The Quick Motorcycle Helmet Guide

Your head is your most valuable asset. So when you’re shopping for protective motorcycle gear, your motorcycle helmet will be the most important piece of the puzzle.

Depending on what type of riding you do, there’s a wide selection of different helmets for different disciplines. There are street, racing, adventure, off-road, etc., helmets. In addition to different purposes, motorcycle helmets come in different models: from full-face helmets to modular, open-face, and wraparound helmets. There’s no shortage of choices out there.

However, specific helmet purposes and looks aside, there are some commonalities to consider when buying your bike helmet. To help you make sense of helmet types, quality, and safety standards, we put together this quick motorcycle helmet guide to steer you in the right direction:

Motorcycle Helmet Types

The helmet type you choose will mostly depend on the kind of riding you do. Street and track racing helmets tend to be full-face with a visor (sometimes, it may include an additional sun visor). Adventure helmets are similar to street helmets but feature a peak for extra sun protection and more ventilation. Off-road helmets have a peak, but no visor and are typically used with goggles. Scooter and cruiser riders use modular helmets with a flip-up lower portion and open-face helmets. There is no hard and fast rule of what helmet you should use – you can commute to work in a motocross-style helmet or go on an adventure ride in an urban helmet – it’s about figuring out what works for you best.