Old-school chic: Best retro motorcycle helmets (2024)

Table of Contents
Shoei Ex-Zero Pros Cons Bell Custom 500 Pros Cons Shoei Glamster Pros Cons AGV X3000 Sheene Pros Cons Premier Trophy Pros Cons Bell Moto-3 Pros Cons Arai Freeway Pros Cons
Old-school chic: Best retro motorcycle helmets (1)

Published: 31 August 2023Updated: 06 November 2023

Old-school chic: Best retro motorcycle helmets (2)

1

The recent rise in popularity of retro-style motorcycles – machines with classic, old-fashioned looks but with bang-up-to-date mechanicals and performance, such as Triumph’s 1960s-influenced Bonneville, Kawasaki’s 1970s-inspired Z650RS and even 125s such as from MASH and Bullit – has also led to a rise in retro motorcycle helmets.

After all, nothing spoils your classic image as much as riding in modern high-tech clobber. And that applies not just to helmets, but to leather jackets, gloves and bike boot as well. It’s a lifestyle look that’s just as relevant if you ride a café racer or cruiser.

And now there are more retro-style helmets available than ever. Legendary US brand Bell, who invented the first ‘full face’ helmet back in the 1960s, led the way when it introduced its retro Bullitt full face in 2014.

Since then, however, there has been a flood of retro offerings from all the leading manufacturers; some full face, some open (which obviously don’t offer as much protection) and some even motocross style.

Nor do you have to worry about retro helmets providing retro-standard protection, either. All are built to the same exacting manufacturing and safety standards as any other, including modern structures, fastenings and visor openings and offer protection to match the best – just in more retro styles and colour schemes.

But what’s out there? What can you get for your money and what’s included? Here’s our pick of some of the best.

The Ex-Zero from Shoei is a retro off-road style helmet aimed at scrambler buyers but with all the usual modern safety features, including: a composite shell structure, EQRS (Emergency Quick Release System) strap, integral, drop-down three-position visor, detachable peak, washable liner and comes, as with most retro helmets, in a wide variety of styles and colour ways. Not cheap but oh-so classy...

Read our in depth review of the Shoei Ex-Zero.

Pros

  • Classic 1980s styling
  • Modern safety features
  • Highly reputable brand

Cons

  • Among the most expensive

Bell is the original king of classic helmets with the famous logo being used by the likes of Steve McQueen and the Custom 500 is its brilliantly authentic (but upgraded) modern incarnation of its original open-face helmet.

It’s a top-quality bit of kit, too, with a fibreglass shell, huge variety of finishes and designs ranging from plain white to multicolour metalflake designs (prices vary accordingly) and a plush lining as well.

It meets all the latest safety standards, comes with its own, stylish retro holdall, a variety of visors are available and is just the thing to go with any ‘60s retro classic, café racer or cruiser.

Pros

  • THE retro brand
  • Great style
  • Range of quality features

Cons

  • Not the cheapest
Old-school chic: Best retro motorcycle helmets (7)
Old-school chic: Best retro motorcycle helmets (8)

Price: £294.99 (was £409.99)

Price: £294.99 (was £409.99)

OK, so the name may be slightly cringe-worthy but the Glamster, in being the purpose-designed, full-face retro offering by Japanese helmet brand Shoei, is more than worth a look.

It features a bang-up-to-date multi-composite shell, a removeable, washable liner, lots of air vents, a Double D-ring chin-strap system, and a classic style ‘CPB-1’ three-position visor system. In short, it has the best of modern Shoei tech, in a clean, simple retro design – win/win!

Pros

  • One of the biggest names in the business
  • Quality features
  • Classic, clean design

Cons

  • Pricier than some

Rrp: £291.99

Price: £343.99

Retro motorcycle helmets probably don't get any more recognisable or arguably desirable, at least in the UK, than this retro replica by leading Italian brand AGV. Britain's two-time GP world champion Barry Sheene switched to AGV in the late 1970s, taking his distinctive 'Donald Duck' design with him onto AGV's then X3000 full-face helmet.

This modern recreation is impressively authentic in style (and comes in a variety of other designs and replicas) but has a totally modern fibreglass construction, updated visor system (which still features the X3000’s iconic push button), quality suede interior and more.

Pros

  • Iconic image
  • Quality construction
  • Variety of designs

Cons

  • Some quite pricey

A great looking, 1970s-style retro full-face helmet from a legendary brand (that rose to prominence in the 1970s), is a modern-day replica of that worn by British 1973 world champion Phil Read and yet is still at a tempting price.

The Trophy has a modern multi-layer shell, a removable and washable sanitised lining, double D-ring retention strap, two front and one rear vents and comes, again, in a wide variety of colour schemes – although if you’re after a ‘70s-style Premier, this surely has to be the one!

Pros

  • Classic 1970s replica
  • Decent features
  • Affordable price

Cons

  • Not as well-known as some

Alongside its Custom 500 open face (above) and its pioneering Bullitt full-face, one of Bell's most recent additions is this 're-imaging' of its classic 'Moto3' motocross helmet as first introduced in the 1970s.

This new version has all the classic style of the old but with modern production techniques and safety features and, again, comes in a variety of colours and designs, all of which are perfect to accompany your retro street scrambler or trail bike.

Pros

  • Scrambler-suiting style
  • Reputable brand
  • Comes with retro bag!

Cons

  • Less practical than full-face designs
Old-school chic: Best retro motorcycle helmets (17)
Old-school chic: Best retro motorcycle helmets (18)

Price: £199.99 (was £349.99)

Price: £199.99 (was £349.99)

Arai of Japan has a long history of producing fastidiously crafted, high quality and, yes, pricey, head protection, so you can rest assured that its 'retro' offerings are trustworthy too.

The Freeway is its open-face design, updated to be even more retro in this Classic form. It’s a quality product, too, with a complex multi-laminate shell, triple density inner shell, fully washable interior, replaceable ear cups and more. Its paint scheme and overall style may not be quite as snazzy as some, but it’s almost certainly one of the best helmets for classics, cruisers, cafe racers or retros.

Pros

  • Superior protection
  • Build quality
  • Brand royalty

Cons

  • Slightly dull styling

About the author: After qualifying as a mechanical engineer, Jim Blackstock began working on magazines in the early 1990s. He remains passionate about product testing to ensure readers know what products offer good value and why. He relishes torrential rain to see if riding kit keeps water out and an hour or two to tinker on a project bike in his workshop.

- Just so you know, whilst we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this page, we never allow this to influence product selections - read why you should trust us.

;

By Jim Blackstock

Keen wet weather rider and dedicated product tester for MCN and sister publication RiDE Magazine.

Advertisem*nt

Old-school chic: Best retro motorcycle helmets (20)

Old-school chic: Best retro motorcycle helmets (2024)
Top Articles
The best easy homemade pecan pie recipe
The Best Fried Cabbage Recipe (VIDEO)
Gwinnett County Public Schools hiring Teacher Instructional Support - Grades K-5 in Gwinnett County, GA | LinkedIn
Drake-Kendrick Lamar Feud Timeline: Lamar Dominates Billboard Hot 100 With ‘Not Like Us’
Latest Posts
Flush the Fat Away Vegetable Skinny Soup Recipe
Ultimate Vegan Haggis (Scottish Recipe) - The Pesky Vegan
Article information

Author: Ouida Strosin DO

Last Updated:

Views: 6388

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (76 voted)

Reviews: 91% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Ouida Strosin DO

Birthday: 1995-04-27

Address: Suite 927 930 Kilback Radial, Candidaville, TN 87795

Phone: +8561498978366

Job: Legacy Manufacturing Specialist

Hobby: Singing, Mountain biking, Water sports, Water sports, Taxidermy, Polo, Pet

Introduction: My name is Ouida Strosin DO, I am a precious, combative, spotless, modern, spotless, beautiful, precious person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.