You will thank us for these best motorcycle helmets!
It was reported by the NHTSA (US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) that helmets saved nearly 1,860 lives in 2016. So far, the number has increased steadily.
In fact, many people pose their lives, even other lives, to threat due to fake motorcycle helmets. Some might be too confident about their riding skills. Some people really care about their safety, but they don’t know what the best motorcycle helmets are. They are just fooled by low-quality vendors.
For your sake, we introduce you to the top 5 motorcycle helmets on the market, along with a detail buying guide.
Top 5 Best Motorcycle Helmets for 2020
- ILM Full Face Motorcycle Street Bike Helmet
- Fuel Helmets SH-FF0016 Gloss Black Large
- WOW Motorcycle Full Face Helmet Street Bike
- ILM Bluetooth Integrated Modular Flip up Full Face Motorcycle Helmet
- Triangle Matte Black Full Face Motorcycle Helmet
How Effective Are Motorcycle Helmets?
You and passenger who sits on your motorcycle must wear helmets when riding outside. It is a traffic rule.
First and foremost, helmets protect you guys from head injuries if there is any crash. Accordingly, the best helmets are often made of thermoplastic or fiberglass, which is durable against severe and sudden impacts. Meanwhile, these materials are still lightweight to minimize pressure on the head and neck.
Secondly, motorcycle helmets prevent flying objects while you are riding at high speed.
No kidding!
Tiny things like bugs, rocks, or dust stuff can suddenly bump into your face or your eyes. Such things cause distraction which might end up to serious accidents and physical injuries.
Thirdly, the helmets keep off wind noise. Without the wind blasting in your eyes or screaming in your ears, you can ride more safely. Exciting enough, the best motorcycle helmets protect you from harsh sunlight and heavy rains.
How Much Should You Spend on A Motorcycle Helmet?
Never pay too cheap for your safety. However, there is no need to break a bank.
Motorcycle helmets can go as cheap as under $50. The most common helmets range around $100 to $200. A customized limited one can even cost up to $1000 and $2000.
How much to spend depends on your demands for that motorcycle helmet.
Features
Motorcycle helmets are not simply hoods. Basic helmets under $50 feature strong shell, comfortable cushion, full-face glass, and some more. They are enough to ensure safety while not adding extra cost.
Expensive helmets come with more thoughtful features. For example, there are chin skirts to keep you fuzzy in cold weather. Or else, the screen darkens automatically so that your eyes are more comfortable and focused.
Reasonably, helmets coming with many advanced features will be more costly.
Features
Polyester and thermoplastic are some affordable materials used to craft the shell of motorcycle helmets. Fiberglass and carbon fiber are more expensive. However, they are more lightweight and better in protecting your heads from external impacts.
Materials of the padding and foam layer also affect the price of motorcycle helmets.
Types of Helmets
We do not recommend these boring and less-protective half helmets for new riders. Instead, you can choose from the follows:
- Open-face helmets: This retro style covers three-quarters or half of your face. You can access your face if needed, for example, to adjust the glasses. However, you have to trade-off such convenience for protection.
- Full-face helmets: They cover the whole face and your jaw – super protective. Nevertheless, they might be heavy and hot in warm weather.
- Modular helmets: These adopt the two types above. There is a chin bar so that you can flip the screen up and down at will. Nonetheless, the bar weakens the whole thing, especially under an impact.
- Off-road helmets: They look cool with sun peaks and elongated chins. Though they increase the ventilation and reduce impacts on your face, off-road helmets are not good at soundproofing. They are also bulky.
- Dual-sport helmets: Expensive but worthy! These helmets combine with off-road helmets and standard full-face ones.
Customizations and Brands
Besides quality and construction, brands of helmets add extra values and costs. This makes sense. Helmets of ILM, Genetics, AGV, Mic, Fuel, Dirt Bike, etc. are the top in the market.
Moreover, if you want some personalized customizations, ready to pay more – “A lot” we might add. For example, you can carve your name onto the shell.
Best Motorcycle Helmets Reviews
ILM Full Face Motorcycle Helmet – Best Overall Motorcycle Helmet
This ILM Full Face Motorcycle Street Bike Helmet sells itself.
The helmet meets or even exceeds, all essential requirements of DOT Safety Standards and FMVSS-218.
The former standard is applied to helmets available in the U.S market, in which they must meet minimum performance to protect the head in a crash. The latter includes the structural integrity of the chin strap and penetration resistance of helmets for on-road motorcycles.
The helmet is crafted with durable ABS Shell. For those who might not know, this material is resistant to breaking and melting – even at strong or low temperatures. As a result, the hood is more protective than other traditional helmets. Even better, the helmet is as lightweight as 2.98 lbs.
The full-face aerodynamic design is another plus. Such full coverage reduces drag and minimizes injuries to your face if there is any.
We know many riders who do not like full-face helmets. Some might not like full-face helmets since they feel very hot and snug on the face. Luckily, this ILM Full Face makes you more comfortable with removable internal lining pads and a quick-release buckle.
However, the visors coming along in the package are what to complain about. They are sometimes not air-tight enough as advertised. As a result, the wind and fog intrude inside the helmet and cause annoying noise.
Pros:
- Affordable price
- Compatible with safety rules
- Lightweight and durable construction
- Comfortable design
- Accessories like winter scarf and visors
Cons:
- Possible air-leak visors
It is not that all ILM Full Face helmets feature poorly-crafted visors. So, if you find any air leak, call the seller and require an exchange. All in all, this is still the best motorcycle helmet in terms of quality and price.
Fuel Helmets SH-FF0016 – Best Comfortable Full Face Helmet
Here comes another full-face motorcycle helmet that meets DOT FMVSS No.218 standards – Fuel Helmets SH-FF0016.
Despite looking a bit bulky, this helmet turns out to be lightweight and comfortable. The shell is made of light and built-to-last thermoplastic material. It is even coated with sleek and UV-clear paint.
Not to mention, there are two vented diffusers on the top of the helmets so that air can flow in and out without causing any noise.
Besides the shell, the strap also has a smart design.
The shield is easy to lock and release. Meanwhile, the D-ring closure is helpful to keep the chin strap fitting snugly. This protects your face from harsh wind and keeps the helmet from slipping back on riding.
The cheek pads and visors are removable. Hence, you can make use of this motorcycle helmet as an electric motorcycle (scooter.) Really functional!
The removable visor, again, is a troublemaker. We find this part the most vulnerable part of almost all motorcycle helmets.
Back to the Fuel Helmets SH-FF0016, its visors are reported to be unscrewed after a while. Hence, you had better get it checked frequently.
Pros:
- Lightweight and protective shell
- Breathable and comfortable design
- Responsive shield and strap
- Free accessories
Cons:
- A bit pricey at the feature list
- Loosen visors
If you want a comfortable and safe motorcycle helmet, this Fuel helmet is qualified beyond the expectation.
WOW Motorcycle Full Face Helmet – Best Helmet for Women
Size is very important when it comes to the best motorcycle helmets. Choose a perfectly fit one; otherwise, the helmet might fall back suddenly and cause disastrous accidents.
Unfortunately, female riders always find it hard to pick a suitable helmet since those available in the market often feature big sizes for men!
We introduce the WOW Motorcycle Full Face Helmet here.
This helmet comes with a flexible medium to large sizes for both male and female riders. Moreover, there is a bunch of color options to choose, from matte black to pink flower.
And of course, the helmet is DOT-approved! It will protect your head from any crash or flying objects.
The WOW Motorcycle Full Face Helmet is lightweight and comfortable as well. The whole aerodynamic hood is built in the durable thermoplastic alloy, along with a glossy UV-protective finish.
The internal padding and interior cushion are removable to offer extra comfort and easy cleaning.
Another good news, the helmet is a bang for your buck. However, the face shield is a big limitation. Its coloring schemes are really dark. We do not recommend using this helmet in the evening. Or, you had better remove the shield.
Pros:
- Rich in sizes and colors
- Durable and protective shell
- Removable interior parts
- Surprisingly affordable
Cons:
- Dark face shield
- Easy-to-pop-off goggling parts
In general, this helmet is a good choice for those having a small head round. Moreover, make sure you do not have to ride in the evening, the shield is not clear enough.
ILM Bluetooth Integrated Modular Flip up – Best Premium Full Face Helmet
Yes, this ILM Flip Up Modular helmet is the advanced version of the ILM Full Face helmet.
The helmet adopts all basic features of its basic brother, plus with premium features such as Bluetooth integration, adjusted vents, microfiber liner, touch control, and many more.
It is many times as costly as the ILM Full Face, but it is worthy of investment!
First off, this helmet follows and even exceeds the DOT Safety Standards, ECE regulations, DSP Noise Requirements at High Speeds.
Secondly, it is built to last with EPS shell, comfortable interiors, adjustable vents, and microfiber liner padding. The chin bar can flip up and down as an open-face helmet or full-face helmet as wished. This big plus makes the helmet more breathable and comfortable to wear.
Bluetooth 3.0 and lithium batteries are the most exciting parts. You can connect the helmet with your phone, MP3 player, and GPS audio navigation at any time. As a result, you can receive a phone call even while riding.
We only recommend turning on the Bluetooth connection upon an emergent phone or situation. Otherwise, you should completely focus on your ride.
Features above are way too amazing, right? However, the helmet is really expensive, and you have to spend some time getting familiar with the Bluetooth operation.
Pros:
- Reliable and lightweight construction
- Comfortable design
- Flip-up modular chin bar
- Advanced Bluetooth connection
- Durable battery life
Cons:
- Expensive
- Time-consuming operation
Consider carefully whether you need the costly Bluetooth feature. For example, if you are a delivery employee who needs to receive frequent calls on the way, this helmet is worth your investment.
Triangle Matte Black Full Face Lightweight – Best Budget Helmet
At a glance, this Triangle Full Face helmet looks quite similar to the ILM Full Face helmet. Doesn’t it?
In fact, features and quality of this hood are nearly as good as those of the ILM. However, you can save some dollars with this model.
Foremost, the Trigger helmet is also made of ABS materials with advanced thermoplastic tech. As a result, it is both durable and lightweight of 3.1 lbs. Say goodbye to neck strain even you are riding for hours.
Next, the safety of Trigger motorcycle helmets is certified by DOT FMVSS No.218 and the ACT Labs approval. In addition, the Multi-density EPS anti-bacterial Liner is tested to fit comfortably and maximize the absorption of the impact force.
However, the helmet has troubles with visors like other affordable products. Accordingly, the visors are easy to crack and loosen after a while of use.
Pros:
- Cheapest
- Durable and lightweight ABS shell
- Certified with safety regulations
- Removable padding and fitting chin strap
Cons:
- Crackable visors
- Wrong sizing
Although the helmet is surprisingly good at its price category (under $50), do not expect Triangle Matte Black Full Face helmet to be brilliantly-crafted. In contrast, components might pop off sometimes.
What Is The Best Brand of Helmets for Motorcycle?
The ILM is the most reliable brand for the best motorcycle helmets. This makes sense since we introduce two ILM products out of five helmets, right?
The brand provides motorcycle helmets of various classes from affordable to premium ones. Whether it is cheap or expensive, the helmet all meets DOT Safety Standard (you can check the DOT label at the back of the hood.)
More exciting, ILM keeps investing R&D in introducing new advanced features. Take the ILM Flip Up Modular for example.
What Is The Lifespan of a Motorcycle Helmet?
The best motorcycle helmets can be built to last for a decade as long as you ride carefully enough.
However, it is recommended to replace your helmets every five years for the longest period. A premium ILM helmet might look like new if you use it in the right way. Nonetheless, both inside and outside materials can deteriorate a lot.
Final Thought
Are the Best motorcycle helmets necessary?
Well, never take the motorcycle out for a ride unless you already learn safety rules and riding education, as well as you are wearing the best motorcycle helmet.
The passenger must, too!
In case you buy the helmet as a gift for your lovely friends or relatives, you should even pay more attention. Our reviews we give above give you a reliable shortcut to the top in the market.
