When you’re shopping for the best helmets for motorcycle riders, one thing you’ll want to prioritize is safety. While there are plenty of motorcycle helmets with stylish designs or comfortable fits, safety is paramount when you’re on the back of a bike.
That’s because, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association, about 5,000 motorcyclists are involved in crashes each year. Even more alarming is the high fatality rate of motorcycle crashes, a statistic that can be decreased when you’re wearing a helmet.
So if safety is what you’re looking for, here are five of the safest motorcycle helmets out there.
GMAX GM11D Dual Sport Helmet
The GMAX GM11D helmet is perfect for riding off-road or on asphalt. It’s a DOT-certified helmet, so you know that it meets or exceeds the Department of Transportation’s requirements for helmet safety.
A full face style mask, its cheek pads are removable and may help emergency personnel remove the helmet more easily in the event of an accident. Its eyeport is wide enough to allow for goggles too, which can add increased eye protection and visibility when you’re on the road.
Icon Airframe Pro Construct Full Face Helmet
Icon’s full face helmet meets all world standards for safety. This means that it passes DOT certification as well as the standards set forth by the Economic Commission for Europe, ECE 22-05.
With its composite shell, you get durability and protection, helping eliminate the damage from an impact to your head. It also features fog-free optics, which can be particularly helpful if you ride in colder temperatures or higher altitudes when your breath could fog up your visor and reduce visibility.
Biltwell Lane Splitter Full Face Helmet
Another full face helmet that’s among the safest on the market is Biltwell’s Lane Splitter helmet. Like Icon’s Airframe Pro, the Biltwell Lane Splitter passes both DOT and ECE 22-05 safety regulations. It is also one of the more lightweight helmets on this list, although its impact resistant polycarbonate structure ensures that you aren’t sacrificing safety just because you’ve picked a less heavy helmet.
Like others on this list, the Biltwell Lane Splitter also has cheek pads to make removing the helmet easy if you’re involved in an accident. It also features a chin strap if you want to feel even more secure about your helmet staying on.
AFX FX-41DS Hi-Viz Dual Sport Helmet
Once again, AFX’s FX-41DS helmet passes both DOT and ECE 22-05 standards with flying colors, meaning that it’s a very safe helmet to wear while riding on or off road. This particular sport helmet is structured from a poly alloy which results in a helmet that is both lightweight and durable.
Like others on this list, it also features cheek pads, but the FX-41DS has a quick release retention system for even more peace of mind. And if peace of mind is really what you’re after, you’ll be happy to see that this dual sport helmet comes with a limited lifetime manufacturer’s warranty.
Klim Krios Valiance Full Face Helmet
By now, it shouldn’t be surprising to you that most of the helmets on this list are both DOT and ECE 22-05 safety certified. One thing that does set the Klim Krios full face helmet apart from the rest of the pack is that it’s the only helmet that weighs under 1500 grams offered in the United States.
Built from polycarbonate material, the Valiance motorcycle helmet is durable, scratch resistant, and very protective. It also features adaptive smart foam technology which provides even more comfort and protection during your ride. Klim Krios takes pride in the fact that all of their helmets are tested for adventure riders by adventure riders in the real world. If you plan on offroading often, the Klim Krios is an excellent option.
While every motorcyclist certainly has their own personal preferences, it’s important to prioritize safety when picking out a helmet. Any of these five motorcycle helmets are incredibly safe options, and come in at a variety of price points.
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2018 ·