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The modular motorcycle helmet: which advantages and inconveniences have this type of helmet? We tell you everything about in this post to choose the correct one for you.

Are you thinking of renewing your helmet, are you seduced by the idea of getting a modular one, but you have doubts….Logical! There is a certain confusion as to the qualities of this type of helmet and in this post we’ll try to discuss the advantages, as well as the disadvantages, of a modular motorcycle helmet so you can make your own conclusions.

And if you’re already convinced but don’t know which modular helmet to buy, here we’ll tell you which is the best modular on the market for you.

Advantages of a modular helmet

Let’s start with the advantages of a modular motorcycle helmet.

Practical for everyday use

The main reason we get a modular is that they’re friendlier for day-to-day use. You don’t have to take the helmet off to enter shops, petrol stations or to have a wee chat. This makes them particularly useful around town, for your daily errands. They’re more versatile.

Easier to put on

With the chin bar raised it’s much easier to put on or take off the helmet than a full face helmet. It’s another factor that makes them so practical. Also, many modulars prefer the micrometric closure system which makes them even simpler to put on or take off.

Comfortable

They’re usually touring helmets, focused on comfort. Soft padding, air inlets easy to operate with the gloves on, many models come with an integrated sun visor and some of them have a preinstallation for an intercom without it becoming an ordeal.

Some of the more advanced models, like Schuberth C4 Pro, even allow for the intercom to integrate inside the shell. Marvellous!

More protection than a jet

Modular motorcycle helmets afford more protection than a jet helmet (with the chin bar lowered) with practically the same advantages at the comfort and practical levels. If you don’t want to give up that feeling of freedom that comes from a jet helmet and the safety provided by a full face one, then the modular helmet is your option.

Having said that, it’s time to talk about what many users might come to think of a modular motorcycle helmet.

Disadvantages of the modular helmet

Greater weight

It’s difficult to find a modular helmet under 1.5 kg, whilst for full face helmets it’s much more common that this limit is not exceeded. It’s the price you pay for incorporating the chin bar opening system, the solar visor, preinstallation for the intercom, etc.

Maintenance of the chin bar mechanism

Talking about the chin bar mechanism: it’s a key element that we have to look after and make sure it’s in good condition. If with time and use it closes badly or makes the chin bar wobble, this is a sign that the safety of the helmet has reduced. Don’t put your life at stake and change it.

Soundproofing

Another important topic: the soundproofing. The slits for the opening of the chin bar come with a lower aerodynamic efficiency, with the resulting noise in the interior. The brands try to solve this as much as possible and the sound level also depends on the helmet model and what we’re prepared to spend.

For example, the Shoei Neotec 2 has soundproofing that many full face helmets would like to have. But, basically and realistically, there are more chances that your soundproofing will be worse.

Price

Another factor that depends greatly on the helmet model, the range and the manufacturer themselves is the price and the shell’s material. But if we compare equivalent helmets within the same brand, we can see that some modulars tend to be a bit more expensive.

What’s this due to? To design and manufacture a helmet of this type is a bit more expensive due to the chin bar mechanism and the accessories it usually carries, like the sun visor.

And now is the time to talk about some of the myths and legends of modular helmets that you might have possible heard from some “in-law”…

Modular helmet myths

“They’re made of worse materials than the full face ones”

False. Modular helmets can be just as good or better as regards materials. It always depends on the models you’re comparing.

Part of this bad press for modular helmets comes from the fact that many have a thermoplastic shell, which is not as strong as the shells made of fibre.

And, as regards the rest of the materials of the helmet: often, the manufacturers create a modular model from a pre-existing design of a full face model – in the same way that a motorcycle brand may create a naked model from a sports one- therefore, they share the same materials.

“You can’t ride around with the modular helmet open”

Another general affirmation that is not true…as long as our helmet has P/J dual homologation.

What does this consist of? This homologation certifies that the helmet has a mechanism to set the chin bar. In this way there is no danger of the chin bar suddenly lowering in the case of a brusque movement and it will never close on the go.

How to know if a modular helmet has this homologation? It should be indicated in the product file, as well as the safety of the chin bar is very visible on the helmet. At Motocard you can filter the results to see only models with P/J.