If you only change one piece of kit this year, make it your helmet. The latest lids are safer, quieter and easier to live with than ever. This guide helps you pick the right style for your riding, demystifies ECE 22.06, sets a realistic budget, and explains when to retire a tired lid.
If you want zero guesswork, book a fitting at Ryder Motorcycles in Sittingbourne and we will size you properly, check shell shape and make sure your chosen visor and comms play nicely together.
Start with riding style: pick the right helmet type
Full face: Best allround road protection. Great for commuting, touring and spirited weekend rides. Typically the quietest and most stable at speed.
Modular (flipfront): Ideal for touring and yearround commuting. Flip up at fuel stops or when talking to gate staff. Some are dualhomologated so you can legally ride with the chin bar up in certain positions, always check the label.
Adventure: Roadbiased ADV lids add a peak to shade your eyes and accept goggles for light lanes or travel. Offroad focused versions ventilate more and are louder on a motorway. If you split time between Aroads and gravel, an adventure motorcycle helmet can be a great compromise.
Open face: Light, airy and classic. Perfect for short city hops or retro bikes. Understand the trade offs around chin protection and wind noise.
ECE 22.06, the new standard you want
ECE 22.06 is the current European standard for motorcycle helmets. It adds more impact points, tests at more speeds, includes rotation tests and checks visors and sun visors more rigorously. In short, a 22.06 lid has passed tougher checks than 22.05.
When possible, choose 22.06 and make sure the size you buy carries the same approval. If a model you love is still 22.05 on runout, weigh the price saving against the step forward in testing under 22.06.
Fitment, shell sizes and EPS, why they matter
A helmet protects best when it fits perfectly. Here is what to look for during a fitting:
Head shape: Most brands lean toward intermediate oval, some toward rounder or narrower crowns. You should feel even pressure all around, with no hot spots on the forehead or temples.
Shell sizes: Premium models offer two or three outer shell sizes across the range. More shell sizes usually mean better proportions, reduced weight and less wind noise for smaller heads.
EPS liner: The multidensity foam inside manages impact energy. A snug EPS fit is key. With the strap done up, the helmet should not rotate freely when you try to move it, and your cheeks should feel firm pressure.
Movement test: Shake your head sidetoside and look down; the helmet should stay stable. After 15 minutes, check for numb spots. If any appear, try a different size or brand.
Book a free size check at our showroom, and we will also confirm whether cheek pads can be tuned or swapped to perfect the fit.
Visors, Pinlock and everyday usability
Quickrelease visors: Handy for cleaning bugs or swapping to a tinted visor on bright days. Look for a positive central lock to keep the visor sealed at speed.
Pinlock ready: A Pinlock insert virtually eliminates misting in rain and cold. Many 22.06 lids include the insert in the box; if not, add one.
Sun visors: Dropdown inners are convenient for commuting. Track riders and purists often prefer a clear visor and separate dark road visor for optical clarity.
Tearoff and racing shields: If you ride track, choose a race shield with tearoff posts and check the seal is tight to keep noise down.
Comms integration, go handsfree the clean way
Modern helmets often include speaker recesses, hidden mic channels and external mounting plates to suit popular systems. If you run group comms or sat nav prompts, we recommend Cardo for clear audio and waterproof convenience.
During a fitting we will check speaker position, confirm clamp or adhesive placement, and ensure the sun visor still clears the mic boom.
Prefer everything preinstalled? Ask us to supply and fit a Cardo unit when you collect your helmet.
Noise, vents and weight, finding your comfort zone
Noise: Shell shape, neck roll design and visor seal make a big difference. A quiet helmet is less fatiguing on long rides. Add properly sized cheek pads and use ear protection for the best result. We stock auritech ear plugs if you want reusable filters that keep sirens and intercoms clear without the roar.
Ventilation: Look for easytouse chin and crown vents you can operate with winter gloves. Removable breath guards and chin curtains let you tune airflow for seasons.
Weight: Carbon and composite shells save grams and reduce neck strain. On long days, a 100–150 g saving feels bigger than it sounds.
Which motorcycle helmet brand is best?
There is no single best brand for everyone. Head shape, features and budget decide the winner. In UK dealers you will commonly find Arai, AGV, Shark, Scorpion and Bell among others.
Arai is known for meticulous shell construction and fit options, AGV for light weights and aero stability, Shark for value in modulars, Scorpion for strong spec at friendly prices, and Bell for classic styling with modern safety.
Try on several, then pick the one that fits you perfectly, carries ECE 22.06 and delivers the features you value.
If you are browsing at home, start with our curated ranges for arai motorcycle helmets, agv helmets and scorpion helmets. You can compare shapes, weights and visor systems, then book an instore fit to lock in the correct size.
How much should a motorbike helmet cost in 2026?
As a rule of thumb in the UK:
£120–£200: Entrylevel 22.06 polycarbonate lids. Great for learners and second lids. Expect basic ventilation, Pinlockready visors and simple liners.
£200–£400: Midrange with better aero, quieter seals, Pinlock included, improved interiors and speaker recesses. Many riders will be happy here.
£400–£700: Premium composite or carbon shells, multiple shell sizes, advanced venting and plush, customisable interiors. Often the sweet spot for daily riders and tourers.
£700+: Flagship race or carbon touring lids. Lightest weights, best aero, trick visors and topend noise control.
Spend what you can comfortably afford, but prioritise fit and 22.06 approval over fancy graphics. A perfectly fitting £250 helmet can protect and perform better for you than a £700 helmet in the wrong shape.
Are open face motorcycle helmets legal in the UK?
Yes, open face helmets are legal if they are ECEapproved and carry the correct labelling. You do not legally have to wear separate eye protection, but riding without it can be uncomfortable and risky. We strongly recommend using a visor or suitable goggles to keep wind, debris and insects out of your eyes.
Remember the protection trade off. No chin bar means more wind, more noise and less facial impact protection. For urban and classic rides they can be a joy, but for fast Aroads you may prefer a small, quiet full face.
When to replace your helmet, service life and crash rules
Age: Most manufacturers suggest five years of use as a guide for retiring a lid. UV exposure, sweat, cleaning chemicals and general wear can harden or degrade EPS and adhesives over time.
Impacts: If your helmet has been involved in a crash or heavy drop, replace it. Even if the shell looks fine, the EPS can be compromised. Many brands offer crash replacement schemes; ask us to check your brand’s policy.
Liner wear and fit: If the cheek pads compress and you can roll the helmet off your head with the strap done up, it is time for new pads or a new lid.
Hardware: Worn visor ratchets that will not seal, broken vents and cracked strap covers are all signs to consider replacement.
Is a 20 year old motorcycle helmet still good?
No, retire it. Materials degrade with age and it will not meet current 22.06 standards. Keep it on the shelf as memorabilia, not on your head.
Ryder’s fitting service and winter sale
Drop into our Sittingbourne showroom for a personal fit session. We will measure your head, check shell shape, talk through features and set up your visor and comms. Buy a bike from us and you get 10% off helmets, clothing and accessories.
This winter, look out for bundle deals on lids with Pinlock and Cardo, plus flexible finance on selected premium models.
Prefer to browse first? Explore our motorcycle helmets collection online, then book a nopressure fitting to avoid sizing mistakes.
Quick checklist before you buy
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ECE 22.06 label on the exact size you are purchasing.
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Secure, even fit with firm cheek pressure and no hot spots after 15 minutes.
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Pinlockready visor and insert included.
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Speaker recesses and clean mic route if you use comms.
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Easy vent toggles you can work with gloves.
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Weight and balance feel right for your neck.
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Return policy confirmed in case you need a different size.
The bottom line
The best helmet is the one that fits you perfectly, carries ECE 22.06 and suits your riding. Try different brands, focus on comfort and clarity, and do not keep an old or crashed lid in service.
If you want help, we are here. Book your fitting at Ryder Motorcycles, grab a wintersale bundle, and ride into 2026 with a quieter, safer lid that you will be happy to wear every single day.