You might have found yourself recently looking at a modular motorcycle helmet and asking yourself, should I? The only person who truly will know the answer to this question is yourself, however there are a wide variety of benefits to a flip-up helmet. While track riders or those of us who ride sports bikes might automatically opt for a traditional full-face design, there are riders who can massively benefit from a flip. Touring & city riders may find them incredibly useful.
The most common question we’re asked in-store is, are flip helmets as safe as a full-face helmet? The answer is rather complicated and that it depends. However, most brands are now opting to put their helmets through testing which eliminates this question altogether. There’s a homologation known as P/J, and this ensures that the helmet on the shelf has been tested in both positions, with the chin bar open and also closed. The only time where a flip helmet will fall short is if you ride with the chin bar open. In the UK, if your helmet is P/J rated, you are legally allowed to do so. Obviously should you have an accident however, your chin will be exposed and be missing vital protection provided by the chin bar should it be closed. For this reason, we recommend you only open your chin bar when off of the bike, while filtering, or at a traffic light stop.
So lets go through the positives (and negatives) associated with the modular design:
CONVENIENCE
Sorry do you mind removing your helmet? This is a question we’ve all no doubt heard that one time you forget to remove your helmet while at a petrol station, and unfortunately it’s not always asked this politely. However, most places now simply require that they can see your face. Simply move your chin bar up and they’re happy. This is a much easier solution than being forced to remove your helmet, and consequently the hassle of adjusting the rest of your gear to do so. It’s not just petrol stations, as socialising is much easier with a flip helmet. It’s why it’s the go-to for emergency services as the police officer can simply move their chin bar and have a conversation with you easily. No longer force your mates through your muffled helmet voice.
GLASSES FRIENDLY
For those of us who have to wear glasses, finding a helmet that easily fits you with your glasses on can at times be a pain. While huge strides have been undertaken and now you’ll be hard pressed to find a helmet that doesn’t fit, a flip-helmet naturally tackles this. No longer do you need to struggle putting your glasses on and off, as you can simply pull the side of the helmet while the chin bar is open to re-adjust should the need arise. In addition to this, you can also easily put your glasses on and remove them when compared to a full-face lid.
TEMPERATURE REGULATION AND AIRFLOW
It might at times seem like in the UK we never have the opportunity to ride in the warm sunshine, but the summer heat combined with a full-face helmet when at a stop can feel like a mini-oven. You can provide instant relief to yourself by simply opening your helmet at a stop, allowing ample fresh air to hit your face. We’re also big on filtering with your motorbike open if as previously mentioned it’s P/J homologated. You can legally ride with the chin-bar up, providing the breeze of an open face helmet with the protection of a full-face when you start to pick up speed and close your helmet.
REDUCED ‘CLAUSTROPHIBA’
It’s really common, especially for new riders and pillions to feel ‘trapped’ in a full-face helmet. The closed nature of a traditional helmet can be overwhelming at first, however with a flip-helmet you needn’t worry. The ability to effortlessly take a breather when you come to a stop, or open your helmet before you get on the bike can help riders reduce the feeling of being closed in. It’s also a far simpler helmet to put and remove, further encouraging our partners onto the back for the first time.
IMPROVED FIT
Due to the design of a modular motorcycle helmet, they tend to have a much more narrow neck roll and as such tend to promote an inherently tighter fit. All while not feeling this way to the rider. We find that unfortunately many riders when they buy online will ride with a helmet that’s too big, and sometimes worryingly so. However, this phenomenon is far less prevalent where a rider opts for a flip helmet. When you compare them side by side with a full-face, you’ll find how much smaller the neck roll is due to the way we’re able to put them on. If you want a great fit without feeling closed in, we’d recommend a flip motorbike helmet almost all of the time.
With all of this said, which flip up motorcycle helmet brands do we recommend? It’s a complicated question which we’ve tried to break down as simply as possible. It does seem unfair however to rule out brands if they specialise at the lower end of riders budgets, as well start somewhere. We’ve attempted to make this list as unbiased as possible as always, and have included brands we don’t currently stock to prove this point. So, without further ado, find the rankings below:
10 – THE WILDCARD
SPADA ORION 2 HELMET
From £139.99
Spada is very well loved brand in store, with many riders putting on their gear as it truly does stand out against it’s counterparts. While they may be more known for their urban and vintage collection with their clothing, their helmets are starting to refine over time and provide an excellent choice at the more affordable side of the industry.
The Spada Orion 2 plain flip up motorcycle helmet is perfect for touring and city riders looking to take on the road in style. The Spada motorbike helmet is designed for comfort, and jam packed with features which improve your riding experience. An internal sun visor allows you to battle sun glare on a bright day and an integrated rear spoiler helps stabilise your head during your journey.
9 – SPANISH EXPERTISE
From £129.99
The MT Atom 2 motorcycle helmet is a perfect choice for touring and urban riders looking for versatility from their riding helmet. The motorbike helmet is packed with features you wouldn’t expect at this price point to improve your riding experience. This includes a fully refined ventilation system, an anti-fog Pinlock Ready visor and drop down sun visor to name a few.
The modular MT helmet has multiple size variations with regards to both EPS liners and shell sizing, which delivers an optimal fit no matter your head size. With ECE 22.06 safety certification and a P/J homologation, it demonstrates that it’s been tested with the chin bar both closed and open and passed with flying colours.
8 – FLIP OVER ANYONE?
From £199.99
The Airoh Mathisse II motorcycle helmet has a unique design that offers top-tier high tech features including a 180° chin-guard that rotates around onto the back of the helmet. A flip down integrated tinted sun visor and Pinlock-ready visor (with an anti-fog Pinlock insert included) all serve to enhance the versatility of this all-purpose modular motorbike helmet. You can effortlessly convert from a full-face to an open-face motorbike helmet in seconds.
The HRT outer shell offers superb comfort and an over-refined ventilation system provides the fantastic rider comfort, especially on warmer days. The retractable sun visor, micrometric retention system, Pinlock and stop wind make it a superb option for new riders, or those looking for a summer lid.
7 – ITALIAN CRAFTMANSHIP
From £249.00
The AGV Extreme Safety design protocol means that the Street Modular meets all the specifications of the strict ECE 22.06 standard and then some, as well as being P/J homologated. Every detail was built for the utmost versatility. The built in sun-visor guarantees protection and visual comfort on the brightest days, and can be operated conveniently while wearing gloves. The Ultravision visor which has a 190° horizontal field of vision, you will see the road, curves and obstacles earlier.
As with most AGV helmets, we can see a clear difference is just how wide the view-port is and are with their entire range. There are very little helmets in the market that compete with the vision an AGV delivers. The Street Modular is a fantastic choice for riders looking to get on the road in an affordable riding helmet.
6 – AN INDUSTRY LEGEND
From £219.99
The Caberg Duke Evo flip up motorcycle helmet is a superb choice for riders looking to tackle the road in safety and comfort. Innovative technical solutions and a captivating look ensure that your ride is pleasurable everyday of the year, no matter the weather. With a Pinlock ready visor and visor insert, you can actively battle misting of your visor and keep maximum vision & clarity at all times.
The Duke is of course P/J rated and ECE 22.06 certified. The Italian helmet manufacturer have long been a favourite of many riders in the UK, with zero signs of their popularity slowing down.
5 – THE BEST BUDGET HELMET
From £199.99
The HJC I91 motorcycle helmet is a great choice for touring and commuter riders, offering a great mix of style and functionality. The modular HJC helmet is P/J rated, meaning you’re able to wear it closed for a full-face riding experience, as well as with the chin bar in it’s upright position. The HJC motorbike helmet has improved aerodynamic performance, resulting in a more smooth & stable ride and helping you stay focused on your adventure.
The new dynamic multi-step sun visor provides added convenience and improved visibility when dealing with varying light conditions. Additionally, the 3D contour design of the riding helmet delivers a comfortable and secure fit, even if you wear glasses. Plus, it includes reflective trimming for added safety on the road. Overall, this helmet combines performance, style, and safety for a fantastic riding experience without having to invest heavily.
4 – THE ULTIMATE FLIP OVER HELMET
From £299.99
LS2 were one of the first to market with a flip over design, and it certainly shows. The Advant X is one of our most popular helmets in store, and truly delivers an excellent fit to the vast majority of riders. In particular, you’ll feel the cheek pads hug you while the helmet is open unlike some competitor brands. The helmet is of course P/J rated and ECE.06 certified despite the innovative design.
Constructed with either a versatile high-performance fibreglass composite or carbon fibre depending on the model you elect for. The revolutionary 180 degree swing-around chin bar provides excellent lateral visibility and allows you to ride with confidence. The LS2 helmet feels incredibly lightweight both in hand and when worn, allowing you to ride with complete confidence no matter where the road takes you.
3 – SELF PROCLAIMED QUIETEST MODULAR DESIGN
SCHUBERTH C5 HELMET
From £559.99
With a focus on safety, exceptional comfort, aerodynamics, and acoustics, the Schuberth C5 helmet is the benchmark in their range. Incorporating plug and play communications, as well as delivering the reassurance of the P/J homologation and ECE 22.06 certification in a flip up helmet. All of this culminates in a modular touring helmet that delivers unrivalled performance no matter where the road takes you.
The major point of difference for the C5 is that Schuberth do claim that this is the quietest helmet on the market. For complete transparency, we don’t stock Schuberth (yet) but we do always advise you take claims of quiet helmets with a pinch of salt. There are so many variables that go into reducing noise while riding, many of which you can control yourself. Simply riding with ear protection will heavily reduce the amount of noise you experience while riding, and we always advise never taking to the road without it. If the Schuberth is a great fit for your head shape and you wear ear protection, we will concede that with all of the work behind the scenes to improve this, you will have more than a great experience while riding.
2 – MOST AFFORDABLE PREMIUM CHOICE
From £449.99
The HJC RPHA 91 plain motorcycle helmet is a superb modular touring helmet, engineered for all-day comfort. The Premium Integrated Matrix EVO outer shell construction (P.I.M. EVO) provides enhanced shock-resistance performance. This is delivered in a lightweight shell by using reinforced materials which include carbon-aramid, carbon fibre, glass fibre, organic non-woven fabric, and linen fibre (natural fibre).
Keeping your eyes on the road has never been so simple with the distortion-free face shield and sun shield, which delivers a clear and increased peripheral view. Designed to perfection, the chin bar locking system now has a hidden closure point that allows for smooth contact and less pressure on the cheek area. Keeping noise levels to a minimum was one of the main accomplishments from HJC, as the RPHA 91 has a 3D-engineered low-noise interior focused to reduce road noise significantly. Alongside this, a neck roll system is included to ensure you drown out the noise. The EPS design accommodates riders with eye wear. The motorbike helmet is fully compatible with the 2nd generation of Smart HJC Bluetooth kits (sold separately), allowing you to keep up with friends & family, listen to music on the go as well as keep yourself on course with GPS.
Two huge standout from the RPHA 91 is just how low the chin bar sits when open. So much so that we recommend this helmet especially for riders who like to ride with their helmet open while filtering over nearly all other options. In addition, if you wear glasses, the internal visor doesn’t just move vertically, it also moves forward, creating the the largest coverage across it’s aperture and providing ample space for glasses.
1 – ULTIMATE PICK
From £599.99
The best in the world have innovated and improved, resulting in the most impressive technical modular helmet to-date. The Shoei Neotec 3 Plain flip-up motorcycle helmet impresses with both style and precision, wherever the road leads you. Pushing boundaries with it’s innovative flip-up mechanism, a sleek helmet shape and the ultimate in wearing comfort. Constructed using Shoei’s Advanced Integrated Matrix, a shock absorbent multi-composite shell. Superior aerodynamics, an enhanced sun visor and many more features truly help elevate your riding experience.
The reputation of the Neotec is so infamous that it’s the choice of the emergency services in the UK. With the ability to easily communicate with the public while retaining the safety of a class-leading full face helmet. The versatility of the two-in-one Shoei motorbike helmet, which includes the seamless integration of the Shoei Comlink system (Bluetooth intercoms sold separately) make the Neotec 3 the perfect companions for two-wheeled exploration.
In conclusion, there’s never been a better time to ride a bike and want to wear a modular helmet. There’s so much choice, and provided you go with a tried and tested brand which most importantly fits your head shape, you’re going to have a great time. We always recommend that you try on in-store with a professional, and at BDLA Motorbikes we can ensure that you’ll take to the road with a smile on your face.
