Motorcycle helmets have been around for as long as motorcycles themselves. What used to be a standard issue piece of headwear to protect riders from head trauma and injury has evolved into an art form. Vintage motorcycle helmets are collectible, making them interesting pieces of art, but they also serve a different purpose than modern helmets today.
The helmet is an integral part of the biker’s attire. For the rider, the helmet helps him to avoid accidents and injuries. It is also important to the rider because it helps him to be seen in the dark by traffic. Moreover, helmets are extremely important accessories because they protect riders from serious injuries and death in the event of an accident. The vintage helmets have a lot of intricate and fine features that are not seen in the modern designed helmets. The vintage helmets look really attractive, and hence they have become fashionable.
When touring historic motorcycle museums around the country, you can’t help but spot motorcycles with helmets that date back as far as 1951. The vintage helmets that graced the heads of motorcyclists back in the ’50s and ’60s were more of a utilitarian and fashionable accessory than a protective measure, and they look very much the part. Vintage motorcycle helmets are really special. They’re old-school, but they still have something to offer riders today.
When it comes to helmets, vintage is all the rage these days. From classic cars to motorcycles, throwback styles are all the rage. While going retro has made some auto enthusiasts very happy, it has also given motorcycle enthusiasts another reason to rejoice. Vintage motorcycle gear is also coming back in style, and vintage helmets are no exception. Since helmets are often made from strong, lightweight materials such as fiberglass, Kevlar, or carbon fiber, vintage helmets offer exceptional protection without weighing you down.
When it comes to vintage motorcycle helmets, you’ve got some tough choices to make. Do you go with a classic shell with leather or canvas chinstrap? Or do you prefer a framed, sleeker look, with a plain or lightly patterned shell? You can also choose between a full-face helmet, which protects your eyes, face, and mouth, or a half-helmet, which covers just the top and side of your face. But choosing which vintage bike helmet to wear depends on more than just style—it also depends on what kind of bike you ride and your riding style.
Hanmi Half Helmet
Half helmets are more than just an accessory for your favorite leather jacket. They can be something you wear every day, whether on your bike, in your helmet bag, or hanging next to your motorcycle. They’re not just for bikers; you can wear one while gardening, hiking, biking, skiing, skating, or doing just about any activity.
Helmet maker Hanmi has been making helmets for motorcycles for many years, and it’s earned a reputation for quality and excellence. The Half Helmet is Hanmi’s most popular model, and for good reason. It’s a half helmet, which means it comes with a visor and chin bar, but it looks and functions like a full helmet. This means that you can wear it without any face shield (a half helmet is not DOT-certified for motorcycle use, but has been designated by many state governments as an acceptable alternative), or you can choose to swap out the full-face shield for a tinted visor. The Half Helmet is immersive, durable, comfortable, and comes in hundreds of color options. If you’re new to vintage helmets, the Half Helmet is a great starting point for your collection, since it’s relatively affordable and comes in a wide range of styles.
Blauer 80’s
The 80’s were a wild time—the height of MTV, the OJ Simpson trial, the Rubik’s Cube, and Beverly Hills Cop. So, it makes sense that one of the best vintage helmets of the time was the Air-Intake-Protected Half Shell from Blauer, whose 80’s logo made everyone look super cool. But, the best part about buying vintage helmets is that they are a whole lot cheaper than buying new.
The 80’s were the birth of the BMX bike, but were you aware that it was also the birth place of the iconic old-school BMX helmet, the Bauhaus? For over 20 years, the Bauhaus has been a timeless classic in BMX and skateboarding. The Blauer 80’s was one of the first motocross helmets that employed polycarbonate. Polycarbonate is a form of plastic that is either reinforced with carbon or glass fibers, and is lighter and stronger than glass. The Bauhaus helmet uses high impact ABS plastic and comes in a honeycomb pattern for excellent ventilation. Its large eyeport provides a full view of the road and 360-degree visibility. Durability is also key with the Bauhaus, and its aggressive face shield will protect your face from rocks, bugs, and whatever else it may be exposed to on the track.
HJC IS-Cruiser
The helmets worn by the pilots of this era were of a design that somehow carried over into the following century. We live in a world where anything “retro” is considered cool again, and that’s definitely the case when it comes to vintage motorcycles. In fact, some motorcycles now look as retro as when they are brand new, thanks to remakes made by companies like Harley-Davidson and Indian. But there are also new motorcycles designed with retro styling, like the 2018 Honda CB650F.
HJC is known for its high-quality helmets, and while the IS-Cruiser isn’t as flashy or premium as some of the other headgear made by HJC, it’s a solid performer for the price. The IS-Cruiser comes in a wide range of styles, and we chose the Matte White/Gunmetal/Clear Chromatec (MWC) version, which sports a striking matte white finish with silver accents. The helmet’s plush interior is made of soft fabric, and the chin strap is adjustable for a perfect fit. At 6.5 pounds, the IS-Cruiser is also one of the lighter helmets in its class.
The HJC IS-Cruiser is one of the best vintage helmets. A vintage helmet is any helmet made before 2000, similar to when one is discussing vintage cars, motorcycles, or clothing. These helmets are popular among motorcycle enthusiasts for a number of great reasons.
