German Motorcycle Helmet - Top 5 Best Picks!

German Motorcycle Helmet – Top 5 Best Picks!

Publushed by:

Jeffrey

Last updated:

For most people, it is an absolute no-brainer buy. The German safety standard (approved by the SHVA – the German federal safety regulatory authority) provides excellent protection and can be trusted to protect you.

There are many sub-standards however, which may not pass the minimum requirements for motorcycle safety tests in Germany; this includes standards such as Dot, BSI, and JIS.

We can recommend the following Motorcycle Helmets for riders in Germany:

Best Overall: Fox Proframe Motorcycle Helmet

Short summary

The Fox Proframe is a new premium german motorcycle helmet from the French brand Fox.

The EXO-R710 was their best seller in Europe, with the Proframe being the successor for 2016. With a SHARP safety rating of 4 stars and excellent airflow, this is one of our recommended helmets for riders in Germany.

Best German Motorcycle Helmet

5/5

Fox Proframe Motorcycle Helmet

Runner Up: HJC CL-17 Full-Face Helmet

Short summary

The HJC CL-17 is an all-rounder great helmet with a SHARP safety rating of 4 stars and excellent airflow.

It is also one of the best sellers internationally and nearly half of all helmets sold in Europe are CL-17s.

Best German Motorcycle Helmet

5/5

Fox Proframe Motorcycle Helmet

Alternative: Scorpion EXO-R710 Helmet

Short summary

The Scorpion EXO-R710 is a great all-around helmet with a SHARP safety rating of 4 stars and excellent airflow.

It is also one of the best-sellers internationally and nearly half of all helmets sold in Europe are Scorpion Exo helmets.

Best German Motorcycle Helmet

5/5

Fox Proframe Motorcycle Helmet

Alternative: Nolan N104 Face Shield Helmet

Short summary

The Nolan N104 is a premium helmet with superior comfort and quality. It has an optically correct face shield, excellent airflow, pin-lock ready visor.

It also meets the German safety standard (SHVA), so it will be delivered with the full seal approval sticker of approval.

Best German Motorcycle Helmet

5/5

Fox Proframe Motorcycle Helmet

Alternative: Sena SMH10 Bluetooth Helmet

Short summary

The Sena SMH10 is a great all-around german motorcycle helmet with a SHARP safety rating of 3 stars and excellent airflow.

It also comes with Bluetooth connectivity, making it an excellent choice for safe street riding as well as enduro/adventure riding.

Best German Motorcycle Helmet

5/5

Fox Proframe Motorcycle Helmet

German Motorcycle Helmets FAQ

What are the things to consider when buying German motorcycle helmets?

As most motorcycle helmets sold in Europe are certified according to the SHVA standard, it is important that you know what this exactly entails.

Helmets with an SHVA sticker on them have been tested with these strict requirements

  • The helmet must withstand a drop of 7 meters onto a steel anvil at -18 degrees Celsius without damage to the head or neck injury (drop test)
  • The helmet must resist impact energy of 12 joules (Impact Absorption Test)
  • The retention system fails at high load if it cannot be released with one hand (Helmet must not “trap” rider in case of an accident; Motorcycle helmet chin straps should always be quick release!)
  • Visor strength against penetration by pointed objects
  • Visor strength against pressure resulting from repeated opening and closing
  • The ventilation system must withstand continuous operation at high temperatures up to +55 degrees Celsius
  • Peripheral vision has been tested with static visual acuity of 96%

This means that the visor is certified at 98% clear, vents are covered but still allow airflow, the chin strap stays in position without slipping off under load, the helmet does not “trap” the rider in case of an accident. Body Armour should be certified for SHVA as well!

Although certification under other standards may provide an adequate safety level, their testing methods are often different; there is no single standard worldwide for motorcycle helmets (unlike car helmets).

For example, The DOT standard in the USA provides a good safety level, but it is not tested with the same methods as SHVA. In addition, helmets bearing DOT certification are not permitted to be sold in Europe.

Certification under ECE 223 will allow you to ride your motorcycle anywhere in Europe; however, we do not consider this safety level adequate for use on German roads (yes, we really want you to survive and come back for more riding!). If you plan on moving permanently to Germany and want to ride motorcycles here and also outside of Germany (eg: during holidays) be sure to buy an SHVA-certified helmet!

We always recommend buying new helmets because they can’t protect if they crack or break due to impact or aging, plus used helmets may be less comfortable and not fit properly anymore (due to deformation or bad ventilation).

Always buy a helmet that fits your head shape – different manufacturers have different shapes, so you might need to try several helmets before finding one that is suited for your specific head type. Learn more about buying the best motorcycle helmet here.

Want to change what’s written on the back of your German motorcycle helmet? Just unscrew the plate in the back, pop out with little force, and put in whatever text or logo you like! You can find all kinds of motorcycle helmets on Amazon, with lots of customization options available!

Don’t forget to always wear proper ear protection when riding any kind of motor vehicle! It will save your ears from a lot of damage and hearing loss if you ever accidentally skid or do low-speed turns with the motorcycle! Learn more about helmet decals from this guide.

Make sure that your German motorcycle helmet has been approved for use in Germany before buying it – you can find out by checking the list below:

  • Type approval as per Annex 3 to Directive 93/14/EEC as amended by Directive 2004/27/EC, Appendix 2 – Motorcycle helmets – PPE – Approval practice Type approval according to Regulation No 2822/98 on systems and components in accordance with Directive 92/61 / EEC (transposed into national law of Member States) – only if the the-approved system is part of the product – Group of L – Other
  • Type approval as per Regulation No. 666/2009 (EC) laying down technical requirements and administrative procedures related to civil explosives products (with the exception of Division 1.4S)
  • Type approval is according to Directive 2014/86/EU on the deployment of alternative fuel infrastructure Type Approval as per Directive 2014/94/EU concerning measures for a high common level of road safety in the Union Type approval as per EN 1078:1997 and custom versions thereof (e.g. E-Helm).

If you want to report an accident wearing a helmet, make sure you keep it undamaged! The police must be able to open up your helmet, inspect it and see if it was defective or if it performed as intended. If your helmet is damaged, you will need to get it repaired and the various parts replaced before you can send it off for testing!

Helmets should last between 5 and 10 years (maximum) when they are used correctly – this means kept in dry conditions when not used, stored in a safe place away from heat sources, etc. Having said that, the actual lifespan of any individual helmet varies depending on how much you use it. Regular cleaning, re-tightening of screws, etc. will help prolong its lifespan.

4.7/5

Fox Proframe Motorcycle Helmet

Breathable

Fixed visor

24 Bog Bore vents

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.