Best Motorcycle Helmets 2021
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TechTranscript
00:00Spurge with RevZilla here with Brandon to welcome you to our picks for the best motorcycle helmets
00:15of 2021. We evaluated the construction, build quality, comfort, and safety of nearly all the
00:20lids on the market in 2021 to choose the best option for five different categories of helmets,
00:25but it doesn't stop there because this year we're doing things a little bit different.
00:29After we share with you our top of the pyramid selections for each category,
00:32we're then going to go and supplement that with a more budget-friendly option that we feel
00:37really holds its own even at a lower price point. We've got budget options starting at just $160
00:43and premium helmets topping out around $750. All the helmets we'll be discussing today have
00:48a different shade of an intermediate oval fit, which should work well for most of you out there
00:52on the market. Now, if you're not sure what Brandon's talking about there, we're talking
00:54about a helmet that's a little bit longer front to back, a little bit narrower on the side of
00:57the head, but if you're a new rider and you're really not sure what that means,
01:00make sure you check out our how to size and buy a helmet guide to understand how to measure your
01:05head and determine the right shape helmet to match your noodle. Lots of good information in there,
01:10but enough of that, let's kick things off with our choice for the best full face helmet for the
01:15street in 2021, and that is going to the Shoei RF 1400, which starts in around 500 bucks.
01:22Now, hold on a second there, Captain. This is the best street helmet for an all-around full
01:27face. For those of you looking for something more aggressive, maybe to take to the track,
01:31we have a separate category for you later in the video. Now, Brandon, please tell us about the RF
01:351400. Stay tuned is what Spurgeon's saying. Now, for those of you who haven't been following along,
01:39the RF 1400 is an updated version of the RF 1200, which has been our go-to pick for the best
01:45all-around helmet since, I don't know, about seven years now at this point. It's actually held that
01:49top spot in our guide more than once. So, the RF 1400 is going to be an excellent all-around
01:55option. It's going to maintain a lot of the DNA that we liked from its predecessor. Still offered
01:59in four shell sizes, still comes with a Snell certification, universal intermediate oval fit
02:03that seems to work for like 90% of the audience out there, and there is a pinlock insert included
02:09with the helmet. The aim plus shell construction also remains the same, but the shape has been
02:13updated to improve the overall aerodynamics and the stability at speed by reducing drag and lift.
02:19The RF 1400 also features new vents, which improve airflow while contributing again to
02:24that reduced drag. Yeah. So, the internal fit actually has changed a bit. There's more padding
02:29around the cheek pads. There's an updated neck roll. This gives the helmet a more enclosed fit,
02:33which helps to reduce wind noise while also making the helmet feel more secure at higher speeds.
02:39I also really like the new face shield. We talked about that pinlock insert. You now have a wider
02:43field of vision with that pinlock insert installed, and you have a better ceiling gasket around the
02:48face shield itself. Now, the 1400 is a great helmet, but if you're looking for a full-face helmet that
02:53is a bit more budget-friendly, then our top pick in 2021 is going to the Icon Air Flight, which is
02:58starting in around $250. So, if you were hanging out with us last year, you probably remember that
03:04the Air Flight won our People's Choice Award as it was the best-selling helmet of the year, a fact
03:09that has actually remained the same throughout all of 2020. It features a universally comfortable
03:15internal fit with hydro-dried liner, an internal drop-down sun visor, aggressively styled polycarb
03:20shell, and a uniquely styled face shield. You can further customize the style via swappable shields,
03:25as well as the spoiler on the back, which comes in a variety of different colors. All of this with
03:29an ECE safety rating. And in addition to the base model, Icon also introduced a MIPS version this
03:34past year, which improves protection as it helps to prevent injury in rotational impacts as well.
03:41So, there you have it. These are the best full-face street helmets of the year for your consideration.
03:45If you're looking for more of a premium option, check out the Shoei RF-1400. And if you're looking
03:50for something with a bit more of a budget to it, check out the Icon Air Flight. So, let's shift
03:54things away from the street for a minute and talk about a helmet for you riders who enjoy getting
03:59out there off-road, on the trails, you know, perhaps hooking your bike at the MX track.
04:03Let's check out the best dirt lid for 2021, and that is going to the Fly Racing Dirt Formula CC
04:09helmet, coming in around 450 bucks. You might be familiar with the Fly Racing Dirt Formula Carbon
04:15helmet, as it won our best dirt helmet of the 2020 gear guides. Well, now we have the CC version,
04:21which stands for carbon composite. Unlike the full carbon version, this lid actually utilizes a
04:27tri-weave composite shell consisting of carbon fiber, DuPont Kevlar, and fiberglass. Now, aside
04:33from the change to the shell construction, the Formula CC helmet maintains all of that same
04:37safety tech as the full carbon version. You've still got Rion, which is their tech for low speed
04:42linear rotational impacts, Conehead EPS technology, which manages impact for high and low speed forces
04:48on the old noodle, crazy good ventilation, and the interior liner is one of the most comfortable
04:52options I've used in the dirt world. Plus, it features a DOT and ECE certification for those
04:57of you out there looking to utilize this helmet as a dual sport option, both on and off-road.
05:02So, the original Fly Dirt Formula Carbon helmet was one of this guy's favorites over the past few
05:08years. It's one of the only helmets I've seen him using. This new CC version offers up all of those
05:13features, but with only an extra two or three ounces of weight, but it shaves about $200 off
05:19the price. Even with that additional weight gain, it's still one of the lightest dirt helmets on
05:24the market. Now, even with the lower price, we recognize that the Fly Racing CC helmet is still
05:28a bit pricey for some of you out there. So, for those of you looking for off-road protection, but
05:32would like to keep it under $200, the Bell MX-9 MIPS helmet is our top pick for the best budget
05:39dirt helmet of 2021. If you're looking to spend, you know, around $160, this is the helmet that is
05:45really for you. It starts out around $160, depending on the graphics, and what we love about this
05:49helmet is that it packs a lot of punch and a lot of protection into a helmet without a big price tag.
05:54It really does. The MX-9 features a lightweight polycarb shell, offers a ton of airflow, and has
05:59an ECE certification. It also incorporates MIPS technology, which, as we mentioned before, is
06:05something that greatly improves rotational impact energy displacement. It's one of the most affordable
06:09off-road helmets to feature MIPS, which is especially important in the dirt world where
06:13low-speed rotational hits are a frequent occurrence. I think we both crashed quite a bit.
06:18Yeah, personally, I've actually owned two of these helmets because the first one was retired after I
06:22took a header into some rocks, but this is going to be our top pick for the best off-road helmet of
06:282021 if you are shopping under that $200 price point. So, for those of you looking for the best
06:34dirt bike helmet to consider for 2021, our picks are going to the Fly Racing Dirt Formula CC helmet,
06:39and then we got the budget-friendly option, the MX-9 with MIPS. All right, let's get out of the
06:43dirt and move on to our next category, which is going to be the best modular helmet of 2021,
06:50and that is going to go to the AGV Sport Modular Carbon helmet coming in around $750.
06:56The AGV Sport Modular Carbon helmet weighs in at three pounds, two ounces in a size medium,
07:01which makes it the lightest modular helmet we've ever tested. AGV accomplishes this by using a 3K
07:06100% carbon fiber shell, which in turn keeps the weight low without sacrificing that protection.
07:12This is going to feature an intermediate oval fit that is going to work for a much
07:16wider American audience. It is a very comfortable helmet. In addition, the Sport Modular helmet
07:21features a reversible interior liner that allows riders to adjust the helmet to accommodate climate
07:26or weather changes. It also features great ventilation, and in my experience, it's one
07:30of the more quiet modular helmets I've used. Plus, if you take a look at my ride tested reviews,
07:35you'll find that it's pretty easy to eat some pizza while you're out there on the road.
07:39For the rest of us that aren't eating pizza while riding our motorcycle,
07:43the AGV Sport Modular is an incredible helmet. But if you're not looking to spend north of $700
07:48and you want to keep it more sub $300, then our pick for the best budget modular is going to go
07:53to the CDC Systema II, starting around $220. The Systema II has been completely redesigned
07:59from the ground up. It got an all new shell constructed of a blend of fiberglass and aramid
08:04fiber, which have been molded into a more aerodynamic shell shape, thus creating a more
08:09protective shell that also reduces turbulence and lift to help minimize rider fatigue.
08:13It's also relatively lightweight, comes in around three pounds, 12 ounces, which is
08:18nice and light considering the price point. Now, in an effort to fit a wider audience,
08:23CDC has also incorporated five millimeters of adjustability via panels of padding at the
08:29forehead and the temples, so you can adjust those pads to get the right fit for your head.
08:35You'll also find a drop-down sun visor, removable and washable liners, pinlock ready face shield,
08:40double deer enclosure, and even an ECE certification. Now, additional variations of
08:44the Systema II are also offered in a carbon fiber shell. And then we've got a version that incorporates
08:50Bluetooth communication system that's built right into the helmet. So there you have it. These are
08:54our top picks for the best modular helmets of the year. And if you're looking to spend more of a
08:59premium, you want to go with the AGV Sport Modular. If you're looking to keep it under $300,
09:04then your winner is going to be the SIDISHI Systema II. So let's move on to the best ADV
09:09helmet of 2021, and that is going to the Arai XD4, which starts in around $610. And Spurge,
09:17I know you personally own this helmet, yeah? I do. I've actually had one for a few years at
09:20this point, and it is my go-to lid for when the trip involves both highway and off-road use.
09:25The XD4 has everything that we've grown to love from Arai's street helmets, such as a premium
09:30handmade shell, and overall build quality. But now it incorporates added benefits for the
09:35adventure rider, such as an aerodynamically tuned peak, which helps to reduce buffeting,
09:40making this helmet incredibly stable at high speeds. It weighs in at three pounds and nine
09:45ounces in a size medium, making it relatively lightweight in the ADV category, especially
09:49considering it carries a Snell safety certification. It also allows off-road ADV riders to
09:55utilize a pair of goggles without having to remove the face shield. So another great feature for
10:00riding off-road is the ventilation. While it doesn't flow as much air as a true dirt helmet,
10:05it's easily the best venting helmet in the ADV category. While the Arai XD4 is going to hold
10:10the coveted top spot for those of you looking for something a bit more budget-friendly,
10:14you should consider our top budget ADV pick of the year, and that is going to
10:19the Scorpion AT950. I took the words out of Brandon's mouth, coming in around 270 bucks.
10:25Now, one of the unique features that sets the EXO AT950 apart from other helmets in the category
10:29is that it is the only one that is modular by design. The AT950 weighs about three pounds,
10:3512 ounces, features an internal sun visor, as well as a removable peak visor on top. Like the Arai
10:41XD4, the Scorpion can also accommodate a pair of goggles, but unlike the Arai, you have to remove
10:46the shield. The AT950 is an ongoing favorite in the RevZilla community and is an excellent option
10:51for you to consider that won't break the bank. So our top picks for the ADV category are going to
10:56go to the Arai XD4. If you want something a bit more premium, and if you want something a bit more
11:02budget-friendly, you're going to want to check out the Scorpion AT950. Mr. Wise, what is next?
11:07So it's our final category of the year, and that is the best sport helmet for 2021. And our top
11:13pick is going to the Bellflex Raystar DLX, starting out around $735. So returning for the second year
11:21in a row, the Bell has made a triumphant return, and this is really a testament to how great this
11:27helmet is. Debuting in 2019, it was lighter and more comfortable than the previous version. It
11:32also now includes a Protin photochromatic shield, which was previously a $150 add-on.
11:37Weighing in at three pounds, five ounces in a medium, it's one of the lightest helmets in this
11:41category to also feature a Snell safety rating. It also features Bell's Flex internal liner,
11:47which is a revolutionary class-leading safety technology that utilizes three different EPS
11:52materials for protection against low, mid, and high speed impacts. In addition, the Flex system
11:57also reduces rotational impact, which is a pretty big deal. Personally, I've owned this helmet for
12:02almost two years now, and it's really become my go-to for track use. So for those of you looking
12:07for something a bit more affordable, our final pick goes to the Scorpion XOR1 Air Helmet. This
12:14is our top pick for the best budget option in the race sport category, coming in around 400 bucks.
12:20Now, I've been using this helmet for the last year and a half, and it continues to impress me.
12:24The XOR1 Air Helmet weighs just three pounds, three ounces in a size medium. That's actually
12:29lighter than our DLX we got over here, just saying. It has a very aggressively sporty shell
12:34design, which helps with the aerodynamics to reduce drag and lift at those higher speeds.
12:39So speaking of higher speeds, one of the things that I really like about the XOR1 is that it has
12:45Scorpion's AirFit system, which features little tiny bladders behind the cheek pad so you can
12:49adjust the fit. Now, I will admit that when the AirFit system was first introduced, I felt it was
12:55a bit gimmicky, kind of like those Reeboks in the 90s where you pumped them up and it made you jump
12:58higher and, you know, hit the basketball in the net. It didn't actually work, but the Scorpion AirFit
13:03system does work. I like the fact that I can put the helmet on and then really snug up the cheek
13:09pads, making it super tight. This is going to be a feature that's really going to benefit you if you
13:13like riding aggressively or if you plan on taking this helmet to the racetrack. It also comes with
13:18an additional dark smoke shield included in the box, a really solid value add considering this
13:23price point. So there you have it. Our top race and sport helmets of the year go to the Bell
13:28RaceStar Flex DLX Helmet, and then we've got the budget-friendly option, the Scorpion XOR1 Air.
13:34That's going to wrap up our top picks for the best motorcycle helmets of 2021.
13:38If you want more information on any of the helmets you've seen in today's video,
13:41make sure you check out their individual detailed breakdown videos at RevZilla.
13:45Now the analysis doesn't stop there. We've also put together gear guide articles on Common Tread
13:49that dive deeper into the details on every category across motorcycle gear. You're going to
13:54get to read about our testing, you're going to see the gear on riders, and most importantly,
13:57you're going to get our opinions on what gear deserves your consideration in the new year.
14:03And if you're still feeling unsure as to what helmet is right for you, remember you can always
14:06reach out to one of our gear geeks. They can walk you through the best options for your style and
14:11your riding needs. So for myself, for Brandon, I want to thank you for watching this video.
14:15Enjoy the ride. Keep it pinned.
14:36you