Best Retro Motorcycle Helmets

The retro motorcycle helmet market has never been stronger. Riders who want the vintage aesthetic of 1960s and 1970s racing helmets no longer have to choose between heritage style and modern crash protection — multiple manufacturers now produce helmets that look authentically vintage while meeting current ECE 22.06, DOT, and Snell safety certifications. This roundup covers the best retro helmets across full-face, open-face, and three-quarter designs.

Best Retro Full-Face Helmets

Bell Bullitt

The Bell Bullitt is the helmet that revived the retro full-face category. Its flat shield, clean shell profile, and multi-bar chin ventilation reference the Bell Star of the 1970s — one of the most iconic racing helmets ever produced. The Bullitt uses a lightweight composite shell, multi-density EPS liner, and carries DOT and ECE certification. The flat shield offers a distinctive look but limits peripheral vision compared to a curved visor. Multiple shell sizes ensure a proportional fit across head sizes. The Bullitt is available in an extensive range of solid colors, metallic finishes, and heritage-inspired graphics. The Carbon variant ($$$) drops significant weight with a carbon fiber shell. Bell Bullitt on Amazon · Bell Bullitt on eBay.

SHOEI Glamster

The Glamster is Shoei’s entry into the retro full-face market, bringing the build quality and engineering that Shoei is known for in their sport and touring helmets. The shell uses Shoei’s AIM (Advanced Integrated Matrix) composite layup, the ventilation system is more sophisticated than most retro designs (without compromising the vintage appearance), and the visor mechanism is smooth and secure. ECE 22.06 certified. The Glamster fits slightly narrower than the Bullitt — Shoei’s oval head shape works well for riders who find rounder helmets like the Bell too wide at the temples. SHOEI Glamster on Amazon · SHOEI Glamster on eBay.

AGV X3000

The X3000 is a faithful reproduction of the AGV helmet worn by Giacomo Agostini during his Grand Prix career in the 1970s. It is the most racing-authentic retro full-face available — the shell shape, ventilation pattern, and shield design are nearly identical to the original. The modern version uses a fiberglass composite shell and meets ECE certification. The X3000 tends toward a rounder fit and is available in Ago’s original racing liveries as well as solid colors. AGV X3000 on Amazon · AGV X3000 on eBay.

Biltwell Lane Splitter

The Lane Splitter is Biltwell’s full-face offering at a budget-friendly price point ($). It uses an ABS shell (heavier than composite alternatives) and carries DOT certification. The chin bar ventilation and flat shield give it a vintage profile similar to more expensive options. For riders entering the retro helmet market who want full-face protection without the premium price, the Lane Splitter delivers solid value. Lane Splitter on Amazon · Lane Splitter on eBay.

Best Retro Open-Face Helmets

Biltwell Gringo S

The Gringo S is the open-face helmet that dominates the cafe racer and custom motorcycle scene. Its smooth, round shell and integrated snap-on shield create a clean silhouette. DOT certified with an injection-molded ABS shell. The internal fit is comfortable for most head shapes, and the price ($) makes it accessible as a first retro helmet. The standard Gringo (without the shield) is even more minimal and designed to pair with aftermarket goggles. Biltwell Gringo S on Amazon · Biltwell Gringo S on eBay.

Bell Custom 500

The Custom 500 has been in Bell’s lineup for decades and remains one of the best-regarded retro open-face helmets. It uses a fiberglass composite shell (lighter than the Biltwell’s ABS), carries DOT certification, and is available with Snell M2020-rated versions for riders who want the maximum open-face protection. The three-snap visor system accepts Bell’s bubble shields, flat shields, and flip visors. Multiple shell sizes provide a proportional fit. Bell Custom 500 on Amazon · Bell Custom 500 on eBay.

Ruby Belvedere

The Belvedere occupies the ultra-premium tier ($$$) of the retro open-face market. Hand-laid carbon fiber shell, French craftsmanship, ECE certified, and available in an extraordinary range of artisan finishes including hand-painted designs. The Ruby is as much a luxury object as it is a motorcycle helmet — the interior trim uses premium leather and alcantara. Weight is exceptionally low thanks to the carbon construction. This is the helmet for riders who want the absolute best materials and craftsmanship and are willing to pay accordingly. Ruby helmets on Amazon · Ruby helmets on eBay.

Budget-Friendly Retro Options

HJC V60

The V60 is HJC’s retro full-face offering at a price point that undercuts the Bell Bullitt and SHOEI Glamster significantly. It uses a polycarbonate shell, carries DOT and ECE certification, and offers a clean vintage profile with a flat visor. HJC’s fit tends toward a rounder internal shape. For riders on a budget who want a certified retro full-face, the V60 is the value leader. HJC V60 on Amazon · HJC V60 on eBay.

Simpson Speed Bandit

Simpson’s distinctive helmet designs have cult status in the custom motorcycle world. The Speed Bandit features Simpson’s signature angular chin bar and tinted shield in a DOT-certified package. The aggressive profile is polarizing — it does not look like a traditional cafe racer helmet, but it has a loyal following among custom builders who want something different from the Bell and Biltwell mainstream. Simpson Speed Bandit on Amazon · Simpson Speed Bandit on eBay.

How to Choose the Right Retro Helmet

Start with certification. ECE 22.06 is the strongest standard available in the retro market. DOT is the minimum. If a helmet does not carry at least DOT certification, it is not a motorcycle helmet regardless of how it looks.

Next, determine your head shape. Helmets are designed around three general head shapes: round oval (Biltwell, AGV), intermediate oval (Bell, HJC), and long oval (Shoei, Arai). A helmet that does not match your head shape will create pressure points, feel loose in certain areas, and may not protect properly in a crash because the EPS liner will not make consistent contact with your head.

Consider weight. Composite shells (fiberglass, carbon) are lighter than thermoplastic (ABS, polycarbonate) at equivalent protection levels. A lighter helmet causes less neck fatigue on long rides and less rotational mass in an impact. The weight difference between an ABS budget helmet and a carbon premium helmet can be significant.

Finally, think about your open-face versus full-face decision honestly. An open-face helmet is the iconic cafe racer look, but it provides no chin-bar protection. Crash data shows a significant percentage of facial impacts occur in the chin bar zone. A retro full-face gives you the heritage aesthetic with chin protection included.

Visor and Shield Options

The visor system is a significant differentiator between retro full-face helmets. The Bell Bullitt and AGV X3000 use flat visors that reference period-correct designs but create more optical distortion than curved shields. The SHOEI Glamster uses a gently curved visor with better optical clarity. Flat visors also tend to catch more wind at speed, creating lift forces that curved visors deflect. For open-face helmets, the three-snap visor system (standard on Bell Custom 500, Biltwell Bonanza) accepts bubble shields, flat shields, and flip visors. Bubble shields provide the best wind protection and a distinctive retro look. Flat shields are more streamlined. Snap-on peaks (common on scrambler-style open-face helmets) deflect sun glare but catch wind at highway speeds and are best suited for lower-speed urban riding.

Photochromic visors and shields that darken in sunlight and clear in low light are increasingly available as aftermarket options for popular retro helmets. They eliminate the need to carry a second visor or swap between tinted and clear shields during a ride that spans daylight and dusk. Pinlock anti-fog inserts are available for most flat and curved visors and are strongly recommended for riders who encounter temperature changes or humid conditions that cause visor fogging. retro helmet visors on Amazon · retro helmet visors on eBay.

Helmet Fit and Sizing

A helmet that does not fit properly will not protect you regardless of its certification level. Measure your head circumference at the widest point (typically just above the eyebrows and ears) with a soft tape measure, then consult the manufacturer's size chart. Every brand sizes differently. Try the helmet on and check for even pressure around the entire head without hot spots or gaps. The cheek pads should press firmly against your cheeks without being painful. The helmet should not rotate on your head when you shake it side to side. A new helmet will break in slightly as the EPS liner and cheek pads compress with use, so a slightly snug fit out of the box is correct. If you are between sizes, choose the smaller size. A helmet that is too loose will shift during a crash and may come off entirely.

Frequently Asked Questions