Types Of Motorcycle Helmets
1). Full Face Helmets
A full-face helmet covers the entire head, including the base of the skull to the rear. Full-face helmets offer the most complete protection of all helmet styles.
The face and chin are also protected by a section of material that typically also cradles the visor.
These are the most common type of helmets you’ll see in the streets and take their styling (though muted somewhat) from Moto GP helmets.
Safety-wise, these are the best helmets you can buy for road riding.
35% of all crashes show a major impact on the chin bar area. In the absence of this protective plastic/carbon/fiberglass, your face takes all that damage.
Full face helmets, traditionally round and bubble-shaped, usually feature aerodynamics that have been optimized for various riding positions. Regardless of their exact shape and look, full face helmets are stronger structurally thanks to a beefy chin bar that’s integrated into the rest of the helmet. Wind visors in front can be opened or closed easily.
2). Modular Helmets / Flip-up Helmets
Modular Helmet Coverage
Modular helmets, also known as flip-up helmets, are a mix between a ¾ helmet and a full-face helmet. The reason is that the chin bar and visor can flip up to open the front of the helmet.
Modular Helmet Design and Features
Materials and fitment are similar to the full-face helmet. They include a visor for eye protection and occasionally include a secondary internal visor for additional eye protection from the sunlight.
Modular helmets tend to weigh slightly more than the traditional full-face helmet due to the extra design hinge features incorporated into the flip-up front area.
Rider safety is slightly reduced because of the hinge structure, as there is a slight fissure vs. a uniform entity of a full-face helmet. Still, it provides more protection than the ¾ or ½ helmet due to the added chin protection.
The modular helmet is designed with an upright riding position and is often used by tourers, cruisers, and adventure riders. The eye openings are more straightforward, and the chin bar sits lower on the face.
Bluetooth speakers are a welcomed addition and have a dual visor system and anti-fogging coating on the primary visor.
It’s important to note that modular helmets do not have the strength and crash integrity that full face (one-piece) helmets do. While lower chin sections are reinforced for strength, they are separate pieces from the rest of the helmet – causing them to respond differently in a crash.
Because of those strength reinforcements found in chin and other areas of the helmet, and because of numerous components used in the heavy-duty pivot hinges, modular helmets typically weigh more than full-face helmets.
3). Open-Face (¾) Helmet
Open-Face Helmet Coverage
Open face helmets, also known as ¾ helmets, cover your head’s top back and sides but leave your face exposed. They are popular amongst scooters, cafe racers, tourers, and cruisers, as the face area is kept open to feel the wind on their skin. The distinguishing feature of a ¾ helmet is the lack of a chin bar, which significantly reduces the safety of the motorcycle helmet.
Open-Face Helmet Design and Features
Open face helmets are considered structurally equal to full-face helmets in terms of safety in their coverage areas. The weight is slightly less than the full-face helmet due to the absence of the chin bar, but it isn’t a significant reduction. In addition, because of the openness of the helmet, it does not protect you against weather conditions and road debris. They either come equipped with partial or full-face visors to protect the eyes and face from sunlight, or they may require you to purchase the part separately.
Open-face models don’t weigh as much since they’re smaller and lack a chin bar. Keep in mind that these won’t protect you from dust, debris, and weather conditions because of the opened designed. Some might come with visors for eyes protection while others require you to buy it separately.
Due to their overall construction, these are mostly recommended to people who ride at low speeds. They’re also great for claustrophobic and people prone to fatigue.
4). Half Helmet
Half Helmet Coverage
Half helmets only cover the top of your head and the area from your forehead to your brows and provide minimal protection. Some may offer a bit more coverage on the back of your neck and ears but leaves the rest of your face exposed.
Although these helmets provide excellent airflow, they offer significantly less protection than a full face or ¾ helmet. That said, you can still find half-helmets that are DOT-approved.
Half Helmet Design and Features
Most half helmets do not come equipped with a visor or face shield, so you need to purchase eye protection in the form of riding glasses or goggles.
There are minimal technological features, such as Bluetooth speakers, found on the helmets, as there isn’t any space for the features to be implemented. Therefore, there are minimal upgrade options for the helmet.
As there is no visor, some form of eye protection is generally required in the form of riding glasses/goggles or an attachable visor or peak.
Bluetooth intercoms usually need a bit of room on and in the helmet, so fitting one to a half helmet is a real struggle due to the lack of real estate.
5). Off-road (Dirt Bike, Motocross, or MX) Helmet
Off-road Helmet Coverage
Off-road helmets are designed just as their name suggests, to ride away from the streets and on dirt roads. They aren’t the best option for city and highway use but are ideal for places requiring knobby tires.
Off-road helmets usually do not offer eye protection, so riders should be prepared to ride with glasses or goggles. If you’re riding in dirt or mud, goggles will be the preference as they can seal against the rider’s face to prevent debris intrusion while riding.
Off-road Helmet Design and Features
They are designed differently than the full and ¾ helmets, equipped with a larger visor and a more accentuated chin bar for better airflow. They typically are designed for maximum protection, minimum weight, and flowing ventilation for riding during the warmer months, so don’t expect lush creature comforts like Bluetooth speakers.
There are many composite options available, including fiberglass, Kevlar, and carbon fiber. These materials offer great strength and are lightweight to keep your head and neck from becoming fatigued after a long day of riding. If you’re interested, feel free to check out our other article about different lightweight helmet options.
Off-road Helmet Best Practices
If you plan to wear body armor or a neck brace, be sure to try the helmet on with the extra gear to test fitting before you purchase the helmet. Also, be sure to test your goggles with the helmet to ensure the goggles seal to your face well. Some helmets are shaped differently around the eyes and won’t fit all goggle styles perfectly. If one manufacturer offers eyewear and helmets, check for a matching set, if available.
The large peak helps protect against the sun, as well as protection against running into branches, trees and falling of the motorcycle. It also potentially protects against mud flicked up from riders in front of the rider.
Off road helmets are also designed to fit with neck braces and/or body armour. They are also designed to be lighter, as to combat fatigue from a full day of riding on the dirt. Because of this, they are not designed to fit Bluetooth intercoms.
6). Dual-sport (Adventure, Crossover, ADV, Hybrid, Enduro) Helmet
Dual-Sport Helmet Coverage
Dual-sport helmets are a mix between an off-road helmet and a full-face helmet. Dual-sport helmets offer a larger eye protection visor than a full face, but they can also snap into an up position for the use of goggles. The visor is aerodynamic; therefore, it does not lift in the wind like an off-road helmet. In addition, the chin bar is not a protrusive as an off-road helmet, so there is better soundproofing and not as much airflow.
Dual-Sport Helmet Design and Features
It has an exterior styling similar to an off-road helmet with a large visor and lower chin bar. Dual-Sports offer more interior padding and comfort, similar to a full-face helmet. These act as the halfway point between each style, as they designate to be used both on the road and off-road.
These helmets are a great option when you mix terrain on the same riding day. Use the visor down on the street to the trail, then snap it up for goggles and maximum airflow.
7). Smart Helmets
This is a pretty new addition to the family, and we haven’t seen any for sale in the UK.
That said, it’s only a matter of time.
The idea of customisable dual heads-up displays, a touch panel, rear view camera, and smartphone connectivity makes us feel slightly like Ironman.
It does seem like the way things will go.
No more messing around with headsets and speakers – a direct connection between your helmet and phone.
Provided the safety features are comparable to more traditional options, Smart helmets will likely take off in the UK market.