Note: The latest motorcycle helmet articles appear near the bottom of this page.
The most important piece of motorcycle gear you can own is your motorcycle helmet. Why? It’s simple it protects your brain, and well, without your brain, you’re not riding anywhere. I will always advocate for you to wear a motorcycle helmet.
I live in a state where helmets are not required equipment for a motorcyclist, but I still wear one every time. I recommend the “All The Gear, All The Time” philosophy, but if I’m being 100 percent honest, I don’t always wear all of my gear, but I never throw a leg over a bike without a helmet on. You shouldn’t either. Make sure to wear a motorcycle helmet every time you get on a bike.
Here you’ll find tons of information about motorcycle helmets, including the best helmets, the types of helmets, a history of motorcycle helmets, and much more. Let’s dive in.
The basic answer to this question is safety. According to numerous studies, motorcycle helmets do a lot to protect you, including reducing the risk of head injury by 69 percent and the risk of death by 42 percent. The simple fact of the matter is that a motorcycle helmet could save your life.
Thousands of people every year die in motorcycle accidents. Oftentimes, those accidents are not their fault, meaning the motorcyclist didn’t do anything wrong and was hit by a driver in a car, SUV, or truck. Don’t take a chance. If you ride without a helmet, no matter how good of a rider you are, you’re putting yourself at risk unnecessarily.
The risk of injury or death when riding a motorcycle will never be zero and we all know that, but risk can be greatly reduced by wearing a helmet. And not just some of the time, but all of the time.
Also, motorcycle helmets protect you from the elements. Yep, it’s not all about protection from an accident. Wind, rain, and other types of weather can wreak havoc on your hearing, eyes, skin, and more. A helmet can’t completely mitigate these issues, but it will help. Ultimately a motorcycle helmet will just make your ride more comfortable and better.
The next time you go for a motorcycle ride, be sure to put on a helmet, and if you don’t have a motorcycle helmet, I have plenty of great suggestions for you.
As you probably know, not all motorcycle helmets are the same. There are several different types of motorcycle helmets. While the absolute best type of motorcycle helmet comes down to personal preference, I will say that the different types do have different things they’re good at.
Full-face helmets, for example, offer the best in terms of safety and protection from the elements. But before I get into specifics about the different types of helmets out there, let’s list all of them.
Let’s get into the specifics of each type of motorcycle helmet and what makes them special.
Full-face helmets in my mind are the best all-around helmet option out there. You get supreme safety and protection from the elements, plenty of cool styles to choose from, high levels of comfort, and a lot of great features. There are also plenty of excellent options out there at various price points.
Full-face helmets are defined as helmets that cover the entire head. Protection goes from the base of the skull around the entire head and then over the face and chin. There’s a cutout around the eyes and nose that is then covered by a visor.
See the latest articles on this type of helmet.
Modular helmets are honestly my favorite type of helmet out there. They offer the high levels of protection and comfort that a full-face helmet does with similar styles to boot, but they are more versatile and provide more ways for you to wear the helmet, which in some cases depending on the weather can actually make them more comfortable.
Modular helmets come in many different unique designs, but they are all defined by one key characteristic, the chin protection area—often called the chin bar—flips up and out of the way so the rider’s face can be exposed. This makes them easy to wear like an open-face helmet and also makes these helmets especially easy to take on and off.
See the latest articles on this type of helmet.
Dual sport and dirt bike helmets are helmets designed for riding an off-road motorcycle. They feature a similar full-face design but are specially formulated so that dirt riders can comfortably wear them. They are usually extremely lightweight and are designed to optimize airflow for the rider because riding off-road can get extremely hot and is very active.
Dual sport helmets are similar in style to dirt bike helmets, but true dirt bike helmets don’t have any road-going features. However, dual sport helmets offer some elements of other full-face or modular helmets. This is especially true for adventure motorcycle helmets which need to have a lot of on-road features because adventure riders spend as much time on the street or touring on highways as they do on trails and dirt roads.
See the latest articles on this type of helmet.
Open-face helmets are especially popular in the cruiser motorcycle rider crowd. Many of them are sorta old-school and I would say that many cruiser motorcycles are also old-school. However, there are very modern versions, and you don’t have to be a cruiser rider to wear one.
Open-face helmets are defined as helmets that do not have a chin bar that covers the riders face. These helmets can have a clear visor that helps protect the rider from wind or the elements. There are an extremely wide variety of open-face helmets out there. And they’re extremely popular because of this versatility. Personally, I think every rider should have an open-face helmet in their shed or garage. There’s nothing better than cruising around on a nice in one of these helmets.
See the latest articles on this type of helmet.
Last but certainly not least, I have to talk about half helmets. These are actually a type of open-face, but they provide helmet protection to even less of the head. Again, these are common choices for cruiser riders who really want to feel the wind in their hair or hate wearing a helmet and want to wear the smallest one they can find.
I have worn a few half helmets in my day and I have been mostly unimpressed. However, I know plenty of riders who love these helmets, and I can recognize that what I like not everyone is going to like. So, for the right rider, this is the right helmet.
See the latest articles on this type of helmet.
Now that we’ve covered the types of motorcycle helmets available out there, you can start to think about what you should look for in a helmet that you’re thinking of buying.
First and foremost, I’d say safety is the most important aspect of any helmet. While full-face helmets offer the safest option, even open-face helmets can give you a good level of safety. You want to find a helmet that has a polycarbonate or fiberglass or carbon fiber shell and an EPS liner inside of it. Avoid brand names you don’t recognize, and look up the safety certifications of the helmet before buying.
There are numerous helmet safety certifications out there. DOT is for the United States and is the bare minimum that a helmet has to have to be legal in the U.S. ECE is for Europe and some other parts of the world. Then there’s Snell, which is primarily for racing helmets. Lastly, I’d point to FIM, which has especially stringent helmet safety ratings. Helmets that meet FIM standards are typically the best. This doesn’t mean a helmet with just DOT certification is a bad helmet, but you just need to read up on the helmet and its attributes.
Aside from the shell and EPS layer, helmets have a lot of other stuff to make them fit right and feel comfortable on your head. You should look for a helmet with a comfort liner that is removable and washable. It should also have good cheek pads that are also removable and washable. Lastly, things like chin guards, breath deflectors, and sun visors can add to the comfort levels of a helmet. Generally, a helmet with all of those things will be a comfortable helmet if it fits your head shape.
Head shape is the next thing that you need to think about and it arguably has the biggest impact on your overall comfort because it will keep you from having pressure in any one area. There are three different head shape types that motorcycle helmets are divided up into the following: round oval, intermediate oval, and long oval. Most of us will fall into the intermediate oval category. However, if you have a round oval or long oval head shape, you really need to make sure you buy a helmet properly shaped for your head. A good helmet seller will have this information readily available.
Price is the last thing you have to consider. Obviously, if you didn’t have to consider this, we’d all just be wearing the most expensive helmet you can find. Price is a big concern. The good news is that there are tons of great helmets out there at all price points.
I would say you’ll need to spend at least $100 on a motorcycle helmet. Otherwise, you’re likely getting a piece of junk. However, if you keep an eye on my deals and discounts posts, you’ll likely find some good options for less from time to time.
When searching for a motorcycle helmet, it is important to ensure that it fits properly. A helmet that is too big or too small can leave you uncomfortable and unsafe on the road. Here is how to find the perfect fit for your motorcycle helmet.
Before you go shopping, measure the circumference of your head with a cloth measuring tape. This will help you determine which helmet size you need.
When you try on the helmet, it should fit snugly but not too tight. It should be able to move slightly as you move your head. If you are able to move the helmet more than one or two inches, then it is too big.
The cheek pads should fit comfortably against your cheeks. You should not feel any pinching or discomfort. If the pads tend to push your cheeks up and you can’t breathe comfortably, then the helmet is too small.
The chin strap should be adjusted so that it fits snugly and securely under your chin. It should not be too tight or too loose.
The visor should fit securely and should not move when you open and close it. It should not block your vision in any way.
Finding the right helmet fit is essential to ensure your safety while riding a motorcycle. By following these steps, you can find the perfect fit and make sure you are comfortable and safe on the road.
People often ask me “what’s the best helmet to buy?” This is hard to answer without having a clear idea of how the person rides and what they plan to do. Someone riding across the country on a cruiser is going to need a very different helmet from someone who rides five miles to work every day.
With that in mind, I will say the best helmet you can buy is the safest one you can easily afford that’s designed for the type of riding you want to do. I have a lot of articles about the best kinds of helmets out there. Below you’ll find a list of some of these articles.
I often publish new articles about great helmets and that means I would check back often for other motorcycle helmet lists, reviews, and news.
As I mentioned above, if I were you, I’d stick to the best motorcycle helmet brands. What does this mean? It means brands that have a strong track record for designing and building quality products with excellent reviews from both the press and customers.
Here’s a list of some of the brands I personally interact with and trust:
This is by no means an exhaustive list. If you’d like to see a full list of brands that I know and trust, I suggest you check out the page I created for motorcycle gear brands.
The crash helmet history really starts in 1914 when a doctor (Dr. Eric Gardner) noticed a lot of head injuries in motorcycle riders. He worked with a man named Mr. Moss of Bethnal Green to create an early version of the helmet.
This helmet was presented to the Auto-Cycle Union but wasn’t liked much by the members. However, later that year, it was decided that riders of the Isle of Man TT races should wear them.
It wasn’t until 1935 that helmets really became a thing, though. That was when T.E. Lawrence, the famed war hero, died while riding a motorcycle. He crashed while trying to avoid other people on the road. He went over the handlebars and had he been wearing a crash helmet, he might have survived, according to the Welsh government.
While Lawrence’s crash brought the helmet into the limelight, there was still a long way to go before there were truly good motorcycle helmets. The next milestone is a 1953 patent for a motorcycle helmet. It was the first specifically for a motorcycle. In 1954, the first motorcycle helmet featuring a special fiber shell was made by AGV. In 1957 Snell started after a tragic auto racing accident.
In 1966 there was the American National Safety Standard of Motorcycle Helmets, which was the first example of homologation. Then in 1967, Giacomo Agostini competed in a Grand Prix with a full-face helmet, and things really got rolling.
In the 1970s, 80s, and 90s, there were more and more countries insisting on the use of helmets by riders. Since then, those battles about laws have continued. In the U.S., for example, some states require a helmet and some don’t.
Motorcycle technology has greatly evolved. What started as little more than a metal or fiberglass shell with a slightly softer interior has changed to highly complex shell materials and multi-layer EPS interior liners to keep people’s heads safe. Today’s helmets are highly complex and there are several safety organizations and standards.
As I mentioned above, FIM’s standard is the most stringent and DOT is what’s required for the U.S. At the very least, you need a helmet that is DOT certified. Anything else is great, but if you really want a supremely safe helmet. Get one with a FIM or Snell rating.
Motorcycle riders are required by law to wear a helmet in some states but not all. Also, some states have age requirements for helmets. So, a rider under a certain age, will be required to wear a helmet whereas a rider above that age won’t. This also varies by state.
Motorcycle helmet laws constantly change as lobbyists and citizens and state legislatures battle it out. Some people argue that it infringes on personal freedoms and that it should be up to the person and not the state to make that decision. Others say that in the interest of public safety and in order to keep insurance rates at reasonable costs, helmets should be required for all riders.
Personally, I don’t care if helmets are required by law or not. I think you should always wear one. Whether or not the law says you have to doesn’t factor into my decision-making. I don’t care if a state requires one or not, I’m going to wear a helmet every time I get on a bike, and I think you should too.
If you want to learn what states require a motorcycle helmet and what ones don’t, you can check out the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s list. The IIHS keeps a detailed list of all states and the relevant helmet laws. I would still check the government website of the state you plan to ride in to be sure, but the IIHS list is a good place to start.
Knowing where to buy a motorcycle helmet is easy. You can go to a local motorcycle dealership and get one of the helmets they have in stock. You can also shop online for a motorcycle helmet.
I recommend shopping online. The reason for this is that you have a wider selection. Shopping in person is great if the dealership or gear seller has what you’re looking for, but online shopping allows you to read a lot of reviews, product details, and see images and videos of the helmet before purchasing. All of this stuff is great if you’re looking for the perfect helmet.
If you don’t know where to shop online, here’s a list of online retailers I recommend:
A few notes on the retailers above. If you’re shopping at Amazon or eBay, just note that these are general retailers, meaning they’re not specialized in motorcycle gear. Because of this, you’ll often find a lot of sub-par helmets in the product listings. You’ll also find plenty of great helmets from brands like Shoei, HJC, and Arai. Before you shop at Amazon or eBay, make sure to go to these sites knowing what you’re looking for.
As for Revzilla, Cycle Gear, and J&P Cycles, these are motorcycle-specific online retailers. These guys know their stuff, and generally, don’t carry much junk in their inventories. You can trust the reviews and information you find on these sites, and the customer service is generally on-point. If you have questions or concerns about a helmet before buying it, call them and speak with someone who knows the products intimately.
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”If you’re looking for one of the best full-face helmets currently on sale, one of the following lids is the right choice.
I know that this particular video is technically for 2018, but the helmets discussed are still some of the best in 2019.
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