Vintage Motorcycle Helmets: 9 Retro Styles from Biltwell, Bell and Nexx
Six of the nine retro helmets below list DOT approval, and four list ECE, so a vintage look no longer means going without a certification label. They come from three makers: Biltwell, Bell and Nexx. Which one suits you depends on the face style you like, the standard your market requires and the bike you ride it on.
A retro lid looks right on a classic or cafe racer. A Honda CB450 or a 1960s Harley-Davidson Sportster are the sort of bikes it was made to sit with. The same styles come as full-face, such as the full-face helmets we cover elsewhere, and as half helmets. Retailer links on this page are affiliate links, so we may earn a commission if you buy.
Check the certification before the paint
US riders look for DOT. UK and European riders look for ECE. Our DOT vs ECE vs Snell guide explains what each label covers. The listings we drew on name ECE 22-05 for the Nexx XG100 Purist. Standards get revised, so read the label and the current product page for the exact helmet you are buying.
Fit matters as much as looks. Our guide to fitting a motorcycle helmet covers the checks, and when to replace a helmet covers age and crash damage.
The nine helmets side by side
| Helmet | Certification listed | Construction detail listed |
|---|---|---|
| Biltwell Bonanza | DOT | EPS, removable liner |
| Bell Bullitt Command | n/a | EPS lining, three shell sizes, removable liner |
| Nexx XG100 Check Mate | DOT | X-Matrix shell with carbon reinforcement |
| Biltwell Gringo ECE Holeshot | ECE and DOT | Detachable, hand-sewn liner |
| Nexx XG100 Purist | ECE 22-05 and DOT | X-Matrix shell, 3-snap peak |
| Biltwell Gringo S ECE | ECE in model name; DOT n/a | Injection-molded ABS shell, EPS liner |
| Nexx XG100 Racer Sputnik | DOT | Carbon composite shell, two shell sizes |
| Bell Bullitt Carbon RSD Check It | n/a | Carbon in the model name; shell detail n/a |
| Nexx XG200 Ghardaia | DOT and ECE | X-Matrix shell, two-position peak |
Biltwell: simple shells and open faces
Biltwell Bonanza
The Biltwell Bonanza is an open-face helmet, the lightest-looking of the nine. It has an EPS layer and a padded inner liner, and the liner comes out so you can wash it. It is listed as DOT approved. If you want the cleanest retro profile and plan to wear it on a cafe racer or an old Sportster, start here.
Biltwell Gringo ECE Holeshot
The Gringo ECE Holeshot is a full-face helmet with no visor. Instead it has a large eye port that takes most goggles. It is listed as approved to both ECE and DOT, which makes it the Biltwell to look at if you ride in the UK or Europe. The liner is detachable and hand-sewn, and the helmet has vents and extra padding.
Biltwell Gringo S ECE
The Gringo S ECE has an injection-molded ABS shell and a shock-absorbing EPS liner. Inside are hand-stitched padding, cheek pads and a BioFoam chin bar cushion. A hinged eye port shield gives it the look of a 1970s F1 helmet. The listing carries ECE in the name; check the product page for the DOT status before you buy in the US.
Bell: the Star lineage
Bell released the Star in the late 1960s, and it was the first full-face motorcycle helmet. The Bullitt models borrow that shape and add modern liners and shells. Urban Rider’s video asks whether the newer Bell Bullitt GT is still the best modern retro helmet.
Video: NEW BELL BULLITT GT | Still The Best Modern Retro Helmet? (Urban Rider)
Bell Bullitt Command
The Bullitt Command is Bell’s vintage-styled take on the Star. It has an EPS lining and a strong shell, and it comes in three shell sizes. The inner liner is removable and easy to clean. We could not confirm a certification for it from the listing, so check the label and the warranty terms on the current product page.
Bell Bullitt Carbon RSD Check It
The Bullitt Carbon RSD Check It is the Star’s round, simple shape in a graphic finish, with carbon in the model name. The listing gives no certification or shell weight, so treat it as a style choice and confirm the specs with the seller.
Nexx: retro shells with modern materials
Four of the nine are Nexx XG-series helmets. Three of them use the brand’s X-Matrix shell, which the listings describe as multiaxial fiberglass with 3D organic fibers, aramid fibers and carbon reinforcement.
Nexx XG100 Check Mate
The XG100 Check Mate is a full-face helmet with an X-Matrix shell and carbon reinforcement. It is listed as DOT approved. It comes with a smoked visor and a D-ring buckle, and the listing mentions soft liners, moisture-resistant fabric and a wide field of view.
Nexx XG100 Purist
The XG100 Purist lists ECE 22-05 and DOT certification. It has a 3-snap peak and a removable PC Lexan shield in 60% smoked. The X.MART DRY fabrics and anti-sweat, anti-allergic padding are removable and washable. A chin wind stopper is optional and sold separately. A double-D ring buckle holds it on, and there is a chin vent.
Nexx XG100 Racer Sputnik
The XG100 Racer Sputnik takes its look from the 1970s. It has a carbon composite shell, and the shield closes with a firm detent on spun aluminum pivot hardware. The clear shield is Pinlock prepared, though the Pinlock lens is sold separately. It is DOT listed and comes in two shell sizes, XS to MD and LG to 2XL. The lining is machine washable.
Nexx XG200 Ghardaia
The XG200 Ghardaia is the motocross-flavored one, with a peak you can set in two positions. It is listed as DOT and ECE certified. It has the X-Matrix shell, a double-D ring buckle, top and chin ventilation and a removable lining. Pick it for scrambler-style bikes where a peak helps keep the sun out of your eyes.
Which one for which rider
- Open-face, DOT: Biltwell Bonanza.
- Goggles and a full-face shell, ECE and DOT: Biltwell Gringo ECE Holeshot.
- Peak and smoked shield, ECE 22-05 and DOT: Nexx XG100 Purist.
- Classic Star shape: Bell Bullitt Command, once you have confirmed its certification for your market.
- MX style with an adjustable peak: Nexx XG200 Ghardaia.
Our wider picks are in the best motorcycle helmets roundup.
