Buying your first motorcycle helmet is one of the most important purchases you will make as a new rider, and also one of the most confusing. The market is full of options at wildly different prices, every brand claims superior protection, and the terminology takes a while to learn. This guide cuts through that.
The honest caveat first: no one can tell you the “best” helmet without knowing your head shape. Helmets fit differently on different people and a helmet that does not fit correctly is both uncomfortable and potentially less safe. Where possible, try before you buy. If you are ordering online, know the retailer’s returns policy before you commit.
Prices in the UK move constantly, especially online. The bands here are general guidance based on typical street prices at the time of writing. Always check the live price.
What to look for before anything else
ECE 22.06 certification. This is the current European safety standard and replaced the older 22.05. If a helmet sold today only carries 22.05, that is not automatically a problem, but 22.06 is the benchmark to look for in new purchases. SHARP is the UK’s independent helmet safety testing programme and its ratings are worth consulting, though note they test to ECE 22.05 protocols.
Fit, not brand or price. A well-fitting helmet at a lower price point is safer and more comfortable than an expensive helmet that moves around on your head. Take time to size correctly.
Full face for new riders. Open-face and modular helmets have their place, but for new riders a full-face helmet provides the most complete protection with the fewest compromises.
1. Shark Spartan RS (Upper-mid budget, around £200 to £280)
The Spartan RS is consistently recommended to new riders who can stretch their budget into the upper-mid range. It is light for the price, ventilation is decent, and it carries ECE 22.06 certification. The visor mechanism is well made and the internal sun visor is a useful feature for mixed-light riding. Community feedback on fit suggests it suits a wider range of head shapes than some rivals, which is worth noting for first-time buyers who cannot easily try on alternatives.
One honest note: at motorway speeds some riders find wind noise on the higher side, which is a common trade-off in this class. Earplugs are recommended regardless. Check price at Amazon UK →
2. AGV K6 S (Upper-mid budget, around £350 to £450)
Read our full AGV K6 S review for the detail, but for riders who fit its narrow oval shell, the K6 S is one of the better-ventilated and lighter helmets you can buy at this price. ECE 22.06 certified. The fit shape is the key variable: if your head is round, try the Shark or another option instead. For riders it suits, the weight saving on longer rides is genuinely noticeable. Check price at Amazon UK →
3. HJC i71 (Mid budget, around £120 to £160)
HJC is a South Korean manufacturer with a long track record of producing solid mid-range helmets, and the i71 is among the better-regarded options in their current range for UK buyers. It carries ECE 22.06 certification, the build quality is above average for the price, and the fit tends to suit a fairly wide range of head shapes. Ventilation is adequate rather than impressive, and the included sun visor is a nice touch at this price point.
For new riders who want a step up from the cheapest options without paying upper-mid prices, the i71 is worth serious consideration. Check price at Amazon UK →
4. Bell MX-9 MIPS (If you are doing off-road or adventure riding, around £120 to £180)
This entry is specific to riders who are starting on adventure or trail bikes rather than road-only machines. The MX-9 MIPS is a motocross-style lid with MIPS (Multi-directional Impact Protection System) rotational impact management. It is not designed for sustained high-speed road riding, but for green-lane and off-road use it is a respected option. If you are primarily a road rider, look at the other options here instead. Check price at Amazon UK →
5. Caberg Drift Evo II (Budget-to-mid, around £80 to £120)
Caberg is an Italian brand that sits below the headline names in price without completely sacrificing build quality. The Drift Evo II is their full-face road helmet for riders on tighter budgets. ECE 22.06 certification, reasonable ventilation for the price, and a removable liner that is machine washable. It is not as polished as the HJC or Shark, and the visor mechanism is functional rather than slick, but for a genuinely limited budget it is a more sensible buy than unknown brands with suspicious certification claims.
Community feedback notes it can be warm in summer and the internal sun visor on some versions has limited range of movement. Worth checking current reviews for the specific version you are looking at. Check price at Amazon UK →
What to avoid
Unknown brands with cheap Amazon listings and questionable ECE markings. A helmet that costs £30 and claims ECE certification may have falsified markings. This is not a risk worth taking. Stick to recognised brands where the certification can be verified.
Buying second-hand for your first helmet. You cannot inspect the internal EPS liner for damage and you do not know its history. If a helmet has been dropped hard, even once, the liner may be compromised invisibly. Buy new if you possibly can for your first lid.
Skipping the fit check. Sizing charts are a starting point, not a guarantee. A helmet should fit snugly with no pressure points, should not rock on your head, and should not pull off easily. If buying online, use a retailer with a no-hassle returns policy and measure your head accurately before ordering.
Final thought
For most new UK riders, the HJC i71 hits the best balance of price, certification, build quality and breadth of fit. If you can stretch further, the Shark Spartan RS or AGV K6 S are worth the extra money if they fit your head. Whichever you choose, make sure it fits correctly, carry it rather than drop it, and replace it after any significant impact.