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.
If you like classic, retro styling, but want a helmet with a chin bar that can serve as an off-road lid, the Nexx XG200 Offroad Helmet is for you.
This helmet is similar to the Bell Moto-3 Helmet that I reviewed over at Web Bike World recently, at least in styling. I see The XG200 has Nexx’s version of essentially the same thing.
There’s a lot to love here, and I want to take you through what makes this helmet special.
Continue reading “Nexx XG200 Purist Offroad Helmet”Although on the pricer side of things, the Klim TK1200 Karbon Stark Helmet is a great option for anyone looking for a carbon fiber modular helmet.
There are a lot of modular helmets out there, but the Klim TK1200 Karbon Stark Helmet is a killer lid.
Here are some more details about the helmet.
Continue reading “Klim TK1200 Karbon Stark Helmet”If you’re looking for an affordable but well-liked, full-face motorcycle helmet, then the HJC i10 Taze Helmet should be on your shopping list.
The HJC motorcycle helmet packs a lot of features into a super-affordable package. HJC is known for this, so that comes as no surprise.
Let’s take a closer look at the i10 Taze Helmet and see what makes it so special and well-liked.
Continue reading “HJC i10 Taze Helmet”Motorcycle helmets are much more advanced than they have been in previous years. But what makes them better?
Ryan of FortNine decided to do the hard work and find out. He cuts apart the best motorcycle helmets on sale today to show you what’s inside.
The construction of these helmets is genuinely impressive, and if you want the best helmets, these are it.
Continue reading “Here’s What’s in the Best Motorcycle Helmets of 2021”Are you looking for a killer full-face motorcycle helmet? Then you need to check out Scorpion EXO-ST1400 Carbon Caffeine Helmet.
It’s an extremely high-tech and new helmet that you should probably take note of. The helmet is aggressive, smartly styled, and it provides great protection.
As a top-of-the-line carbon helmet, the helmet here is one of the best out there right now.
Continue reading “Scorpion EXO-ST1400 Carbon Caffeine Helmet”The HJC RPHA 70 ST is a great helmet that’s designed to be something of an in-between for sport and touring riders.
Basically, if you’re a sport-touring guy or girl, you’re going to absolutely love this helmet. It’s one of the best out there for your kind of riding.
That said, anyone who likes to ride long distances or ride at all can benefit from wearing this motorcycle helmet. It’s just a good all around full-face helmet.
Continue reading “HJC RPHA 70 ST Helmet”The Simpson Ghost Bandit FTW is a helmet that’s designed specifically for motorcyclists. The “FTW” designation is just the graphic name, but it’s a good one.
There are plenty of colors and graphics for this unique helmet from Simpson, but the FTW graphic is one of the company’s latest and it’s a great option
This is a smart full-face helmet that provides touring levels of comfort and full protection for your head and face. Let’s take a closer look at what this helmet offers.
Continue reading “Simpson Ghost Bandit FTW Helmet”The Shoei RF-1400 Helmet is the lid that has come to replace the venerable Shoei RF-1200 Helmet.
As good as the old helmet was, it was just that—old. The new Shoei RF-1400 takes the full-face helmet offering from Shoei to new heights in terms of safety and comfort. It’s a heck of a new lid and there’s a lot of buzz out there about it.
If you’re in the market for a premium full-face helmet, this might just be the helmet you’re looking for.
Continue reading “Shoei RF-1400 Helmet”If you want a full-face helmet that’s super lightweight that won’t break the bank, then the Sedici Strada II Primo Carbon Helmet is for you.
This Sedici helmet features a special blend of carbon fiber, and the helmet offers some great features otherwise, too.
Let’s take a closer look at the details of this Sedici helmet, some images of it, and some video reviews.
Continue reading “Sedici Strada II Primo Carbon Helmet”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.
Continue reading “15 Best Retro Helmets for Motorcyclists”
