The Best Cafe Racer Helmets Review 2024

The Gringo S ECE Helmet is built around Biltwell’s injection-molded ABS outer shell and features a shock-absorbing EPS liner with hand-stitched interior padding, cheek pads, and BioFoam chin bar cushion for comfort. A hinged eye port shield raises the style and function of the Gringo S by introducing 70’s F1 flavor for bike riders who eschew the feature creep that has plagued modern full face helmets for decades. The Gringo S shield boasts awesome optics and simple hinge mechanics for high style and easy removal for replacement or cleaning. A snap and tab configuration on the rider’s left side offers speedy opening and secure closing to protect its wearer from road debris and wind irritation with little fanfare or complication. Speaker pockets let you pop in your favorite communication device and talk to your buddies or just let the music flow.

Formerly known as the Shark Raw Helmet, the aviator-inspired design combines a 3/4 thermoplastic shell with off-road style goggles and a mean-looking face mask to create a helmet perfect for tearing up the streets in whatever urban jungle you call home. The sweat-wicking liner and ventilation system keeps even the hottest heads cool and, while the plastic face mask does not provide impact protection, it does do a handy job of keeping bugs and road debris out of your mouth.

Regardless of what you’re riding, the Street Drak is a helmet for those who aren’t afraid to stand out from the pack. Ride apart, ride Drak.

Features:

• Constructed from injected thermoplastic resin
• Comfortable natural fiber interior and ventilation system using air vents and diffusers
• Two position top vent (open/closed)
• QRGS: Quick Release Goggle System
• Double anti-fog and anti-scratch visor
• Face protection mask
• Aerodynamic outer shell

This polycarbonate lid features a built in Bluetooth communication device and speakers, allowing riders to go hands free without the hassle of a clamp on unit or unwieldy wires. The Outrush R allows riders to talk on the phone, connect with other riders and listen to music in one built-in system. The unit comes standard with Bluetooth 5.0 technology, as well as Sena’s state-of-the-art Advanced Noise Control Technology.

Shell:

• Single shell polycarbonate ABS
• Multi density EPS liner

Shield:

• Scratch-resistant, UV-resistant clear face shield
• Drop down internal sun visor

Ventilation:

• Top and chin vents
• Rear exhaust port

Interior:

• Removable, washable, quick dry liner
• Breathable mesh allows air flow through the helmet

Bluetooth Specifications:

• Bluetooth 5.0
• Talk time: Up to 12 hours
• Charge time: 2.5  hours
• Working distance of up to 900 meters (0.56 miles) in open terrain
• Connects up to 4 riders
• Headset Profile (HSP)
• Hands-Free Profile (HFP)
• Advanced Audio Distribution Profile
• Audio Video Remote Control Profile
• Advanced Noise Control
• Built-in SBC codec

Safety:

• DOT certified
• Quick release chin strap

Since then Motorcycle helmets have taken all sorts of shapes and forms, but at its essence has always been the simple and classic Star. The inherent beauty in the Star’s simplicity has made it an effective and aesthetically appealing piece of motorcycle gear that has survived the test of time.

To pay homage to the glory days of motorsport, the Bell Bullitt has inherited the classic styling of the Star, but has been infused with contemporary comforts and  crash protection. Constructed with a low-profile fiber composite shell and multi-density EPS liner, the Bullitt meets modern DOT regulations yet comes as close as possible to the look and feel of the original Star. Luxurious appointments like a micro-suede lining with leather trim, metal mesh circular intake vents, rear exhaust vent and 3D cut cheek pads with speaker pockets, compliment the vintage styling and shoot the Bullitt into the 21st century.

Named after the brash detective, played by iconic actor and motorsport enthusiast Steve McQueen in the cult classic Bullitt, the Bell Bullitt is as much an exercise in design as it is in rider safety, breaking the mold and providing a premium retro option to the market. Put that vintage helmet back on the shelf where it belongs and pick up a Bullitt to fulfill all your retro riding dreams.

Features:

• The Black helmet has a brown interior liner and the face shield is equipped with a brown pull tab
• The Matte Black & White helmets have a black interior liner and the face shield is equipped with a black pull tab
• Removable, washable and anti-bacterial interior
• Perforated micro-suede interior fabric with leather trim
• Padded chin strap with stainless steel D-Ring closure with leather pull tab
• 5 Metal Mesh intake vents with 1 rear exhaust vent
• 3D Cut cheek pads with speaker pockets
• Magnefusion shield closure system
• Helmet ships with flat shield, Bubble Shield also available and sold separately for added vintage panache
• Industry-leading five-year warranty
• The Bell Bullitt is a premium retro option
• Certification: DOT and ECE

Still the same Gringo you’ve come to love, the ECE-rated Gringo Helmet has more EPS foam on the inside, with EPS foam in the chin bar and closed cell BioFoam in the forward area of chin bar for additional impact protection. Now with room for mounting speakers in the ear area so you can take your music or buddies with you when you ride.

The Gringo ECE Helmet is built to suit the needs of contemporary riders with a beautifully crafted, diamond stitched removable liner, an eyeport that accepts pretty much any type of goggle you could want to wear, as well as 5 snaps that work with any universal 3-snap shield, Biltwell’s own bubble shield or their 5-snap Blast shield. So next time you hop on your chop or throw a leg over your bike, leave that vintage helmet on the shelf where it belongs and grab an ECE-rated Gringo.

Features:

• Injection-molded ABS outer shell with hand-painted finish
• Expanded polystyrene inner shell
• Hand-sewn removable brushed Lycra liner with diamond-stitched quilted open-cell foam padding
• Internal BioFoam chin pad with hand-sewn contrast stitching
• Rugged plated steel D-ring neck strap with adjustment strap end retainer
• Rubber or chrome accent edging on shell and eye port
• Speaker pockets with VELCRO® brand closures in ear recesses for mounting Sena-style speakers
• DOT and ECE approved

Scorpion adds a whole lot of “but wait, there’s more” to the classic half shell with the Scorpion Covert Helmet. They start off strong with a tune-able ventilation system. Next they mix in a no-frills drop down sun visor system. One pull on a tab lowers the shades then pushing the same tab retracts them; it couldn’t be easier. Snapping in a rear bottom sleeve transforms your lid into a 3/4 helmet and helps to muffle some of the cries from your lives-saving exhaust. Despite the extra coverage, Scorpion’s Kwikwick liner keeps your head in the game by channeling heat and humidity up to the ventilation ducts to be piped out the back. You’ll be cool as a cucumber. But wait, there’s more. Attaching the front mask shields your pretty face from bugs, and you-name-it debris as you’re blasting down the interstate. If you’re one who frequently needs to transition from being seen to only heard, the Scorpion Covert is there for missions ranging from the twisties to the impossible.

Features:

• Advanced Polycarbonate shell
• SpeedView internal tinted sun visor with EverClear no fog coating
• Includes clear visor for night-time riding
• Kwikwick 2 anti-microbial fabric liner
• Dual density EPS
• Easily removable front mask with neodymium magnets included
• Aero-tuned ventilation system
• Removable ear flaps
• Double D-ring chinstrap system
• DOT approved

Featuring the same design cues of the original Bandit plus the touring comforts of the Ghost Bandit, the Mod Bandit provides that extra level of convenience modular helmet wearers know and love. The lightweight shell has been aerodynamically tuned for motorcycle riding and is fully ventilated for maximum airflow when you need it most. Integrated speaker and microphone pockets make it easy to install your favorite communication device and a drop-down sun visor makes riding through changing light conditions as easy as flipping a switch.

Features:

• Original Bandit styling
• Lightweight composite shell
• Tool-free shield removal
• Removable / antibacterial liner
• Internal sun visor
• Integrated speaker and boom mic pockets
• Dual adjustable chin vents
• Top and rear ventilation
• Removable chin noise and air dam
• DOT/ECE

Build the rich comfort padding out of hypoallergenic and breathable materials and add a built-in ventilation system to allow fresh air to pass through the material, keeping you cool and dry. The 3D laser cut interior offers the perfect fit, with no hot spots, for all day comfort. Finish it off with a DOT-approved quick release chinstrap, and you have a modern, comfortable helmet with the retro style you love.

Features

• Built-in sun shield
• Ventilated, hypoallergenic comfort padding to keep you cool
• Quick release chinstrap
• DOT approved

The XG100 Racer only looks vintage. Underneath that premium paint lies a carbon composite exterior shell and a plushly lined interior. The shield closes with a firm detent and wears spun aluminum pivot hardware.

Features:

• Soft padding anti-sweat and anti-allergic fabric
• Removable washable lining
• Optional chin wind stopper
• Double-D ring buckle
• PC Lexan Shield
• Chin ventilation
• Ergo padding system

Formerly known as the Shark Raw Helmet, the aviator-inspired design combines a 3/4 thermoplastic shell with off-road style goggles and a mean-looking face mask to create a helmet perfect for tearing up the streets in whatever urban jungle you call home. The sweat-wicking liner and ventilation system keep even the hottest heads cool and, while the plastic face mask does not provide impact protection, it does do a handy job of keeping bugs and road debris out of your mouth.

Features:

• Constructed from injected thermoplastic resin
• Comfortable natural fiber interior and ventilation system using air vents and diffusers
• QRGS: Quick Release Goggle System
• Double anti-fog and anti-scratch visor
• Face protection mask
• Aerodynamic outer shell
• D-ring closure
• Easy fit for glasses wearers with the goggles