Best Flip Up Motorcycle Helmets – Your 2021 Guide to the Best Options

Have you had trouble finding a balance between maximum protection and convenience when riding? Well, it isn't easy until you count on the best flip-up motorcycle helmets available on the market! 

Flip-up helmets offer the best of both worlds through their complex design by serving as full-face helmets in the closed position and as open face helmets when the chin bar is in the upwards position. 

If you have been looking for a way to enjoy both protection and convenience during your motorcycle rides, then you have come to the right place. Let's explore the sweet spot of both worlds with our carefully considered review of the best flip-up motorcycle helmets. 

Comparison of the Best Flip Up Motorcycle Helmets

Why Did These Flip Up Motorcycle Helmets Make Our List?

Buying the best flip-up motorcycle helmet calls for knowing what to look for in such a helmet to ensure you pick one that suits your riding needs most of the time. 

We checked the market and came up with crucial characteristics that a flip-up helmet should have. Such characteristics include visibility and weather protection, style and design, convenience and practicality, and certification. 

Let's discuss each one of these characteristics below. 

Visibility Enhancement and Weather Protection

All the flip-up motorcycle helmets in our review have visibility enhancements like a visor, clear outer shield, and an inner smoked lens. Visibility becomes a problem if you are riding without a helmet on.

These helmets ensure that your face is well covered and protected from interruptions that may ruin your vision. When riding, the wind may sting your eyes and face, thus reducing your ability to see clearly. 

The helmets also protect your face and eyes from flying objects like dust, insects, and tiny rocks.

The helmets also enhance external visibility in that the reflective parts make it easy for other road users to see you, so they stay clear of your path to avoid accidents. 

Some weather elements like rain and wind can impair your vision. With a helmet, you don't have to worry about such distractions as water and wind will be kept out of your eyes so you can always see clearly. 

Design and Style

We have done due diligence to ensure that we choose flip-up helmets with the best designs and style in conformity with the shape of the human head. 

The human head has a streamlined shape. As such, we have chosen helmets with a streamlined design for better aerodynamics. 

The sleek aerodynamic design allows for less drag and reduced wind noise so that your ride is quiet to allow you to concentrate on the visual without noise distraction. 

The design also allows for the use of comfortable interiors that even feature removable and washable linings so you don't keep your head in a stinking shell. 

The interior material and lining are also excellent at ensuring maximum safety for your head during the impacts of accidents. 

To best fit your style and fashion needs, the flip-up helmets in this review come in multiple colors so you can choose your favorite. At least one color will best define your style, from black to white to red to yellow to various colors in one helmet. 

Convenience and Practicality

All the products in our review will offer you a high degree of convenience and practicality. 

Unlike the case with full-face helmets, a flip-up helmet doesn’t require you to remove the whole unit to talk, sip a drink, or catch some air. Catching some air comes in handy, especially for claustrophobic people.

Certification and Safety Assurance

We have gone the extra mile to bring you flip-up helmets that meet America's DOT (Department of Transportation) and ECE (Economic Commission for Europe) minimum requirements for helmets. 

Although the ECE certification is better than the DOT, both are important in safety and protection matters. You want to buy a helmet that has passed these two and any other applicable safety tests since the certifications assure you that you are more likely to suffer fewer injuries. 

The DOT helmet test comprises the following checks:

• Dropping a pointed striker on the helmet
  
  
• Applying weight to the helmet's retention system for 120 seconds to ensure the helmet van stay in place on your head securely during an accident
  
  
• Dropping the helmet from a height of 1.83m onto a spherical anvil
  
  
• Dropping the helmet from the same height of 1.83m onto a flat anvil

The DOT test checks helmets for the field of vision, retention system integrity, labeling, and penetration resistance. It’s, however, quite unreliable on its own since it uses the honor system, which manufacturers may dishonor by declaring conformation even when the helmet doesn't conform.

The ECE test is more reliable, hence its popularity in over 50 countries. It tests for both pre-accident and in-accident factors. Such factors include the optical quality of the face shield and shell rigidity. 

Some of the aspects of the ECE test include the following:

It’s essential to check your flip-up helmet for the rating or certifications. Ensure that you get a helmet that meets DOT requirements in the country and is the right size for your head because one that is too large won't protect you well if you get into an accident. 

Review of the Best Flip Up Motorcycle Helmets

When you are on the lookout for the best flip-up motorcycle helmets, you may be overwhelmed by the many options on the market. The helmets come in different shapes, sizes, colors, and features, and the presence of multiple models even from the same brand may confuse you. 

You don't have to worry anymore. Read on as we explore the best flip-up motorcycle helmets that will best serve your safety and convenience needs. 

Top Brands in the Flip Up Motorcycle Helmet Space

Like any other business space, the motorcycle helmet world has various players. Most manufacturers make high-quality helmets. The best even come with unique features such as communication capabilities. The following are some of the top brands in the motorcycle helmet space. 

ILM

Founded in 2013, ILM has grown into a common name in the motorcycle scene in the country. True to its desire to let riders ride faster, longer, and safer, the company insists on extensive research, innovation, design, and product testing to ensure its products perform optimally. 

The company offers free shipping worldwide. Customers have the liberty to cancel orders at any suitable time before shipment if they happen to change their minds. 

Other than flip-up helmets, the company also makes open-face helmets. Its helmets are DOT-approved. 

Some of the unique characteristics of the company's helmets include carbon fiber builds for strong, light helmets and communications or entertainment solutions such as Bluetooth, music, and FM radio, and intercom for communication between connected riders up to 1000 feet apart. 

YEMA Helmet

Established in 1991, YEMA has become a household name in the industry as a motorcycle accessories producer with over ten patented products. The company makes open-face, flip-up, and full-face helmets. 

YEMA is unique as it makes helmets fit for both adults and children. Their helmets are also recommended for use by women riders. The helmets are ECE-R 22.05 and DOT-approved for safety and protection. 

YEMA names its helmets using the unique YM- system that helps differentiate them from other popular brands. The helmets are made in China but sold in different parts of the world since the company's output is about 2.5 million pieces annually. 

AHR

For over 20 years, Yescom has been making high-quality, DOT-approved AHR helmets for the US market. Other than flip-up helmets, the company also makes half, open-face, and full-face helmets. It offers a 30-day return allowance after the day of purchase. 

Some AHR helmets have communications features like Bluetooth. They are suitable for street bikes, scooters, adventure biking, and snowmobiles. 

Advantages of Investing in a Quality Flip Up Motorcycle Helmet

You may never enjoy the actual benefits of a flip-up motorcycle helmet if you never invest in one. The following are some of the advantages you will enjoy when you buy a high-quality flip-up motorcycle helmet. 

Comfort, Convenience, and Practicality

If you are a practical rider consumer who likes using practical products, you will enjoy modular or flip-up helmets. It’s easy to talk to others or stop to take a bite into your favorite cookie because the chin bar can be lifted upwards to expose the mouth. 

Unlike full-face helmets, the allowance to flip up the chin bar lets you enjoy a bite, sip, or communication with others without necessarily having to take off the helmet. It’s pretty inconvenient to remove the whole helmet each time you have to eat or talk, but modular ones save you. 

Safety and Protection

The main goal of using a helmet of any kind is to ensure your safety and protection when riding. Since you will be cruising at high speeds, your safety becomes essential. You have to protect the head and the eyes from physical damage if you happen to be caught up in an accident. 

Carbon fiber or composite fiber flip-up helmets are strong and light and suitable for protection against impact and the baggage of excess weight on your neck. Plastic or polycarbonate helmets are heavier, but they still offer excellent protection.

Flip-up helmets also protect you from adverse weather conditions like rain, draught, and hot sun that usually reduce your concentration on the road. 

Price Points of Flip Up Motorcycle Helmets

Although you have a budget to stick to as a buyer, it's crucial to consider the price point of the flip-up helmet you are buying. Prices vary from the lower end for users on a tight budget to the high end for the premium models with more superior or extra features. 

As a rule, every buyer should know that cheap doesn't always equate to poor quality. Similarly, expensive doesn't always equate to high quality. The idea here is to strike a balance in the price so that you get real value out of the helmet at that price point. 

Here's what the price points for flip-up motorcycle helmets look like:

$50 - $100

You will find many flip-up helmets within this price range, but they still have the right essential parts and meet the standard requirements. Some of the key features of helmets in this range include dual visor sun shields and removable and washable padding.

The helmet shells could be made of thermoplastic alloy or carbon fiber. You will find helmets from brands like ILM, AGV, 1Storm, and AHR in this category.

$100 - $300

The majority of advanced flip-up helmets will fall into this price category. The special or extra features here include Bluetooth connectivity, MP3 music player, and intercom for communication between riders up to 1000 feet apart. 

Most of the helmets in this range are made of carbon fiber that is strong, light, and highly shock-absorbent. 

You'll find brands like ILM, HJC, AGV, YEMA,  Shark, and Scorpio EXO.

$300+

The flip-up helmets you'll have in this range are a bit more advanced in their communication and connectivity solutions. The intercom systems here can support up to six riders in a group up to 1000m apart. 

Flip Up vs Full Face Helmets - Comparison Overview

As we noticed earlier, flip-up helmets are a lot like full-face helmets. As such, they share some similarities worth mentioning. There are also some differences between them, as we explore in this section.

Flip Up vs Full Face Helmets Similarities

If we are to overlook the complex design of flip-up helmets for a moment, you will notice that they are very similar in shape to full-face helmets. When in the closed chin bar position, a flip-up helmet resembles a full-face helmet.

Flip-up and full-face helmets share common features like visors, ventilation systems, chin bars, and shields. Like flip-up helmets, some modern full-face helmets have hinged face shields that open up and allow you to enjoy a fresh dash of air on a hot day. 

Flip Up vs Full Face Helmets Differences

Although the shape of the flip-up helmet resembles that of the full-face helmet when the chin bar is closed, the two differ mainly in their design and overall shape. Flip-up helmets have hinging and locking systems for movable parts like the chin bar that are missing in early full-face helmets.

The closed-up design of full-face helmets makes them suitable for maximum protection to the head. 

The open design of flip-up helmets makes them more ideal for comfort, practicality, and convenience. However, the hinging and locking mechanism of flip-up helmets introduces weak points. 

Modern flip-up helmets have advanced communications and connectivity features like Bluetooth and intercom, which aren't anything the average full-face helmets can boast.

Who Should Not Buy a Flip Up Motorcycle Helmet?

If you are a claustrophobic person, you might want to keep away from flip-up motorcycle helmets. A claustrophobic person often has the excessive fear of being in confined places, and the closed-in nature of flip-up helmets doesn't help the situation.

Since the law requires you to ride with the flip-up helmet in the closed chin bar position, you might feel the choke of having your head all covered up. Instead, you should go for an open face or 3/4 helmet as this type allows you to fully enjoy a free flow of fresh air all the time. 

Flip-up helmets are also not a good fit for you if you are allergic. Although most of them have removable and washable interior parts, it's easy for bacterial and fungal material to build up or for the dust to collect inside. Such foreign particles and organisms can lead to allergic reactions. 

As a solution to the allergy problem, you should consider using either an open face or half helmet because these two types allow for the regular flow of fresh air all the time. However, you will have to forego some safety and protection in case of accidents if you opt for these models. 

Conclusion

With a flip-up helmet, you enjoy both the maximum protection of the full-face helmet and the practicality and convenience of an open-face helmet. When the chin bar is in the closed position, your head is fully protected during the ride. When it is in an open position, you can eat or talk freely. 

To find the best flip-up motorcycle helmet, be sure to check on the benefits and the features to look out for, as we have discussed in this article. Each of the helmets in our review has been carefully considered and will deliver real value for your money. You just have to pick your most favorite.