Best Rated Motorcycle Helmets (2020)

PENNYGEEKS MAR 24, 2018 11:29 AM

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A motorcycle helmet can be the difference between life and death, but
some helmets are far more effective than others. Our Geeks did the
legwork to find the best rated motorcycle helmets based on price, comfort,
technology, and user reviews. In the end, the following 13 helmets made
the cut:
 Shoei Metallic Neotec Road Race Street Helmet
 LS2 Valiant Modular Motorcycle Helmet
 Scorpion EXO Adventure Touring Motorcycle Helmet
 HJC IS-MAX 2 Modular Helmet
 Shoei Solid Neotec 2 Motorcycle Helmet
 Klim TK1200 Illumino Hi-Viz Helmet
 HJC RPHA Max Motorcycle Helmet
 Bilt Techno 2.0 Evolution Sena Bluetooth Modular Helmet
 LS2 Strobe Modular Motorcycle Helmet
 HJC CL-Max 2 Motorcycle Helmet
 Shoei XR1100 Motorcycle Helmet
 Scorpion EXO-R2000 Ravin Motorcycle Helmet

On this page, you’ll find:

Best Motorcycle Helmets Overall
Best Modular Motorcycle Helmets
Best Full Face Motorcycle Helmets
Motorcycle Helmet FAQs
Best Motorcycle Helmets Overall
Shoei Metallic Neotec Road Race Street Helmet

Our Rating 8.5 / 10

Price Estimate $650 - $700 (Get Price on

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Reviews

Style Modular

Key Features Flip-up face shield & chin bar

Embedded sun shield
Pinlock anti-fog system
More Features

Built to take you from cruising on the open road to gunning it off the beaten track, this sleek
helmet is a dutiful hybrid that hasn’t compromised anything on its path to true versatility.
Shoei, the Japanese company responsible for this bona fide brain bucket, has always been a
pioneer in the field, surprising riders with safety innovations, comfort upgrades and unique
quality-of-life additions that have set their products apart from the rest.

What’s interesting to note here is that the Neotec is built off the backbone of
the Multitec. Engineers analyzed and tweaked the old helmet, marrying its
tried-and-tested design with some of the best tech emerging from their lab.
The result: This helmet blew us away. It features a wider and taller field of
vision than its predecessor, wind noise reduction, an internal sun shield,
improved shell aerodynamics and a removable and washable liner.
During our test drives, our Geeks were most impressed by the helmet’s
lightweight design and hardworking anti-fog system. It’s comfortable to wear
over long stretches and features hardworking ventilation even when temps
begin to climb.
Bottom line: The racing stylings of this hybrid helm aren’t just for show; the
Neotec is the speed king of the highway, road, trail, you name it. The best
motorcycle helmet under $750.

LS2 Valiant Modular Motorcycle Helmet

Our Rating 8.8 / 10

Price Estimate $275 - $325 (Get Price on

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Key Features Twin shield system for optimum sun

protection
Removable and washable padding
Hypoallergenic padding
Strong and light-weight with LS2's
Kinetic Polymer Alloy shell
More Features

This futuristic helm wouldn’t be out of place on the set of Blade Runner. But
it’s far more than just a prop. Smaller and lighter than most of its
competitors, the aerodynamic Valiant has cut down on superfluous extras,
leaving breathing room for LS2 Helmets’ trademark features to excel.
This helmet exceeds many of the safety standards set out by the
Department of Transportation’s (DOT). Its thick foam lining and generous
padding work together to offer maximum head protection in a crash.
However, LS2 Helmets hasn’t traded away comfort and convenience for the
sake of safety.
The removable comfort padding is spun from “thermo-formed” breathable
threads. In layman’s terms, this material is heated and then molded to the
shape of the helmet. The result: You won’t find a thick layer of heat-trapping
glue between the padding and the shell of your head armor.
Plus, the cheek pads are designed to prevent hot spots from forming inside
the helmet. Combined with an adjustable ventilation system – which
enables you to react to sudden shifts in the weather – the Valiant is a top
performer under any condition.
Our Geeks’ favorite feature: the quick release chin strap. It takes just
seconds to put on or take off this head armor. Bottom line: There’s a reason
why this helmet has global appeal – whether you’re riding in colder climes
or cruising along sunbaked beaches, it offers the perfect balance of safety
and comfort.

Scorpion EXO Adventure Touring Motorcycle Helmet

Our Rating 8.5 / 10

Price Estimate $690 - $750 (Get Price on

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Reviews

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Key Features Lightweight and strong LG

Polycarbonate shell
EPS for optimal impact absorption
EverClear No-Fog Face Shield
Speaker pockets for communication
system

More Features

Adventure riders need more protection than most. Unfortunately, helmets in

this category are often one-trick ponies. They offer exceptional protection
yet lack comfort and convenience. This is where the Scorpion EXO stands
apart from the pack.
Comparable to more expensive luxury options, the Scorpion EXO’s
Adventure Touring helmet is a knockout at its price point. It’s a full-face
ADV helmet with an attachable peak visor featuring generous peripheral
vision through its oversized eye port.
This helmet excels at muffling wind noise, resulting in a quiet ride that is
typically only available at a higher price tag. Our Geeks noted that the
helmet created minimal wind drag (even a higher speeds). The liner and
cheek pads provide extended sweat-free comfort, and the drop-down sun
visor did an excellent job of blocking harsh sunlight.
Our Geeks’ only complaint is that the chin strap is on the short side. This
should not be a problem for most riders, but keep that in mind if you’ve
struggled with the length of straps on other helmets before.
Bottom line: a comfortable, robust helmet that outpaces competitors twice
its price. This is the best full-face helmet under $775.

HJC IS-MAX 2 Modular Helmet

Our Rating 8.2 / 10

Price Estimate $175 - $225 (Get Price on

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Key Features Lightweight and strong Polycarbonate

Composite Shell
Single-button release for face shield
and chin bar
Excellent price
More Features

HJC has designed and manufactured some of the world’s top motorcycle
helmets for the better part of four decades. The company’s strength lies in
its ability to offer innovative safety, luxury comfort and long-lasting build
quality at an affordable price point. The IS-MAX embodies the perfect
trifecta of HJC’s brand identity and is without a doubt the best full-face
motorcycle helmet under $250.
Featuring a polycarbonate composite shell, the IS-MAX helmet was built
using advanced CAD (computer-aided design) technology to provide a
superior comfortable fit. This digital-driven process eliminates human error
that can lead to design flaws and irritating faults in a helmet’s shape.
The interior padding repels moisture and kills bacteria. Together with the
superb ventilation system, which channels humidity and heat out of the
back of the IS-MAX, this helmet ranked top in our tests for comfort.
Equipped with a three-stage sun shield, which can be deployed with the
touch of a button, the IS-MAX is an adaptable piece of head armor,
adjusting to shifting weather patterns with ease. But the quality-of-life
features don’t end there. A glasses groove in the helmet is designed to
accommodate riders who have to wear a prescription pair.
Bottom line: HJC improves on its already pristine track record with a helmet
that is as stylish as it is affordable.

Best Modular Motorcycle Helmets

Shoei Solid Neotec 2 Motorcycle Helmet
Our Rating 8.7 / 10

Price Estimate $595 - $665 (Get Price on

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Key Features UV-blocking anti-fog face shield

AIM Multi-Composite shell
Dual EPS liner
More Features

Adventure touring is on the rise, but many manufacturers are still struggling
to catch up with one of the world’s biggest motorcycling trends. Shoei has
one simple rule: stay ahead of the curve.
Built for both the trail and open road, the Neotec is an innovative hybrid that
features the best tech on the market. Forged from the framework of the still-
popular Multitec, the Neotec has taken giant leaps toward optimal comfort
and convenience.
Spoiler alert: we love this helmet. Not only does it feature a wider and taller
field of vision than the bulk of its competitors, but engineers have also
managed to improve on its predecessor’s already excellent wind-noise
reduction and taken further steps toward streamlining the shell’s
aerodynamics.
The result is minimal wind drag. Plus, the helmet’s lining and removable
padding remain comfortable over extended trips, with the advanced
ventilation system wicking away moisture under even the hottest conditions.
Bottom line: adventure riders looking for a helmet that works as well in the
wild as it does on the road need look no further than the Neotec.

Klim TK1200 Illumino Hi-Viz Helmet

Our Rating 8 / 10

Price Estimate $595 - $625 (Get Price on

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Reviews

Style Modular

Key Features Advanced ventilation

Moisture-wicking comfort liner
Transitions face shield
More Features

KLIM is no stranger to setting new standards. The company is responsible

for creating the world’s first Grand Touring helmet, paving the way for a new
precedent in modular helmet design. With one chess move, the company
proved helmets could be lightweight without sacrificing safety or comfort.
Now, the TK1200 clearly establishes KLIM as one of the most innovative
helmet brands.
Featuring a full carbon fiber shell, the TK1200 is molded to accommodate
luxury features while cutting down on deadweight. The result: our Geeks
said this helmet has to be worn to be believed. It’s lightweight to the point
where you might even forget you’re wearing it!
The helmet is equipped with “intelligent” ventilation, which wicks away
moisture and creates a steady supply of refreshing air. Even on longer
drives, our Geeks barely broke a sweat.
And you don’t need to worry about shifting weather conditions or packing a
second helmet for night-time riding. The Transitions face shield and Pinlock
lens block harsh rays during the day, pierce through the fog at dawn, and
provide unobstructed vision when the sun begins to set.
Bottom line: this helmet is up to any challenge and, in our opinion, is the
best modular helmet under $650.

HJC RPHA Max Motorcycle Helmet

Our Rating 8.2 / 10

Price Estimate $450 - $550 (Get Price on

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Reviews

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Key Features Very light weight

Pinlock Max Vision HJ-25 face
shield
Cool4ever interior
More Features

HJC knows that one little snag can ruin a perfect Sunday ride. The RPHA-
MAX Street Bike Motorcycle Helmet avoids the pitfalls of other models in
this price range. You won’t be wrestling with a stubborn chin strap, stopping
to wipe fog from your shield, or going deaf in the proverbial wind tunnel of a
poorly designed shell.
Built using a composite of carbon fiber, aramid epoxy, organic fibers, and
fiberglass epoxy, the RPHA-MAX’s shell is strong, durable and light. Under
the hood, you’ll find removable padding that molds to the shape of your
head and can be washed to eliminate stinky road odor.
The helmet features a one-touch sun shield that can be adjusted into one of
three positions, ensuring that you always have an angle against the glare.
Bottom line: the RPHA-MAX is a milestone in modular helmet design that
offers better protection than other helmets at the same price point.

Bilt Techno 2.0 Evolution Sena Bluetooth Modular Helmet

Our Rating 8.8 / 10

Price Estimate $225 - $275 (Get Price on

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Reviews
 Style Modular

Key Features Quick release locking face shield

Injection-molded polycarbonate shell
Internal drop-down sun shield
More Features

It’s not often that companies can surprise our Geeks. But when the Bilt
Techno 2.0 Sena Bluetooth Modular Helmet hit the market, our crew was
blown away. Not only does the Sena pack all the safety features and
comfort luxuries you’d expect, but it’s also equipped with Bluetooth
technology that syncs with your phone, enabling you to blast your favorite
tunes or finish your work phone call while still sneaking out before rush
hour.
A single charge nets you around 8 hours of talk time and a whopping 7
days of standby time. The helmet also supports a Universal Intercom
protocol, enabling you to communicate with other tech-savvy riders or even
better, your passenger.
Bottom line: more affordable than most with a feature you’ll struggle to find
anywhere else. This helmet is a steal at this price point.

LS2 Strobe Modular Motorcycle Helmet

Our Rating 8.1 / 10

Price Estimate $145 - $165 (Get Price on

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Customer Read Reviews on Amazon.com

Reviews

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Key Features High Pressure Thermoplastic

Technology shell
Breath deflector
Fog Fighter System
More Features

Want more control over your ventilation? The Strobe is here to help you
keep a cool head.
The adjustable flow-through ventilation system can be tweaked to your
heart’s content, enabling you to find that bliss point of airflow – whether it’s
hot and humid or you’re battling the frigid cold.
The Strobe’s fog-busting shield is backed up by a drop-down sun shield to
battle the sun’s rays. Plus, this helmet features a fully removable (and
washable) moisture-wicking liner. Our Geeks’ favorite feature: the quick
release strap that fits all sizes and is as easy to put on as it is to take off.
Bottom line: this helmet bundles a myriad of must-have features and superb
comfort into a sleek aerodynamic design.

HJC CL-Max 2 Motorcycle Helmet

Our Rating 8 / 10

Price Estimate $120 - $150 (Get Price on

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Customer Read Reviews on Amazon.com

Reviews

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Key Features Bioceramic Nylex interior

Polycarbonate composite shell
Advanced Channeling Ventilation
system
More Features

Further proof that HJC cannot make a bad helmet, the company’s Modular
CL-Max 2 leaves its competitors in the dust. Featuring an advanced
polycarbonate composite shell and an adjustable chin bar fashioned from
the same high-quality material, this helmet is lightweight but still heavy on
coveted comfort features.
For example, you won’t be fiddling with stubborn straps or stiff shield
hinges. The CL-Max 2’s chin bar and face shield release with the press of a
button. Reviews indicate that this release system remains smooth despite
rigorous use.
You can find that same level of build quality inside the helmet, where
designers have leveraged CAD technology to achieve a precise fit. But the
helmet’s shape doesn’t just nestle your head; it also helps accommodate a
robust ventilation system that channels air from front to back, stripping
away heat and humidity as it exits the other side.
Bottom line: the CL-Max 2 is another showstopper from a trusted company
with an unblemished track record. This is the best modular motorcycle
helmet under $175.

Best Full Face Motorcycle Helmets

Shoei XR1100 Motorcycle Helmet
Our Rating 8.6 / 10

Price Estimate $650 - $700 (Get Price on

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Customer Read Reviews on Amazon.com

Reviews

Style Modular

Key Features Spring-loaded visor for improved

seal
Pinlock insert
More Features

Serial innovators Shoei have created a helmet that is designed to offer

maximum protection against even the heaviest impact. Using a combination
of strong and elastic materials, the XR1100 distributes the shock of a
collision over the largest area possible, ensuring that every inch of its
advanced EPS foam liner – which is designed to compress under stress
and slow down crash forces – absorbs the brunt of the impact.
It’s impressive tech, but it doesn’t come at the cost of the company’s
trademark comfort features. This lightweight helmet features a newly
designed interior with removable and washable cheek pads. Four outlet
vents work together to expel hot and humid air from the back of the helmet.
Bottom line: just wearing a motorcycle helmet significantly reduces your risk
of life-threatening injury on the road. The XR1100 hedges the odds even
further in your favor without compromising on comfort or convenience.

Scorpion EXO-R2000 Ravin Motorcycle Helmet

Our Rating 8.3 / 10

Price Estimate $275 - $325 (Get Price on

Amazon.com)
 Customer Read Reviews on Amazon.com
Reviews

Style Modular

Key Features EverClear face shield AirFit system for

personalized comfort
5-Layer
TCT composite shell
More Features

The Scorpion EXO-R2000 Ravin is a full face motorcycle helmet built to

take the sting out of any impact. Featuring an advanced TCT-Ultra shell,
which is made up of five protective layers of interlaced fibers, this helmet is
lightweight and durable.
Under the shell, you’ll find the company’s KwikWick III removable and
washable antimicrobial foam liner, designed to expel moisture and keep you
dry no matter the weather. The helmet also features a retractable and
repositionable sun visor that can be adjusted with a simple slider.
But the centerpiece of this impressive helmet is the Everclear No-Fog Face
Shield. Featuring a hardened coating, the shield is scratch resistant and
offers 100% UV protection against the sun’s rays. The shield performs well
in extreme foggy conditions and withstands even the most brutal scratch
tests.
Bottom line: the Scorpion EXO-R2000 is a near-indestructible helmet,
providing unobstructed vision day or night.

Motorcycle Helmet FAQs

When should I replace my motorcycle helmet?
Short answer: after any crash or every five years. The foam lining found
inside a motorcycle helmet is effective at reducing the blow of an impact.
However, to slow down these extreme forces, the material needs to
compress. This foam is classed as a one-use material as it will not as
effective at reducing crash forces in subsequent collisions. You should
immediately replace your helmet after you have been involved in an
accident.
Also, you will need to replace your helmet every five years to ensure you
are being protected by the latest technology. Heat and humidity can also
slowly degrade the structural integrity of your headgear, warping the
protective materials and reducing your helmet’s ability to protect you in a
crash. Body fluids, hair oils and some cosmetics can also speed up the
degradation of your helmet.
Is buying a second-hand helmet safe?
Experts warn against buying used helmets. The second-hand market is
flooded with cheap knock-offs, old helmets and units that have already
been involved in a crash. The latter is a massive red flag and not a potential
hazard you can spot with the naked eye.
Our Geeks suggest avoiding the second-hand market and opting for one of
the new, proven and safe helmets listed above.
How do I know if a helmet will fit me?
Try this:
 Wrap a tape measure around the top of your head, about 1 inch above your eyebrows.
This will give you an accurate estimate of the circumference of the largest part of your
head.
 Check your head measurement against a helmet sizing chart and select the size closest
to your head’s circumference. Remember: a helmet will never precisely match the size of
your head.
What is DOT certification?
The “DOT” emblem is a sign that a particular motorcycle helmet meets the
Department of Transportation safety standards enforced by the National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration. However, the authority does not test
the helmet itself; instead, companies undertake their own crash testing and
self-certify their units.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration then acquires random
samples of a company’s product and conducts its own testing to verify
compliance with safety standards. Companies caught misleading
consumers are heavily penalized. Fortunately, the brands listed above have
unblemished track records of manufacturing reliable and safe motorcycle
helmets.
How effective are motorcycle helmets?
Motorcycle riders are 27 times more likely to die in collisions than other
drivers. These accidents cost the United States billions of dollars each year
due to productivity loss and medical expenses. A proper helmet can reduce
your risk of death by approximately 37 percent and reduce your risk of
sustaining a brain injury by nearly 67 percent, which is why 47 states have
enacted partial or universal helmet laws.
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