Best Retro Motorcycle Helmets to Try in 2022
Publushed by:
JeffreyLast updated:
July 7, 2020BEST OVERALL
Bell Rogue
Easy muzzle removal
Lightweight carbon shell
Integrated vented roost guard
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RUNNER UP
Bell Bullitt
Carbon composite shell
Integrated speaker pockets
Removable/washable interior
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BEST FOR BUDGET
Daytona Cruiser
Wide range of sizes
Adjustable chin strap
Lab tested and certified
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After tons of research, we’ve collected eleven best retro motorcycle helmets for you to try in 2022.
To be safe on the road and adding style to your safety at the same time, there is nothing better than trying out a retro-style motorcycle helmet. I am sure you already knew this, so let’s not discuss any further about the importance of these stylish helmets.
We looked around searching for the best looking retro motorcycle helmets that had the best rating overall with a happy customer base. Guess what? We found quite a few to share with you!
Let’s now dive right in and take a look at the list of 11 helmets we’ve prepared for you.
11 Best Retro Motorcycle Helmets
Best Overall: Bell Rogue
Short summary
Not an affordable helmet by any means, but, it’s worth every single penny!
It’s a lightweight retro helmet that focuses on protection, as it should, and on style at the same time. It may look like a half helmet but it is superior in protection and provides the comfort of a ¾ helmet.
Its users are rating it very good because of its comfort, as there’s a good amount of padding on the neck and ear areas. As mentioned previously, it is lightweight and weighs around 4 lbs. There’s one negative side to it though, no padding on the front forehead area, but has a thin cloth instead.
The face mask may look weird, but it has a purpose actually. It protects you from the road debris. Also, It comes in several different colors to pick from.
Pros
- DOT approved
- Ligithweight
- Two in one helmet
- Comfortable
- Face-mask to protect from road debris
- Comes in several colors
Cons
- A little noisy
- A bit expensive
Runner Up: Bell Bullitt
Short summary
Featuring a low-profile composite shell, this retro looking helmet from Bell is called Bullit. It’s DOT approved and is not only well-built and durable but also is comfortable to wear. Has 4 small inlets above the visor for venting.
There is quite a bit of empty space on the face area, so it could be noisy as well as a good breather helmet. There’s a padded chin strap along with a leather D-ring closure that will securely hold the helmet in its place letting you ride without the fear of it falling off.
You can also get extra shields to personalize the look and feel of the helmet.
Pros
- DOT approved
- Comfortable
- Durable
- Extra shields available to buy
Cons
- A little noisy
- A bit expensive
Alternative: Daytona Cruiser
Short summary
For those of you who are into 50s minimalistic looks, are sure to love this little retro motorcycle helmet. It features a matte black shell that comes in three different sizes to choose from for the perfect fit.
The moisture sucking fabric lined with its shell allows you to continue your journey for longer periods of time while keeping your head cool. It’s a very soft material that allows air to flow through easily, making it a very breathable helmet. With its little weight and the ability to grip your head perfectly, makes you barely feel its presence.
Comes with a small tinted visor that completes its look, snapping into the top edge of the helmet, allowing you to detach it on the go when needed.
Also check: Biltwell Gringo vs Lane Splitter
Pros
- DOT approved
- Minimalist looks
- Different sizes available
- Keeps your head cool
- Soft material allows air to easily flow
Cons
- May not protect you as a full-face helmet can
Alternative: Shoei Ex Zero
Short summary
The Ex Zero is a pretty breathable and airy helmet, as it has a large aperture and an always-open chin vent. The air will still struggle a bit to move around your head, though. It’s an 1141 gram helmet and feels comfortable.
You can also purchase extra visor for just under 50 bucks, if you like.
The luxurious lining in the Ex Zero is fully removable, which makes it very easy to clean. The cheek-pads also have pull straps making it easy to remove the lid in case of an emergency.
Unfortunately, you’ll have trouble trying to fit intercom speakers into this helmet, due to the slim shell design.
As is the case with almost any other helmet in the market, you’ll require some kind of earplugs to avoid noise when riding at anything more than town speeds.
It looks great on the right bikes and is safer than the open face most people usually wear on Harley’s and the likes.
Pros
- Breathable
- Comfortable
- Removable lining
- Looks great
- Safer than an open-face helmet
Cons
- Tricky to fit intercom inside
- Noisy
- Pricey
Alternative: Shoei Glamster
Short summary
Glamster from Shoei is a full-face retro helmet that gives you the classy look with all the modern-day helmet tech. Its shell is exactly how we’d have wanted – a completely round dome with a smooth 70s and 80s style chin-bar. It’s more retro looking than the Arai, in my opinion.
Although the name sounds a bit weird, don’t you think?
Its shell is their classic AIM matrix that combines Kevlar and glass fiber strands, same as they use in their top race helmets, so no compromises there. Thankfully, it has got a decent all-round vision visor which is quite wide. It is not a quick-release visor though, so you’ll have to get your screwdriver out whenever you want to clean it up. They’ve added some air vents, which are not very practical I’d say. For example, the chin vents are four, they are always open which means that the air is always going to come in, and you can’t do anything about it. You can close the forehead vent though if you like.
Because it is a medium oval shape helmet, it should fit most riders.
Pros
- Classy look with modern safety tech
- Has Pin-lock ready anti-fog visor
- Well built
- Wide vision visor
Cons
- Not quick-release visor
- Air vents aren’t as practical
Alternative: Torc T50 Route 66
Short summary
This helmet from Torc, as of right now, comes in almost a massive collection of 13 different colors and styles to pick from. It’s a classy low-profile design and is DOT approved for you to rely on.
Though this helmet seems “cheap” compared to the rest of the helmets we’ve featured in this list, but there’s no mistaking that this is a well-built helmet. At only 3 pounds, it will not burden your shoulders with extra weight while enjoying long rides.
Because it is DOT approved, so don’t scratch your head about its durability which you may wonder because of the low priced it is, compared to the rest of the helmets it sits alongside.
Pros
- DOT approved
- 13 colors to choose from
- Well built helmet
- Lightweight
Cons
- Not as secure as a full-face helmet
Alternative: Hedon Heroine
Short summary
You can pick this one up in either DOT certification, or ECE approved certification. Comes in 5 different sizes from Small to XXL. It is made of composite fiber shell of fiberglass and carbon fiber and anti-bacterial fabric. Natural calf leather trim and lining, and I am not sure if it is something to be ashamed of or to be proud of. As we’re always vouching for “save the animals” type of slogans.
If you normally wear large helmets and your head shape is oval, the Hedon Heroine will fit you just fine, with no pressure points on your head anywhere. Although some users have reported that it slid and almost felt like pushing their eyebrow to the eyes, which is something dangerous if you experience this while riding, could cause you to panic and then get into an accident of some sort. So this is a definite minus point for Heroine from me, as I haven’t come across such experiences on other helmets.
Pros
- Both DOT and ECE approved
- Anti-bacterial fabric
- Fits well if you wear large oval shaped helmets
Cons
- Uncertain about its fit for large audience
- Expensive!
Alternative: Hedon Hedonist
Short summary
Hedon, if you haven’t heard of them yet, are a brand that is known for its premium quality helmets like the Hedonist. It is a British firm that manufatures and sells both motorcycles and motorcycle helmets. This helmet gets amazing reviews for its design – which is obviously amazing looking as well, and its snug fit and comfort.
It is definitely not the cheapest helmets of the bunch that we’ve listed here, but it really is worth it. To say the least, it is very well built. A slim shell made of fiberglass and carbon fiber comes in several different sizes giving you the option to pick the best one that fits you.
With an anti-bacterial lining that feels like soft suede, it has plush calf leather. Gives you less fatigue compared to the other full-face helmets, and is comparatively cooler as well in the summer time.
Pros
- Fits snug
- Comfortable
- Great looking design
- Well built
- Anti-bacterial lining
- Cooler in summer
Cons
- A bit pricey
- Less protection than a full face helmet
Alternative: Bell Broozer
Short summary
Broozer is a two-in-one helmet from Bell. Because it is a ¾ and a full-face helmet. It is a DOT and ECE 22.05 certified at the same time for both as a ¾ and a full-face helmet. It has a full-face lid with a hard-shelled chin-bar in place, along with a drop-down visor. You push down the button, and you have a ¾ helmet at your service.
It’s got a wide field of view, as you can tell from its looks.
It’s an oval-shape helmet. It has no padding inside, so feels more like a ¾ than a full-face helmet, but it fits snug and securely.
The helmet feels lightweight even with the hard-shelled chin-bar in place. It’s got two air vents: one on the top and the other one in the chin bar, and both can be opened with gloved hands with ease.
There’s a built-in anti-scratch visor in it, which you can easily slide down when needed. Though the tabs are small, so sliding it back up may be challenging.
Pros
- Both DOT and ECE certified
- Both ¾ and a full-face helmet
- Wide field of view
- Fits snug and secure
- Lighweight
Cons
- No padding inside
- Feels more like a ¾ helmet, than a full-face one
- Sliding up the visor may be difficult
Alternative: Biltwell Gringo
Short summary
Gringo should fit most heads. It is a good choice for a retro motorcycle helmet, even though it is not the best in terms of protection, which is the main purpose of any helmet, but it is good enough. The quality of this helmet is impressive though.
It is made out of a thermoplastic material called ABS, commonly used in helmets, and it is DOT approved. Its inner shell can absorb shocks while the comfort liner is removable and stitched by hand. It feels comfortable to wear and rests securely on the head. It’s a lightweight helmet that weighs around 3 lbs.
Pros
- DOT approved
- Fits most heads
- Great build quality
- Comfortable to wear
- Secure fit
- Lightweight
Cons
- Not very protective, but good enough
Alternative: Biltwell Lane Splitter
Short summary
Biltwell’s Lane Splitter is an ECE approved helmet, a mid-range retro helmet. Though it is a mid-range helmet, it feels like an expensive, high-quality one at first touch. Because it is a comfortable helmet, you can tour all day long with it.
The muzzled area has permanent open-air vents and has plenty of airflow, which on the other hand could make it not very suitable for riding in winter. It draws air up and above your head to make you feel cool, for as long as you’re riding.
It also has good aerodynamics so it does not lift up when riding at faster speeds, although the front vents are a little noisy.
The shell this helmet is made out of is the strongest of all plastics and is called ABS. It can be recycled. Heat does not make it any less useful for protection, and it ages well.
Pros
- ECE approved
- High quality build
- Plenty of airflow
- Good aero so doesn’t lift up in high-speed rides
- Temperature doesn’t change impact resistance
Cons
- Not suitable for winter because of good airflow
- Front vents are noisy
Bell Rogue
Lightweight
Superior in protection
Padding on the neck and ear areas
Jeffrey
Jeffrey Bryce is an experienced motorcycle rider with years of experience caring for motorcycles. His natural fondness for motorcycles have made him come up with LetsGoForARide.com, which is dedicated to answering and teaching you how to care for your bike with the care it requires. LetsGoForARide is the one of his important lifework in reaching out to communities of motorcycle enthusiasts on how to take care of their bike and choosing the correct spare part.