The 15 Best Motorcycle Helmets For 2024 [7 New Models Tested]

Since first publishing this article, the number of Australian-tested helmets has increased significantly so I thought it was time to update the best motorcycle helmets list in 2024. I originally published a collection of the best motorcycle helmets from a protection standpoint that included Motocross options. Due to the sheer number of additional models tested since I have decided to focus on road-riding helmets only. I have also added some personal thoughts about two models from Bell and Caberg that I have used in the past two years.

Australian website CRASH now lists 7 new additions to the best motorcycle helmets 2024 list. Hit the table of contents below to jump straight to the ratings.

This best motorcycle helmets guide unpacks the history of the motorcycle helmet, what to look for when buying, common questions, different helmet types, and finishes with the top-rated products for safety. Finally, I share my thoughts on what helmet I would purchase following my research for this piece.

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Things to Consider When Buying A New Motorcycle Helmet

Start by familiarising yourself with the best motorcycle helmets in 2024, considering new models to market, model updates, innovation and material advancements, safety testing, and consumer feedback. You then must work out what type of helmet you are after, depending on what and where you ride. All helmets sold in Australia must comply with the Australian AS1698 or European UNECE22.05 standard and are marked accordingly, and those stickers are not to be removed. Finally, it is worth cross-checking how your desired helmet performs in impact testing (see more below), before picking your number one.

While it may be cost-effective, buying motorcycle helmets online is not recommended. Motorcycle helmet fit is the most important factor in choosing the right helmet, and each brand will treat your head shape differently – not to mention size differently. You might wear glasses that affect fit, you might find out you’re a medium in one brand but large in another, or you might work out the pricier helmets don’t fit you that well. You can only work this out by holding them, analysing their features and trying them on.

Pick up the phone, call around and speak to different retailers in your area. If you see a better price on the internet for the model you’re after, try your luck and ask for a price match, then ask to set aside the size you think you are and the sizes either side to ensure the perfect fit. One of the best things to remember is, that a new helmet should be as tight as you can comfortably wear it.

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The Best Motorcycle Helmets In 2024 – As Safety Tested

The Consumer Rating and Assessment of Safety Helmets (CRASH), provide helmet buyers with independent crash and comfort assessments by specialist laboratories.

CRASH awards a star rating from 1 to 5 for specific motorcycle helmet models, with results ranked and weighted based on their importance in reducing the risk of head and brain injuries in a crash.

The CRASH ratings for 2017 onwards are as follows:

• Energy reduction in a higher speed crash on a flat surface (30 per cent)
• Energy reduction in a higher speed crash on kerb surface (15 per cent)
• Energy reduction in a lower speed crash on flat surface (15 per cent)
• Helmet’s ability to minimise the rotation of the helmet in a crash (15 per cent)
• Helmet coverage (10 per cent)
• Oblique impact energy management (15 per cent)

The 15 best motorcycle helmets for road riding, from a protection standpoint:

The comfort rating (also out of 100) is shown in brackets after the score, with an arrow indicating the revised comfort score from the original article (< = lower score, > = higher score). Many existing models have been revised for comfort with a lower score.

1. Sena Momentum Evo – 79/100 (56)
2. Shark Race-r Pro – 77/100 (73)
3. *NEW ENTRY* KYT NXC Race Carbon – 77/100 (59)
4. *NEW ENTRY* Arai Quantic – 76/100 (68)
5. *NEW ENTRY* AGV Sport Modular – 76/100 (57)
6. Bell Star (With Angular Impact Management System) – 76/100 (63)
7. *NEW ENTRY* Icon Airflite – 76/100 (63)
8. *NEW ENTRY* X-Lite X-803 RS – 76/100 (58)
9. *NEW ENTRY* HJC RPHA 70 – 75/100 (66)
10. HJC RPHA 90 – 75/100 (66<)
11. Valor – 75/100 (52<)
12. Bell Race Star – 74/100 (74<)
13. HJC RPHA 11 – 74/100 (71<)
14. Bell RS2 – 74/100 (56)
15. *NEW ENTRY* HJC I90 – 74/100 (56)

When I first published the list the standout performers in the CRASH testing were Sena, Shark, Arai, Bell and HJC, however more models have been tested since, adding KYT, AGV, Icon and X-Lite. Considering this information it might be worth investigating the lesser-known brands pushing innovation boundaries when it comes to buying a new helmet. It’s also worth checking this list every couple of years and updating your helmet accordingly. Just because a brand is iconic or historically significant, doesn’t mean its products are going to protect you. Interesting to see Airoh, a motor racing favourite, excluded from the list above.

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When Was The Motorcycle Helmet Invented?

There is a bit of controversy regarding the actual inventor of motorcycle helmets and when. Gottlieb Daimler, often referred to as “the father of the motorcycle”, is said to have created a fur-lined leather cap, circa 1885, to be worn while using his ‘riding car’, thus is often credited for the invention of the helmet. However, ambiguity surrounds the safety features of Daimler’s cap which leads many to believe that a medical officer at the Brooklands Race Track named Eric Gardner created it in 1914 after instructing a Mr Moss of Bethnal Green to make a canvas and shellac helmet to protect riders during races.

Regardless of the controversy, the turning point for motorcycle safety came with the death of T.E. Lawrence. When you hear the name T.E. Lawrence you think military strategist, archaeological scholar, Peter O’Toole and Lawrence Of Arabia. But it was his untimely death, at the age of 46, that brought attention to the danger of motorcycles and the need to make it a safer activity for riders.

Soon after retiring from RAF in 1935, T.E. Lawrence was involved in an accident just miles from his home in Dorset. He suffered severe head injuries leaving him in a coma for six days, before passing on 19 May 1935. His death disturbed Australian neurosurgeon Sir Hugh Cairns, who attended Lawrence while in hospital, which led him to begin researching head injuries relating to motorcycle accidents. In 1941, Cairns published his first report in the British Medical Journal under the name ‘Head Injuries in Motorcyclists – the importance of the crash helmet’. His work became the first real push for the need to wear motorcycle helmets. It wasn’t until 20 years later, on January 1, 1961, that Australia lead the way by introducing the first-ever mandatory motorcycle helmet law.

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The Modern Motorcycle Helmet

In 1953, Professor C.F. Lombard of the University of South California designed the first-ever shock-absorbing helmet. In 1954 the Lombard’s innovation and helmet features were adopted by Roy Richter, the founder of Bell, who introduced the iconic Bell 500. Richter was also responsible for the world’s first full-face motorcycle helmet design which debuted in 1967.

Today the motorcycle helmet is the most essential piece of safety equipment a rider can wear. As brands continue to innovate and motorcycles get lighter, faster and more powerful, Sir Hugh Cairns learnings as more important than ever. Riding a motorcycle is dangerous. Motorcycle helmets decrease the severity of head injuries, the likelihood of death, permanent disability, and the time recuperating from an injury.

When it comes to selecting the right motorcycle helmet for you, it’s important to prioritise your safety before you consider ‘looking cool’, the major concern for riders not adopting the helmet in the early days. Ultimately, it is your budget that will decide just how much you invest into your head but fear not, there are plenty of lesser-known ‘brand’ names making excellent and affordable protective gear.

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What Are The Best Motorcycle Helmet Brands?

The word ‘best’ must take into consideration many aspects. For the purpose of this best motorcycle helmet piece, our list includes historic manufacturers that paved the way for helmet innovation, notable emerging, and key manufacturers, those that score well in regard to safety, as well as those creating quality products at an affordable price point.

Airoh

Airoh Helmets was born in Italy in 1997 when founder Antonio Locatelli, who, at the time, produced helmet components for a number of well-known premium European manufacturers, launched his own range of products utilising over a decade worth of innovation and expertise. Airoh’s mission is crystal clear: make the quality, safety and innovation of the helmets reserved for racers available to every motorcyclist.

Arai

Arai Helmets was founded in 1937 by Hirotake Arai, originally as a hat manufacturer. The company shifted to protective helmets in the late 1940s with motorcycle helmets introduced in 1952, to satisfy Hirotake’s own need for riding insurance. In 1976, Hirotake’s son Mitch made the decision to make Arai better than average and set a goal to “be the number one helmet in the world”.

AGV

AGV was founded in 1946 by Gino Amisano and his two partners as a manufacturer of saddle covers and light helmets. Amisano evolved into Vespa and Lambretta parts alone before meeting his soon to be wife, Luciana Morando. In 1947 the pair launched their first helmet and followed with a fibreglass iteration in 1954, marketing the company with much success (and aided in recent years by Valentino Rossi). Today it is owned by Lino Dainese, President of Dainese S.P.A. who bought AGV on July 30th of 2007.

Bell

The Bell Helmet Company aka Bell Helmets began life in 1923 as Bell Auto Parts, named after its location in Bell, California. Roy Richter, who was working for the company, purchased the store in 1945 for $1,000 and began producing helmets in 1954. Today Bell produces helmets for all types of racing sports, retaining its focus on creating the best safeguards for everything from regular road travel to land speed racing. You can read more about the history of Bell at lowbrowcustoms.com

Caberg

Founded in Bergamo in the North of Italy in 1974, ‘Caberg‘ is the acronym for Caschi di Bergamo (Helmets from Bergamo). Caberg was the first Italian company to introduce a flip-up helmet, and the second worldwide, and has remained at the forefront of modular helmet innovation since.

Fox

Fox Head Inc, operating as Fox Racing, was founded in 1974 by Geoff Fox and built its business by developing clothing for motocross. The brand today has shifted into apparel for other extreme sports but maintains a strong motocross focus, creating helmets that are innovative, affordable and safe.

Hedon

Hedon was created in 2011 by Reginald Flint and Lindsay Chong, a pair with extensive experience in design and helmet crafting. They set out on a mission to rethink the urban rider’s protective headgear creating something bold, refined and nostalgic with comfort as a driving point above all else. Hedon is more of a luxury motorcycle helmet brand than a performance manufacturer.

HJC

Headquartered in Seoul, Korea, HJC has been producing helmets since 1971. Founded by W.K. Hong, the brand became the top-selling helmet manufacturer in America in the 1990s after ramping up its quality control and innovation, focusing on advanced material construction, strength and lightweight performance. Today HJC continues to spend about 10% of its revenue on R&D and is well-regarded for quality and affordability.

LS2

LS2 saw its beginnings in the 1990s when Arthur Liao created a home-based business in rural China making helmets. In 1992, Liao opened a new factory to cater for demand and grew from one employee to over 100. By 2005, the company was manufacturing 2 million helmets year. LS2 entered the Australian market in 2012 and cites 30% year-on-year growth via their distributor Monza imports.

Nolan

Nolangroup is an Italian company that was founded in 1972 by Lander Nocchi who began producing injection moulded polycarbonate shell helmets. It is the largest producer of helmets in Europe and the only company in the sector to produce entirely in Italy through a fully-integrated production process.

SCHUBERTH

SCHUBERTH was founded in Germany in 1922 and entered the helmet business in 1929 before producing its first motorcycle helmet in 1954. Today their portfolio includes helmets for workers, police, fire brigade, motorcycling and Formula 1, including gracing the head of 2021 Champion Max Verstappen. Readers of MOTORRAD, Europe’s largest motorcycle magazine, have named SCHUBERTH their best brand, for 13 years in a row/

Shark

Shark Helmets was founded in Marseille, France in 1986 by former professional racers the Teston brothers, determined to create one of the world’s safest helmet brands. Known for its innovation, in 1991, the brand was the first brand to have industrially manufactured a helmet using carbon fibre. Today the brother’s ethos remains, to push the technical boundaries by reinventing the motorcycle helmet industry.

SHOEI

Just like the very first SHOEI helmet created by the brand’s founder Eitaro Kamata back in 1959, SHOEI has established itself as the preeminent manufacturer of handmade helmets, with over 50 people involved in the construction of each and every helmet. SHOEI combines the latest in technology with consumer feedback, modern testing practices, advanced materials and 60 years of helmet building experience. 

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What Are The Safest Motorcycle Helmets?

Do you want an adventure helmet for enduro riding? An open face helmet for summer beach trips on your scooter or are you leaning more towards a full face motorcyle helmet to use on track days with your Panigale V2 Bayliss? Each option offers drastically different protection for riders due to its construction.

To properly gauge the safest motorcycle helmets, first, it is vital to look at the type of motorcycle helmet as those that cover the whole head provide infinitely more safeguards than open-face models. Let’s take a look below.

Full Face Helmet

The full face motorcycle helmet covers the whole face and head with inner padding, thus they provide the rider with a snug and secure fit and offer the most coverage for your neck. Full face motorcycle helmets feature a chin bar and ventilation system integrated into the outer shell, to protect your face from potential impact, a key safety feature other styles lack. Many also feature internal sun visors.

Modular Helmet

Modular motorcycle helmets, aka ‘convertible’ or ‘flip-face’, combine an open helmet structure with a visor and chin bar that can flip up to reveal the face of the rider. Unlike a full face design, which is a single, structurally rigid outer shell, modular helmets utilise a hinge that is more susceptible to breaking and exposing the face on impact. The modular helmet is not designed to be ridden open.

Open Face (¾) Helmet

Open face helmets, like the Bell 500, aka the ¾ helmet, cover the top, back and sides of your head, but leaves the face exposed without cheek pads to secure the helmet. The design prioritises price point, comfort and style and is popular with city commuters and the cafe racer crowd. Some feature a detachable sun visor, sun shield or face shield which can add security against potential impact.

Dual-Sport Helmet

Dual-sport (Crossover, ADV, Hybrid, Enduro) helmets are a mix between a full face and off-road helmet, designed to be used both on or off-road. Typically, they feature an outer shell like off-road or modular helmets with an elongated chin bar and space for goggles but with more interior padding for added comfort on longer rides.

Off-road Helmet

Off-road full face motorcycle helmets are characterised by their accentuated chin bar to boost airflow and wide eye ports (no face shield) to allow for goggles and an extended field of vision. An adjustable sun visor also protects from glare and allows riders to dip their heads and block roost from bikes in front. They are typically designed with an aggressive riding style in mind, for maximum protection and minimum weight.

Half Helmet

Half helmets sit primarily on top of your head, with shielding around the back of the skull and over the ears. The helmet design comes with no facial protection (or occasionally an optional face shield) and the propensity to move or dislodge upon impact, they provide limited features for riders and thus suit a casual/carefree riding style. The price point is generally low, however.

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Two Models I’ve Recently Tested

After writing this article I managed to spend some time with the Bell Qualifier DLX which rates at 67/100 for safety and 75/100 for comfort. Retailing at ~$280, it’s definitely an entry-level full face option which I found to be tight around the side of my head and not very comfortable to pull on – nor did I look forward to wearing it for longer rides. In the Bell, I wore an M, like my KBC-manufactured Harley Davidson motorcycle helmet.

After reading my article the team at AMA Warehouse reached out to ask me if there was anything I’d like to try and after much discussion about which brands they were recommending, settled on a Caberg Drift Evo which you can get on sale at AMA for $399.95.

It’s on an entirely different level to the Bell Qualifier for not a whole lot more money. Interestingly, I also had to go up a size which re-iterates my point about trying different products to ensure a perfect helmet fit. The Drift Evo suits the shape of my head a lot better than the Bell and feels like a better-made product in every way.

CRASH has yet to rate many of the Caberg models which is unfortunate because I’d love to see where it sits on the scale of protection, and comfort because it trumps the Bell there.

RELATED: The BMW C 400 GT Blends Comfort, Convenience And Cruisability

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Best Motorbike Helmet – Conclusion

I began researching this article because I wanted to find a replacement for my KBC-manufactured Harley-Davidson motorcycle helmet, and because I want to purchase a secondary helmet for my girlfriend (now wife).

Considering the latest results from Crash and my budget of sub $600 per helmet, it would be hard for me to look past the full-face Shark Race-R Pro with the highest average rating in the list of best motorcycle helmets in 2024. In plain black, you can often find it on sale for approx $550. If you prefer white for visibility, expect to pay north of $600. I think the trade-off for comfort compared to the Sena Momentum Evo makes it a no-brainer.

Like many, style is important to me. I don’t want my helmet to look too extreme, too street bike, which means no loud graphics or colours so the KYT NXC Race Carbon is off the table, although their NZ Race in Matte Black looks ($599.95) great. However, the additional visibility offered by white is appealing. The Airoh Quantic is offered in white but it comes with a much higher price tag in Australia of $999, however, can be found on sale in black for ~$850.

The AGV Sport Modular is a new addition and is rated superbly for a modular helmet, in fact, it’s the only one on the list. It also looks fantastic in the carbon. If you’re in the market for a modular helmet, I don’t see why you’d look elsewhere, however, it is expensive at $999.

The problem with trusting CRASH is being limited to the helmets they have tested, Caberg being a notable exclusion from that list. Personally, I love the minimal look of the SHOEI Glamster, Hedon Heroine Racer and SCHUBERTH C4 Basic but I’d prefer to see some more stats from CRASH before investing. Despite being such a highly regarded brand I find it intriguing that SHOEI’s CRASH ratings aren’t that great. HJC is consistently well-rated in protection and comfort but is probably a tad too ‘street bike’ for me.

I’m drawn to the history of the Bell brand and their Bell Star motorcycle helmet because of its solid CRASH rating but again it’s probably a little sportier looking than I would like – the RS-2 or Eliminator is more to my liking.

Depending on how I prefer the fit for my head, I will might consider stretching my budget to accommodate the Bell Eliminator because I prefer the style (and the ventilation system) to the Shark Race-R Pro, even if I’m gambling on similar protection performance to the rest of the Bell range tested.

At the end of the day, the best motorcycle helmet for you will be the one that fits into your budget and on your noggin. However, CRASH’s protection results are valuable considerations before you purchase.

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Best Motorcycle Helmets – Frequently Asked Questions

What colour motorcycle helmet is the most visible?

Lighter-coloured motorcycle helmets come, naturally, with better visibility to other drivers and riders both during the day and at night. All white or silver are recommended for visibility as well as bright oranges, yellows or greens.

What is the strongest motorcycle helmet?

If you want the strongest motorcycle helmets then your best bet is to look at brands like AGV, Airoh, Bell, KYT, Sena and Shark.

What motorcycle helmet is best for a long drive?

If you’ve got a journey ahead of you, you’re going to want a full face motorcycle helmet that prioritises comfort and luxurious features like Bluetooth, while keeping your face protected from the elements.

Are more expensive helmets safer?

No. Brand names might make you feel ‘cooler’ and may have luxury touches but they won’t necessarily be safer. There are plenty of affordable models of motorcycle helmets that are just as safe because they have prioritised safety features and build quality.

Does a half helmet protect you?

Half helmets don’t protect your ears, face or chin. While they do protect the top of your head, this model of helmet can’t quite offer the protection of a full face or modular helmet.

Is a full face helmet safer?

Yes. A full face helmet will protect the entire face and head so while they may be heavier with less airflow, you’re much safer in them.

Is Shoei a good helmet brand?

Having been around since 1959, Shoei is one of the most dependable helmet brands out there and despite fierce competition remains one of the best motorcycle helmet options.

Is it legal to wear a European motorcycle helmet in Australia?

Yes, United Nations Economic Commission for Europe standard UNECE 22.05 helmets are now approved for wear in all states and territories.

What is the best Bluetooth motorcycle helmet?

I’m of the belief that any additional and unnecessary distraction only makes riding a bike more dangerous. However, for those who don’t enjoy the ‘escape’ of riding and require constant connectivity, integrated Bluetooth helmets have come a long way in the past couple of years. If like me, you’re less inclined to trust a tech-first brand, there are plenty of external Bluetooth communication units available to fit existing brands and styles.

Is it OK to buy a used motorcycle helmet?

Everyone from riders to safety standards experts warns against buying used motorcycle helmets. The second-hand market is flooded with counterfeit products, old products and units that have been dropped, been involved in minor accidents or have experienced UV degradation. If it’s not coming straight off the shelf or out of the box, it’s likely to have a tainted history, which may affect the structural integrity of the product.

How do you store a motorcycle helmet properly?

Depending on how it is maintained and stored, a motorcycle helmet generally has a life of around five years; three years if used regularly. Helmets come with specific cleaning instructions and often with a removable and washable interior. Follow them before storing your helmet safely in a bag to avoid dust accumulation. Store it chin strap down on a shelf or hard surface, somewhere where it won’t be dropped or knocked, away from petrol, cleaning fluids, or excessive heat. These elements can result in the degradation of helmet materials, and often the damage goes unnoticed by the wearer.