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Columbus
My Store
Open Today Until 7pm
3635 West Broad Street
Columbus, Ohio 43228
614-869-3115
What’s going on at Cycle Gear
Services
Experienced staff support available on site
Store Events
Meet the local riding community for Bike Nights & more
Shop the Store
Find out what’s in stock and ready to go
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Staff Picks

For quick recommendations, check out our results for best motorcycle helmets shown here, or scroll down for more detailed reviews.



Best Overall

Shoei RF-1400 Helmet

Shoei RF-1400
Shoei RF-1400
Shoei RF-1400
The Shoei RF-1400 Helmet is celebrated among our staff and riders for setting a new benchmark in helmet design, effortlessly combining top-notch aerodynamics, superior ventilation, and unparalleled quietness. This helmet represents the pinnacle of Shoei's craftsmanship, with a focus on delivering a ride that's as comfortable as it is safe.

Crafted with a lightweight yet robust shell, the RF-1400 minimizes drag and lift, enhancing your riding experience without the common trade-offs of weight and noise. Its advanced ventilation system, engineered through meticulous wind tunnel testing, ensures optimal airflow, keeping you cool and focused. The integration of the latest noise reduction technology, alongside the dual density EPS liner, not only elevates comfort but also significantly diminishes wind noise, making for a quieter ride.

The RF-1400 is not just a helmet; it's a testament to Shoei's commitment to excellence, offering riders a harmonious blend of safety, comfort, and performance that sets a new standard in helmet design and making it worthy of the title of Best Overall Helmet.

Pros
Cons
  • Exceptionally lightweight
  • Advanced ventilation system for superior airflow
  • Equipped with Shoei's latest noise reduction technology
  • Snell M2020 & DOT Certified
  • Premium Price, reflective of its high-quality features and materials



Best Mid-Value Pick

Sedici Strada 3 Helmet

Strada 3
Strada 3
Strada 3
The Sedici Strada 3 Helmet emerges as a standout in the mid-value category, picked by our team for its blend of innovative design, safety features, and affordability. This helmet is crafted to deliver performance and comfort without the hefty price tag, making it an excellent choice for riders seeking quality on a budget.

With its fiberglass composite shell, the Strada 3 is engineered for aerodynamic efficiency, reducing drag and turbulence across all riding positions. The helmet's interior boasts a quadruple-density EPS, offering superior protection while maintaining a lightweight feel. Ventilation is key, with three intake and exhaust vents ensuring optimal airflow, keeping riders cool and comfortable.

The Sedici Strada 3 offers advanced features and reliable protection at an accessible price point, making it a preferred choice for riders who seek both performance and value.

Pros
Cons
  • Aerodynamic fiberglass composite shell for reduced drag
  • Quadruple-density EPS for enhanced impact protection
  • Multiple shell and EPS sizes for a precise fit
  • Integrated sun shield for convenience
  • Optically correct polycarbonate face shield with quick-release system
  • Designed with an intermediate oval fit, which may not suit all head shapes



Best Budget Pick

BILT Charger Helmet

BILT Charger Helmet
BILT Charger Helmet
BILT Charger Helmet
The BILT Charger Helmet earns its spot as our best budget helmet pick, proving that affordability doesn't mean compromising on essential features. Its design caters to budget-conscious riders without sacrificing quality.

Sporting an aggressively shaped injection-molded polycarbonate shell, the Charger is engineered for aerodynamic efficiency, cutting through the wind with ease. Its stability at high speeds is complemented by thoughtfully designed recessed top vents, which not only minimize noise but also allow for tailored airflow, ensuring a comfortable ride in varying conditions.

With its blend of aerodynamic performance, lightweight construction, and rider-focused features, the BILT Charger Helmet stands out as a top choice for riders seeking reliable protection and comfort on a budget.

Pros
Cons
  • Aggressive aerodynamic design enhances stability
  • Lightweight construction for comfortable extended wear
  • Recessed top vents for customizable airflow and reduced noise
  • Features like a quick-release shield system and drop-down sun visor add convenience
  • Limited options for graphics and customization



Best Off-Road Pick

Alpinestars S-M10 Helmet

Alpinestars S-M10 Helmet
Alpinestars S-M10 Helmet
Alpinestars S-M10 Helmet
The Alpinestars S-M10 Helmet is our top pick for off-road helmets, a product of Alpinestars' extensive experience in motorsports innovation. It represents a perfect harmony of protection, comfort, and lightweight design, crafted to empower riders to explore their limits with confidence.

Constructed from carbon fiber, the S-M10 not only promises superior protection but also maintains a lightweight profile, ensuring riders can maneuver with ease. The helmet is equipped with the latest MIPS E-2 technology, offering advanced rotational impact protection. Ventilation is a standout feature, with 19 intake and 5 exhaust ports providing unparalleled airflow, keeping riders cool in the heat of the action.

The Alpinestars S-M10 Helmet sets a new standard in off-road riding gear, offering unmatched performance and safety features for riders who demand the best.

Pros
Cons
  • Carbon fiber construction for optimal strength-to-weight ratio
  • Equipped with MIPS E-2 for enhanced rotational impact protection
  • Exceptional ventilation system with 24 total ports
  • Features such as an easy-release peak and hydration readiness enhance convenience
  • Premium pricing reflects its high-end features and materials



Best Modular Pick

Sedici Sistema 3 Helmet

Sedici Sistema 3
Sedici Sistema 3
Sedici Sistema 3
Chosen for its all-season versatility and premium features, the Sedici Sistema 3 Helmet is a top pick for touring riders and daily commuters alike. Built around a lightweight fiberglass composite shell, the Sistema 3 blends performance and protection while keeping weight and wind noise to a minimum.

It’s a modular helmet that doesn’t compromise — offering a secure stainless steel latch system, Pinlock-ready shield, and ventilation redesigned for smoother airflow. Whether you’re carving through twisties or logging long miles, the aerodynamic profile keeps drag and turbulence low in all riding positions. Inside, comfort takes the lead with moisture-wicking, washable liners, contoured cheek pads, and a chin skirt to seal out unwanted noise. The interior is prepped with generous speaker pockets, and the fit can be dialed in with removable top pads.

From improved airflow to rock-solid stability, the Sistema 3 is ready for whatever road lies ahead — proving that safety, comfort, and style don’t have to come at a premium.

Pros
Cons
  • Redesigned intake and exhaust system improves airflow and moisture contro
  • Moisture-wicking, washable liner with customizable padding 
  • Lightweight fiberglass composite shell meets DOT and ECE 22.06 safety standards
  • Pinlock insert for face shield sold separately



Best Adventure Pick

Arai XD-5 Helmet

Arai XD-5
Arai XD-5
Arai XD-5
The Arai XD-5 Helmet solidifies its status as our best adventure helmet pick, boasting a stronger, rounder shell designed to enhance impact protection by glancing off energy. Crafted from vacuum-formed Super Fiber, the helmet offers top-tier durability while improving rider comfort with a widened interior for easier ingress.

This helmet excels in versatility with a removable visor that allows transitioning from street to trail effortless with goggles compatibility. It also features a redesigned peak to reduce wind buffeting, a Pinlock-ready shield for fog-free riding, and ventilation that adapts to various conditions.

With built-in Bluetooth readiness, the XD-5 simplifies communication system integration. Spacious speaker pockets and sleek wire management ensure seamless connectivity. Combining safety, comfort, and modern tech, the XD-5 sets the standard for ADV touring gear.

Pros
Cons
  • Redesigned peak reduces wind buffeting at high speeds
  • Removable visor for easy transitions between street and off-road use with goggles compatibility
  • Customizable airflow for any riding condition
  • Integrated communication system pockets simplify installation and wire management
  • Premium price, reflective of its high-quality features



Best Graphics Pick

Icon Airform Helmets

Icon Airform
Icon Airform
Icon Airform
Designed to stand out, the Icon Airform Helmet lineup is known for bold, creative graphic options that let riders express their personality without compromising safety or performance. Its injection-molded polycarbonate shell offers durable protection without excess bulk, while a glow-in-the-dark finish on select models—like the Scatterbrain—adds extra style and visibility after dark.

Inside, the Hydradry moisture-wicking liner and optimized airflow channels keep riders cool and dry on long rides. Speaker pockets are ready for the Icon R.A.U. Bluetooth communicator, and the sculpted neck roll reduces drag when tucking in. It is designed to meet or exceed world safety standards, including DOT FMVSS 218 (US), ECE 22.06 (Europe), and PSC (Japan). With a wide range of graphics, the Airform lineup continues to push the envelope of expressive moto style.

Pros
Cons
  • Eye-catching, expressive graphics with glow-in-the-dark options on select models
  • Hydradry moisture-wicking liner and sculpted neck roll enhance long-ride comfort
  • Built-in drop-down sun visor provides instant sun protection without the need to swap shields
  • Slightly heavier than some premium helmets due to polycarbonate shell



Honorable Mention

Arai Corsair-X Helmet

Arai Corsair-X Helmet
Arai Corsair-X Helmet
Arai Corsair-X Helmet
The Arai Corsair-X Helmet is our honorable mention for its forward-thinking design and exceptional focus on rider safety. Arai pushes the boundaries of helmet technology, offering advanced protection that addresses both direct impacts and the critical scenarios of glancing blows, where reducing rotational forces can be just as important.

This helmet boasts an innovative VAS shield system for improved visibility and ease of use, along with the PB SNC2 shell that combines lightweight resilience with high tensile strength, drawing from materials used in F-1 visor panels. The Corsair-X stands out for its incredible ventilation system, designed to maximize airflow and enhance aerodynamics, making it a top choice for serious riders.

The Arai Corsair-X Helmet is revered for setting high standards in comfort, ventilation, and safety, making it a preferred choice for riders who prioritize top-tier helmet technology and protection.

Pros
Cons
  • Exceptional comfort and fit adjustments
  • Superior ventilation system for optimal airflow
  • VAS shield system for enhanced visibility and protection
  • Lightweight yet robust shell construction for high-impact resistance
  • Lacks an integrated inner sunshade, which some riders may prefer



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