Which Is Better Modular or Full Face Helmets?

The modular helmets offer better comfort and convenience to the rider by allowing them better breathability and communication while stopped. On the other hand, a full-faced helmet focuses more on your safety and protection while you are riding. Besides they are lighter than the modular ones.

Which Is Better Modular or Full Face Helmets?

When your safety is concerned, helmets are the most important equipment of your motorcycle gear. And nowadays helmet manufacturers are taking your bike riding more seriously and producing helmets specifically for all kinds of bike riding. Among them, full-face helmets and modular helmets are the more popular option out there.

But which one meets all your requirement and provide you better protection? Though there are lots of similarities between them. Yet they come with some specifications, features, advantages, and disadvantages that differ from one another. Here’s what they are offering in each of them and which one you should get.

Modular Motorcycle Helmets

A modular motorcycle helmet has a hinge system that lets you lift the face of the helmet with a button sometimes. With this feature, you can have open space on the front of the helmet if you lift the chin-bar. And if you don’t, then it is just a regular full-face helmet. 

Design

There is a misconception about this helmet that it is designed for smokers. But the main reason behind this design is to provide more comfort and convenience for the riders. So with this design, you will not have to remove your helmet off whenever you are going to have a little break and communicate with someone.

Sun Visor

Another key reason to get one of these is the benefit of sun visor. And most of the full-faced helmets do not offer this feature. To get sun protection in your full-faced helmets, you have to switch to a tinted visor from the clear visor. But not with this modular motorcycle helmet.

Disadvantage

However, the modular motorcycle helmets might be versatile, but some facts might concern you. First of all, opening the chin-bar while riding might not give you the best experience while riding. The pressure of the wind towards the chin-bar of your helmet might make you feel a little uncomfortable.

Weight

Besides, the modular helmets are a bit bulky compared to the full-faced helmets. The hinge system and the sun visor are the key reason behind this. Also, the shell size of the modular helmet is comparatively bigger than the full-faced ones. That also adds some extra weight to the helmet.

Safety

When your safety is concerned, these helmets have no issues at all. But when you will be comparing it with the full-faced ones, the full-faced helmets will get more marks on safety because of their solid one-piece design. 

Pros

• The face can be opened. So you can have better breathability with it.
• In any sort of hot climate, you can pop up the front and enjoy the wind.
• This helmet lets you communicate with others face-to-face while stopped. So it might be ideal for the people related to courier or delivery services. 
• It is easier for the riders who wear eyeglasses while riding if they have modular helmets on as their shell is a bit larger than the full-faced ones.
• The built-in sun visor offers more versatility to the riders.

Cons

• The chin bar of the helmet might not be installed in your helmet strongly as it is in the full-face helmets. 
• During a crash, if the chin-bar breaks or fails, that chin-bar itself can cause damage to your face. Even if it does not, your face will be exposed.
• This particular type of helmet is bulkier than the full-face helmets.
• The wind noise might not give you the best experience of riding with this type of helmet.
• Keeping the chin-bar open during a ride might not be safe at all. 

Full-faced Motorcycle Helmets

For the best level of protection, this full-faced motorcycle helmet is a top-notch option for you. This kind of helmet is designed to cover the entire head of the rider. Also, the helmet is designed to be built in one single solid body. As a result, during a crash, you can have better protection compared to modular helmets.

Design

Though some helmets might not let you open the front face of the helmet. Sometimes users might find it less comfortable. But thanks to the new models which come with a hinge system allowing you to rotate the face. So that you can grab a little air. That also helps you to communicate with people.

Track Day Requirement

Now if you are going to ride your bike on a track day, it is a must to wear a well-built full-faced motorcycle helmet to get started. And some times the authority might ask for the helmet with SNELL or ECE certification. 

Even though some modular helmets come with an ECE certification. But if your track day organization asks for the SNELL certification, you have to go with the full-faced ones. Because you might not find any modular models with this SNELL certification.

Disadvantages

These full-faced models might not be comfortable to all. Besides, in hot weather, the riding experience might not be up to the mark. And in cold or winter, the visor fogging can be an issue for you. Also, riders with glasses might not be able to fit their glasses sometimes in that tight space.

Pros

• If safety is your priority, these are the best option for you. The integrated chin-bar in it will ensure a solid structure and provide better protection in any crash.
• People who want to participate in track day should go with these.
• Some recent models allow you to raise the face up to get some fresh air.
• These models are lighter than the modular helmets

Cons

• Might not feel comfortable for some riders
• Not suitable for too hot or too cold weather
• Some model does not contain the sun visor feature
• Eyeglasses might not fit into your helmet comfortably.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Are Modular helmets safe?

Ans: Yes, they are. They can ensure enough safety for your ride. But compared to the full-faced helmets, they are a bit less safe as the chin-bar are attached to the system with a hinge that might be vulnerable in some cases.

Q: Are full-face helmets quieter than modular helmets?

Ans: Comparatively, the modular ones are a little bit noisy as it is designed while focusing more on the comfort. On the other hand, the full-face helmets are one single unit that does not let a lot of noise get into it.

Conclusion

Now you might know about your requirements and what kind of rider you are. So if you are into track day, then go with the SNELL or ECE certified full-faced ones. And if you have to stop here and there during your ride and comfort is your priority, then modular helmets are the ones for you.