The Best Motorcycle Helmets for Women

Skullcap, open-face, German-style, polo-style, modular flip-up, full-face: these are just some of the types of motorcycle helmets available for women riders. These types, a partial list from the Lady Biker's Den, are only a sampling of the helmets that women can choose. A plus is that almost all helmets found today are DOT (Department of Transportation) certified. Most women's helmets are designed to be smaller than men's and to come in a variety of colors and styles that are generally more appealing to women than to men.

  1. Bell Drifter

    • The Bell Drifter, which many Web stores, including Lady Biker's Den, sell is a classic-looking "shorty" helmet that provides minimal coverage for the head But, as the website says, "If ya gotta go DOT, might as well do it with some attitude." It is made of lightweight fiberglass, has a removable and washable comfort lining and comes with a five-year manufacturer's warranty. The helmet has a regular price of $119.95, which makes it one of the cheaper helmets available for women. This helmet is for the woman who likes to live on the edge--and look like it.

    Arai SZ/c

    • Helmet City, among others, sells this helmet that is specially made for women, with a smaller size and proper ventilation on the upper face and forehead where women need it. The helmet has a washable interior and multiple foam layers for comfort. The face shield flips up and is super-scratch-resistant. One of the helmet's key features is its four-way ventilation system, which moves air throughout the interior of the helmet and takes out the hot air while doing so. It's a very strong helmet but also lightweight, and it exceeds the DOT standards for motorcycle helmets. Priced at $359, this helmet comes in a range of colors, including bloodstone red. Perhaps most importantly, "Arai ranks highest in satisfying motorcycle helmet owners for a tenth consecutive year," according to J.D. Power and Associates.

    Nolan N42E

    • Nolan makes upscale helmets with technology embedded in them or with kits that can be added to them. With Nolan helmets, a woman can have access to Bluetooth, an intercom, an iPod, an MP3 player and more. "Wired" gave the Nolan modular helmet, which it called "the Winnebago of the helmet world," a good review for its volume control, quick-release chinstrap, and flip-front that adjusts easily for glasses. The Nolan helmet best for women is the N42E solid open-face helmet that is ready for the communication system and comes in 14 different colors. The interior is fully removable and washable. The helmet also includes an extra neck roll to reduce wind noise. The Nolan sells for $220, but add another $300 to $400 for the technology packet.