revzilla
20. HJC IS-5 Helmet
I couldn’t put together a list like this without including at least one helmet from HJC. The company makes fantastic lids, and the IS-5 Helmet is one of them. The helmet comes with a polycarbonate shell available in three sizes, it has an internal sun shield, a removable and washable moisture-wicking liner, a 3-snap visor included, and the helmet is DOT approved.
The IS-5 is another simple helmet, but it offers quite a lot. It’s affordable and a smart buy. I wore one for a riding season and found it to be a great option.
Check it out at Revzilla
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