Long roads, long journeys, absolute freedom. That's the magic of motorcycling.
And if there is an specific kind of bike that is meant to be a reliable friend during a long riding odyssey, that is a cruiser. So getting the right cruiser motorcycle helmet is a vital matter.
Now let's be clear.
The act of cruising can be done with a Moped or with a RR motorcycle.
Cruising is when you take it easy, lay back a little and enjoy the scenery at a nice, chilled pace. If you go to see your buddy next town and you ride softly, enjoying sunset, you are cruising.
And when one lays back a little, being able to enjoy the road is the goal. The best cruiser helmet is the one that gives you comfort, maximum view field, and the feeling of the air in the face whilst still giving you the protection you need.
Hard to find? Well, I've tested more than a thousand motorcycle helmets and made a thorough review of my favorite 9.
Best Cruiser Motorcycle Helmets On The Market
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1. Shoei Neotec II
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AMAZON ► 2WHEEL ► |
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2. Bell Custom 500
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AMAZON ► 2WHEEL ► |
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3. Shoei J Cruise
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AMAZON ► 2WHEEL ► |
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4. Simpson Mod Bandit Helmet
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AMAZON ► | |
5. Bell Rogue
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AMAZON► 2WHEEL► |
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6. HJC IS Cruiser
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AMAZON ► 2WHEEL► |
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7. LS2 Bagger
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AMAZON► | |
8. Scorpion Covert
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AMAZON► 2WHEEL► |
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9. Biltwell Bonanza
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AMAZON► 2WHEEL► |
1. Shoei Neotec II
The Shoei Neotec II has a flagship modular design and will give you that quiet, comfortable ride you've been wanting. Its ventilation and visor options are exceptional for its price.
The overall look and style of the Shoei Neotec II is attractive because of its minimalist, matte exterior. While this helmet won't hurt your budget, it still has a luxurious look and feel. A small chin vent and a streamlined rear vent make the design of this helmet very different from others in this price range.
The Neotec II weighs 4.2 pounds and has a great micro ratcheting system that will allow you to customize its overall adjustment and fitting. The helmet's liner is moisture wicking, hypoallergenic and antimicrobial. You'll love the way the inside of the helmet feels because its interior comfort system lessens unwanted sound and vibration. This is not a common feature so it is a great added bonus.
One of the features that attracts buyers to this particular motorcycle helmet is its SENA SRL Bluetooth connectivity kit. This helmet allows you to make and receive calls, use your smart phone navigation, and play music all hands-free.
The Neotec II will give you great peripheral vision as well as unrestricted movement when turning your head. Both its visor and sun shield are distortion-free which means that you will always be able to see - even in the brightest sun. The face shield proves UV protection and also has an anti-fog layer. Shoei wants you to be able to see in any kind of weather.
The ventilation in the Neotec II is astounding. Your head will stay cool and dry even if you are riding at slow speeds through a hot climate.
The Neotec II is DOT rated for the US and Europe, and it just received a four out of five stars from SHARP because of its great safety features,
If you are looking for a stylish new helmet with great ventilation, vision, and safety features, you will love the Shoei Neotec II.
Where to buy this helmet :
2. Bell Custom 500
The Bell Custom 500 is a classic helmet that has only gotten better with age. Its timeless appeal, along with modern materials and endless sizes and finishes, make it one of the best cruiser helmets that Bell has ever offered.
When people think of old school motorcycle helmets, this is the shape and style that comes to mind. The Bell Custom 500 has a round shell, removable sun visor, and a firm chin strap. The helmet's protective outer shell is made from durable fiberglass, and its custom-fit interior is made from fast-wicking fabric so you'll be dry while you ride.
The variety of exterior designs are what really make the Bell Custom 500 stand out from the crowd. Skratch, an automotive artist, created a collection of designs in 2011 specifically for the Bell Customer 500. The designs are still available today! Each one is very unique and will make your helmet special.
The Bell Custom 500 is a three-quarter helmet. This means that there is less helmet to cover your face than some other helmets. Some riders think that if there is less helmet surrounding your face, the more comfortable it will be. This bodes true as many owners of this helmet rave about its comfort level.
Riders also love this helmet because its shell sizes range from XS to 2XL. If you have a unique head shape, this helmet will still fit you. Its interior lining is breathable and soft, and can be removed for washing.
The Bell Custom 500 will give you unrestricted vision and its detachable sun visor makes it easy to see even on the sunniest days.
Although this helmet does not have a SHARP score, it is certified for use in the US and Europe. The only safety downfall of this great helmet is that it does not have a chin bar to protect you in collisions.
Where to buy this helmet :
3. Shoei J Cruise
The Shoei J Cruise is a three-quarter helmet that offers the build and protection of a full-face helmet. Some riders don't go for a three-quarter helmet because of its limited abilities, but that is not the case with the Shoei J Cruise.
The interior EPS liner of this helmet is removable, washable, and very well-made. The helmet's front leaves a little extra room so you can wear glasses or sunglasses while riding with this helmet.
The Shoei J Cruise offers unlimited vision. You will have great peripheral and frontal vision while wearing this helmet, and its visor provides full-face coverage. The visor is also UV-protected, so you will be able to use this helmet on sunny days without any problems.
While the Shoei J Cruise has not been tested by SHARP, it has been DOT and ECE certified.
The ventilation system in this helmet is great. There is a large vent on the top of the helmet which is designed to work perfectly with the liner flow channels. This design works perfectly and you always get a nice breeze inside the helmet. In the cold weather, you will need to close the top vent, otherwise you'll be pretty cold.
Most three-quarter helmet do not provide quiet rides, but users of the Shoei J Cruise say that for an open face helmet, it does a fantastic job. The vents are very quiet and that really makes a difference.
The Shoe J Cruise weighs 3.75 pounds and comes with a five year warranty. While it is a pretty inexpensive helmet, it will give you a great ride. Its outstanding overall quality, great ventilation system, reduced noise levels, comfort, and outstanding vision quality make it one of the best three-quarter helmets on the market.
Where to buy this helmet :
4. Simpson Mod Bandit Helmet
The Simpson Mod Bandit is a fully functional modular that has the style of a sports and racing helmet. Riders love this helmet for its full-cover support and its customizable features.
At first glance, this motorcycle helmet won't look "normal." It has mesh vent slits that are parallel to the chin bar and its outer shell has a matte finish. Simpson intentionally gave this helmet a sleek design, as the matte finish looks great with the chrome accents on the outer shell.
The shell material is scratch resistant and is very light weight. The interior padding is made from smooth nylon and it is removable and washable for your convenience. This helmet also has the option to connect to your smart phone via Bluetooth, which means that you can make calls, listen to music, and use your navigation system - all hands-free. Very few helmets in this price range have this capability.
The Mod Bandit has an intermediate oval shape, which means that it is designed for both round and oval shaped heads.
This helmet has a few visor systems that you can adjust depending on the kind of weather and climate you are riding in. The visor fits perfectly and keeps wind and rain out of your face. It has three tint options - factory-clear visor, a smoke tint visor, and an iridium dark visor. These options will help you see in all kinds of weather, and they also look really cool.
The Mod Bandit has excellent ventilation and riders say that it provides a pretty quiet ride.
This helmet does not have a SNELL or SHARP rating just yet, but it is EU and US DOT certified.
If you are looking for a helmet that has a sleek look, a great ventilation system, and allows for great peripheral and frontal vision, the Mod Bandit is the perfect helmet for you.
Where to buy this helmet :
5. Bell Rogue
The Bell Rogue is a pretty badass three-quarter helmet. It has a tough, classic look and comes with some great features.
The Bell Rogue has a round oval shape and has removable and washable padding. The earpockets are pretty big and if you wear glasses, you can easily wear them while using this helmet.
The lower portion of the helmet is made of foam. Although it is very comfortable, it will not provide as much protection as the average three-quarter helmet. The muzzle on this helmet is not designed to protect you upon impact, it is designed to protect your face from debris and wind. However, because of this obvious lack of built-in protection, this helmet has some removable padding that attaches with Velcro. Users say that this padding does help in terms of protection and that it is relatively comfortable.
This helmet will allow for excellent visibility. You will always get better visibility with a three-quarter helmet versus a full-face helmet.
Riders say that the ventilation throughout the face area of the helmet is excellent, while the ventilation at the top of the head is not as great. For really hot days, this helmet may not be optimal.
While you do get great visibility with three-quarter helmets, the noise level will be a little higher. This will be an issue for some people, while with others it is not a big deal. Because the front and sides of the helmet are not closed off, you will be able to hear more noise while wearing this helmet.
The Bell Rogue weighs three pounds and uses double D rings as a chin lock system. If you purchase this helmet from the manufacturer, it comes with a five year warranty. It has been tested by DOT and ECE, but it does not have a SHARP rating.
Where to buy this helmet :
6. HJC IS Cruiser
The HJC IS Cruiser offers simplicity and versatility while still being practical. With this half helmet, you'll get a great ride without the bulky feel of a full-face helmet.
Finding the right fit of the IS Cruiser for you will be easy. It comes in six difference sizes, so you should have no issues finding your size.
The outer shell is made from lightweight polycarbonate composite. While this material is very lightweight, it is impact-resistant.
The interior Nylex liner wicks away moisture so you won't be sweating while riding. It also makes for a pretty snug fit so you won't be tugging on your helmet to adjust it while riding. It is a thicker liner than most, so this helmet can feel a little snug. It just takes some getting used to.
All half helmets provide excellent peripheral and frontal vision. The IS Cruiser has an integrated sun visor, so you will get the great visibility that you want, even in the bright sun. If you do not want to use the visor, you may want to get some goggles to wear with this motorcycle helmet because you will need eye protection.
While the snug fit of this helmet makes up for some of the high noise level, you will experience more noise with all half helmets because of their design. Air gets in from all sides of the helmet and makes for a pretty noisy ride. That being said, most riders buy half helmets for their overall look and design, not for their quiet rides.
The IS Cruiser provides great ventilation. You can adjust the vents to your liking, depending on the weather.
This helmet is DOT certified in the US. It is not approved by the ECE and has not been tested by SNELL or SHARP. Most half helmets do not offer the same safety features as full-face helmets. Their designs could never provide the same protection. If you like the IS Cruiser, you need to be aware of the safety risks that come with it. It is a great helmet, but compared to other models, will not give you thorough protection upon impact.
Where to buy this helmet :
7. LS2 Bagger
The LS2 Bagger is a great low-fi helmet for taking adventurous rides with the wind in your hair.
This half helmet has a minimalist design that comes in several colors. It has a classic, old school helmet look that was popular in the 70s and 80s.
The Bagger is designed for intermediate oval head shapes. Its outer shell is made from high performance fiberglass composite, which is both lightweight and protective. The interior liner is hypoallergenic, removable, and very comfortable.
The Bagger comes with quick-lock technology, which adds another level of protection to it. Using quick-lock is very easy and can be used with riding gloves, unlike the D-ring.
This helmet's large ear flaps is something that riders notice right away. They actually work as a neck skirt for the helmet and they ensure the helmet fits snugly around your face and neck. This feature is a great bonus to make up for the lack of a front and face shield.
To make this feature even better, the ear flaps have pockets for your headphones or Bluetooth speaker. The sleeve around the back is perfect for the wires that go with those electronic devices. Now, you can listen to music while you're riding.
Thanks to the classic half-helmet design, the Bagger will give you great riding visibility. You will be able to see around you at all angles.
Your visibility will improve even more when you use the sun visor that comes with this helmet. It can be quickly snapped on or off depending on your needs. It is very easy to maneuver.
If you are looking for a very quiet helmet, the Bagger is probably not your best bet. Its half-helmet design just isn't made for quiet rides.
The ventilation of the Bagger is great, which makes it the perfect helmet to wear during hot weather.
The Bagger has been DOT, ECE, and SNELL rated, but has not been tested by SHARP. The quick-lock feature and the earflaps are both comfort and safety elements that will ensure you have a smooth, safe ride while wearing this helmet.
Where to buy this helmet :
8. Scorpion Covert
The Scorpion Covert will give you three helmet models in one, making this helmet one of the most versatile on the market right now.
The top portion of the helmet is basically a standard half-helmet design. Then, the rear comfort sleeve makes the helmet a three-quarter version. The face mask it comes with then makes it a full-face helmet. All the pieces attach by high-powered magnets, which makes it quick and easy to change around. Once you get the hang of it, it shouldn't take you more than one minute to put together or take apart this helmet.
The fact that this helmet comes in multiple pieces does not take away from its comfort level. Its plush interior lining and snug fit makes it one of Scorpion's most comfortable helmets.
Each version of this helmet will give you a different level of visibility. When you have the helmet in either half or three-quarter mode, you will have the most visibility. The full-face option will give you less visibility, but it won't minimize you're riding capabilities. The EverClear sun visor that comes with this helmet will protect your face and also won't fog up in cold weather. That's why this helmet is perfect for riding in all seasons.
When worn as a half and three-quart helmet, you will experience noise. Putting the mask on will definitely help eliminate noise levels.
You can increase or decrease the ventilation you get with this helmet by changing how you wear the helmet. The face mask comes with multiple vents so when you're wearing the full-face version, you'll still be able to get good ventilation.
Although this helmet is three kinds helmets in one, it is rated as a half-helmet. The only downfall this helmet has is that it does not come with a chin bar. It is DOT rated in the US, so you can feel good about wearing it.
Where to buy this helmet :
9. Biltwell Bonanza
If you do not have lots of money to spend on a helmet, the Bitwell Bonanza will give you a great ride for an even better price. With its retro look and cool features, this open-face helmet is a great deal.
The Bonanza is made for round oval shaped heads. Its interior padding features a custom-made EPS safety shell with comfortable, breathable padding. Its hand-stitched liner adds another level of comfort to the design.
As with any open-face helmet, the ventilation is pretty good. However, The Bonanza does not have a top vent, so there isn't much control in terms of how much air hits you face and head. If you are riding in hot weather, this helmet will work best for you.
While riding with the Bonanza, the noise level is on the quieter side. The interior padding absorbs a lot of the noise. Of course, if the noise is still too much for you, you can always purchase some earplugs to block it.
The Bonanza is a very light helmet and is great for both cruising and serious riding. It uses a double D-ring chin strap system. The helmet only weighs about two and a half pounds and is truly amazing for its price.
The Bonanza is DOT and ECE rated, but is not tested by SHARP. It also comes in a wide variety of colors.
The only thing riders do not like about this helmet is that its bubble shield is sold separately. While you do not necessarily need the shield to ride, it is a nice feature to have.
Where to buy this helmet :