Five of the best flip-front helmets

A particularly popular choice among owners of the original and much-loved Shoei Neotec, the improved interior and reduced wind noise hasn’t gone unnoticed by Sportsbikeshop customers, who left the Neotec 2 with a 4.88-star average from the first 226 reviews. They say it’s a comfy helmet with great build quality, and that it’s easy to wear glasses with this lid. Reviewers also note how easy it is to install the official comms system, though there are also riders who express frustration that it's only the official intercom that will fit neatly, leaving them with a choice between buying new comms kit and choosing a different helmet.

Early media reviews of the C4 weren’t favourable, but the revamped C4 Pro has been popular with customers, especially since the price came down in the wake of the initial poor media reception for the C4. The C4 Pro comes pre-installed with speakers, microphone and antennae for Schuberth’s Sena-made communications system, a Pinlock-protected main visor, dropdown sun visor and Schuberth’s anti-roll-off safety system. Sportsbikeshop customers give a generous 4.8 average rating from the first 54 reviews. The Schuberth C5 has now landed to eventually supercede the C4 Pro, so we’ll see if buyers like it enough to give it a place in this list.

This is perhaps the sportiest of the flipfront helmets at the time of writing thanks to relatively low weight and a compact shape, plus decent ventilation. But it’s still clearly a flipfront helmet, with a distance-friendly velour-type comfort liner, micrometric quick-release strap and plenty of accommodation for communications kit. It’s best fitted with HJC’s official Smart series, which integrates neatly. There’s a fog-protected internal sun visor and Pinlock-backed main visor that’s a doddle to change. Some potential buyers are put off by a run-of-the-mill three-star performance in the UK Government’s SHARP impact testing programme.

Sportsbikeshop customers highly recommend the C3 Pro for its comfort and accurate fit. Schuberth pride themselves on their quiet helmets, and reviewers agree there is little wind noise from the C3 Pro, rewarding it with an impressive 4.8-star average from the first 213 reviews. They say the vents are easy to operate, even with bulky winter gloves on, and that the overall build quality is excellent. If light weight is important to you then the C3 Pro is a great starting point as we weighed a size medium at just 1509 grams, which makes it the lightest flip around at the time of writing. This is another where devotees of SHARP’s impact test will be put off - it’s a three-star performer.

The cheapest lid here punches above its price in terms of customer response. From the first 28 reviews posted on Sportsbikeshop by buyers, it took a 4.79 average star rating. Owners particularly like the extra vision offered by the deeper visor, which cuts into the chinbar more than is conventional for a flipfront helmet. The lateral peripheral vision is also highly rated, as is the ability to fit Bluetooth comms without causing discomfort or stress. The Horus has a plastic shell and Caberg’s design allows the chinbar to be closer to the face than on its other lids. Note that some owners feel this makes it too near their chin - and others say the sun visor comes into contact with their nose.