Best Modular (Flip-Up) Motorcycle Helmets
Modular helmets flip the chin bar up for glasses, fuel stops and conversations without removing the lid, and most add an internal sun visor. The best are quiet and comms-ready despite the extra hinge. These are our top flip-ups.
- 01
Shoei · ModularShoei Neotec 3
9.0The modular-touring benchmark: quiet, beautifully finished and packed with the sun visor and integrated comms that make big-mileage days effortless.
ECE 22.06 DOT- Price
- $799
- Weight
- 1730 g
- Shell
- Multi-Ply
- 02Schuberth · Modular
Schuberth C5
8.8A flip-up tourer built around quietness and comms: the C5 pairs a slippery shell with a ready-to-go antenna system for riders who live on the motorway.
ECE 22.06 DOT- Price
- $699
- Weight
- 1640 g
- Shell
- Direct
- 03LS2 · Modular
LS2 Valiant II
7.9The convertible: a 180-degree rotating chin bar turns the Valiant II into a genuine open-face, making it the most flexible modular shape this side of much pricier rivals.
DOT ECE 22.05- Price
- $350
- Weight
- 1800 g
- Shell
- KPA
- 04HJC · Modular
HJC i90
7.8The budget modular benchmark: sun visor, Pinlock and comms-ready convenience at a third of the price of the premium flip-ups, with honest trade-offs in noise and weight.
DOT ECE 22.05- Price
- $260
- Weight
- 1700 g
- Shell
- Advanced
- 05Bell · Modular
Bell SRT Modular
7.7A rare fiberglass shell in the budget modular class: the SRT Modular trades weight for a more premium-feeling structure, wide Panovision view and easy comms fitment.
DOT- Price
- $270
- Weight
- 1810 g
- Shell
- Fiberglass
Frequently asked questions
Are modular helmets as safe as full-face helmets?
A certified modular is safe, but the hinge adds weight and a potential weak point, and most are only certified with the chin bar closed. If you ride with the bar up, you effectively wear an open-face. For maximum protection a fixed full-face still wins; for daily usability a good modular is a fair trade.
Why are modular helmets heavier?
The flip mechanism, hinge hardware and sun visor add 200-300 g over an equivalent full-face. Premium models offset this with fiberglass shells; budget modulars can pass 1800 g.
Can I ride with the chin bar up?
Only on helmets dual-homologated as both full-face and open-face (P/J certification, like the LS2 Valiant II with the bar locked back). On most modulars the raised bar is not certified to take an impact and can slam shut.