Helmets & Accessories: The One Purchase You Should Never Cheap Out On

Your throttle, your tires, your brakes - all of it can be upgraded later. Your helmet is the one piece of gear that needs to be right before you ride, every single time.

At RV Trader Accessories, we carry helmets and riding accessories for motorcycle, ATV, UTV, and dirt bike riders - across styles, budgets, and use cases. Whether you're shopping for your first lid or replacing one that's seen better days, here's what to know before you buy.

Helmet Styles: Matching the Lid to the Ride

Not every helmet is built for every type of riding. The style you choose shapes how protected you are, how comfortable you'll be on long stints, and what kind of visibility you have on the trail or road.

Full Face

The most protective option available. Full face helmets cover the head, chin, and face entirely, with a fixed chin bar and a face shield that protects from wind, debris, and impact. They're the go-to for sportbike riders, highway commuters, and anyone who puts safety at the top of the list. Modern full face designs have come a long way on ventilation, so the tradeoff between coverage and comfort is smaller than it used to be.

Modular (Flip-Up)

Modular helmets give you a full face setup with the option to flip the chin bar up when you stop. That means you can talk to someone, grab a drink, or get some air without taking the helmet off - useful for touring riders and anyone who stops frequently. The hinge mechanism does add some weight and makes modular helmets slightly less protective at the chin than a one-piece full face, but today's quality modular designs are well-built and a practical choice for long-distance RV travelers who also ride.

Open Face (3/4)

Covers the top, sides, and back of the head but leaves the face exposed. Often paired with a separate face shield or goggles. Popular with cruiser riders and scooter commuters who want airflow and visibility. Substantially less protection than a full face in a frontal impact - the chin and jaw are among the most commonly injured areas in crashes - so the tradeoff is real.

Half Shell

Minimum coverage, maximum airflow. Half helmets satisfy legal requirements in most states but offer the least protection of any style. Best suited for low-speed riding or riders who prioritize feel over coverage. If you ride in this category, quality eye protection is non-negotiable since there's no face shield involved.

Motocross / Off-Road

Built for dirt. Motocross helmets feature a pronounced chin guard, extended sun visor, and an open face design meant to be used with goggles rather than a built-in shield. They're optimized for ventilation during hard physical riding and lightweight construction. If you're running trails, hitting jumps, or riding an ATV through rough terrain, an off-road-specific helmet is the right tool - it's designed for the impacts and conditions that come with that terrain.

Dual Sport / Adventure

A hybrid between a street helmet and a motocross design. Dual sport helmets have a removable peak visor, work with goggles or a built-in shield, and are DOT-rated for road use. They're popular with adventure riders who split time between pavement and dirt.

Safety Ratings: What the Stickers Actually Mean

Every helmet sold for road use in the United States is required to meet DOT standards (FMVSS 218), administered by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. DOT sets the floor - minimum impact absorption, penetration resistance, and retention system requirements. It's important to note that DOT certification is manufacturer self-certified, not independently tested before sale.

ECE 22.06, the current European standard, goes further - it requires independent pre-market lab testing and covers more impact points, including rotational forces, visor strength, and chin bar performance. For American riders, a helmet that carries both DOT and ECE 22.06 certification is the most well-rounded option: it meets the US legal requirement while also being verified by an independent lab before it hits the shelf.

Snell certification is voluntary and known for its rigorous testing standards. The current standard, Snell M2025, went into effect in October 2024, and many racing organizations require a current Snell-rated helmet for track day or competition entry. If you ride on circuit or participate in organized events, check the rulebook first - Snell may be required.

The short version: DOT is the legal minimum. DOT + ECE 22.06 is the practical sweet spot for street riders. Snell is worth seeking out if you track your bike or want the highest available standard.

Getting the Fit Right

A helmet that doesn't fit properly won't protect you the way it's rated to - and it'll make every ride miserable. Getting sized correctly before you buy matters.

Measure your head. Use a cloth tape measure, starting just above your eyebrows and circling it around the thickest point at the rear of your head. Cross-reference that measurement with a size chart for the specific helmet you're looking at. Sizing varies by brand and even by model, so don't assume your size in one brand transfers directly to another.

Know your head shape. Most people fall somewhere between round oval and intermediate oval (the most common), with long oval being narrower front-to-back. Helmet manufacturers design their helmets to fit specific head shapes - if a helmet creates pressure points at the temples, it's likely too round for your head shape. Pressure at the forehead means the opposite.

New helmets should feel snug. A correctly fitted helmet will have even pressure around the head with no uncomfortable hot spots. It shouldn't move when you shake your head. The interior foam will compress slightly with use, so a new helmet that feels just slightly tight is usually right - one that already feels roomy will get loose over time.

Helmet Accessories Worth Having

The helmet is just the start. A few accessories that make a real difference:

Visors and face shields. Tinted, clear, and photochromic options handle different light conditions. If you ride at dawn or dusk regularly, a high-quality anti-fog or photochromic shield eliminates a lot of visibility issues.

Helmet communication systems. Bluetooth intercoms let you take calls, listen to navigation, and communicate with a riding partner without stopping. Increasingly common among touring riders and anyone who uses their phone for GPS.

Helmet bags and cases. Proper storage protects the shell and liner from scratches and UV damage when the helmet isn't on your head. A dedicated helmet bag is cheap insurance on a product you paid good money for.

Pinlock inserts. Anti-fog inserts that sit inside your face shield and dramatically reduce fogging in cold or humid conditions. If you ride in the Pacific Northwest, at altitude, or in shoulder-season temperatures, this is one of the best quality-of-life upgrades available.

Neck gaiters and balaclavas. Useful under the helmet in cold weather - they fill the gap at the chin and neck while adding a layer of warmth without affecting fit.

When to Replace Your Helmet

Helmet manufacturers recommend replacing helmets every five years from the date of manufacture, depending on how often you ride. The materials inside - particularly the EPS foam liner - break down over time from heat, sweat, UV exposure, and repeated compression, even without a visible crash.

If your helmet has been in an impact, replace it before your next ride. The protective EPS foam is designed to absorb a single significant impact - it does not recover and provide the same protection a second time. This applies even if the helmet looks completely undamaged on the outside. Internal damage isn't visible.

Signs it's time for a new lid: the liner feels noticeably loose compared to when you bought it, the chin strap shows wear or doesn't click firmly, the shell has any visible cracks, or the helmet is more than five years old regardless of condition.

Browse the full helmets and accessories collection at RV Trader Accessories, or shop by powersport type for dirt bike rider gear and safety, motorcycle safety apparel, and ATV accessories. Got a new rider in the house, or just due for an upgrade? Get the right helmet first - everything else can wait.