Retro motorcycle gear is usually a big hit, especially with the right rider, so it only makes sense that retro helmets would be popular, too.
Today, a retro style doesn’t mean old-school construction. You can still get all of the best modern helmet features and amenities in a lid that looks like the classic helmets of old.
With that in mind, I thought it best to pull together a full list of retro helmets for motorcycle riders who like that kind of style.
Full Face Retro Helmets
Biltwell Gringo S ECE Helmet
The Biltwell Gringo S ECE Helmet is one of the best affordable retro lids.
It features an injection-molded ABS outer shell, hand-painted finish, expanded-polystyrene inner shell, hand-sewn brushed Lycra liner with contrast diamond-quilted stitching, internal BioFoam chin pad, D-ring neck strap, CNC cut eye-port shield with hinge covers, and rubber round the eye-port. It meets ECE and DOT safety standards.
The helmet features a smooth and simple design and it’s a classic style that looks old-school but will never look bad, no matter where you ride.
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Biltwell Lane Splitter Helmet
I’ve reviewed the Biltwell Lane Splitter, and it’s a helmet I wear pretty much every time I get on the bike. I like it a lot.
The helmet has some seriously badass style. It meets ECE and DOT safety standards. It has an injection-molded ABS outer shell with a hand-painted finish, expanded-polystyrene inner shell, and hand-sewn removable brushed Lycra liner with contrast diamond-stitched quilted open-cell foam padding. The Lane Splitter also features audio pockets, a chin curtain, and a CNC laser-cut polycarbonate eye port shield with aluminum hinge covers and mounting hardware.
The style of this helmet is a bit more like something from Simpson helmets, but it’s still retro, and tough-looking.
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Bell Bullitt Helmet
If you want a full face that’s a step up from the two listed above, check out the Bell Bullitt helmet. This helmet features 1960s style but modern, premium-level helmet design and construction.
The helmet features a low-profile fiber composite shell, multi-density EPS liner, black or brown liner depending on color, removable and washable anti-bacterial interior, micro-suede interior fabric, padded chin strap, metal mesh intake vents, 3D cheek pads, Magnefusion shield closure, five-year warranty, and DOT and ECE certification.
This is a fantastic lid for anyone who wants a retro-styled full-face helmet, and I highly recommend it.
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Biltwell Gringo ECE Helmet
Maybe you’re a more basic kind of rider. Maybe you want the bare essentials for your motorcycle gear. That’s what the Biltwell Gringo is. It is the bare-bones retro full-face helmet.
The helmet is DOT and ECE approved. It features an injection-molded ABS outer shell with a hand-painted finish, expanded polystyrene inner shell, hand-sewn removable brushed Lycra liner with diamond-stitched quilted open-cell foam padding, internal BioFoam chin pad, rugged D-ring chin strap, rubber or chrome accent edging, and speaker pockets with Velcro closures.
The Gringo is the same helmet as the Gringo S minus the faceshield. You can add an aftermarket snap-on face shield or bubble shield if you want. Personally, I like the look of the add-on shields better, and this helmet is cheaper than the Gringo S, so it’d be my choice of the two.
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Bell Eliminator Helmet
The Bell Eliminator helmet is another premium offering. This helmet gives a hat tip to the auto racing helmets of old in the styling department. It’s a retro helmet that offers plenty in terms of modern amenities.
The helmet features a fiberglass composite shell, an EPS liner, ProVisoin dual pane anti-fogging face shield, an anti bacterial liner, contoured cheek pads, recessed speaker pockets, eyeglass compatibility, Magnefusion strap keeper, an otional peak visor, and DOT and ECE approval.
The helmet also comes with a five-year warranty as do all Bell helmets. This one is pretty badass, and it’s in the same pricing category as something like the Bell Bullitt.
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Simpson M30 Bandit Helmet
Looking for something truly different but still retro and with some serious attitude? The Simpson M30 Bandit is the helmet for you.
The Simpson M30 Bandit helmet features the classic Simpson M30 styling, a CoolMax liner that wicks moisture away, Free Stop pivot system for stopping the shield at any angle, plenty of venting for those hot days, and DOT rating.
The helmet isn’t some super amazing and impressively feature-packed helmet. It’s a simple, retro styled helmet from a manufacturer that knows what it’s doing. In other words, this is a no-bullshit helmet.
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Bell Moto-3 Helmet
The Bell Moto-3 helmet is another fantastic retro lid from Bell. It blends some old moto styling with some new helmet technology and packages it into one of the most attractive lids on the market.
The Bell Moto-3 features a lightweight fiberglass composite shell, an EPS liner and EPS lined chin bar, removable and washable anti-microbial terrycloth liner, a 5-snap visor (you can also add some accessories with the snaps if you’d like), some venting in the chin bar, and DOT and ECE certification.
Personally, I find this to be one of the coolest helmets on the market, and it comes highly rated from buyers and critics alike. It has a reasonable price for its specs and the newer Blackout model (shown above) adds some sinister qualities to the design.
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AGV X3000 Helmet
If you need some Italian styling in your life, then you must check out the AGV X3000. This helmet takes the company’s skills and expertise and applies them to a fantastic-looking retro helmet.
The X3000 features AGV’s advanced composite fiber shell (a special blend of fiberglass), an EPS liner, a removable and washable premium interior that uses genuine leather and suede fabrics with an embroidered logo, a double D-ring chin strap, and some visor vents.
The helmet is one of the best-looking options on the market today, and the performance matches that of its competitors. This premium lid is on par and in the same price range as some of the nicer options from Bell present on this list.
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Open Face Retro Helmets
Sena Cavalry Helmet
Some folks my push back on this choice, but hear me out. The Sena Cavalry is a modern helmet with modern amenities, but the classic half helmet style is retro. Timeless might be more appropriate, but take off the Bluetooth comm unit and you have what could look like a lid from decades ago.
Anyway, the helmet has a fiberglass shell, double D-ring chin strap, and comes DOT approved. The communication unit features Bluetooth 4.1, advanced audio distribution profile, audio remote control profile, advanced noise control, wind noise reduction, supports up to four riders, and has a built-in FM radio with radio data system alternate frequencies.
With this lid you can cruise in retro style and connect your smartphone to stay right in the present day while you ride.
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Arai Classic-V Helmet
If you’re looking for that classic three-quarters open face helmet, then you should check out this one from Arai. It’s a premium, lid and comes with a bit of a high price, but it’s worth it.
The Arai Classic V features a PB-cLc shell, faux leather edge, hidden ventilation, multi-density EPS, five snaps, goggle strap holder, anti-microbial interior, removable cheek pads, and DOT and Snell M2015 approval.
This killer helmet is a great option, though there are others with similar style that are less money.
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Bell Custom 500 Helmet
If the Arai lid shown above is simply too much money, then the Bell Custom 500 has you covered. Nearly as good and much cheaper, this helmet offers a whole hell of a lot in a retro helmet design.
The Custom 500 offers a low profile look, a five-snap pattern for shields and visors, a padded chin strap with D-ring closure, a multi-density EPS liner, and a five-year warranty (as with all Bell helmets). It’s DOT approve and ready to ride.
The Custom 500 is a great, simple offering for a super reasonable price, and this is the company and the helmet that pioneered this look. So, if you’re after the original, this is it.
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Bell Pit Boss Helmet
The Bell Pit Boss is another fantastic open-face retro helmet. It’s a bit different than the Custom 500 but still offers a whole heck of a lot for a low price.
The Pit Boss features a TriMatrix composite shell, speed dial adjustment system, internal sunshade, removable neck curtain, speaker pockets for adding a communication device, five-year warranty, and DOT approval.
It’s a great open face helmet with a few more features than you’ll find on the Custom 500.
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Sena Savage Bluetooth-Integrated Helmet
Do you like the idea of the Sena Cavalry but you want a helmet that looks similar to the Bell Custom 500? Then you should check out the Sena Savage.
This helmet offers classic 3/4 open face style but with a built in Bluetooth communicator. The helmet features a composite fiberglass shell, multi-density EPS, a short visor and lon visor, removable and washable liner, D-ring retention system, and DOT certification. Then there’s the Bluetooth 4.1 system with advanced audio distribution profile, audio video remote control profile, advanced noise control, built-in SBC codec, and support for up to four riders. There’s also a built-in FM radio and an 11 hour talk time.
The three-snap system on the exterior of the helmet will allow you to attach face shield accessories if you’d like to do so.
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Biltwell Bonanza Helmet
Are you looking for a bargain in an open face three-quarter helmet? Check out the Biltwell Bonanza helmet. This one features similar style to Bell’s Custom 500 for about the same price, and often less.
The helmet features an ABS shell, EPS liner, removable and washable quilted interior liner with diamond-stitching and open-cell foam padding, D-ring chin strap, rubber or chrome edging, and DOT approval.
It’s a simple lid that gets the job done and satisfies the safety standards. The helmet is a fantastic option for anyone looking for a basic helmet.
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Scorpion EXO Belfast Helmet
If you want a truly premium 3/4 open face retro helmet, then Scorpion has the fancy lid for you. Built with high-quality materials, the Scorpion EXO Belfast helmet is a fantastic lid.
The Scorpoin EXO Belfast features a fiberglass shell, retractable and interchangeable SpeedView sun visor, Nappa leather accents, Kwikfit cheek pads, hand-stitched liner, DOT approval, and a five-year warranty.
The interior of the helmet is what really sets it apart. It’s plush and exceptionally comfy for hours on end. This helmet might not be as low profile as some others like the Biltwell Bonanza or the Bell Custom 500, which have been recently redesigned to be super low profile.
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