Motorcycle helmets are an essential part of a rider’s motorcycle gear, offering protection, comfort, and even a touch of personal style. Whether you’re a seasoned rider or just starting, choosing the right helmet is crucial.
This guide explores the various types of motorcycle helmets, detailing their benefits, features, and suitability for different riding styles.
Full-face helmets are the most comprehensive option available, offering protection for the entire head, including the chin and jaw.
These helmets are favored by riders who prioritize safety, especially those who frequently ride at high speeds or in challenging conditions.
Riders who prioritize safety above all else should consider a full-face helmet. Whether you’re commuting, touring, or racing, the full-face helmet provides unmatched protection and comfort.
It’s particularly beneficial in adverse weather conditions, offering shelter from rain, wind, and debris. Additionally, the visor can be customized with anti-fog, tinted, or even photochromic lenses to enhance visibility under different lighting conditions.
Read about the best full-face helmets.
Modular helmets, also known as flip-up helmets, offer a unique blend of the safety features of full-face helmets and the convenience of open-face helmets.
They are particularly popular among touring riders who need the flexibility to switch between full-face protection and open-face comfort.
If you value both safety and convenience, a modular helmet is an excellent choice. It’s particularly suited for touring riders who may need to transition between different riding environments frequently.
The ability to switch between full-face and open-face modes offers unmatched versatility, making it a popular choice for riders who prioritize flexibility without compromising on safety.
Read about the best modular helmets.
Dual-sport helmets, also known as adventure helmets, are designed for riders who split their time between on-road and off-road adventures.
These helmets combine elements of both full-face and off-road helmets, offering a unique blend of features that cater to the demands of dual-sport riding.
For adventure riders who tackle a mix of highways and trails, a dual-sport helmet is an ideal choice. It offers the protection and features needed for off-road riding while maintaining the comfort and aerodynamics required for highway speeds.
If your rides often take you from the pavement to the dirt, the versatility of a dual-sport helmet will serve you well.
Read about the best dual-sport helmets.
Open-face helmets, also known as ¾ helmets, cover the top, sides, and back of the head but leave the face exposed. They are a popular choice for riders who prioritize comfort and a wide field of vision, often seen among cruiser and scooter riders.
Open-face helmets are ideal for riders who value comfort, style, and an open-air riding experience. They are particularly suited for city commuting, short-distance rides, or riding in warm weather.
However, it’s important to note that the lack of a chin bar offers less protection than full-face or modular helmets, so riders should weigh the trade-offs between comfort and safety.
Read about the best open-face helmets.
Half helmets, sometimes referred to as brain buckets, provide the most minimal coverage, protecting only the top of the head.
These helmets are favored by riders who prioritize freedom and airflow over protection, often seen among cruiser and chopper riders.
Half helmets are best suited for riders who value freedom and style over maximum protection. They are ideal for low-speed, short-distance rides, and are often preferred in warm climates where ventilation and airflow are a priority.
However, riders should be aware of the trade-offs in terms of safety, as half helmets provide the least amount of coverage and protection.
Read about the best half helmets.
Selecting the right motorcycle helmet is a decision that should be based on your riding style, safety preferences, and personal comfort.
Full-face helmets offer the highest level of protection, making them ideal for sport and touring riders. Modular helmets provide versatility, while dual-sport helmets cater to those who enjoy both on-road and off-road adventures. Open-face helmets offer comfort and style, and half helmets provide the ultimate in freedom and airflow.
No matter what type of helmet you choose, ensure it meets safety standards and fits properly. A well-fitted helmet can be the difference between life and death in the event of an accident. Ride safe and always prioritize your protection on the road.
Read all of my motorcycle helmet articles below.
Ah, the open road. It calls us like a long-lost lover, promising freedom, adventure, and the wind whispering through our helmets. But to fully embrace that call, you need the right gear—something that doesn’t just protect but enhances every mile.
Enter the Shoei Neotec 3, a modular helmet so finely crafted it feels like a love letter to motorcyclists everywhere.
Continue reading “Quick Review: Shoei Neotec 3”For riders who demand nothing short of perfection, the AGV Pista GP RR Electrum Limited Edition Helmet is an icon of engineering excellence and cutting-edge design.
This high-performance helmet, inspired by MotoGP technology, combines safety, aerodynamics, and striking aesthetics to deliver an unparalleled riding experience.
Continue reading “AGV Pista GP RR Electrum Limited Edition Helmet: A High-Octane Marvel”The Bell Eliminator Carbon Deathspray Limited Edition Helmet is a striking statement piece for motorcyclists who demand both safety and style. As part of Bell’s premium Eliminator lineup, this helmet combines cutting-edge materials with a design aesthetic that commands attention on the road and track alike.
Featuring a bold, graffiti-inspired “Deathspray” graphic by artist David Gwyther, this limited-edition helmet is as much a work of art as it is a protective headpiece.
Continue reading “Quick Review: Bell Eliminator Carbon Deathspray Limited Edition Helmet”AIROH Helmets is revving up for a bold entrance into the American market, bringing its Italian-crafted magic to U.S. riders.
Known for blending jaw-dropping design with cutting-edge safety, the Bergamo-based brand is expanding its reach through a shiny new AIROH USA facility under the leadership of Dennis Bloch, a man with deep motocross roots through SEVEN MX, James Stewart’s apparel line.
Continue reading “AIROH Helmets Enters the US Market”Safety on two wheels is paramount, and Livall’s MC1 Pro is here to revolutionize the way we think about helmets. This “smart helmet” promises to enhance not just safety but also the overall riding experience, blending cutting-edge technology with traditional protection.
Livall, best known for cycling helmets and even e-bike conversion kits like the PikaBoost, ventures into the world of motorcycling with this brainy brain bucket.
Continue reading “Check Out the Livall MC1 Pro Motorcycle Helmet”The Scorpion EXO-ST1400 Evo helmet is a sport-touring marvel that marries style, safety, and practicality. While its name may sound like a Starfleet prototype, the updates are firmly grounded in real-world riding.
The biggest headline here? A new ECE 22.06 safety certification, a leap from the previous 22.05 standard. But Scorpion didn’t stop at regulatory compliance—they tackled rider complaints head-on, particularly about noise levels. For the long-haul rider, that’s music to the ears.
Continue reading “Quick Review: Scorpion EXO ST1400 Evo Helmet”The BILT Apex Helmet doesn’t just check boxes—it rewrites the playbook for entry-level gear. At roughly $100, this full-face helmet serves up features that punch well above its weight class, starting with the big-ticket item: safety.
With DOT and the coveted ECE 22.06 certification, it offers a level of protection typically reserved for helmets in much higher price brackets. This helmet is a real steal.
Continue reading “Quick Review: BILT Apex Helmet”Dainese, the owner of AGV Helmets, has introduced an innovative recycling program called Life Impacto to address the waste generated by discarded motorcycle helmets. Helmets, typically replaced every 5-7 years, contribute significantly to waste.
Life Impacto aims to create a sustainable, circular process using selective dissolution recycling, developed in collaboration with five Italian companies, including Innovandoo, Re-sport, and the Università di Bologna.
Continue reading “The AGV Life Impacto Program Brings Recycling to Motorcycle Gear”Finding a good motorcycle helmet on a budget doesn’t mean compromising on safety or style. Sure you won’t be able to get the most advanced features and materials, but you will still be able to get a quality helmet.
In a market overflowing with options, these five cheapest helmets stand out as affordable yet dependable choices. Let’s explore the best options that deliver value without sacrificing quality.
Continue reading “The 5 Cheapest Helmets Worth Buying”When it comes to motorcycles, few cultural icons evoke the same thrill as Batman. The Caped Crusader has long been associated with high-speed chases and cutting-edge gadgets, so it’s no wonder motorcycle enthusiasts gravitate toward helmets inspired by Gotham’s dark protector.
Whether you’re a hardcore Batman fan or just someone who appreciates a striking design, there’s a helmet here for you.
Continue reading “The Best Batman Motorcycle Helmets”
