Visordown picks the best motorcycle helmets you can buy for touring, sports and track use, adventure, and off-road motorbike riding

CHOOSING the best motorcycle helmets for you is a decision that shouldn’t be taken lightly. While there is a saying that you should always buy the most expensive motorcycle helmet you can afford, there is a little bit more to the decision than simply that.

In theory, a more expensive crash helmet should provide better protection in the event of a crash, and be quieter and more comfortable, although that isn’t always the case.

Here at Visordown, we are always out and about testing the latest motorcycles, electric motorbikes, kit, tech, and clothing. We review motorcycle helmets after putting in the hard miles in all conditions to help you make an informed decision. This list includes the best motorcycle helmets we have tested, and some that we haven’t or that are arriving soon – we’ll make that clear it’s the case though.

We'll be updating this list as time goes on and new helmets are released and tested.

We also have a guide to help you choose the correct motorcycle helmet for the type of riding you do.

Types of motorcycle helmets tested:

Sports | Road | Modular | Adventure | Off-road

These motorcycle helmets are designed and developed to perform at their best on the road and track where performance at speed is a must. They will in some cases be compromised in normal road riding situations, and are quite often not the best choice if you are planning to ride large distances while wearing them.

Related Articles Schuberth S2 Sport helmet review

·   Extremely stable at high-speed

·   Highest possible Sharp rating

·   Noisy at almost any speed

·   Visor won’t stay open above 40mph

·   Not much space for an intercom

The AGV Pista GP-RR is one of the most widely used motorcycle helmets on the MotoGP grid, with the likes of Valentino Rossi, Jack Miller, and Joan Mir just a few of the big names to use the model. It’s an aggressively designed lid, born to be used on the track. As such, it does have some limitations when used in a more everyday setting, the biggest drawback being the wind noise at speed.

It is though extremely stable at high speeds, and even at nearly 200mph remains very stable and well behaved. The interior is fully removable and washable and features an adjustable crown pad to enable a tailored fit.

If the Pista GP RR seems a bit too racy for you, you could always opt for the slightly comfier, less focused, and cheaper - read the review of that helmet here: AGV Corsa R review.

More information on the AGV Pista GP-RR can be found here.

Read also: AGV Pista GP-RR review.

·   Visor changing mechanism is fiddly

·   Interior is a pain to install after washing

·   Exterior spoiler is fragile

I’ve used the Shoei X-Sprit III for a few years now, and have toured, commuted, ridden on track and even on hit the trails while using it. For a motorcycle helmet designed to excel on the track, the fact that it still works in all those other scenarios is testament to just how good it is.

Quiet, extremely comfortable, and stable at speeds in excess of 200mph are just a few of the reasons this is one of the best motorcycle helmets you can buy. Add to that a low starting price, compared to some of the competition anyway, and there really isn’t much to dislike!

More information on the Shoei X-Sprit III can be found here.

·   All day comfort on road and track

·   Timeless design is still stylish today

·   Visor locking mechanism is fiddly if wearing winter gloves

·   Some people simply don’t suite the Arai head shape – try before you buy

·   Not the lightest motorcycle helmet on this list

If you are looking for a brand that is renowned for making the best motorcycle helmets money can buy, Arai is the name that continually crops us. With a design ethos that stretches back to the beginnings of the company, the way Arai designs, develops and manufactures its motorcycle helmets is unique.

The Arai RX-7V Evo is the pinnacle of the range and worn on track by the likes of Dani Pedrosa, Maverick Viñales, and Darren Binder. While it may look very much the same as every RX-7 that has come before it, behind the scenes is being steadily evolved in the pursuit of creating the ultimate motorcycle helmet.

More information on the Arai RX-7V Evo can be found here.

These motorcycle helmets will provide you with a good balance of performance at high speed, comfort on long rides and usability in adverse weather conditions. That will be without compromising on safety and performance in a crash of course.

·    Probably the best all-round motorcycle helmet you can get

·  Visor locking mechanism is fiddly if wearing winter gloves

·   Central forehead vent tricky to use

·   Not the most inspired choice of colours available

I’ve been running the Arai Quantic for more than a year now and it is my go-to lid for everyday riding, commuting, and touring. It’s proof of Arai’s philosophy that constant evolution yields the best results, and for 90% of the riding I do, it’s perfect in almost every way.

There are a couple of small niggles; the main being that the centrally mounted forehead vent can be tricky to operate, although in general there isn’t much to moan about. The amount of airflow through the updated vents is the most noticeable thing though, and the Quantic wins the award as being the most ventilated helmet I think I’ve ever used. The Quantic also features a very quiet interior that is good for six hours or more in the saddle. It really is the lid that should be in every rider’s collection.

More information on the Arai Quantic can be found here.

Read also: Arai Quantic review.

Flip-front or modular motorcycle helmets mix the convenience of an open-face helmet with the protection of a full-face item. They are great for riders who regularly get off their bike to enter premises and shops, and are a firm favourite with people undertaking long-distance motorcycle tours.

·   85dB at 60mph is very quiet

·   Styling still not to everyone’s taste

·  1,660g puts it at the heavy end of the spectrum                

·   Pinlock can cause problems in heavy rain           

The Schuberth C5 flip-front motorcycle helmet is one of the safest modular products you can buy, as it is tested to the most recent (and stringent) ECE 22.06 regulations. It is equipped with a host of handy features, to make everyday use and longer riders more comfortable.

Read also: Schuberth C5 review.

An adventure motorcycle is one designed to excel both on the road and in more extreme circumstances like trails and green lanes. Because of this, an adventure motorcycle helmet must tick both boxes to become successful. The adventure bike sector is also one of the fastest growing and most hotly contested of all, meaning the competition for the top spot among helmet manufacturers is just as closely fought.

·  Plush interior feels very comfortable 

· Peak helps out with low sunshine   

·   Lightweight compared to some adventure lids

·   Vent’s aren’t the best

·  Interior liner holds in moisture when riding off-road         

·   Not designed for use with goggles - you can but it’s not ideal

The Shoei Hornet ADV has been around since 2015, and while it is probably due for an update/replacement, it’s still more than worthy of a sport on our best motorcycle helmet list. It’s extremely lightweight for an adventure helmet, performs well on and off-road and is my go-to choice for adventure motorbike riding. I’ve covered getting on for 100,000 miles in my Hornet ADV, and really only have a couple of gripes. While the liner is very plush and comfortable, it does hold in moisture like a sponge, making adventure riding a sweaty, slightly grim affair. It also doesn’t dry out very quickly, and can still be moist the day after an off-road ride. While you can use it with goggles, the shape is not best suited to it, and as the vents aren’t as good as some other lids on the market, that can cause an issue. 

That said, it’s extremely important light, has a brilliant visor that has never let me down, and is quiet and comfortable. The peak is cleverly designed too, with vents and holes in it to help prevent fatigue. 

More information on the Shoei Hornet ADV can be found here.

Read also: Shoei Hornet ADV review.

Off-road or motocross helmets are a bit like adventure motorcycle helmets, just with a more aggressive design and specific details to improve off-road riding. They will still have the peak, although no visor, as goggles are a must when riding off-road.

They are typically very well ventilated, with no chin skirts or other comforts to keep you warm - when riding off-road, you generally need all the ventilation you can get!

·  Striking colourways and graphics

· Excellent ventilation   

·  Dedicated design for goggles

·  Coloured and graphic options are pricey compared to plain

·  Interior liner isn’t the plushest

·   Can be noisy if riding on-road for long periods of time

For the true off-road enthusiast, the Shoei VFX-WR would make a great addition to the kit list. Its lightweight, high-tech construction and racy features make it a more than viable option. Granted, for less serious off-road riders - who maybe dip in and out of green lanes - the lack of closeable vents or a visor my become an issue, although Shoei has other options, as seen above.

Read also: Shoei VFX-WR review.

Welsh Motorcycle Tour on Electric Bikes | Can you enjoy Wales on electric bikes?Video of Welsh Motorcycle Tour on Electric Bikes | Can you enjoy Wales on electric bikes?