The safest bet for a motorcycle helmet is without a doubt a full-face helmet.
However, these helmets can range anywhere from $100 to $1000 so it’s difficult to know if you are getting quality at the cheaper price points.
I’m here to reassure you that the best budget full motorcycle helmets offer good features at a good price.
Join me as I break down the best budget full helmets, saying what I like about them and how much they go for.
But what’s the appeal of full-face helmets? And what’s considered the best price for these helmets?
What This Article Covers:
- Why Do People Choose Full-face Helmets?
- Modular vs Full-face
- Best Inexpensive Motorcycle Helmet: LS2 FF353 Rapid Helmet
- Best Value-for-money Motorcycle Helmet: MT Streetfighter SV Helmet
- Best Full-Face Motorcycle Helmets Under $200: HJC CS15
- Best Full-face Motorcycle Helmet under $150: THH TS-39
- Best Full-Face Motorcycle Helmet 2022 on a Budget: Scorpion EXO-390
Why Do People Choose Full-face Helmets?
The number one reason many opt for full-face helmets over the best open-face motorcycle helmets is safety.
Having your entire head protected during an accident instead of only half of it is much better.
Full-face helmets offer built-in face shields or visors to help keep rubble and debris out of your face. These visors are also able to flip up and down in a swift motion.
So, if you want to breathe some of that fresh air, flip the visor up and you practically have an open-face helmet.
Full-face helmets also allow for Bluetooth functionality so you can listen to music and communicate without needing to lift your hands off the handlebars.
The designs on full-face helmets are eye-catching or minimalist depending on what you fancy.
Whether you want the best low-profile motorcycle helmets or the most extravagant designs, full-face helmets take advantage of their aerodynamic design.
Decals and patterns are printed around the entirety of the helmet but if you want a single, minimal design, having one color cover the helmet looks good too.
As much as the appeal of full-face helmets is undeniable, there seems to be a lot of confusion around modular motorcycle helmets and the standard full-face helmets.
So, what are modular helmets and how are they different from the everyday full-face helmets?
Modular vs Full-face
Modular helmets allow riders to raise the chin bar, converting it into an open-face helmet. When the bar is lowered, it has a full-face appearance.
Full-face helmets can’t slide the chin bar up and down on the go, most don’t allow for the chin bar to be removed at all.
Modular helmets also don’t give you as much protection as full-face helmets since the chin bar is generally made from a different material compared to the outer shell.
But now that I’ve discussed the differences between the two, I’m here to talk about the best budget full-face helmets.
So let’s start by looking at the best inexpensive helmet on the market. The LS2 FF353 Rapid Full Face helmet.
Best Inexpensive Motorcycle Helmet: LS2 FF353 Rapid Helmet
When it comes to the best value-for-money motorcycle helmets that are on the budget side, LS2 is the go-to supplier.
In this price range, they’re considered the best-performing budget helmets on the market, offering protection and comfort.
LS2 not only makes the best half-shell helmets, but you can also find the best half-shell motorcycle helmets under the LS2 brand.
However, I’m here to talk about the full-face LS2 FF353 Rapid Helmet.
The LS2 FF353 Rapid kicks off our list of the best budget full-face helmets.
Hailing from China, this helmet serves as a good entry-level helmet that many riders can enjoy.
Design and Safety
The designs for the helmets are relatively basic with your standard black and white colour palette.
However, there are some graphic designs you’d find on the women’s helmets containing poppy prints.
The shell is made from high-pressure thermoplastic technology. As much as this may put some people off, the material is strong and lightweight.
They won’t offer the most protection as more high-end helmets, but they certainly do the job.
They come in two shell sizes: large and small.
Inside these shells are multi-density EPS shock-absorbing linings ensuring that your head is protected during an accident.
The lining can be taken out and washed easily so you don’t need to worry about the sweaty smell lingering.
The final neat safety touch of the FF353 Rapid is the micrometric fastener ber that’s found in most crash helmets.
These allow you to easily lock and unlock the straps should you be in an accident.
They also keep the helmet secured onto your head during high-speed rides.
Ventilation
The FF353 Rapid has a large chin vent and forehead vents that open and close easily.
A helmet with good ventilation means you won’t suffocate when on the road.
The vents have slide mechanisms that are easy to slide open and closed when wearing your motorcycle gloves.
There’s also a big exhaust vent, allowing incoming air to travel around the inner shell and escape out the back. This cools down your face and allows you to breathe.
Visor
This helmet is equipped with a quick release and optically correct visor, like those found in the best flip up motorcycle helmets.
An optically correct visor offers minimal distortion, giving you crystal clear vision.
The quick release function refers to the visor's ability to remove with ease, allowing you easily swap between visors.
The FF353’s visor is also pin lock ready, meaning you can use a pin-lock anti-fog insert to prevent the visor from becoming misty when riding in the cold.
Closing Remarks
The LS2 FF353 Rapid falls in the under $200 mark, clocking in at around $150. These are considered budget helmets but you’re getting your money’s worth.
Best Value-for-money Motorcycle Helmet: MT Streetfighter SV Helmet
MT stands as the best budget motorcycle helmet manufacturer in Spain as this was where it all began.
After their establishment in 1968, they’ve continuously grown and supplied the market with the best budget helmets.
The MT Streetfighter SV is made for adventuring and allows beginner riders to have advanced features like a built-in sun visor and adjustable peak.
This is without a doubt the best value-for-money motorcycle helmet and its features are well worth it.
Design and Safety
With a name like “Streetfighter,” you’d expect the design of these helmets to be rigid and fierce. You won’t be disappointed.
The MT Streetfighter comes in a variety of colours and patterns that strike fear into your fellow riders.
From a military camo green to a dark matte black, these designs go above and beyond to ensure that you look your best on the road.
Modular Design
This helmet is one of those full-face helmets that can become open-face by unclipping the chin shell.
So, if you want to turn your full-face helmet into an open-face helmet for the more relaxed Sunday rides, you can.
Wouldn’t that mean this helmet sways more towards modular helmets?
Technically, yes. But MT markets this as a full-face helmet, as the lower half provides more protection than the standard modular helmet.
Also, the chin section of this helmet can’t be raised and lowered on the go, giving us another reason why it's not considered a modular helmet.
The outer shell of the helmet is made of polymer so it will feel heavier than the plastic shells. However, this also means that the shell is more durable.
The inner shell of the Streetfighter is made of thick polystyrene, making for a breathable and pleasant feeling against the skin.
These materials used in the inner shell contain fire-retardant fibres adding to the safety of this helmet.
This makes for a shock-absorbing, fire-resistant layer of protection, one that makes you question whether this is a budget full-face helmet.
The pads in the inner shell are completely removable and washable, being antiallergic and easy to wash.
On the front end of the streetfighter is a built-in adjustable peak that breaks off during an accident, which also helps to break your fall.
This helmet is secured using a micrometric ratchet system, keeping the helmet on your head while you ride. This system also allows you to easily take the helmet off once unbuckled.
Finally, this helmet has space on the top for a go-pro mount, making documenting your ride easy and accessible.
Ventilation
The ventilation on this fierce helmet does a good job of ensuring you have fresh air to always breathe.
The top of the helmet has two vents that are always open, as well as an open chin vent. To some, this may be an issue as having the ability to open and close vents can be convenient.
However, the Streetfighter already has a detachable front so if you want air, add or remove the front plate.
Lastly, two rear exhaust vents are always open. The only way these vents can be closed is using covers which will cost you a few extra bucks.
Visor
The visor of the Streetfighter stands as an important addition to the helmet, so much so that it's a part of the name. The SV in its name stands for “sun visor.”
This is a visually striking and overall impressive visor that’s shatterproof and offers excellent visibility.
Thanks to the dark tinting on the visor, your eyes can be shielded from the UV light coming from the sun.
The visor itself locks into place when pulled towards the chin and can be flipped up and down with ease. It also works using a quick-release system if you want to swap out visors on the go.
Closing Remarks
For a helmet with so many features and such a sleek design, the MT Streetfighter SV is well worth the asking price of $190.
Any helmet under $200 is considered a budget in our eyes, but this helmet has premium features that many budget helmets could only dream of.
Best Full-Face Motorcycle Helmets Under $200: HJC CS15
HJC started its helmet story in Korea and Vietnam, rapidly growing its brand throughout the US and Europe.
If you want a reasonably priced helmet that offers a good number of features not often found in budget helmets, then HJC is the way to go.
The HJC CS15 stands as a comfortable helmet under the $200 price point.
Design and Safety
The HJC CS15 has a total of 6 different graphic designs ranging from a spacey galaxy design to the sportier Rafu model.
It also comes in your standard colours such as black, white, grey, and blue to name a few.
The outer shell is made from polycarbonate plastic which has proven to be both rugged and lightweight. Add this to the polystyrene liner inside the helmet, and you have yourself a safe and rigid helmet.
The outer shell comes in 2 sizes ensuring there’s an option for the shape and size of your head.
We again see the return of a micrometric fastener to allow for a tight and secure feeling on your head and allow for easy removal.
The inner shell contains a Nylex material that’s removable and washable.
Nylex is a polyester that HJC has incorporated in most, if not all, of their helmets.
This helmet also accommodates glasses wearers as there are grooves on the sides of the inner lining.
These grooves allow for the stems of your glasses to sit comfortably on your head without pressing into your skin or falling out of place when riding.
Ventilation
The HJC CS15 markets itself as having an innovative ventilation system known as the Advanced Channeling Vent System.
This means that the ventilation around the crown channels through the inner EPS lining of the helmet makes its way around the scalp region, and then escapes out the exhaust vents.
The vents themselves can be found at the chin as well as two vents by the crown. They’re operated using a slider that can easily be opened or closed.
The chin vents provide a good amount of circulation without blasting air into your face to the point where it becomes unpleasant.
It offers the right amount of breeze to cool down your face during the hot summer days.
Visor
One of the worst experiences for full-face helmet wearers is a loose visor. Fortunately, the HJC CS15 prevents that by having a locking lever on the side of the helmet that holds the visor in place.
The visor has 3 fitting positions and is smooth when alternating between them. This on its own separates this budget helmet from the others on the market.
The HJC CS15’s visor also allows for a pin-lock anti-fog insert so that you don’t find the visor fogging up during colder conditions. However, the ventilation system is so good that having anti-fog inserts isn’t necessary.
Closing Remarks
The HJC CS15 is an aggressive-looking and comfortable-feeling beginner helmet that’s priced at around $180.
For its value, this stands as one of the best full-face helmets under $200 and with its impressive features, it stands out from the other budget helmets.
Best Full-face Motorcycle Helmet under $150: THH TS-39
THH helmets are produced by Heng Da Racing in Taiwan.
They may not be as big as other helmet manufacturers, but what they bring to the table is a range of affordable full-face motorcycle helmets.
The THH TS-39 isn’t groundbreaking by any means, but it serves as the most affordable introduction to full-face helmets.
Design and Safety
These helmets come in a variety of designs and styles, ranging from your solid black and white to a more stylish skull design.
The THH TS-39 has 2 shell sizes with the outer shell being made of ABS plastic. This plastic is cheaper to produce than polycarbonate and is heavier. However, the downside is that it's more brittle.
The inner shell is wrapped with an EPS liner ensuring that your head benefits from maximum protection during an accident.
The liner is also removable and washable ensuring that your TS-39 stays clean and smells fresh.
Adding to that extra layer of protection is a hard rubber by the chin, protecting your lower face.
This helmet also includes a quick-release micrometric buckle so that the helmet sits securely on your head. No one wants a wobbly helmet when riding at top speeds.
Ventilation
The front vent of the helmet is located near the chin and it's operated using a slider. What’s great about these sliders is that you can easily toggle them using motorcycle gloves.
Another two vents with the same mechanism can be found on top of the helmet.
The only vents that aren't operated using a slider are the exhaust vents as they are always open, allowing the circulated air in the EPS region to escape.
Visor
The THH TS-39’s visor works on a quick-release system.
This means if you need to change your visor while on the road because your current one is faulty, you can simply swap it on-the-fly.
The visor is optically correct, giving you the clearest vision in this price range, as well as having locking positions.
In total there are 3 available locking positions for the visor with a side hinge securing the visor in place depending on how far you raise or lower it.
Closing Remarks
The THH TS-39 stands out as being the cheapest helmet on our list, coming in at around $130.
Don’t let the price make you think that you aren’t getting quality.
Aside from the cheaper outer shell, all the safety and full facial features are present.
Best Full-Face Motorcycle Helmet 2022 on a Budget: Scorpion EXO-390
Finishing our list of the best budget full-face motorcycle helmets is one coming from a brand that produces an elite range of budget helmets.
Scorpion helmets are worn by MotoGP racers and rank among the safest helmet manufacturers with all their helmets receiving Snell approval.
What started as a company producing helmets in China has now become a well-known brand. having widespread reach throughout the world.
The Scorpion EXO-390 is a helmet that has been seen as being one of the best budget full-face helmets of 2022.
Design and Safety
The Scorpion EXO-390 comes in 4 different graphic design options.
There’s a matte black with green stripes, one with orange stripes, a white helmet with black scorpion prints, and a dusty desert camo one.
This helmet also comes in your standard solid colours such as black and white if you want a more minimalist helmet.
The shell of the EXO-390 is a polycarbonate composite engineered material that consists of 2 shell sizes.
Adding to the outer shell protection is an EPS chin bar as well as a rear spoiler that breaks off on impact.
The inner EPS lining is removable and washable so you don’t need to worry about your helmet remaining smelly.
The EXO-390 makes use of an emergency quick-release cheek pad system so that the lining can be removed by pulling the red tabs beneath them. this will help paramedics remove the helmet from your head after an accident.
Ventilation
The front of the EXO-390 sees dual ventilation points that operate using a slide mechanism.
Leaving these vents open when riding allows for maximum airflow around the inside of the helmet.
The exhaust vents allow for the air that’s being circulated in the helmet to escape out the back, and the rear spoiler does a good job of pulling the air turbulence away from the helmet.
There’s a vent on the chin that can be opened or closed with a simple flick and the mechanism is easy to use with motorcycle gloves on.
Visor
The visor is one of high-end status as it's used in most MotoGP events. It’s a spring-loaded visor with 3 positions meaning that it can lock in and out of place with ease.
It also allows you to use a max vision anti-fog pin lock should you be riding in cold weather.
It’s a clear visor that has little to no distortion when you ride and can be replaced and removed with ease.
The Scorpion Exo-390 also makes use of a breath deflector that prevents the visor from fogging up easily.
Closing Remarks
The Scorpion Exo-390 is the perfect budget full-face helmet that both intermediates and beginners can enjoy.
Its wide list of features and overall design make the asking price of $199 well worth it.
Conclusion
Full-face motorcycle helmets don’t need to cost you an arm and a leg.
While the more expensive full-face helmets are made from materials such as carbon fibre, the polycarbonate budget helmets do a good job of keeping you safe on the road.
As a beginner rider, you don’t need to buy the most expensive helmet. Choosing one of these bad boys on our list will do your head justice by keeping it safe while you ride.
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