Clearly a helmet is a pretty important piece of equipment, although despite this and in many countries, they are not legal. The USA is a prime example, only 19 states deem it legal whilst in the rest as long as you are 21 and over, do not need to wear one!
Helmets like lots of things come in all sorts of shapes, sizes, types and of course prices – you can pay £70 or £700 for one, but ultimately it is all about function you want it to perform and how well it fits – After all, you have one head.
Everyone has their own style they prefer, be it full face, open face, off road or flip-front and in reality most bikers have more than one.
Me I have 4 different styles, for all sorts of reasons, look, design, benefits and style of riding.
Here is a quick review of each type.
Full Face
As the name suggests, it covers the entire head will a full face visor. The benefits being better protection, convenience and overall rider comfort. That said and based upon the heritage style of my bike, the last thing I wanted to do is ride around wearing something straight off the racetrack.
Basically I like what could be described as “Modern Heritage” that is something which is a bit retro with modern features and benefits.
My full face helmet of choice is from US manufacturer Bell and is a Bell Bullit. Styled from the 1960’s and 70’s it uses the latest tech whilst keeping true to the vintage style.
Open Face
All about wind in the face and much more vintage. Complete lack of face protection both weather and debris (flies, grit and so on), but a great way to get a face tan! Open face helmets are the real thing and my go to option for rides when the weather is decent and it doesn’t involve a major distance.
Lots around, but my choice was British manufacturer Davida. Based on the Wirral in Merseyside, all helmets are hand made in a multitude of styles, colours and interiors.
My choice is the Speedster V3, black silver flames with an oxblood leather interior.
Scrambler
Scrambler style helmets are designed to look like off road track helmets typically part open face, with a peak and protective chin guard, mimicking helmets from the 70’s and 80’s. This helmet very much fits the style of my bike, whilst providing a different look.
Although these style of helmets have chin guards and are effectively part closed, they do not provide any sort of eye protection and are designed as the name suggests to be worn with goggles. Some of the latest designs do also incorporate drop down mini visors.
Chosen more for the colour and quality, mine is from Japanese manufacturer Shoei and is the EX-Zero.
Flip Front
These sort of helmets provide the best of both worlds effectively providing a full face helmet which then as the name suggests flip up to effectively become an open face. Think Police bike helmets. These are very useful if you want to use a petrol station or shop and don’t want to remove your helmet, plus at low speeds and in warmer weather can be flipped up to ride in.
In reality they are designed more for longer trips and mostly worn when touring typically with headsets/comms integrated to allow music, calls, sat nav and the ability to talk wirelessly to others riding with you or by those folk riding Adventurer bikes who think they are riding in the Paris Dakar challenge when taking a trip to the shops.
My choice when touring is from German manufacturer Schuberth and is the C3 Pro. Schuberth makes helmets for all sorts of uses from motorcycling & F1, to fire & military and regarded as one of the highest quality you can buy.
All about choosing what you want for the job you want, but then again ask any rider and they are more likely than not to have more than one.
