We give you the best motorcycle helmets to buy in 2021 to stay safe in style
by Tijo Tenson, onHelmets are getting better in terms of looks, safety standards, and the sheer amount of technology used to create the perfect crown. It is part of the next major investment that you make after buying a new motorcycle,.so investing healthily is a very good approach. We help you choose the perfect crown by providing you with the best bundle of various types of helmets out there. The standout features, pros, and cons are listed to help you choose one without much confusion.
Types Of Motorcycle Helmets
Motorcycle helmets are divided into different types based on the construction and usage scenario.
Full-Face: These are the helmets that are created with safety in high esteem and are the type that is recommended for high-speed motorcycle runs or events. It is molded out as a single continuous material and covers the entirety of your head and the chin. Because of its versatile nature, this happens to be the default choice for new riders out there.
Modular: Modular helmets protect a full-face helmet and the comfort and airiness of an open-face helmet. The flip function is easy and seamlessly integrated into the helmet structure. These helmets are generally the choice of cruiser and adventure motorcyclists and have a design catered towards an up-right riding position.
Off-Road: These helmets are purely built for motocross fun. These are shaped differently and have an extremely lightweight construction to provide for a comfortable and wider viewing angle. These don’t come with visors and have additional goggles to help dust and mud stay out of your eyes.
Half: These are helmets that provide with the least protection, as it only covers the top half of your face (your head!). These are nowhere closer to the protection provided by the others in this bunch and so should be taken for very light rides. These helmets can be a fitting companion for riders who take the slow and short route. It doesn’t come with any type of face protection like visors or goggles.
Open-Face: These are also known as 3/4th helmets and are devoid of the chin protection of a full-face helmet. All the other bits and pieces remain the same but add for a much larger front visor to fill up the chin void. These helmets have added comfort as opposed to full-faced helmets and are worn mostly by those who ride tourers, cafe-racers, and scooters. In short, for those who love the wind-in-the-face feeling!
Dual-Sport: These are full-faced helmets but with a pinch of motocross in them. These helmets are specifically designed for dual-sport or adventure motorcycles that are designed to tread on the tarmac and gravel. So, these helmets protect a full-face helmet and the comfort and viewing capabilities of a motocross helmet.
Things To Keep In Mind While Choosing A Motorcycle Helmet
Fit And Comfort: Helmets are enclosed elements that can make you claustrophobic or downright uneasy if the fit and comfort are not considered. Helmets are of varying sizes based on the head size. The padding used inside also comes in varying materials and softness. So, makes sure you take the time to wear it and check for the perfect headgear that you would be comfortable in.
Visibility And Ventilation: Long distances on the saddle can get messy in hot humid conditions. Night rides are also dangerous if you are not able to get a clear view of the road ahead. So, always go for helmets with ample ventilation and look for inlets and outlets for air passage. The visor should also be taken into consideration and always go for an anti-glare unit if you are a frequent night rider. And a pin-lock visor with an anti-fog coating is a life-saver in misty or foggy conditions.
Aesthetics And Build Quality: A helmet that you love will always pertain to your character. There are people who love plain matter finishes, and there are those who go all out with colors and graphics. Always buy a helmet that you would love to stare at, and never settle for anything less!
Build quality is crucial as your helmet is a safety element. So, make sure to balance out your budget and safety factor. Never compromise on safety for a cheap helmet, as it brings more harm than good.
Pricing And Warranty: Pricing should actually be the least important factor when it comes to safety. But it is a vital factor to consider and so you should look for the most ’safety’ you get for the money you pay. Research well on the type of helmet you want and the riding scenarios you undertake and keep safety as your utmost priority.
Warranty is another major aspect that should be kept in mind while buying a helmet. Getting one with a longer warranty period, if available, is always better when it comes to manufacturing defects and other niggles. You shouldn’t compromise on a piece of safety equipment.
Safety Standards And Certification: The US Department Of Transportation (DOT) has put up a stern set of rules and regulations to provide people with helmets with utmost safety. The Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard provides 218 guidelines which should all be met, for a helmet to be certified.
Always look for DOT certification in a helmet which can be confirmed with a ’DOT’ sticker at the rear. European brands have an ’ECE’ certification but those also have to go through the stringent tests, and so will also have the DOT certificate.
Here Are The Top 10 Best Motorcycle Helmets To Buy In 2021
AGV Sportmodular Modular Helmet
This is the priciest of the bunch and is one of the lightest modular helmets available right now. This AGV shouts of comfort and quality. The movable chin bar components are made of metal and are quite durable. Nothing feels like it’s going to fall off! This helmet provides comfort and safety in the closed position, and can even put to full-faced helmets to shame with its weight. It is a full carbon-fiber construction and weighs in at just 3.2 pounds. It comes in a bunch of cool color options but the bummer is that is always is at the brim of selling out. Yup, these are that good and are DOT/ECE approved. Order yours today!
Shoei Neotec II Modular Helmet
This is one cool helmet but a lot more pricey! This is the flagship helmet from Shoei’s modular line-up and is a heavily loaded piece of riding gear. This helmet is impressively aerodynamic for a modular unit and Shoei has made it a lot lighter, even lighter than certain full-face models. It also comes included with an integrated Bluetooth unit using the SENA SRL. It is offered in 8 solid colors and 3 graphic layouts, so choosing one would be a timely process. The built is sturdy and weighs 4.2 pounds. This helmet is built for comfort and is a perfect companion for touring. The visor comes with a UV blocking layer and also comes with a pin-lock visor in the box. Order yours today!
SHOEI RF-1400 Full Face Helmet
This is the pinnacle of helmets for the street as the Shoei RF-1400 is a well-sorted package that piles up the best. It is a fitting successor to the already revered RG-1200 model and makes sure to uphold the impressive RF line-up of street helmets. It comes with Shoei’s AIM+ layout that provides for a rigid yet lightweight construction. It is both DOT and SNELL 2020 certified and is aerodynamic. There is minimum to no road noise with comfortable padding to keep you cozy. It comes in 4 shell sizes and the form factor works well with a wider bandwidth of head shapes. Order yours today!
Arai XD-4 Adventure Helmet
These are some of the best adventure helmets available right now. Arai has strived to make comfortable and quality-rich helmets. The XD-4 is one such offering that can be your guardian, both on and off the roads. This is a SNELL M2020 certified unit that has an airy interior with its commendable ventilation system (good for those humid days). A lot of love goes into making them and each of these are handmade. Don’t worry about the elongated peak, as the overall design is aerodynamically proficient. Order yours today!
HJC RPHA-90S Modular Helmet
Another modular helmet that gives the full-faced likes a run for features. The visor is glare-free and provides for a comfortable viewing experience. Usability is on point as it comes with a single-button chin bar and visor release system, that gives you the liberty to convert it from a full-face to half on the go. This also happens to be one of the cheapest carbon-fiber helmets on offer. It is both DOT and ECE certified and comes in 3 different shell sizes. and weighs just 3.3 pounds. It is also equipped with the RapidFire III shield replacement system that allows you to quickly remove or install face shields without any external tools. Order yours today!
Bell Qualifier DLX Full-Face Helmet
The Bell Qualifier is famed for its comfortable construction and provides a high-quality package. It is DOT/ECE approved and sets the safety standards right for road helmets. It comes in 2 versions, one of which is offered with MIPS(Multi-Directional Impact Protection System) technology. which helps in absorbing impact from rotational forces. It is built out of lightweight polycarbonate and is offered in 6 shell sizes. The visor comes with a Nutra Fog II shield that protects your face from UV rays. It is also layered with an anti-fog and anti-scratch coating. Another cool feature of the visor is Transitions adaptive technology. This allows the shield to adjust the tinting according to the intensity of light passing through. So, not extra tinted visor is needed here. Order yours today!
Scorpion EXO-AT950 Modular Helmet
This is a modular helmet with a knack for off-roading. The construction is such that it can be subtly modified to be used as a modular dirt-bike helmet as well. The bulbous visor comes out easily and can be swapped for googles. The Scorpion EXO-AT950 is glass-friendly and the stock visor protects from UV rays as well. It is DOT approved and comes with a 5-year warranty as well. It comes in 3 different shell sizes and has an oval design that facilities for more head types to fit in. This Scorpion is made of a lightweight LG polycarbonate which is notably durable. This happens to be the most versatile helmet on this list. Order yours today!
Bell MX-9 MIPS Off-Road Helmet
This is a good budget dirt helmet and provides an impressive overall package. The MX-9 is built out of a lightweight polycarbonate shell and has a very airy construction. But this helmet stands out mainly due to its MIPS technology which helps in countering rotational motion during mishaps that can cause brain injury. It is offered in 3 shell sizes, comes with a 5-year warranty, and loads of funky graphics to choose from. And yes, it is DOT/ECE certified. Order yours today!
Yema YM-926 Modular Helmet
This is a newbie in the bunch but puts enough on the table to be compared with the revered ones. This is a helmet that puts forth impressive value for the bucks you pay. The design is sharp yet minimal and looks quite premium for the price-point. The aerodynamic design also helps it reduce noise during high-speed runs. It comes with a neat modular system that helps you open the front half with one click. Its airflow is commendable in this and the vents can be controlled as per the driving scenarios. It comes with a clear 2 visors - an external clear one, and an internal smoked eye lens. The whole package weighs in at just 3.7 pounds and is a well-put-together unit for the road. Order yours today!
ILM Modular Helmet
This is the cheapest modular helmet in this bunch and frankly, we are surprised with the package it offers. It comes in 12 different colors ranging from subtle matte solid shades with and without graphics to solid bright shades. This comes with an LED integration at the back which helps it stand out from the bunch, even the premium ones. It is designed ergonomically to reduce noise and the whole package weighs in at 4.85 pounds. It is made of a rigid ABS shell which adds to its safety appeal. The internal padding is comfortable and comes with an anti-fog visor. This is an eye-popping package for the price point. Order yours today!
Our Pick of The Bunch
When it comes to safety, it is better to not compromise at all. We have put safety as the primary criteria to choose one from this bunch. The Shoei RF-1400 full-face helmet is an impeccable piece of head-gear that you would be awed of. The RF series have always guided others in making the best possible helmets. It is a premium built-helmet and comes with loads of aesthetic choices. It is also quite competent in comfort. The full-face design also makes sure that you get the best safety quotient, no matter what.