Let’s face it: sport bike using gear that makes you appear to be a Energy Ranger simply doesn’t appear proper on a restaurant racer. In the course of the previous decade, using gear producers lastly figured this out—and began producing retro helmets to fulfill the demand.
Naturally, in the event you experience a restaurant racer, these are the helmets that you’ll undoubtedly gravitate in direction of—however not all retro helmets are created equal. In a bid to separate the wheat from the chaff, we’ve picked out our favorite new helmets to create this checklist of the Greatest Cafe Racer Motorbike Helmets in 2023.
What Is a Cafe Racer Helmet?
In our opinion, any bike helmet that the producer labels as ‘retro’ or ‘basic’ might fit your cafe’d experience. Some are based mostly on fashions straight out of a producer’s personal historical past books; whereas others lay declare to possessing the spirit of instances passed by.
Fortunately, regardless of trying just like the mind bucket your grandfather as soon as wore, these helmets all make the most of the newest in security expertise to maintain your melon secure. Getting the suitable look (normally) means sacrificing just a few of the options you’d discover by default on fashionable helmets. Nevertheless, what these helmets lack in options, they make up for in beauty.
In fact, these helmets aren’t simply aimed on the cafe racer crowd. They’ll look nice on all method of customized bikes from Scramblers to Bobbers—and even the occasional chopper. They’re additionally the right pairing for a restored basic. So, in case your bike falls into any of these classes, then these helmets are perfect for you too.
Cafe Racer Helmets Underneath $300 USD
“How a lot is your head price?” It’s an announcement thrown round by opinionated riders when requested how a lot one ought to spend on a helmet. Normally, worth is an efficient indicator of high quality, however there are exceptions to the rule.
These low cost bike helmets supply distinctive worth with out scrimping on security or fashion. So in the event you’re looking out for a retro bike helmet and your price range is proscribed to below $300 USD, it’s best to undoubtedly test these out…
Bell Moto 3 Fasthouse
“NOT RETRO. ORIGINAL.” The Bell Moto 3 is among the few retro helmets available on the market with 60 years of historical past behind it. Primarily based immediately on the unique Moto-3 design, Bell has rejuvenated the MX styled helmet utilizing fashionable manufacturing methods.
The up to date Moto 3 has been out there for nearly 4 years now, and in 2020 they teamed up with MX using gear model Fasthouse. The Bell Moto 3 Fasthouse incorporates a daring checkered design that’s been a staple of cafe racer fashion for many years.
The helmet shell is completed in matte black and features a daring pink visor that may be eliminated as desired. Simply throw on a pair of using sun shades or goggles and also you’re prepared to tear.
- Options: DOT & ECE certification / tri-composite shell / moisture wicking liner / 3.09 lbs
- The place to Purchase: RevZilla, Amazon
Biltwell Lane Splitter
California’s Biltwell Inc. is a pioneer of the retro helmet motion. Their roots lie within the chopper and bobber scene, however their using gear will look proper at house in your cafe racer too.
The Lane Splitter is the newest addition to Biltwell’s helmet providing. With its hard-edged, angular chin bar, the Lane Splitter appears to be like prefer it means enterprise, and its technical options again that up.
The Biltwell Lane Splitter is on the market in quite a few colorways for 2023, however all of them include that basic Seventies stig styling made standard by riders like Rusty Butcher. Actually, there’s even a signature Rusty Butcher Lane Splitter helmet available on the market, that includes graphics impressed by the well-known hooligan racer.
- Options: DOT & ECE / ABS shell / hand-stitched detachable liner / fog-free visor / 3.45 lbs
- The place to Purchase: RevZilla, Amazon
Biltwell Gringo S Spectrum
Biltwell’s Gringo is considerably of a grandad within the retro helmet market. It’s been round longer than a lot of the bike helmets on this checklist. Nonetheless, lots has modified because the Gringo was first launched, and the newest replace got here with the addition of the S mannequin.
The Biltwell Gringo S options an ABS shell and EPS liner that earns it each DOT & ECE certification. The helmet’s hand-stitched lining makes use of a specifically designed Bio-foam to maintain nasties at bay, and there’s area inside for inserting your Bluetooth comms gear.
The Gringo S additionally comes with an built-in, interchangeable visor and a variety of colours to select from.
The newest iteration of the Gringo S—the Biltwell Gringo S Spectrum—options graduated pinstripes on a gloss black shell. The look is harking back to the paint schemes seen on Harley gasoline tanks throughout their time below AMF possession.
Combining ‘70s F1-inspired geometry with this basic paint scheme makes the Gringo S Spectrum an reasonably priced and undeniably cool retro bike helmet.
- Options: DOT & ECE / ABS shell / hand-stitched liner / built-in speaker pockets / 3.54 lbs
- The place to Purchase: RevZilla, Amazon
Cafe Racer Helmets Over $300 USD
You’ve been residing off instantaneous noodles and instantaneous espresso for months. Now it’s time to place your financial savings to good use and splash out on a top-of-the-line mind bucket. These are, in our opinion, one of the best of the bunch when your price range for a restaurant racer helmet exceeds 300 bucks.
BSMC x Hedon Heroine Membership Racer Carbon Version
Our mates at Bike Shed London have their finger on the heartbeat of the customized bike scene. A part of their enterprise mannequin includes promoting a spread of BSMC gear.
That additionally contains merchandise they’ve developed with just a few respected using gear manufacturers. The Heroine Membership Racer Carbon helmet is their newest collaborative effort and was designed along side UK helmet firm Hedon.
The Heroine is Hedon’s full-face providing, and that is the primary carbon fibre model they’ve launched. With this in thoughts, it is smart to have a good time all that gorgeous carbon by exposing it below a deep shiny clear coat. Including to the premium look is a daring gold velocity stripe that wraps across the chin and tapers off behind the helmet.
To enrich the fashionable exterior of the helmet, the liner is a mixture of plush Merlin anti-bacterial materials and perforated black calf leather-based. Each the eye-port and base of the helmet are additionally completed with black leather-based trim.
A gold print on the prime of the inside celebrates BSMCs involvement within the design and provides a contact of sophistication to this restricted version helmet. The gold theme continues with a brass Hedon brand on the brow, brass discs on the visors hinge, and a brass D-ring chinstrap.
Be warned: the BSMC Heroine Membership Racer Carbon is the costliest helmet within the Hedon vary, and the worth will not be for the faint-hearted.
- Options: carbon fibre building / unique design / premium end / 2.62lbs
- The place to Purchase: Hedon
Shoei Glamster
The Shoei Glamster is a newcomer to the cafe racer helmet market. This doesn’t make it any much less interesting than its opponents, however its tacky identify may (for some, anyway). Forming a part of the brand new Shoei neo-classic vary, the Glamster faucets into the corporate’s lengthy historical past of producing racing helmets.
The Glamster boasts a smooth, retro aesthetic, and options the very newest in Shoei’s AIM (Superior Built-in Matrix Plus) security tech. This equates to five layers of composite and natural fibres and a multi-density shock-absorbing liner. Because of this, the Shoei Glamster effortlessly passes worldwide security certifications.
Different distinctive options—equivalent to a quick-release chinstrap and emergency quick-release padding—add much more security to this providing.
Regardless of the Glamster helmet’s minimalist look, Shoei hasn’t scrimped on consolation options. Unobtrusive vents within the chin and brow channel air by means of the helmet and out the bottom. This removes the necessity for added vents on the rear and retains the shell trying clear. The Glamster additionally comes with a multi-density liner that’s detachable and washable, and the helmet’s visor is 100% optically appropriate.
For 2020, the Shoei Glamster is available in 4 primary colourways (black/white/matte black/gray/blue) and three ‘Ressurection’ racing striped variants. Our choose of the bunch must be the understated Basalt Gray possibility.
- Options: AIM shell design / ultra-compact design / pin-lock visor / tremendous gentle building / 2.65 lbs
- The place to Purchase: Shoei
AGV X3000 In the past
AGV is one other model whose presence within the bike scene goes again nicely earlier than many people have been born. In the course of the Sixties, AGV was closely concerned in bike racing, and a number of the sports activities prime riders wore their gear. Amongst them was the legendary Italian street racer, Giacomo Agostini.
With an astounding 122 Grand Prix wins, Agostini is usually thought of the best Grand Prix rider of all time. In recognition of Agostini’s legendary achievements, AGV has launched a particular version ‘In the past’ colourway of their retro-styled X3000 helmet.
The AGV X3000 In the past helmet has real Sixties Grand Prix styling. The design incorporates a huge chin bar, giant viewport, and a clean profile. Attaining this look means scrimping in some areas equivalent to air flow, however that’s the associated fee one should pay to actually nail this look.
Regardless of this, the AGV X3000 In the past nonetheless packs loads of fashionable advantages. The AGV X3000 In the past is each DOT and ECE licensed, because of its ACF (Superior Composite Fiber) fibreglass outer shell. It’s out there in 3 shell sizes for the suitable match and has a premium leather-based and suede washable inside.
Bell Bullitt Circulate
Bell seems just a few instances on this checklist, and it’s not too exhausting to see why—the model is infamous for making high-quality bike helmets that exude retro allure from each inch of their floor. However the Circulate variant of the exceptional Bell Bullitt (reviewed intimately by webBikeWorld right here) stands out even farther from the model’s different choices, because of a triple-stripe design that winds across the entrance of the face to offer off a distinctly Seventies–Eighties vibe.
This helmet doesn’t skimp in relation to its construct high quality, both. It gives glorious chin safety, whereas additionally managing to supply a phenomenally huge area of view that can virtually make you overlook you’re carrying a full-face helmet in the event you put the visor up and put on a pair of goggles as a substitute. However in the event you are utilizing the visor, you’re in for a deal with: it’s fog, scratch, and UV-resistant.
- Options: EPS Safety / DOT and ECE accepted / built-in flip-up face protect / interchangeable cheek pads
- The place to Purchase: RevZilla, Amazon
- webBikeWorld overview: Bell Bullitt
AGV K6 Helmet
Whereas the AGV K6 might not be our first selection on this checklist from a styling perspective, this helmet excels in all different areas.
Regardless of its fashionable look, AGV pitched its K6 helmet as being appropriate for any motorcyclist—from riders of contemporary sports activities bikes to those that love the classics. That is because of the helmet’s aerodynamic properties, which have been designed to work in any using place. Because of this, the K6 lacks the exhausting edges you’ll discover on sportbike helmets and finally ends up being a way more neutral-looking lid.
One other key function of the K6 is that it’s very light-weight, which interprets to improved, all-day using consolation. This has been achieved utilizing an outer shell design that’s constructed from carbon aramid fibres and minimal, light-weight {hardware}.
AGV additionally produces the helmet in 4 shell sizes that will help you get one of the best match. A moisture-wicking liner combines with 6 vents to maintain you dry within the warmth, and the worth features a detachable breath guard for cooler days.
To again up the helmet’s robust exterior, AGV has developed a quintuple-density EPS liner that exceeds each ECE and DOT requirements. The AGV K6 is on the market in a collection of primary colors, together with a really engaging primer gray—or, in the event you’re on the lookout for one thing ostentatious, take a look at the putting AGV K6 Secret colourway.
- Options: 4 shell sizes / featherweight building / 2.95lbs
- The place to Purchase: RevZilla
- webBikeWorld overview: AGV K6
Shoei EX-Zero EQUATION TC10
The Shoei EX Zero flew in below our radar round 12 months in the past with a considerably restricted world launch. The road-going MX-esque helmet joins the likes of the Bell Moto 3 and DMD Seventy 5 within the styling division however goes a step additional with further options.
This racing stripe model of the EX-Zero is called the Equation TC10 and is well our choose of the bunch in relation to colors (sure, we like our racing stripes).
The EX-Zero makes use of Shoei’s tried and examined AIM shell and multi-density EPS liner combo for glorious ranges of safety. A set of aggressive-looking vents within the chin bar present further airflow—though getting air gained’t be a difficulty as there’s no visor.
Designed to be worn with both using glasses or goggles, the EX-Zero is best suited to hotter using circumstances. All this sounds very very like the Moto 3 providing, however the place the EX-Zero excels is within the addition of an built-in visor that drops down from throughout the shell.
This implies in the event you begin your experience throughout the day in tinted lenses, you possibly can swap them out when the solar goes down for the inner visor and nonetheless hold your eyes secure from street grime. Shoei additionally gives a tinted possibility for the built-in visor if that’s extra your fashion.
- Options: built-in dropdown visor / Shoei security tech / tremendous gentle building / 2.75 lbs
- The place to Purchase: Shoei
Nexx X.G20
Nexx helmets must be on the must-check out checklist of each Cafe rider. Nexx is a Portuguese firm with a well-deserved popularity for making top-shelf helmets and the X.G20 lineup is a superb instance.
Nexx elevates the three/4 helmet to a complete new degree with its gorgeous fusion of basic and fashionable vibes! For excellent safety and luxury, the multi-composite fiber shell is mixed with an extremely smooth X-Mart Dry cloth liner. You might be assured to be within the shade because of an inside drop-down solar cowl. A helmet as distinctive as you might be is created by fusing conventional design parts with up to date expertise and supplies.
- Options: retro fashionable / adjustable padding and detachable lining / 2.9 lbs
- The place to Purchase: RevZilla
Open-faced Cafe Racer Helmets
When you’re the sort of rider who enjoys the wind in your face and the style of bugs in your mouth, take a look at these open-faced helmet choices. Relaxation assured, our alternatives gained’t go away you trying like a bobblehead—and they’re all correctly security licensed.
Arai Traditional-V Groovy
One other helmet on this checklist with a considerably goofy identify is the Arai Traditional-V Groovy. At a contact below $600 USD, this open face helmet is among the many most costly on this class, making it a tough buy to swallow when you think about its lack of a chin bar.
Nevertheless, Arai is understood for creating a high quality product—and the Traditional-V actually matches the invoice. The Traditional-V makes use of the identical shell design you’ll discover in Arai’s thousand-dollar X Sequence helmets.
Arai acknowledges the necessity for air flow in open-face helmet design, so the Traditional-V has a hidden air flow system inbuilt. A one-piece multi-density EPS liner absorbs exhausting knocks, and it’s wrapped in an anti-microbial liner.
Aria gives clients the choice of including a snap-on visor, and there’s a clasp on the again for holding the strap of your goggles in place. The Arai Traditional-V Groovy is available in Groovy White, Groovy Brown Frost, and Groovy Tan Frost. Every helmet is completed utilizing a retro-looking fake leather-based edge with contrasting stitching.
- Options: ventilated shell / Snell M2020 & DOT licensed / premium building / 2.10 lbs
- The place to Purchase: RevZilla, Amazon
Schuberth M1 Professional
The Schuberth M1 Professional is an undeniably fashionable helmet. It’s full of wonderful tech and security options, however that didn’t deter us from including it to this retro-skewed lineup. Any open face helmet has an air of basic styling to it, and the M1 is not any exception.
Schuberth pulled out all of the stops when growing the M1 Professional. Using their very own in-house wind tunnel, they developed a singular shell form. They then mixed it with an aerodynamic face protect to maintain wind drag and buffeting to an absolute minimal.
On the within, in addition they put in a luxurious liner to push consolation ranges even increased. The M1 Professional additionally boasts pre-installed audio system and a microphone to combine with an non-obligatory Bluetooth SC1M unit that mounts immediately into the rear of the helmet.
Add to all that an built-in solar visor and a large selection of colourways, and also you’ve received your self one critically feature-packed open confronted helmet.
- Options: built-in solar visor / built-in audio system / optimised aerodynamics
- The place to Purchase: RevZilla
- webBikeWorld overview: Schuberth M1 Professional
Bell Customized 500 Carbon RSD Checkmate
Sure, there’s a lot of Bell on this checklist—however we might hardly embrace the Bullitt within the full face helmet class after which snub the three/4 shell Customized 500 when it got here to open face choices. That’s as a result of Bell has carried out its utmost to dominate the open face helmet market with the Customized 500 collection.
This can be a fantastically easy helmet that doesn’t try and be something greater than it’s. The Customized 500 incorporates a smooth fibreglass shell backed up by a multi-density EPS liner.
Regardless of the reasonably priced worth level, Bell hasn’t scrimped on supplies. The plush quilted liner is constituted of an anti-bacterial materials and there are leather-based accents each inside and outside.
That brings us to this specific design: the Carbon RSD Checkmate. Boasting a vintage-inspired checkerboard sample on the shell, this helmet is begging to be paired with a set of goggles or one among Bell’s visor choices so you possibly can flip it into the quintessential cafe racer mind bucket.
See additionally
- Options: suede inside liner / built-in 5 snap sample for aftermarket shields and visors / DOT licensed
- The place to Purchase: RevZilla, Amazon
Modular Retro Motorbike Helmets
Can’t resolve whether or not to purchase a full face or open face cafe racer helmet? These modular options supply one of the best of each worlds in a completely retro styling package deal.
Simpson Mod Bandit
Simpson helmets are finest recognized for being the producer of the helmet worn by High Gear’s Stig. Their helmets function a singular, angular and overtly aggressive fashion that’s certain to seize peoples consideration out on the road. Simpson additionally has a protracted historical past in automotive racing, so you realize you’re shopping for a helmet that’s benefitted from years of observe expertise.
The Simpson Mod Bandit helmet takes one among their hottest designs, the Simpson Bandit, and provides a number of recent options. Geared toward touring riders or those that like the choice of often releasing their face, the Simpson Mod Bandit features as a modular helmet.
Which means that all the chin bar will be slipped as much as convert the helmet into an open face configuration. What’s most spectacular, although, is that Simpson has managed to do that in a design that shares the identical profile and dimensions because the non-modular various.
Moreover, the Simpson Mod Bandit comes with an built-in inside flip-down visor, inside pockets for comms gear, tool-free protect removing, a great deal of free-flowing air flow, and detachable nostril and chin air dams for winter using.
Bell Broozer Skull
Considered one of Bell’s newest modular helmets, the Broozer has confirmed to be an enormous hit. The styling is hard and distinctive, the graphics are daring, and the worth level is good. At a contact below $230, this can be a great-value, feature-filled design that would be the go-to helmet for riders of all types of customized bikes.
The twin-certified (DOT & ECE) Bell Broozer helmet incorporates a detachable chin bar slightly than a flip-up design for a extra conventional open face look. This, after all, means you’ll must stow the chin bar in a backpack, however that’s no deal-breaker for us.
The Broozer’s fundamental visor is built-in into the brow of the helmet. This provides the helmet a extra conventional look when it’s up, however when circumstances change, the visor drops down in seconds to maintain your eyes secure.
Constructed from polycarbonate ABS, the Broozer suggestions the scales at a mere 2.97 lbs. Its visor is anti-fog, anti-scratch, and UV protected, and will be simply swapped out for a tinted possibility. The liner is mechanically cleanable, and it makes use of a quick-release ratchet-style closure for improved comfort.
Color choices are restricted to totally different black finishes or one matte metallic gray possibility. Our choose of the bunch can be the lightning bolt Broozer Arc or the skull-look Broozer Skull.
- Options: reasonably priced worth / low weight / DOT & ECE rankings / 2.97 lbs
- The place to Purchase: RevZilla, Amazon
Uncommon Gems (Lesser-known Skid Lids)
These retro helmets aren’t as available because the others on this checklist, however that doesn’t make them any much less interesting. So in the event you’re on the lookout for a helmet that’s as uncommon as hen’s tooth, however nonetheless appears to be like and features because it ought to, one among these might be simply the ticket.
Peruna 2.0 Helmet Sundown Yellow
Roeg is a Dutch bike way of life attire and using gear model. Their merchandise are impressed by “the customized bike business and different adventurous out of doors actions,” as they put it. Amongst their choices is the MX-inspired Roeg Peruna 2.0 helmet.
The styling twists distinguish the Roeg Peruna 2.0 from its MX-styled opponents. Contemplate the snap-fit visor on the helmet. As a substitute of utilizing opaque plastics like different manufacturers, Roeg has used clear plastic to create fashionable solar visor peaks in a wide range of brilliant colours. The Peruna’s viewport and chin guard are formed in a different way, and the helmet lacks vents, leaving the shell strikingly easy.
As for security, the Peruna 2.0 gives ECE R22.05 rated safety. Out there in just a few colorways, I’m loving this Sundown Yellow model.
- Options: Uncommon discover / clear silhouette / daring & brilliant colorways / ECE rated
- The place to Purchase: Roeg
Ruby Castel Shibuya
Premium French retro helmet model Ruby Helmets entered the scene again in 2007. On the time, they have been the good helmet model round. Together with taking a look that was not like anything out there again then, they have been constructed to the extent of high quality you’d anticipate from high-end trend and automotive manufacturers.
This, after all, all got here at a worth—and if the dearth of a visor didn’t make your eyes water, reflecting on the associated fee certainly would. Proudly owning any Ruby helmet requires a hefty funding, and also you gained’t be seeing any change from $1000 USD for even their least expensive helmet.
Nevertheless, in the event you’re keen to spend the cash, relaxation assured you’ll be using round in a premium helmet that’s not often seen within the wild.
Certain, the total face Ruby Castel helmet’s extravagant price ticket is partly on account of it being a premium model, however the end on these helmets won’t disappoint. From the steel, resin-filled Ruby emblem on the forehead to the color matched fasteners, hand-sewn, quilted sheepskin liner, and jewel-like gildings, the Ruby Castel oozes high-end craftsmanship.
Each Ruby helmet can be constructed from carbon-fibre and all of the paintwork is finished by hand.
The Ruby Castel Shibuya is a nod to Japan’s Rising Solar flag—and, greater than doubtless, to its many unimaginable bike producers. The hand-painted pink and white stripes wrap boldly across the complete carbon fiber shell, giving it unmistakable presence.
Air flow comes through the huge viewport and mesh crammed vents within the chin bar. To complete issues off, the Shibuya is lined with fashionable and splendid sheepskin leather-based.
DMD Rocket Golden
When you’re trying to make an announcement out on the road, the DMD Rocket Golden helmet gained’t allow you to down. The attention-catching design leverages a mixture of matt black and vibrant gold finishes that divide the shell clear in two. To prime it off, DMD’s Rocket helmet has the sort of Seventies racer styling that’s all the fad proper now.
The DMD Rocket Golden isn’t only a present pony. Underneath that slick paint scheme, you’ll discover a carbon kevlar shell that’s ECE accepted. The oval viewport is roofed by a retro clear visor that secures with interval look press studs. Peer inside and also you’ll discover a luxurious detachable/washable liner and a padded D-ring closure chin strap.
As with most helmets that intention to authentically recreate classic types, the DMD Rocket Golden lacks the air flow you’ll discover in fashionable sports activities bike helmets. However let’s be sincere: feeling cool would be the final of your worries carrying a lid this groovy.
- Options: funky 70s fashion / carbon kevlar building / ECE & DOT licensed
- The place to Purchase: DMD
Blauer HT 80s
When you haven’t heard of Blauer, that’s in all probability since you’re not within the US army or police power. Blauer has been producing technical put on for these industries for years, however within the bike scene, they’re comparatively unknown.
This doesn’t imply they don’t produce product, although. Blauer applies the identical method to creating bike using gear as they do their tactical put on.
As hinted by its identify, the Blauer HT 80s takes styling cues from Eighties racing helmets. The total-face helmet incorporates a barely squared-off jaw, oval viewport, and a clasp secured visor, all of which distinguish it from different helmets on this checklist.
The Blauer HT 80s achieves an ECE security score, because of a Tri-composite shell constituted of a mixture of Dyneema, Carbon, and Aramid Fibres. On the within, Blauer has additionally utilized various densities of EPS foam to supply optimum safety towards impacts.
Together with its distinctive form, what makes the Blauer HT 80s so interesting is the way it’s completed. Out there in both a white or metallic gray base colour, the helmet incorporates a trio of velocity stripes that basically drive house its 80s vibe.
Regardless of its superior look, this helmet’s button-down visor gained’t be for everybody, as it may be a tad fiddly to function on the transfer. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.
- Options: radical 80s styling / tri-composite shell / 2.42 lbs
- The place to Purchase: Blauer USA
