Motorbike helmets and scooter helmets
for Vespa & Lambretta
Your helmet: individual statement and protection
Without a helmet, riding a Vespa, Lambretta or other scooter becomes an incalculable risk. Not to mention rides on a motorbike. There is no crumple zone and serious injuries to the head must be avoided at all costs. A scooter helmet or motorbike helmet is the only alternative for Vespa riders and motorcyclists. Full stop. Since 1976, the German government has also seen it that way and introduced compulsory helmets for drivers and passengers of motorbikes. Two years later, this regulation was also introduced for moped riders - the birth of the moped helmet. Cyclists are still exempt from the law, but a helmet is explicitly recommended. But of course they are also important for the look and often an expression of one's personal style: helmets, visors, goggles for motorbikes and scooters and the corresponding accessories.
How to find the right helmet for your scooter or motorbike
The right helmet should be chosen to suit your bike and its use. Do you usually ride your Vespa in good weather? Then a jet helmet without a visor is the right choice. Do you ride your motorbike to work on the motorway every morning? The full-face helmet is practically a must. Enduro riders will prefer a motocross helmet, and for a casual ride on a chopper, the jet helmet with visor will probably fit the bill. However, the helmets have one thing in common: the standard ECE-R 22.05, in future ECE-R 22.06, which we will discuss below. The helmet should be perfectly adapted to your riding habits and your scooter or motorbike.
The right helmets for your scooter, motorbike or bicycle
In the following, we list which helmets for scooters and motorbikes are available at SIP Scootershop. The selection of helmet types is enormous, because every motorcyclist, scooter rider and cyclist has his or her own head and there is no accounting for taste. We hope you enjoy browsing and comparing.
JET HELMETS WITHOUT VISOR
These successors to the leather caps from the 50s and 60s are very popular with scooter and scooter riders. Jet helmets for men and women are by far our best-selling helmet types. We really do stock hundreds of different jet helmets without visors from manufacturers including Piaggio, DMD, Bandit , Redbike, 70's, Bell and SIP.
JET HELMETS WITH VISOR
The popular jet helmets are, of course, available with a clear or tinted visor from the factory, which eliminates the need for a subsequent purchase. Most scooter helmets of this type have a sun visor and a long visor that can be folded in or out as needed. If the bright sun shines during the day, the visor is used. When riding in the evening hours, you switch to the long visor and protect yourself from dust and insects. We offer these retro helmets with visor for Vespa or motorbike from the manufacturers Piaggio, LS2 and Shoei.
INTEGRAL HELMETS
These classic motorbike helmets are made from a single mould and have been popular since the 1970s. As a full-face helmet, they offer optimum protection for the head, eyes, face and chin area. Most full-face helmets have an aerodynamic design and protect the ears against loud riding noises even at high speeds. We stock scooter helmets and motorbike helmets from the following manufacturers: Bandit, Shoei and Bell. All full-face helmets have an ECE certificate.
HALF-SHELL HELMETS
Looks are more important than safety with these so-called "braincaps". Half-shell helmets are all about vintage style and the right look. Suitable for classic scooters, retro bikes or choppers. Here you will find these helmets in compact form for Vespa, scooter or motorbike from the manufacturer Redbike.
BICYCLE HELMETS
Not only for the classic bike! At SIP Scootershop we also stock helmets for e-scooters, bikes, pedelecs, BMX bikes or skateboards. From the light half-shell helmet to the high-tech multifunctional helmet, there are various models from the manufacturers Livall and Bell.
CHILDREN'S HELMETS
Whether in the trailer, riding a scooter, on a skateboard or during an outing on their own bike - the heads, faces and chins of the little ones should always be well protected. In our shop you will find jet helmets (with or without visor) and half-shell helmets for children and teenagers from the manufacturers LS2, Bell or BHR. When buying a helmet, be sure to check the ECE certificate!
FLIP-UP/MODULAR HELMET
This helmet variant for motorbikes, scooters and Vespa combines the advantages of two models: When closed, the flip-up helmet has the safety and look of a full-face helmet. However, when the chin section is folded up completely during a break or slow ride, it offers the freedom of a jet helmet thanks to this functionality. Just take a look at these flip-up and modular helmets from LS2.
GLASSES
Stylish and extremely useful. Who likes dust particles or insects in their eyes? In combination with a jet or half-shell helmet, goggles offer the necessary protection. Whether retro design or sleek motorbike goggles, whether tinted or mirrored - at SIP Scootershop you will find protective glasses from DMD and Aviator Goggle. And of course we recommend the SIP goggles that we developed together with the French manufacturer APHEX.
VISORS
Visors are usually combined with jet and intergral helmets and are tinted or clear. They should be scratch-resistant, non-fogging and protect against UV light. Clear visors or tinted visors, flip shields, bubbles or visor goggles can be retrofitted to many helmets. Our range includes visors from Piaggio, Bell, 70's, DMD and Bandit.
ACCESSORIES & SPARE PARTS
Helmet hooks, sun visors, cleaning cloths, communication systems, fasteners and much more can be found in these helmet & visor products. From a wide range of manufacturers such as Tucano Urbano, 70's, Bandit, Cardo, Jailbreak and SIP.
What size should my helmet be?
The best way to measure the circumference of your head is with a tape measure. Place the tape measure about one centimetre above the eyebrows and then bring it together again at the back of the head. Compare the result with this table to find out exactly what size helmet you need for men and women. Wearers of glasses measure the circumference in the same way, but choose the size so that the glasses do not pinch the helmet.
Ladies/Gents
Head circumference | 50/51 | 52/53 | 54/55 | 56/57 | 58/59 | 60/61 | 62/63 | 64/65 |
Helmet size | XXS | XS | S | M | L | XL | XXL | 3XL |
Children
Head circumference | 49/50 | 51/52 | 53/54 | 55/56 |
Helmet size | XXXS | XXS | XS | X |
Important rules of thumb for buying a helmet
- The selected helmet should be worn for ten to 15 minutes to check comfort.
- The helmet should fit tightly and not slip down the neck.
- The head should have no slack in the helmet, i.e. when you turn the helmet, the head should "go with it".
- The straps of the fastener should not press against the neck but against the chin.
- When the chin strap is closed, the helmet should not fall into the face.
- If the glasses press against the helmet, a different model should be chosen
- The cheek pads can be a little tighter at the beginning, because they will give in by one or two millimetres over time. The forehead pads, on the other hand, are thinner and do not do this.
The following video clearly summarises all our tips and advice so that you can really find the right helmet for your head.
Things to know about helmets for motorbikes and scooters
The different materials of helmets
We distinguish between three different materials for helmets: GRP/fibreglass belongs to the group of thermosets and has excellent energy-dissipating properties, protecting the head and spine. The helmet shell consists of several laminated layers, often in combination with carbon, aramid or Kevlar. Helmets made of carbon belong to the high-end models. They impress with a lower weight, a high degree of stability and a service life of around ten years. ABS/Resin is an upgraded polycarbonate. These helmets have a shorter lifespan (less than five years) and cannot be painted. A special feature are the helmets from Shoei, which are characterised by an Advanced Integrated Matrix(AIM). A mixture of different fibreglass and synthetic resin.
Construction of jet helmets, full-face helmets and flip-up helmets
A scooter helmet consists of two different layers that work together to provide the necessary protection. The hard outer shell is made of thermoplastic (ABS) or fibre-reinforced plastic (GRP/carbon). It must withstand the impact, distribute the acting forces evenly and cushion peaks. The inner shell made of polystyrene (EPS) functions as a "shock absorber": the kinetic energy of the impact is converted by material deformation and thus protects the head. The more the inner shell can deform, the more energy is absorbed. Both layers must therefore be perfectly matched to each other. In the research & development departments, helmet manufacturers work on constantly improving the protective properties. The inner lining is made of artificial leather or cotton.
The different helmet fasteners
The Vespa helmets at SIP Scootershop have either a ratchet, click or double D-ring closure. Racers prefer the double D-ring, as it withstands the most traction and fits perfectly on the chin. The ratchet closure is easy to adjust even when wearing gloves, while the click closure works like a car seatbelt. You should not let the fastener stop you from buying your favourite helmet. You get used to every fastener.
Helmet colours and finishes
There are generally no limits to your creativity when it comes to choosing a helmet colour, but you do have to consider the material. Only carbon, Kevlar and fibreglass are suitable for airbrushing. Caution: after you have painted your own helmet, any warranty claims will be invalidated. If you need professional help, a search on the Internet will help. There are many talented artists who specialise in creating very special paint jobs. Or you can look for a special solution in our shop.
Damage, durability and care
In general, helmets should not be allowed to hit the ground hard. Of course, the impact force is reduced without the head, which weighs about six kilograms. But even if the helmet has not suffered any damage at first glance, micro-cracks can ensure that the full protective effect is no longer available. If in doubt, it is better to buy a new helmet. After an accident, however, the helmet should definitely be replaced.
The TÜV estimates the useful life of a helmet at five years. However, care, storage and, of course, the kilometres driven play a major role. Ideally, the helmet surface should be cleaned after every ride. Lukewarm water, neutral soap in combination with a lint-free kitchen towel should be left on the surface for two to three minutes to prevent insects from drying. Afterwards, the helmet can be wiped with a microfibre cloth. Wax and polishes, on the other hand, are not suitable for helmet cleaning. The inner lining should be removed and washed regularly.
ECE-R 22.06: What has changed?
Since June 2022, helmets have been tested according to the new standard ECE-R 22.06 and may only be produced with it from June 2023. From the beginning of 2024, the sale of helmets with the outdated ECE-R 22.05 standard may be banned. However, there is no obligation to replace a helmet, it may continue to be used.
A higher impact speed is now applied during the test and the tester can freely choose the point of impact, unlike before where it was predefined. For modularly designed helmets (e.g. flip-up helmets with attached chin guard or jet helmets), the variations with and without chin guard and opened chin section are examined during the test. Integrated sun visors, which have become very common, are now also given more consideration. These must be able to be moved independently of the visor. If a sun visor is integrated, it must be folded down for the test. Likewise, all attachments that have been mounted for the test are tested. If changes are made to the helmet, it must be tested again with the new attachments, otherwise the type approval expires. Helmet tests must now also include a closer look at modular helmets (such as flip-up helmets and jet helmets with a flanged chin section) and integrated sun visors. To perform the test, the sun visors must be movable independently of the visor and any accessories must be folded down. If changes are made to the attachments after the test, the helmets must be tested again, otherwise the type approval will expire.
It is still unclear how attachments such as action cams or communication systems are affected, as this has been a grey area so far. However, experts assume that as long as these parts are not firmly attached to the helmet shell and can be detached in the event of an impact, there will be no restrictions. Furthermore, the visors and the visor mechanism will be subject to higher requirements. For example, they will have to withstand the impact of a steel ball at a speed of 60 m/s without shattering, and the rotational acceleration will also be measured. Finally, depending on national regulations, the new helmets must be equipped with either reflective surfaces or reflective stickers.
Do you have any questions about helmets?
Finding the right helmet is no easy task, but it can and should be fun. We hope we have been able to help you with some initial advice and recommendations. In our blog on helmet advice, we have summarised everything you need to know to find the right motorbike and scooter helmet. In addition, our customer advisors are available by phone to give you help and advice. Helmets can be tried on and test ridden in our flagship store in Landsberg.