The best open face helmets balance style with protection

In the movies, Vespa riders often forget the importance of keeping their head protected- but never their shades.

Even though the best open face helmets balance style with protection, wearing a full-face helmet when riding your Vespa scooter is just common sense- it offers you the maximum amount of protection, so that you can ride in safety. Particularly with the modern, larger Vespa engines, but also at slower speeds, your face and teeth won’t be much match for any road debris such as asphalt. However, most people don’t choose a scooter with safety in mind, since driving a car is much less dangerous, and they therefore neglect the fact that they will need some extra protection. They think that an open face helmet  “brain-bucket” will do, whereas this couldn’t be further from the truth!

Why is this? A lot of it can be put down to style, choice and freedom rather than safety considerations. Vespa’s world-famous advertising often features riders that couple an open face helmet with a cool pair of sunglasses. In the movies, Vespa riders often forget the importance of keeping their head protected- but never their shades.

However, there are a few open face helmets which still offer plenty of protection, along with maintaining the distinctive style that Vespas are known for. As legislatures debate whether or not to make full face helmets a legal necessity, below, we’ve listed five open face helmet manufacturers whose helmets  find the balance between style, freedom and protection.

Davida Jet Helmet

Davida manufactures superior quality luxury handmade open face helmets in the UK. Their helmets offer a comfortable balanced between fit and protection. The helmets are both stylish and durable, with a removable and replaceable leather lining for easy maintenance.

The Jet is Davida’s ultimate CLOSE FIT helmet. The Jet’s fiberglass shell is designed to precisely follow the natural shape of the head; narrower at the jaw than at the crown.  The snug fit eliminates ‘lift’ at speed and makes for an exceptionally quiet ride. Available in three shell sizes plus three liner sizes, providing a variety of fit combinations.

For more information contact Davida Moto

Biltwell Bonanzas Helmets

Biltwell Helmets produces the well priced Bonanza line of helmets, an open face helmet offering both looks and protection. The Bonanza helmet features a custom-shaped EPS safety shell with a hand-stitched removable liner.  The moisture wicking brushed lycra panels and open-cell foam padding offer breath-ability and comfort. Strong price quality match.

For more information contact Biltwell

Bell 500 Helmet

Bell Helmets, the veteran on the block, re-introduced the custom 500 helmet, a throwback to the original 1954 “500” helmet. The retro design and  Bell’s modern protective technology  bring the design up-to-date. The Custom 500 as become so popular that it is now available in three editions, Custom 500, Custom 500 Special Edition and a new Custom 500 Carbon which features a composite carbon shell.

For more information contact Bell Helmets

The Torc T50

The T50 motorcycle helmet, made by Torc, the second largest helmet manufacture in the world, is a throw back to the classic low sitting, super-slim open face design.  The T50 comes with an ultra suede liner which  looks and feels like real leather and helps wicks away moisture.  Torc philosophy is that riders shouldn’t have to pick quality and cool, instead of price, and set out to create a lifestyle brand focused on the most important price points.  They’ve achieved their mission by offering affordable quality helmets with stylish cool looks.

For more information contact TORC Helmets

The Ruby Pavillion

The Ruby Pavillion, a boutique open face helmet with a high retail price point, around to $1000 US. These lids are assembled from  the best quality materials with strict attention paid to every detail. Despite the boutique label and beautiful aesthetics, the helmets offer serious protection.

In early 2016 Studio Pilot, the manufacture of Ruby helmets went bankrupt and was liquidated. The company has since been acquired and will hopefully maintain the Ruby label and quality. One supplier claims the rights for the Les Ateliers Ruby Trademark ownership, and has starting producing and selling Ruby helmets.

For more information contact Les Ateliers Ruby.

The Hedonist

The finish and quality found in Hedon helmets is second to none. The British helmet maker’s most comprehensive range, the Hedonist motorbike helmet, is not only great looking but also quiet and very comfortable to wear.

Inside the composite fibre shell of fibrerglass and carbon fibre, is the Hed Armor lining with 360″ cushion padding, with the plush Merlin anti-bacterial fabric, trimmed and lined in genuine calf leather. The other shell is available in a variety of finishes either gloss or matte and feature the Hedon logo plaque in copper and brass. Parts are held in place using brass hardware,including a brass buckle.

For more information contact Hedon