Get the best of both worlds with MCN's pick of the best flip-front motorcycle helmets

Unlike a single-piece full-face helmet, a flip-front has a separate chin-bar that lifts up, exposing the face while the helmet is still on. Not only does this allow people to see your face for ID, such as in a petrol station or a shop, but it also allows air to your face in hot conditions. Plus, you’ll be able to grab a drink, a bite to eat or simply have a quick chat with another rider or your pillion without taking your helmet completely off.

Why flip-front over full face?

Many people swear by a flip-front motorcycle helmet and once you’ve tried one, it easy to see why. They offer excellent versatility as well as (potentially) comfort and protection and can make struggling to get your lid off for a drink or to pay for petrol a thing of the past.

Another benefit is that because the helmet is put on with the flip in the up position, a modular can often give a better seal around the neck since the aperture doesn’t need to go over your head. This can mean a more comfortable fit, fewer draughts and lower noise.

• Are you in America? Find our best modular helmets USA page here

One historic criticism of flip-front helmets was that they always looked ungainly and larger than corresponding full-face items. Inevitably, they are a little heavier than their full-face counterparts like sports-touring helmets, due to extra hinges and fasteners, but most models are available in lightweight carbon nowadays (albeit more expensive than composite) and the design on many doesn’t look like a flip.

Safety ratings

One thing to consider with flip-front helmets is homologation. Since January 2024, all helmets have to conform to regulation ECE 22.06 to be legally supplied to retailers in the UK. The newer regulation forces manufacturers to test their flip-front helmets with the chin bar in both raised and closed positions, providing ‘dual homologation’.

If you’re still wearing an ECE 22.05 lid though, it’s a bit more complicated. For flip helmets, they can either be ‘P’ or ‘J’ homologated, or both. P means it is certified for protective when the flip is closed and J means it provides adequate protection when the flip is open (it will need to be locked open to conform). If you want to ride with the flip open, then it should be both P/J approved (Protective/Jet – the latter being the term for open-face lids in some markets), that means it has dual homologation.

Like all helmets, a SHARP rating is also useful in order to judge safety ratings. This government scheme tests and rates helmets for safety with a rating out of five stars, with five being the most protective.

The best flip-front helmets we’ve tested

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FAQ

Are modular helmets safe?

Flip-front or modular helmets are subjected to the same safety standards as any other helmet so the short answer is yes, however a flip-front helmet may not be as safe as a true full-face helmet due the chin bar not being fully attached to the rest of the helmet. They are however safer than an open face helmet and of course safer than no helmet at all.

How often should I replace my helmet?

It is generally advised that a motorcycle helmet should be replaced every five years. This is because various factors such as UV rays from the sun or sweat can damage the protectiveness of your helmet over time. This is regardless of if you have had an incident in the helmet. It is recommended that the helmet is replaced after a crash or accident too, though.

Can I ride with the helmet in the open position?

Manufacturers advise that flip-front helmets are only worn in the closed position while riding a motorcycle. The flip-front feature is designed for ease of putting on and use off the bike, making communication, eating and drinking etc possible without removal of the helmet.

How MCN tests flip-front helmets

At MCN, our team of expert journalists have decades of experience gained over hundreds of thousands of miles. We don’t test our helmets to destruction; we use them exactly how you do, in the real world and in all conditions. That means we can deliver impartial buying advice you can rely on.

Each of our writers has an in-depth understanding of the needs of today’s biker… because they are one.

Each reviewer tests helmets in ways both subjective and objective. This includes the helmet’s safety rating, if comms systems are compatible, type of chin strap, weight and whether it has a drop-down sun visor, looks, ease of flip mechanism and aerodynamic properties. 

MCN covers countless miles each week and tries lots of options in a short space of time. We quickly discover which helmets feel great, which ones don’t and why. 

We’ve tried and tested these flip-front helmets for hundreds or thousands of miles on MCN test bikes and we’ll never recommend a helmet we wouldn’t wear ourselves!

If you can’t see a review against a flip-front 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

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. 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.

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