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.
This Bell Scout Air helmet puts other so-called lightweight helmets to shame.
If you want or need to wear a helmet but absolutely hate it, then may I suggest the Bell Scout Air. This helmet is super lightweight and still provides decent protection.
Is it the safest helmet out there? Of course not, but it’s reasonably priced and provides good protection for what you get. It also looks great and won’t weigh down your noggin.
Continue reading “Bell Scout Air Open Face Helmet”I love the retro design of this Bell Bullitt helmet.
I’m a big fan of full-face helmets. They provide the best protection and features, which is important when riding. I’m also a big fan of retro styling, which means the Bell Bullitt Carbon Helmet is right up my alley.
While some more modern designs will offer more features and whatnot, I really do think that Bell has a good product with the Bullitt Carbon
Continue reading “Bell Bullitt Carbon Full-Face Helmet”I got to spend some time with the HJC IS-MAX II to review it.
I write motorcycle news and gear reviews at Web Bike World. One of the products I recently reviewed was the HJC IS-MAX II. The modular helmet from HJC comes with a long list of features and solid construction at a good price.
Continue reading “HJC IS-MAX II Modular Motorcycle Helmet Review”This is one open face helmet I really like, quite a lot.
Shoei makes some of the best motorcycle helmets out there, and it’s nice to see a killer, old-school design with this high-quality construction and some of the best features of any open-face retro lid out there. That’s where this Shoei J-O comes in.
Continue reading “Shoei J-O Open-Face Helmet”Let FortNine give you the lowdown on the newest 2019 motorcycle helmets.
I’ve discussed the merits of FortNine’s videos before. The guys put out some of the most entertaining and educational motorcycle videos on the web.
This time, they tackle the new motorcycle helmets of 2019, which is a topic you should be interested in now that we’re well into riding season.
Continue reading “New Motorcycle Helmets of 2019”This full-face lid from Bell gives you all the protection and features you need for a low price.
Full-face helmets offer the best protection and some of the most advanced features. Usually, quality full-face helmets come with a pretty high price tag, but the Bell Qualifier helmet offers quality construction, good features, and a stylish look for a low price of just a little over $100.
Continue reading “Bell Qualifier Full-Face Motorcycle Helmet”One of my favorite things to do on Memorial Day is to go for a ride, and it’s better with the right gear. Motorcycle House is offering a special 20 percent off discount on gear from Viking Cycle and Nomad USA until May 28.
Continue reading “Get Up to 20% Off Viking Cycle and Nomad USA Gear at Motorcycle House for Memorial Day”This modular helmet from Bell is one of the better ones out there for the price.
I’m a big fan of modular motorcycle helmets. I think they’re the best of both worlds. The Bell Revolver Evo is one of the better ones out there for the price. This helmet offers an aggressive style in a helmet that offers good protection and features, too.
Continue reading “Bell Revolver Evo Modular Motorcycle Helmet”These are the best motorcycle half helmets for a seriously low price.
With helmets under $100 you can’t expect the best features and safety in the business. Especially with half helmets. Half helmets aren’t the safest option out there, but if you just want something that’s DOT rated, comfy and looks good, then a half helmet may be the way to go.
Here are four of the best half helmets out there under $100. If you’re on a budget and want some protection for your noggin, these are some pretty good choices.
Continue reading “4 Best Half Helmets Under $100”A super affordable helmet with the latest construction and features is what you need.
Fly Racing has rather quickly become one of the better-known motorcycle helmet manufacturers out there. The company’s Sentinel Mesh helmet offers quite a lot of good features.
The helmet features all of the top construction elements that would make it a true force in the industry.
Continue reading “Fly Racing Sentinel Mesh Helmet”
