MCN's favourite FIM homologated motorcycle helmets | Tried and tested for thousands of miles

Whether you’re looking for an authentic race replica for the road or want to take to the track wearing the best protection available, then an FIM homologated motorcycle helmet Could be for you. Certified for use at the highest level of motorcycle racing, these helmets are identical to those worn by riders in the MotoGP and World Superbike championships.

If you are simply looking for a sporty helmet though, an FIM lid may be overkill and cost more money than you need to spend, but of course why not buy the top of the line helmet if you can.

This category of helmet is quite niche, but we have tried some of these helmets out riding sportsbikes on both road and track to give you an idea of which one is best for you.

What is a FIM homologated helmet?

The FIM (Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme) is the worldwide governing body of motorcycle sport and as such specifies the rules and regulations for every aspect of international competition. In 2019 the FIM introduced its own helmet testing programme, FRHPhe-01, whereby manufacturers’ lids are put through a series of stringent tests to ensure that they meet the extreme safety demands that come with high speed competitive use. All helmets used in FIM road racing must comply with this standard.

In order to be considered for the testing programme, a helmet must already be certified to the current ECE (22.06 at the moment), Snell and JT standards, have a one piece shell with fixed chin bar and feature a double-D strap retention system. A sample group of 10 helmets is then subjected to a barrage of a tests under three main headings – linear impact, oblique impact and penetration.

Linear is designed to measure impact absorption, whilst oblique is concerned with rotational forces and penetration to ensure rigidity of the shell. If a helmet exceeds the specified values for all criteria it can then carry the official FIM hologram label, which must be sewn to the chin strap. Each size and variation of a given helmet has to go through the testing programme individually in order to achieve its specific FIM approval.

In November 2022 the FIM launched the next phase of the testing programme, FRHPhe-02, designed for off-road helmets. This will become mandatory for all relevant FIM competition from 2026.

Do you need a FIM homologated helmet?

Most riders do not really have a requirement for a FIM helmet, and if you do, you probably already know that you do, as it will be a requirement to compete in your racing, and chances are your sponsor will provide it.

FIM homologation does not mean that it is safer than others, it simply means it has been tested to allow it to be used in certain races. If a helmet has a good SHARP rating and meets the latest ECE standard then it is plenty safe enough for road use.

FIM homologated helmets often lack luxury and comfort features that you might find on a sports touring helmet. in order to remain exceptionally light. They will not have a drop down sun visor or cut-outs for intercom speakers, or may lack good ventilation and are often noisier than road helmets.

Tried and tested FIM helmets

Other FIM helmets to consider

Frequently asked questions

What does FIM homologated mean?

FIM homologated means that a helmet has been tested to meet stringent standards for impact energy absorption, sharp objects penetration to meet FIA approval.

Are FIM helmets the safest?

Not necessarily, FIM homologated helmets must pass the same ECE 22.06 standard that all helmets must meet, before being put forward for the FIM testing.

Are FIM homologated helmets more expensive than other helmets?

In short, yes, significantly more so. FIM helmets are usually priced at around £1,000 give or take, so they definitely aren’t for everyone.

How MCN tests FIM homologated helmets

Here at MCN, we make it our mission to help you find the right kit for you, at the right price for your budget. We don’t crash test (on purpose), nor lab test; there’s no substitute for just putting in the miles with them. We test our helmets the same way you’ll use yours, by riding.

And, we aim to put at least 1000 miles in them before sharing our findings. Our word is backed by hundreds of thousands of miles in the saddle collectively, but our recommendations come from each tester individually.

We’ve worn these tested FIM homologated bike helmets for hundreds or thousands of miles on MCN test bikes and we ride in all weathers and conditions, too. We’ll never recommend a helmet we wouldn’t put our own head in!

Some of our testers, such as Michael Neeves, spend lots of time on track, too, be that during bike launches, testing bikes on track in the UK or even club racing at the weekends. We don’t conduct our own testing for the things that the FIM already checks such as impact absorption but are more interested in the practical matters of wearing them day-to-day.

Our testers are asked to consider the following aspects as they use an FIM helmet, or any other lid for that matter.

Comfort: This covers aspects like the fit (although this is obviously subjective) but also the liner material, how heavy it feels to wear and what it’s like over a prolonged period of riding.

Visor: The size and position of the visor is crucial, especially in a full racing tuck. They also consider the ease of changing the visor and how easy the mechanism is to operate.

Ventilation: Air flow is very important in any helmet but especially in the physical act of riding hard on a track. Not only will good ventilation keep you comfortable, it’ll also stop you sweating into your eyes and get plenty of fresh air into your lungs.

On the road, we’re also concerned what the vent switches are like to use with gloves on, too.

Noise: Realistically, whether or not a helmet is noisy on the track is irrelevant. Surrounded by a grid full of loud, angry race engines with straight-through exhaust systems, your ear plugs are the only thing that will save your ears.

But on the road, the wind noise generated by some helmets can get unbearable on long journeys even with your earplugs in. Whistling vents or vibrations can also drive you mad after a long time in the saddle.

Looks: The looks of any of your kit are completely subjective and down to individual taste, but given our testers’ extensive years and experience in the industry we still ask for their opinion on the matter, You are free to agree or disagree as you see fit!

Quality: Perception of quality is another skill that comes with experience. You can’t tell from the pictures what a helmet feels like, how flimsy the vents are, wether the visor feels notchy or silky smooth. It should never be an issue with an FIM approved helmet (at the prices they ask) but our testers will soon let you know.

Value: This doesn’t mean cheapness. An expensive helmet can represent good value if the money is well-spent. Our testers also take factors like warranty terms into account when considering a product’s value in the market place as well as its price compared to other similar products.

If you can’t see a review against a helmet on this page, it’s because we haven’t tested it yet. These helmets will only be included if we think they’re important and relevant in the market, and rest assured, we will be working on bringing you a review as soon as we’ve done the miles.

To find out more, head to our dedicated page explaining how we test motorcycle products.

---

Our scores explained

We would never test a helmet that doesn’t already reach the legal testing requirement for use on the road in the UK (currently ECE 22.06) but all FIM helmets already reach this approval standard anyway.

When we review a product, we award it a score out of five. In the ratings tab of a given product, you may also find more specific scores for the different aspects of a product’s performance to help you make an informed decision. In order to be included in a buying guide, a product must achieve an overall score of at least four stars.

Here’s a guide to what each number score means:

• 1 star – Poor performance in this category or overall. A product with a single star rating has fallen below the expected standard and should be avoided.
• 2 stars – Basic performance in this area or overall. A product with a two-star rating has managed to perform to a barely acceptable level and there is room for improvement.
• 3 stars – An average performance in this area or overall. A product with a three-star rating has achieved a basic level of performance and is deemed adequate.
• 4 stars – A product has performed over and above the accepted averaged in this category or overall. A product with a four-star rating has surpassed expectation and delivered in a particularly impressive way.
• 5 stars – A product has performed at the highest possible level in a particular category or overall. A product with a five-star rating has delivered to the highest possible level, impressing the tester with its performance. We would happily spend our own money on it.

---

Justin Hayzelden is a Commercial Content Writer at MCN Products. He has extensive industry experience, having spent over 10 years as a freelance road tester and journalist.

- Just so you know, we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this website - read why you should trust us.