City slickers: Best jet motorcycle helmets

Jet motorcycle helmets are the best helmets to feel the freedom you get from an open face without sacrificing all the safety.

For many, the feeling of wearing an open-face motorcycle helmet and the liberating sensation that brings is an essential part of riding. However, there are limitations to an open-face helmet, including the very real chance of something impacting your face, which is where jet motorcycle helmets come in.

Based on an open face shell, jet motorcycle helmets have a visor that covers the face completely down to the chin and offers a huge field of vision and the ability to enjoy some open-face-style riding while keeping insects and debris out of the face. Great for a combination of cool and calm riding.

The great view, excellent sound-carrying capabilities and that protection to the face make jet motorcycle helmets very popular with commuters and urban riders, particularly on the Continent; you can see hordes of maxi-scooters or small bikes whizzing around the centre of Rome, Madrid or Paris with suited commuters heading off to work, in their work clothes with a jet helmet on and their briefcase strapped to the back.

When it comes to safety ratings, all motorcycle helmets on sale in the UK, including those here, must conform to the standard ECE22.05 and while many full-face and flip-front helmets will have been tested and rated by SHARP, the UK government testing house, open-face helmets are not tested, so you will need to make your choice on the manufacturer, style and fit.

The latter is as important on a jet motorcycle helmet as it is on any other kind – it should be snug and not move around once done up but should still be comfortable.

Here is a selection of jet-style helmets.

About the author: After qualifying as a mechanical engineer, Jim Blackstock began working on magazines in the early 1990s. He remains passionate about product testing to ensure readers know what products offer good value and why. He relishes torrential rain to see if riding kit keeps water out and an hour or two to tinker on a project bike in his workshop.

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