Retro Full Face Helmets


by Michael Satterfield

In 1963 Bell released the first full face motorcycle helmet, the Bell Star was considered exotic and expensive at the time, it was by far the best helmet on the market. Just a year later the U.S. Department of Transportation introduced their first helmet safety standards for motorcycles. In 1966 the US Highway Safety Ace would pass which required states to have helmet laws in place if they were receiving federal highway funds. By the late 60's and early 70's, Arthur Fulmer, Life, Shoei, AGV, Simpson, and many others had followed suit with their own full-face helmet. With top motorcycle racers and stuntmen like Evel Knievel wearing their full-face helmets the average motorcycle rider quickly adopted the full-face helmet.

Today a new generation is appreciating vintage motorcycles and the style of an era the never knew, thankfully safe modern versions of vintage helmets are available to purchase, giving riders a chance to rock the classic style that defined the 1970s, without compromising safety.

Here are my favorite retro full-face helmets you can buy today.

Bell Bullit

A classic helmet offered in standard colors as well as limited editions by different designers. The standard fiberglass Bullit starts at $399.95 while the Carbon Fiber version is $599.95. I personally love the extra quirky clear bubble shield only, but a flat shield is standard. 

Shop for it HERE



Biltwell Gringo S

Retro style with lots of detail, like hand-stitched padding, and hand-painted exterior finish, the molded ABS with shock-absorbing EPS liner. The Gringo S is a great value with prices between $199.95 and $229.95 and all include a clear shield with aluminum hardware.

Shop for it HERE


TORC T-1

The T-1 hits all the marks for cool retro style and comes in five exterior styles, of which four are black. the T-1 uses fiberglass construction with a cloth liner. The one pictured above is called American Tron. The cool retro stripes offered as standard means they aren't an upcharge like on the two other helmets meaning the price is the same if you choose solid gloss black or one of the retro patterns. For $199.99 it offers a lot of style for the price.

Shop for it HERE



AGV X3000 Gloria

AGV was the first European manufacturer to release a full face competition helmet in 1969, the X3000 is a modern version of that classic helmet. A fiberglass shell with leather and cloth liner and offered in several paint options. Pricing depending on paint is $450-$600, but the kicker is these helmets are technically offered in the USA, and may not be DOT legal.

Shop for it HERE.