10 Best Open-Face Motorcycle Helmets for Modern Classic Riders in the UK in 2026
There are few pieces of motorcycle kit that complement a modern classic motorcycle quite as naturally as an open-face helmet. Whether you’re riding a Triumph Bonneville, Royal Enfield Continental GT, Kawasaki Z900RS, BSA Gold Star, BMW R 12 nineT or another retro-inspired machine, a well-chosen open-face helmet can provide the period-correct appearance that suits these motorcycles perfectly.
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The choice available to UK riders in 2026 is extensive, ranging from relatively affordable everyday helmets to beautifully finished luxury designs costing several hundred pounds. Modern certification, improved shell construction, removable interiors and integrated sun visors mean retro styling doesn’t necessarily require sacrificing modern convenience. Here are our 10 best open-face helmets for modern classic motorcycle riders in 2026.
In no particular order, includes clickable links to products (prices fluctuate and maybe more or less than stated):
10. Bell Custom 500
Few helmets have a stronger connection with the traditional open-face look than the Bell Custom 500. Inspired by Bell’s first production helmet from 1954, today’s Custom 500 retains a beautifully simple, low-profile silhouette while benefiting from modern construction. Its combination of fibreglass composite construction, multiple shell sizes and classic styling makes it an obvious partner for café racers, bobbers and traditional roadsters.
Key Features
- ECE 22.06 certification
- Fibreglass composite shell
- Five shell sizes for compact proportions
- Integrated five-snap pattern for compatible shields and visors
Why It’s Special
Few open-face helmets have the genuine heritage of the Custom 500, making it one of the natural choices for a modern classic motorcycle.
Approx. UK Price: £149.99 (Vintage White and Black), available online now via sportsbikeshop.co.uk
9. Bell Magnum
The Bell Magnum draws its inspiration from open-face helmets worn during the late 1970s and early 1980s, giving it a slightly different character to the Custom 500. A polycarbonate shell helps keep weight down to approximately 980g, while its terry-cloth-style interior and leather chin strap enhance the vintage presentation. It’s also one of the more affordable ways of combining genuine Bell heritage with current ECE 22.06 certification.
Key Features
- ECE 22.06 certification
- Polycarbonate shell
- Vintage-style terry cloth interior
- Double-D-ring closure
Why It’s Special
At £99.99, the Magnum delivers genuine Bell retro character at a very competitive price.
Approx. UK Price: £99.99 available online now via sportsbikeshop.co.uk
8. Hedon Hedonist Olivea
The Hedonist Olivea sits at the opposite end of the market and feels as much like a piece of craftsmanship as motorcycle equipment. Its gorgeous olive finish and premium detailing create a sophisticated vintage appearance that looks almost tailor-made for high-end modern classics. Built in the UK, Hedon’s open-face range combines hand-finished luxury with modern helmet engineering and ECE 22.06 certification.
Key Features
- ECE 22.06 certification
- Premium handcrafted construction
- Distinctive olive finish
- Hand-stitched luxury interior
Why It’s Special
Few helmets combine craftsmanship, luxury and classic motorcycle style as convincingly as the Hedonist.
Approx. UK Price: £399.00
7. LS2 Bob II
The LS2 Bob II takes traditional open-face styling and adds the practicality expected from a modern everyday motorcycle helmet. Its compact appearance works particularly well on retro machines, while contemporary features make it considerably more versatile than some deliberately minimalist alternatives. For riders who want classic looks without sacrificing everyday usability, the Bob II offers impressive value.
Key Features
- ECE 22.06 certification
- Integrated sun visor
- Removable and washable interior
- Micrometric fastening system
Why It’s Special
The Bob II successfully combines an old-school jet-helmet appearance with the convenience demanded by everyday riders.
Approx. UK Price: £119.99 available online now via sportsbikeshop.co.uk
6. MT Le Mans 2 SV
The MT Le Mans 2 SV demonstrates that a stylish modern open-face helmet doesn’t necessarily have to cost several hundred pounds. Its shape is unmistakably retro, while underneath the traditional appearance is a helmet incorporating modern materials and useful everyday features. An integrated sun visor adds welcome practicality, particularly when riding in changing light conditions.
Key Features
- ECE 22.06 certification
- HIRP shell construction
- Integrated internal sun visor
- Removable interior lining
Why It’s Special
The Le Mans 2 SV is one of the value champions of this group, delivering plenty of style and everyday functionality without a premium price.
Approx. UK Price: £71.99 available online now via sportsbikeshop.co.uk
5. HJC V31
HJC’s V31 is a convincing demonstration of how far the modern jet helmet has evolved. Its clean, rounded shell captures the appearance riders expect from a vintage open-face helmet while incorporating contemporary construction, an internal sun shield and current certification. It can look equally at home on a 1960s-inspired café racer or a brand-new neo-retro roadster, with UK retailers currently advertising examples from around £134.99.
Key Features
- ECE 22.06 certification
- Advanced fibreglass composite shell
- Integrated three-position sun shield
- Removable and washable interior
Why It’s Special
The V31 offers one of the strongest combinations of retro appearance, established helmet engineering and sensible pricing.
Approx. UK Price: £134.99 available online now via sportsbikeshop.co.uk
4. Shoei J•O
Shoei’s J•O has established itself as a premium choice for riders wanting open-face simplicity without giving up the quality associated with one of the world’s leading helmet manufacturers. Its restrained shell avoids excessive retro decoration, while the integrated adjustable visor provides significantly more practicality than its minimalist appearance initially suggests. Fit, finish and interior quality are among the biggest reasons for choosing the Shoei over many cheaper alternatives.
Key Features
- AIM multi-composite shell
- Integrated adjustable CJ-3 visor
- Multiple shell sizes
- Premium-quality interior
Why It’s Special
The J•O combines premium Shoei construction with one of the cleanest and most understated retro open-face designs available.
Approx. UK Price: £199.99, available online now via sportsbikeshop.co.uk
3. Scorpion Belfast Carbon Evo
The Belfast Carbon Evo adds a distinctly premium twist to Scorpion’s retro open-face formula. Carbon construction provides a contemporary technical element while the shell shape and interior detailing retain the classic character needed to complement a modern classic motorcycle. An internal sun visor also makes the Belfast more practical in changing light conditions than many minimalist retro helmets.
Key Features
- Carbon-fibre shell construction
- Integrated SpeedView sun visor
- KwikWick comfort lining
- Micrometric fastening
Why It’s Special
The Belfast Carbon Evo successfully combines lightweight modern materials with a distinctly traditional aesthetic.
Approx. UK Price: £274.99, available online now via sportsbikeshop.co.uk
2. Airoh J110
The Airoh J110 takes a very different approach because it offers considerably more adaptability than a conventional retro jet helmet. Its removable chin section allows riders to alter the helmet’s configuration, making it particularly interesting for those who enjoy the freedom of open-face riding but occasionally want additional coverage. It’s visually more contemporary than the Bell or Hedon alternatives, but that versatility gives it considerable appeal for riders who use their modern classics regularly.
Key Features
- ECE 22.06 homologation
- Convertible/removable chin section
- Integrated sun visor
- Removable and washable interior
Why It’s Special
The J110 is the versatility choice, providing significantly more flexibility than a conventional fixed open-face helmet.
Approx. UK Price: £165.00, available online now via sportsbikeshop.co.uk
1. Davida Speedster V4
UK Price: around £180
Davida is a name with deep connections to Britain’s classic and custom motorcycle scene, and the Speedster V4 continues the company’s distinctive approach to the traditional open-face helmet. Its compact proportions and beautifully simple shape look particularly convincing when paired with British modern classics, café racers and custom motorcycles. Rather than trying to disguise an obviously modern helmet with retro graphics, much of the Speedster’s appeal comes from its fundamentally traditional design.
Key Features
- Compact traditional open-face styling
- Fibreglass composite shell
- Replaceable comfort padding system
- Classic Davida detailing
Why It’s Special
For riders wanting a helmet with genuine British heritage and an authentically traditional appearance, the Davida remains one of the most distinctive choices available.
Approx. UK Price: £180, available online now via davida-helmets.com
Final Thoughts & Buying Advice
Choosing an open-face helmet for a modern classic inevitably involves balancing style, comfort, features, price and protection. At the affordable end, the MT Le Mans 2 SV, Bell Magnum and LS2 Bob II offer plenty of retro character without premium pricing, while the HJC V31 is arguably our strongest all-round choice for riders wanting contemporary helmet engineering wrapped in traditional styling. Bell’s Custom 500 remains difficult to overlook if heritage and authentic retro proportions are your priorities, while the Davida Speedster V4 provides a particularly appealing British alternative.
Spend more and the Shoei J•O brings premium Japanese construction, while the Scorpion Belfast Carbon Evo combines modern carbon technology with classic styling. The Hedonist Olivea is our indulgent choice: at £399 it isn’t cheap, but its craftsmanship and distinctive finish make it a natural companion to a beautifully prepared modern classic. Whichever helmet you choose, fit and protection should take priority over appearance or price; try before buying wherever possible, confirm the certification of the exact UK model you’re purchasing, and remember that an open-face helmet inherently leaves the face and chin more exposed than a full-face design.
M.C.M. News Picks
➜ Best Overall: Davida Speedster V4
➜ Best Value: MT Le Mans 2 SV
➜ Best Mid Range Value: HJC V31
➜ Best Traditional Choice: Bell Custom 500
➜ Best Budget Retro Choice: Bell Magnum
➜ Best Premium Helmet: Shoei J•O
➜ Best Luxury Choice: Hedon Hedonist Olivea
➜ Best Lightweight Premium Choice: Scorpion Belfast Carbon Evo
➜ Best British Heritage Choice: Davida Speedster V4
(original post on modernclassicbikes.co.uk)
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