Chopper Helmets: 10 Half-Shell and Open-Face Picks
For a chopper, the helmet you want is usually a low-profile half shell or a light open-face lid with a short peak. This page lists ten of them, from LS2, Street & Steel, Bell, BILT, HJC, Scorpion and GMax, and says what each maker claims for it.
I have not worn or tested any of these helmets. Everything below comes from the retailer and manufacturer descriptions, and I mark where a feature is a maker claim. I list no prices or star ratings because I cannot verify them. Some links are affiliate links, so the site may earn a commission if you buy through them.
Check these before you pick a shell
- Certification. The listings for the LS2 Rebellion, BILT Falcon, Bell Pit Boss and GMax HH65 state DOT approval. The BILT Falcon is also listed as ECE certified. For the others, check the label on the helmet itself.
- Sun protection. Most picks have a drop-down or retractable sunshield, so you can ride without separate sunglasses.
- Neck curtain. The Bell Pit Boss, Bell Rogue and GMax HH65 are described with a neck curtain, which blocks some wind.
- Chinstrap. Quick-release straps (LS2, GMax) are easier with gloves on.
- Bluetooth. LS2 names the Sena LS2 LinkIn system, sold separately. GMax adds speaker slots to its neck curtain, and the Bell Rogue has a speaker-compatible interior.
| Helmet | Style per listing | Certification per listing | Sun protection | Speaker or Bluetooth note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LS2 Rebellion | Half shell | Meets DOT | Retractable sunshield, 2 positions | Sena LS2 LinkIn, sold separately |
| Street & Steel Oakland | Shorty style | n/a | Drop-down inner sun screen | n/a |
| Bell Scout Air | Between full and open face | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| BILT Falcon | Cruiser helmet | DOT and ECE | Visor | n/a |
| HJC IS-Cruiser | Minimal open design | n/a | Pull-down sunshield | n/a |
| Bell Rogue | Half look, 3/4 coverage | n/a | n/a | Speaker-compatible interior |
| Bell Pit Boss | Open face | Meets DOT | Fold-down sunshield | n/a |
| Scorpion EXO-C110 Azalea | Traditional half helmet look | n/a | SpeedView sun visor | n/a |
| HJC CL-Ironroad | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| GMax HH65 Full Dress | Half helmet shell | DOT | Tinted sun visor, clear visor included | Speaker slots in neck curtain |
Half shells with a built-in sun shield
LS2 Rebellion Helmet
LS2 builds the Rebellion shell from Kinetic Polymer Alloy, which it describes as lightweight. It is a half shell with flow-through vents and a short peak. The retractable sunshield from the Twin Shield System locks in two positions, one for partial shade and one for full cover.
The dual-density EPS liner is listed as meeting and exceeding DOT requirements, and the listing says the helmet is acceptable in all 50 states. The micrometric chinstrap releases quickly. LS2 says it also makes it easy to fit the Sena LS2 LinkIn Bluetooth system, which is sold separately.
Street & Steel Oakland Helmet
The Oakland is a shorty-style lid with a low-profile visor and a drop-down inner sun screen. The listing describes a minimalist look and a comfortable interior. It gives no certification, weight or shell material, so check the label and the fit before you buy.
BILT Falcon Helmet
The Falcon is a cruiser helmet that the listing says is both DOT and ECE certified. That makes it the one pick here with a stated ECE rating, which matters if you ride in the UK or Europe. It has a visor to cut sun glare. Fit and comfort claims in the listing are the seller’s own, and I have no independent report on them.
HJC IS-Cruiser Helmet
HJC kept the IS-Cruiser plain. To drop the sunshield, you grab the exposed tabs and pull it down. There are no levers, which is easy to work with gloves. The listing gives no certification details.
Scorpion EXO-C110 Azalea Helmet
Scorpion’s EXO-C110 keeps the look of a traditional half helmet. The listing mentions a twin EPS liner, a ventilation system and an upgraded SpeedView sun visor.
GMax HH65 Full Dress Helmet
The HH65 Full Dress has a DOT-listed polycarbonate half-helmet shell with a low profile that GMax says was inspired by V-twin motorcycles. Inside is a dual-density EPS liner. A tinted sun visor deploys automatically, and you can swap the tinted shield for the clear one in the box without tools. A short sun peak sits above it. The shell comes in black or a polished rivet finish.
The liner is removable and washable and uses Coolmax Core fabric, which GMax says draws sweat away so it can evaporate. Channels in the EPS direct air over the head. A neck curtain is meant to cut wind blast and heat, and it attaches and detaches quickly. Its slots take Bluetooth speakers, which are sold separately. The chinstrap is a quick-release ratchet clasp rather than a double D-ring.
More coverage than a half shell
A half shell leaves the face open. These two cover more of the head and face.
Bell Scout Air Helmet
Bell positions the Scout Air for riders who cannot choose between full-face and open-face. The listing says it protects against side impacts and is lightweight. It lists five shells, each lined with EPS, and a modest outer profile.
Bell Rogue Helmet
The Rogue looks like a half helmet but is described as giving 3/4-helmet coverage. It has a detachable, adjustable face guard that shields you from road debris and weather. The shell is a lightweight composite, and the soft interior is speaker-compatible.
Bell Pit Boss Helmet
The Pit Boss uses a lightweight TriMatrix shell and meets DOT requirements, according to Bell. Its Speed Dial fit system is meant to reduce the tendency of open-face helmets to lift off the head. It also has a detachable neck curtain and a fold-down sunshield.
FortaMoto’s video on five open-face helmets of 2026 is a useful way to compare open-face shell shapes before you choose.
Video: 5 BEST Open Face Motorcycle Helmets of 2026 | FortaMoto.com (FortaMoto)
Cooler weather
HJC CL-Ironroad Helmet
The CL-Ironroad has a quilted lining that encloses the head for warmth and weather protection. A tension wheel adjusts the fit. If you ride in the heat instead, our guide to hot weather motorcycle helmets covers what to look for.
More helmet guides
If a half shell is too little cover, the cruiser helmet roundup has other styles, and our top picks for every rider cover full-face options. For a period look, see the vintage motorcycle helmets.
