Gear guide
Best open face motorcycle helmets for cruisers and scooters
Picked from Amazon listings, not hands-on tests. How we pick
Top picks at a glance
Compare all picks
Closest match for the job
Shoei J-Cruise 3: DOT and ECE 22.06, sun visor
Lists both DOT FMVSS 218 and ECE 22.06, the widest certification in this guide
See price on AmazonSee it on Amazon
Most for the money on paper
Bell Custom 500: fiberglass, DOT and ECE 22.06
Lists DOT and ECE 22.06 at around $180, a low price for both ratings
See price on AmazonSee it on Amazon
Most complete listing
Shoei J-Cruise II: previous gen, AIM shell
QSV-2 internal sun shield has anti-fog and anti-scratch coatings, per the listing
See price on AmazonSee it on Amazon
Open face helmets suit cruiser, scooter and around-town riders who want more air, a wider view and an easier time talking at stops. The trade-off is plain: there is no chin bar, so your face and jaw are exposed in a way they are not under a full face. If you choose one anyway, the details still matter. Look for the certification the listing states (DOT FMVSS 218 is the US legal minimum, and some models add ECE 22.06), the shell material, and how the helmet deals with wind, sun and bugs. Some models carry a full shield and an internal sun visor, others are a bare shell meant for goggles or a snap-on bubble. This guide compares six open face and 3/4 helmets from about $170 to $700 using only what each Amazon listing says, and marks anything it leaves out as not stated.
Compare the picks
- Shoei J-Cruise 3: DOT and ECE 22.06, sun visor
- Certification
- DOT FMVSS 218, ECE 22.06
- Shell material
- AIM+ shell, multi-density EPS
- Weight
- Not stated
- Sizes
- Not stated
- Shoei J-Cruise II: previous gen, AIM shell
- Certification
- DOT FMVSS 218
- Shell material
- AIM shell
- Weight
- Not stated
- Sizes
- Not stated
Scorpion Covert X: 3 modes, two shields included- Certification
- DOT FMVSS 218
- Shell material
- Not stated
- Weight
- Not stated
- Sizes
- Large (this listing)
- Bell Custom 500: fiberglass, DOT and ECE 22.06
- Certification
- DOT, FMVSS 218, ECE 22.06
- Shell material
- Fiberglass composite
- Weight
- Not stated
- Sizes
- Large (this listing)
Arai Classic-V: retro styling, PBcLc shell- Certification
- DOT FMVSS 218
- Shell material
- PBcLc shell
- Weight
- Not stated
- Sizes
- Small (this listing)
HJC i31: Pinlock-ready visor and sun shield, $170- Certification
- DOT FMVSS 218
- Shell material
- Polycarbonate and ABS compound
- Weight
- Not stated
- Sizes
- Large (this listing)
| Pick | Certification | Shell material | Weight | Sizes | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shoei J-Cruise 3: DOT and ECE 22.06, sun visor | DOT FMVSS 218, ECE 22.06 | AIM+ shell, multi-density EPS | Not stated | Not stated | - | Amazon |
| Shoei J-Cruise II: previous gen, AIM shell | DOT FMVSS 218 | AIM shell | Not stated | Not stated | - | Amazon |
| Scorpion Covert X: 3 modes, two shields included | DOT FMVSS 218 | Not stated | Not stated | Large (this listing) | - | Amazon |
| Bell Custom 500: fiberglass, DOT and ECE 22.06 | DOT, FMVSS 218, ECE 22.06 | Fiberglass composite | Not stated | Large (this listing) | - | Amazon |
| Arai Classic-V: retro styling, PBcLc shell | DOT FMVSS 218 | PBcLc shell | Not stated | Small (this listing) | - | Amazon |
| HJC i31: Pinlock-ready visor and sun shield, $170 | DOT FMVSS 218 | Polycarbonate and ABS compound | Not stated | Large (this listing) | - | Amazon |
Facts are taken from each Amazon listing. Prices are checked daily and shown with their date.
The picks in detail
Pick 1 · Shoei
Shoei J-Cruise 3: DOT and ECE 22.06, sun visor
See price on AmazonA touring open face with a full CJ-2 shield, a QSV-2 drop-down sun visor and a slot for the Sena SRL 3. The listing names both DOT and ECE 22.06, which few open face helmets here do.
What the listing offers
- Lists both DOT FMVSS 218 and ECE 22.06, the widest certification in this guide
- Full CJ-2 face shield plus QSV-2 internal sun visor covers wind and glare
- Built to take the optional Sena SRL 3 intercom with no external clamp
Limits to know
- At about $700 it costs four times the Bell and HJC options
- Weight and size range are not stated on the listing
Pick 2 · Shoei
Shoei J-Cruise II: previous gen, AIM shell
See price on AmazonThe previous J-Cruise with an AIM shell, a face shield and a QSV-2 sun shield with anti-fog and anti-scratch coatings. Often priced below the J-Cruise 3 for a similar touring layout.
What the listing offers
- QSV-2 internal sun shield has anti-fog and anti-scratch coatings, per the listing
- AIM shell is described as lightweight with aerodynamic noise reduction
- Usually priced below the newer J-Cruise 3 for a similar setup
Limits to know
- Only DOT is listed, while the J-Cruise 3 adds ECE 22.06
- No mention of built-in intercom integration like the newer model
Pick 3 · ScorpionEXO
Scorpion Covert X: 3 modes, two shields included
See price on AmazonA convertible helmet with a removable front guard and rear sleeve that give Full, 3/4 and 1/2 modes. Dark smoke and clear anti-fog shields are both in the box.
What the listing offers
- Removable front guard gives Full, 3/4 and 1/2 riding modes, per the listing
- Both a dark smoke and a clear EverClear anti-fog shield are included
- Ear covers have speaker pockets for a Bluetooth headset
Limits to know
- Shell material and weight are not stated in the listing
- The removable guard is not described as a certified chin bar, so treat it as a 3/4
Pick 4 · BELL
Bell Custom 500: fiberglass, DOT and ECE 22.06
See price on AmazonThe classic bare 3/4 shell, now listed as meeting DOT and ECE 22.06, with a fiberglass composite shell and quick-drying padding. Pairs with goggles or a snap-on shield.
What the listing offers
- Lists DOT and ECE 22.06 at around $180, a low price for both ratings
- Fiberglass composite shell rather than plastic, per the listing
- Ionic+ padding is described as quick drying and odor fighting
Limits to know
- No shield or visor is listed, so wind and bugs need goggles or an add-on
- The listing gives no weight or venting details
Pick 5 · Arai HELMET
Arai Classic-V: retro styling, PBcLc shell
See price on AmazonA heritage-style open face with Arai's PBcLc shell, stitched faux leather trim, a removable liner and hidden ventilation. Suits cruiser riders after a classic look from a premium maker.
What the listing offers
- Proprietary PBcLc shell from Arai's premium line, per the listing
- Patented hidden interior ventilation keeps the classic outer look clean
- Removable liner and stitched faux leather trim are listed
Limits to know
- The listing does not mention a shield or visor, so plan on goggles or an add-on
- Only DOT is listed; no ECE or Snell rating is stated
Pick 6 · HJC
HJC i31: Pinlock-ready visor and sun shield, $170
See price on AmazonA budget open face with a Pinlock-ready HJ-43 visor, a dark smoke sun shield and glasses grooves. Good for commuters and scooter riders who want a shield near $170.
What the listing offers
- Includes a Pinlock-ready HJ-43 visor and an installed dark smoke sun shield
- Glasses grooves make room for riders who wear eyewear
- Removable, washable pads that swap across shell sizes
Limits to know
- Polycarbonate and ABS shell instead of the fiberglass or composites above
- Only DOT is listed; no ECE rating is stated
Read before you buy
- Wearing a motorcycle helmet with glassesYes, you can wear glasses under a motorcycle helmet. How eyewear channels work, which frames fit best, and how to put glasses on with the helmet on.
- Motorcycle helmet types explainedFull face, modular, adventure, open face, half and off-road helmets compared in one table: coverage, noise, weight and which riding style each one suits.
- Intercoms for open face and half helmetsHow to fit a motorcycle intercom to an open face or half helmet: boom mics, windsocks, clamp vs adhesive mounts, speaker options and wind noise.
- How to put on and fasten a motorcycle helmetStep by step: spread the cheek pads, pull the helmet on, and fasten a D-ring or quick release buckle correctly so the helmet stays put in a crash.
- How to choose a motorcycle helmetA five-step order for buying a motorcycle helmet: riding style, helmet type, head shape and size, safety rating, then features like visors, vents and intercoms.
More gear: Choosing a helmet
Lid & Visor chooses every product independently from what its Amazon listing states. We may earn a commission from the links above. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.