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.
When it comes to motorcycle riding, your helmet is the most critical piece of gear for your safety. It can seriously save your life.
Not all helmets are created equal, and finding one that offers top-tier protection is vital for your well-being on the road, so choose wisely.
Continue reading “The Safest Motorcycle Helmets for Maximum Protection”It’s been said a thousand times: helmets save lives. You know it, I know it, and apparently, we still need to talk about it.
A new helmet study ran the numbers on how many motorcyclists could’ve been saved between 1976 and 2022 if every state had universal helmet laws. The answer? A staggering 22,058 riders. That’s right—22,000 people who might still be with us if helmets had been required. It’s not exactly groundbreaking, but it’s a hard truth we can’t ignore.
Continue reading “A New Helmet Study Shows Helmets (and Helmet Laws) Work”When you’re on the road for hours, battling the elements and cruising past miles of open highway, the gear you wear matters. And the helmet you wear can make all the difference. It’s not just about safety, though that’s obviously crucial. It’s about comfort, noise control, ventilation, and the little features that turn a good helmet into a great one. Touring riders know this better than most.
As I set out to review the best touring helmets, I can’t help but remember the feeling of rolling through backroads, eyes on the horizon, everything in motion. It’s in these moments that you need gear that works as smoothly as the ride itself. The right helmet doesn’t just protect your head; it complements the journey.
Continue reading “The Best Touring Motorcycle Helmets: A Rider’s Guide”Riding a dirt bike is thrilling, fun, and one of the better ways to spend some time, but you need the right helmet to keep your head protected and comfortable.
Luckily there are TONS of options out there for dirt bike riders. The downside to that is it can be tough to sort through the slew of helmets to find the right one for you.
Continue reading “5 Best Dirt Bike Helmets”Protect your head while riding the trail or the road.
Adventure riding is unlike any other type of motorcycle riding. You encounter all types of terrain from pavement to mud, and that means you need gear that’s up for the challenge. Adventure motorcycle helmets are designed specifically for this. And you need to get a good one.
Adventure motorcycle helmets blend the best of on-road helmets with the best of off-road helmets. Here’s a look at the best of the best.
Continue reading “5 Best Adventure Motorcycle Helmets”These are the great helmets you should consider if you ride a sportbike.
Helmet choices seem to be endless, but if you’re riding a sportbike, you need to try to find yourself one of the best sportbike helmets out there. Don’t settle for unsafe and uncomfortable gear.
Continue reading “10 Best Sportbike Helmets”If you’re looking for a great helmet, but don’t want to spend an arm and a leg, then you need to take a look at the deals that Revzilla has right now on motorcycle helmets. These helmets are 50% off.
Continue reading “3 Great Helmets are 50% Off”If you’re on the hunt for the best cruiser motorcycle helmets you’ll find there are a lot of contenders. And for good reason, there are simply tons of great options out there these days.
Continue reading “10 Best Cruiser Motorcycle Helmets”Royal Enfield emailed me this week with a link to the launch of its new helmets. If you ride a Royal Enfield bike, and you want a lid to match, then you should check out these new Royal Enfield helmets.
Continue reading “Royal Enfield Launches New Helmets”Motorcycle helmet laws in the United States vary significantly from state to state. If you’re wondering what states require motorcycle helmets, you’ve come to the right place. Understanding these laws is crucial for riders who want to stay safe and avoid issues with the cops.
Continue reading “What States Require Motorcycle Helmets?”
