Motorcycle Helmets

Pick Your Favorite Motorcycle Helmet
Please Note: Article continued from Latest Helmets page.

Half Helmets: Covers a bit more of your head than the beanie style. The ears are typically covered by leather ear flaps. These helmets often do meet DOT minimum safety standards. Half helmets are usually priced between $70 and $200.

Open Face Helmets: Sometimes called three-quarter helmets, cover the ears and sides of the head. This style allows for a snap-on face shield and often includes a visor.

Most open-face helmets meet DOT safety standards and many also meet the more stringent SNELL safety standards. The pricing for open-face helmets can very widely depending on the fit, finish and materials used in manufacturing. Open face models range from $40 to over $400.

Full Face Helmets: Offers the most protection of all the helmets since they cover the entire head, protect the jaw and usually include a face shield. Full-face helmets have the widest price range of the bunch, based on the same principals of open face models. Full face helmets start at $50 and can go to $650 and beyond.

Flip-up Helmets: A relatively new style, flip-up helmets are also called convertible helmets. As you might guess, the front portion of these models can flip up for quick access when you’re stopping for drinks, gas etc.

Many folks find this style handy but the flip-up helmets can be a bit heavier than conventional full face helmets and don’t typically offer the same jaw protection as standard full face models. Flip-up models range in price from $100 to over $360.

Current Helmets Offer More Than Just Crash Protection
If you haven’t looked at new helmets in a while, you’re in for a pleasant surprise. In addition to the wide array of colors and graphics available, today’s helmets have vastly improved features compared to the old-school models.

Materials like Kevlar and fiberglass composite used in outer shell construction allow for superior protection while also reducing helmet weights. Helmet venting systems have also improved quite a bit. Exhaust ports are now paced throughout the better helmet models. This allows warm air to escape and keeps your head cool even during the height of the summer riding season. And current venting systems significantly reduce fog on the face shields of most full-face and even many open-face helmets.  

In addition to providing protection from insects, dust and debris, face shields can now guard you from excessive UV rays from the sun. This can be a real lifesaver when you’re on long summer rides and not thinking about sun protection. If you’re interested in motorcycle helmets with face shields, look for helmets with tool-less shield removal. Cleaning and replacing your shield is that much more convenient if you don’t have to dig out your tool box every time.

Advances in outer shell materials have helped manufacturers design more comfortable helmet liners. In additional to being lighter, helmets are now less bulky and more aerodynamic which helps reduce rider fatigue. And many models now offer helmets with removable liners for easy cleaning and replacement.

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