A motorcycle helmet is a critical piece of gear designed to protect your head in case of an accident. Although not required in every state, wearing one can be the difference between minor and severe injuries in an accident. The three most popular helmet types are open-face, full-face, and modular. Each has advantages and disadvantages. Although full-face helmets are the safest, every type offers some protection and has features that appeal to different riders.

 

Understanding a Motorcycle Helmet

 

There are all types of motorcycles, and the right helmet depends partly on your bike. A helmet that works with a Harley might not feel like the best fit when riding a dirt bike. Understanding the anatomy of a helmet makes it easier to find one that fits your needs. For example, if safety is your primary goal, focus on features that protect you.

 

Like your head, a helmet has many parts that protect your brain. Here’s what to look for: 

 

• Hard outer shell. Fiberglass, plastic, and carbon fiber are all effective. The shell has a smooth surface and is designed to prevent penetration.

 

• Visor. The visor will shield your face from the sun and wind. It also provides some crash protection and can reduce noise.

 

• Impact-absorbing liner. You can’t usually see the liner installed between the outer shell and softer inner liner. Made of expanded polystyrene/polypropylene (EPS) foam, it deforms to absorb the energy of a blow. The liner is designed for single use and cannot be reused after an impact.

 

• Comfort liner. Certain helmets include removable, washable comfort liners.

 

• Chin bar. Chin bars with inner liners stiffen helmet construction and protect the chin.

 

• Retention system. This is typically a sturdy nylon strap and pair of “D” rings. When it’s tightened, a retention system usually prevents a helmet from being ejected from the rider's head.

 

Advantages and Disadvantages of Various Helmet Types

 

There’s no doubt that safety should be a primary factor when choosing a helmet. According to the Motorcycle Legal Foundation, motorcycle helmets saved an estimated 1,872 lives in 2018 alone. But other factors are just as critical. Design and fit are important, and you’ll want to compare various helmet types to determine which features keep you both safe and comfortable while riding.

 

Suppliers sell various helmet types; full-face, open-face, and modular (flip-up) are the most popular. Comparing the three types highlights the pros and cons of each and can make it easier to find the right one for your needs.

 

Full Face Helmets

 

A full-face helmet is the safest you can buy. Its primary benefit is the extra protection it provides for the face and chin area. Visors are strengthened to help prevent injuries. The added safety features are included because full-face helmets are designed for downhill riding at higher speeds, which can have more significant consequences in case of an accident.

 

Full-face helmets offer excellent protection from the elements and can shield you from rain, wind, dust, and debris. Helmets cover your nose and mouth, keeping you safer in extreme weather. That can be a crucial safety feature for those allergic to pollen and dust. A full-face can also prevent riders from inhaling dangerous vapors.

 

A full face provides the most coverage of any helmet. It has a chin bar, as well as chin and rear protection. A chin bar can prevent injuries if a rider lands on rocks or face slides. The helmet’s anti-rotational technology reduces rotational energy from an angled crash to a rider’s head. Dual-density foam cushions the head in a fall and helps prevent objects from penetrating the helmet. 

 

The helmets are heavy, one reason some cross-country and mountain bike riders don’t always choose them. A full-face is less ventilated and breathable than other styles and can get hot. It also limits visibility.

 

Modular Helmets

 

A modular helmet’s design and fit are like a full-face. Helmets include a visor to protect the eyes and possibly a secondary internal visor to protect against sunlight. Helmets typically weigh slightly more than a traditional full-face due to hinge features built into a flip-up front area that can be opened for ventilation and communication. Per Helmetsguide, a modular helmet lets riders choose to protect or expose their faces to the elements.

 

Modular helmets are popular with cruisers, tourers, and adventure riders. The hinge structure reduces rider safety somewhat since there is a slight fissure vs. the uniform construction of a full face. However, modular helmets offer more protection than a three-quarter due to added chin protection. 

 

Some riders choose modular helmets because they are more comfortable than full-face helmets, allowing for greater visibility. Many feel modular helmets offer the ideal combination of safety, convenience, and comfort.

 

Open Face Helmets

 

Open-face helmets are also called three-quarter helmets and cover the back and sides of your head while leaving the face exposed. They are popular with café racers, cruisers, and tourers who want the face area open to feel the wind on their skin. Some prefer open helmets because they provide greater visibility and are comfortable. A three-quarter helmet has no chin bar, which reduces its safety. 

 

Because helmets don’t have a chin bar, they offer less protection than full-face or modular helmets. According to the recent Hurt Report, riders who wore open-face helmets were likelier to suffer facial injuries in accidents. However, 65% of the helmet protects the head, and there is a facial shield, so it’s not a given that riders automatically sustain facial injuries in an accident.

 

Regarding safety, an open-face helmet is structurally equal to full-face helmets in the areas it covers. Open-face helmets are lighter than full-face, but only a little. Although some are equipped with sun visors, others are not, and helmets offer no protection from the elements. Riders usually wear goggles or sunglasses with open-face helmets to protect their eyes from the elements and debris.

 

Summing It Up

 

Motorcycle helmets can protect riders from serious injuries in an accident and are a critical part of their gear. Manufacturers offer several types, with full-face, modular, and open-face helmets being the most popular. Each type has advantages and disadvantages and provides a different level of safety and comfort. 

 

Modular and open-face helmets are well-ventilated and allow riders to feel the wind and sun on their face. Many feel they are more comfortable than full-face helmets. However, they do not provide the level of protection offered by full-face helmets.

 

The full-face offers the best coverage around the head and neck and is considered the safest motorcycle helmet to protect riders from potential impact. A full-face is a good choice for all riders, regardless of motorcycle type or where they ride