Top 6 Best Motorcycle Racing Helmets On The Market In 2022 Review

Choosing the best motorcycle helmet is the most important decision a rider will ever make. This piece of kit that can literally make the difference between life and death. As we all know, nothing is more important than safety, right?

However, with so many choices, it can be difficult to decide on the best option for your needs, and there are many things to consider. Safety is obviously a priority, but a variety of designs and alternative features make this purchase a laborious task.

Therefore, we have put together this review of the best motorcycle racing helmets currently available. So, let’s go through it and find the perfect racing helmet for you…

Top 6 Best Motorcycle Racing Helmets You Should Buy Reviews

1 Bell Qualifier DLX Blackout Street Motorcycle Helmet – Best Affordable Motorcycle Racing Helmet

For whom the Bell tolls

When it comes to making the best motorcycle racing helmets, Bell is a brand we can trust. Add in their rich history in manufacturing high-quality products, and we get a great start to our review of the Best Racing Helmets for Motorcycles.

This Bell helmet comes with a lightweight polycarbonate composite shell. This construction provides a solid structure and prevents neck fatigue. This three shell expanded polystyrene (EPS) design offers a high level of protection, so we feel secure and safe.

Snug as a bug in a rug…

The interior padding with contoured cheek pads that provide a comfortable and snug fit; it is also removable and easily washable. Also, the micro-fleece fabric absorbs moisture and is anti-microbial. So no more smelly hair!

This helmet comes with two shields, one clear and the other a dark smoke shield. Both visors have anti-fog and anti-scratch coatings. Other features include a ventilation system keeping you cool and a padded wind collar, which helps reduce wind noise.

So far, so good! But, there’s a catch…

Firstly, the quick release snap on/off visor feature is a little clumsy and could damage the visor when changing from clear to dark. Given that many helmets offer interior sun visors, this system can be a little cumbersome. Another issue is that even with the wind collar, there was too much road and wind noise.

Overall this is a good quality helmet that we can trust to keep us safe and doesn’t break the bank.

And we love the stylish matte finish!

2 HJC 980-615 IS-MAX II Modular Motorcycle Helmet – Best Modular Motorcycle Racing Helmet

The best of both worlds

HJC are another brand with experience in manufacturing high-quality motorcycle helmets. And next up, we have one of their modular helmets, the 980-615 IS-MAX II.

“What does modular mean?” we hear you ask!

Well, simply put, you can either use this as an open-face or full-face helmet.

More on this later…

Let’s start with the safety features of this HJC hat. A robust Polycarbonate composite shell provides a lightweight but tough structure. This will keep us safe in the knowledge that if the worst happens, we will have a high standard of protection.

The inner liner and cheek padding offer a cozy fit without feeling like we are squeezed into the helmet. Again all interior padding is absorbent and anti-bacterial and can be easily removed and washed.

Let the air flow…

Another feature we like is the advanced channeling ventilation system. This full front to back airflow is great at flushing heat upwards and outwards. Great for staying cool!

The interior sun shield is easy to use, even when wearing gloves. The single button one handed chin bar release is another quick and easy feature. This comes in very handy when you need to remove your helmet hurriedly to free any rogue insects!

But the best part? As previously mentioned, is that this is a modular helmet.

So why is this useful?

Well, it allows you to lift the chin protection, exposing our face. In hot climates, we can have more airflow on our skin, helping us keep cool. And if we wear glasses, it is easy to take on and off without removing our frames.

So, what’s the catch?

It is hard to fault this helmet. However, at higher speeds, it can be a little noisy, and at times the visor can fog. Also, sadly the pin lock and the anti-fog shield are sold separately.

All in all, this helmet offers many awesome features at a reasonable cost.

3 2022 Fox Racing V1 – Best Off Road Motorcycle Racing Helmet

Fox in the hole

Here we have an entry from Fox Racing. If you enjoy taking to the dirt, then you will be familiar with this brand. This off-road helmet is one tough cookie.

The design of the outer shell consists of molded polycarbonate. This gives a lightweight yet strong material that can dissipate energy from impact. As anyone familiar with the dark arts of motocross knows, involuntary dismounts can be frequent and painful.

Cool as a cucumber…

One of the features we love is the ventilation system this helmet offers. There are multiple inlets that ensure constant airflow to enter, coupled with rear extractors that allow hot air to escape.

The inner padding is comfortable and easily removed. Off-road riding is a sweaty endeavor, and this quick-dry, breathable material is perfect for a racing helmet.

Magnetic visor release system…

Another neat aspect of this helmet is the magnetic visor release system. No more screws! This not only secures the shield in place but also enables us to remove the visor with ease.

And there’s more! This hat comes with a double buckle closure for the chin strap, the safest available.

So, is there a downside?

This is not the most versatile design of helmet as it is specially designed for off-road use. This means that there is no full visor provided as most bikers use goggles with this kind of design.

In conclusion, we think this is a quality off-road helmet, offering great value for money.

4 YEMA Helmet Unisex-Adult Motorcycle Full Face – Best Budget Motorcycle Racing Helmet

The price is right!

Now it’s time to turn towards a pocket-friendly option. Yema might not have the same brand exposure as some other manufacturers we have looked at.

Does that mean we sacrifice safety and quality?

Not with this helmet, and this is why we should consider some lower-cost options.

Let’s begin with the ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene). This is a cheaper option compared to other polycarbonate shells. The outcome? It is heavier and harder. On the plus side, this means that it is less likely to scratch.

We love the look of the aerodynamic shell. And it’s not all about appearances! There are other great features on offer here.

No fogging…

The inner sun visor is easy to open and close along with a clear scratch resistant outer screen. We also like the breath deflector, which helps reduce fogging. Surprisingly, the visor design offers a wide field of vision, making it easy to check blind spots.

What’s more, we have removable padding that has space for those who wear glasses. This liner can be easily washed. An adjustable ventilation system creates a constant flow of air, keeping you cool and comfortable. Lastly, a quick-release chin strap allows you to remove your helmet with ease.

Does this all sound too good to be true?

With low-cost alternatives, there are always a couple of drawbacks. The ventilation system is not perfect, and at times, it’s difficult to tell if the vents were open or closed!

Another issue is the inner padding. It doesn’t feel as thick as some other helmets we have looked at. We also found that at higher speeds, it was a little noisy.

So is this helmet worth a look at?

Yes! Despite some minor faults, this is a very good helmet at a very good price.

5 Shoei Solid X-14 – Best Premium Motorcycle Racing Helmet

If the Shoei fits…

At the other end of the price spectrum, we have this helmet from one of the biggest hitters in motorcycle safety, Shoei, who have produced some of the best motorbike racing helmets for decades.

This helmet was developed in conjunction with MotoGP riders; therefore, it has a lot to live up to.

But, does this all lead us to the best racing helmet on the market?

Let’s get stuck in and find out!

To begin, we have a sleek aerodynamic design. This helmet has been tested in a wind tunnel with changeable spoilers to provide ultimate stabilization out on the track. These reduce wind resistance. It increases stability, allowing us to see the road ahead clearly, even at the highest speeds.

This attention to detail is also present when it comes to safety. Using a six-layer composite shell, we can be sure that this will offer the best protection money can buy.

A perfect fit…

And that high standard of materials is noticeable with the inner liner too. Not only washable, but it is also adjustable, so we can change the thickness of the padding. This all ensures we will have the perfect fit.

This padding absorbs moisture faster than traditional nylon, and with an innovative ventilation system, this lid stays cool and dry. Plus, it has a feature which we have never seen before! A vent on the lower chin guard that directs air toward the cheek pads.

Often more focus on ventilation can compromise noise suppression. Not with this helmet! At high speeds, this is surprisingly quiet.

Perfect vision in any weather…

Included is a Pinlock Evo anti-fog visor. All we need to do is attach the insert to our shield, and we will be fog-free when we ride.

Whilst this all sounds great, there is an issue. The price. This is not a budget-friendly option!

However, we are looking for the best motorcycle racing helmet! Often, we get what we pay for, and that is certainly the case here!

6 O’Neal 2Series – Best Ventilated Motorcycle Racing Helmet

The real deal

Our last contender is this off-road helmet from O’Neal. This is another familiar brand that has been making quality helmets since the seventies.

Does it meet our expectations?

Constructed using lightweight ABS, this shell sits nicely without putting strain on our neck. The adjustable shield and rubber nose guard provide further protection to keep us safe and sound.

Add a double-D release chin strap, and this helmet feels as secure as we would expect.

Cool on the outside and the inside…

As with the other helmets in this review, we have removable and washable lining. This inner padding is generous, giving us a nice snug fit without pressing too hard against our face.

What sets this helmet apart is the ventilation. There is nothing worse than that musty whiff of our lid after a day tearing up the trails! Multiple front air vents and rear exhaust vents allow airflow through the helmet. This keeps us cool even in the most sweltering conditions.

There is much to like about this helmet! And its reasonable price adds to the appeal; in fact, it’s probably the Best Value for the Money Motorcycle Racing Helmet you can buy.

So are there any drawbacks?

Well, that depends on what we are looking for. For off-road riders, this is a great helmet and offers fantastic quality and safety. All without breaking the bank! But, for the speed freaks out there, the lack of a front visor may be an issue.

Best Motorcycle Racing Helmets Buying Guide

Motorcycle helmets come in so many guises. Therefore, it can be a challenge deciding which option is best! So how do we choose?

Safety and fit

For us, the priority has to be safety. After all, whether on track or road, we need a helmet that absorbs impacts and provides the rider with the necessary protection.

Another important consideration is having the right fit. After wearing a helmet for just a few minutes, pinch points can cause annoyance. After a few hours, it could cause serious discomfort. Often the padding will loosen over time and mold around the shape of our face, therefore buy a hardwearing model is always recommended.

The correct size will not only offer maximum comfort but also provide additional safety. Therefore, it’s a good idea to carefully check the sizing guides of each helmet before you buy.

Which design?

There are also a variety of designs from open face helmets to modular and full face. Each of these styles has its merits according to the style of riding you enjoy.

Here we are looking at the best quality motorcycle racing helmets. With that in mind, full-face helmets are the best option. These provide the ultimate safety and, at track speeds, have the least noise.

Removable liners

And there are other extra features that we might want to consider. Today, most helmets have removable liners. They are easy to wash, helping to prevent that stale sweaty stench after a long ride.

If you are riding in hotter conditions, the ventilation system becomes important. It can get pretty warm after just a few laps around the track, and having airflow through your lid can make a difference.

Aerodynamic Design

We also need to think about aerodynamic resistance. At full throttle, our head takes a buffeting from the wind, increasing vibrations. This can affect your vision and ability to move your head. Therefore, the shape of the helmet comes to the fore. While we love the aesthetic of an aggressive design, there are more pressing aspects than looks to consider.

And what about visor options?

Well, internal sun visors are more common these days, but racing purists often prefer to change outer shields. Therefore, a quick and easy release system to swap out our windscreen is a must.

We hope that this guide will provide some clarity when choosing your next helmet.

Looking for more superb biking accessories?

If so, check out our reviews of the Best Motorbike Helmet Locks, the Best Penetrating Oil, our Best Motorcycle Storage Sheds, our Motorcycle Covers review, and the Best Motorcycle Tank Bags you can buy.

You can also check out our in-depth Best Motorcycle Covers review, as well as our reviews of the Best Wheel and Tire Cleaners, the Best Motorcycle GPS Trackers, the Best Motorcycle Shocks, and the Best Motorcycle Cleaners on the market in 2022.

So, what are the Best Motorcycle Racing Helmets?

This was a tough call with some great options in our list. But in reality, there could only be one winner. Despite the high price tag, our winner is the…

Shoei Solid X-14

This is for the racing purists. It has many great features, including optional spoilers, customized aerodynamics, and tailored inner liner sizes.

The attention to detail when constructing this helmet is impressive. From wind tunnel testing to enlisting the opinions of some legends of motorcycle racing, this helmet is head and shoulders above the competition.

Time to suit up and hit the road!