Every group ride has that rider who raises their chinbar at the gas station so they can speak to the person next to them without ripping the top of their helmet apart. This is the sole advantage of a modular flip-up helmet, and the helmelkin is probably the least expensive way to get this capability with a legitimate DOT sticker on the helmet shell. At a street price less than all of its competitors on Amazon, this helmelkin Modular Flip Up DOT helmet contains a full-face lid that turns into an open-face lid by flipping the chin-bar up and it has the backing of user reviews with an average rating of 4.4 stars based upon 478 ratings. That represents a positive sign for a budget modular. Hence, this one continues to appear in conversations.
While I have not mounted one of these lids to my own head for a thousand mile test, I'm certainly not going to claim otherwise. What I can provide is a breakdown of the spec sheet, the DOT certification process and what hundreds of users report about this helmet after real-world miles. That's where the honest depiction of any budget lid resides.
Specs and Build Quality
First and foremost, there is something that really matters. The helmelkin has received a DOT certification under the FMVSS-218 standard. In fact, this certification is the minimum legal requirement for wearing helmets on U.S. public roads. More importantly, that certification signifies to anyone looking at this lid that the shell met the required standards for impact testing and penetration testing. As such, that certification is more important than any other aspect covered in this review. There are many products being sold today with some sort of "DOT Certification" sticker. While those stickers signify that the manufacturer has submitted their product to the Department of Transportation (DOT), that sticker indicates whether or not the manufacturer actually followed through with the requirements of that submission. Therefore, the first question you should ask regarding any budget lid is: Is this helmet certified by the DOT?
As stated previously, the DOT certification signifies compliance with the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard #218 (FMVSS #218). Underneath that outer shell sits an EPS foam liner. That EPS liner provides the actual shock absorption in the event of an accident. The outer shell is constructed from a composite of polycarbonate and ABS plastic. Those materials meet or exceed what would be expected at this price point. They are not carbon fiber nor will they compete with higher end track helmets in terms of weight loss. However, they are sufficiently sturdy to pass the DOT standard they were tested against. Considering cost alone, the construction appears to be a solid entry level modular with no apparent weaknesses in molding or finishing.
This helmet is truly a modular style. This means that there is a chinbar that swivels upward on hinges to turn the full face lid into an open face configuration. Anytime a chinbar is involved with any type of modular style helmet, you have to take a closer look at the hinge portion of the mechanism. The hinge is simply another moving component attached to a safety device. Based on our observations, the chinbar clicks firmly into position when closing and stays in place, which is precisely what you want. Although a modular style lid weighs a bit more and is somewhat more flexible due to the added hinge than a solid full face lid, if you are only going to ride canyon roads at wide-open throttle or only ride solo, then perhaps you may wish to consider purchasing a solid full face lid instead. Otherwise, this slight additional weight and movement is easily made up for on longer trips or when riding with other people. You can see the current listing for this helmelkin modular helmet on Amazon to view build specifications yourself.
Comfort and Fit
Regardless of how well-built a helmet is, if it fits poorly and causes discomfort during use, it is essentially useless. Thus, we must discuss fit. The helmelkin includes a soft padded interior liner that is completely removable. Removing a liner is extremely significant to most first time buyers. A removable liner allows you to remove it and clean it after sweating excessively throughout a hot summer season. A fixed liner does not allow you to perform cleaning and will eventually become saturated with sweat and road debris after several months of daily riding.
The padding located around the cheekbones and crown are relatively snug out-of-the-box similar to most modular shells that tend to run tighter around the cheek and ear areas. Most reviewers suggest sizing up if you fall on either side of a specific size range. A helmet that is too tight around your ears will cause problems during extended periods of riding. It is significantly easier to initially purchase a larger shell rather than attempting to stretch a smaller one.
Airflow is generated via strategically-placed vents along the shell allowing for airflow to move past your head removing heat and moisture. No budget modular will feel like a high-end track helmet with ten adjustable ventilation slots, however, the helmelkin performs adequately to prevent your head from becoming overly heated during warmer rides. Additionally, the interior liner itself serves as a functional moisture-wickening system designed to draw moisture away from your skin. These combined efforts enable adequate ventilation for most riders engaged in daily commutes.
Flip-Up Design and Practicality
That’s where the modular design earns its keep. With the chin bar lowered, the helmelkin provides complete facial protection covering your chin and jaw area. Raising the chin bar converts the full-face lid into an open-faced configuration enabling you to breath, communicate verbally and drink beverages while not having to remove the entire helmet. Until you’ve experienced days spent stopping frequently, i.e., at each fueling station and each coffee stop, you don’t understand how much of an improvement this design feature creates for urban commuting.
Lane-splitting through congested traffic or waiting at a red light surrounded by heavy-duty trucks create situations where lifting your chin bar enables you receive airflow while allowing you to communicate verbally with adjacent riders without needing to shout through your visor. Similar advantages exist when embarking on lengthy tours as you typically make multiple stops per hour regardless of destination. Having the ability to raise your chin bar and engage in regular verbal communication with fellow riders while refueling represents a significant quality of life enhancement, one that contributes to increased satisfaction with your overall riding experience, making this characteristic worthy of serious consideration above merely owning a simple full-face lid.
It’s worth mentioning here that helmets such as this do not solely reside on motorcycles. The exact same build used to meet DOT requirements can be applied equally well toward snowmobiling, dirt biking, scooters or electric bikes, exactly how helmelkin markets their helmets. That versatility extends value as one single lid can serve various machines within your garage collection. The trade-offs remain consistent with those associated with any modular, namely increased weight plus reliance on proper operation of the hinge prior to operating. If you’d like to compare it with other flip-up options available now, please visit our Motorcycle Helmets Reviews page.
What Amazon Reviewers Are Saying
Although the 4.4-star average among almost 480 Amazon reviews is a good indication of how well the helmet performs relative to its price, the fact that many reviewers said they got more helmet than they thought they were getting for such a small amount of money indicates something good about the helmet. Most reviewers praised the DOT certification and the "flip-up" style of the helmet (which allows riders to remove the protective face shield quickly while riding), and some even described it as much more than just another entry-level helmet. They all agreed that the best thing about the helmet was the quality relative to the cost. Many felt as though they received far more helmet than they paid for. There is nothing wrong with purchasing a lower-cost modular helmet. You will likely experience some issues with fit and weight, although these are problems associated with all lower-cost modular helmets. Some reviewers indicated that the helmet was somewhat too small in the cheek area or simply weighed too much for extended periods. All of those reviewers suggested ordering a larger size. The only way to avoid dealing with the common issues associated with lower-cost modular helmets is to spend more money. If you know you can live with the limitations of a lower-cost modular helmet, then it could be a great option for you.
Who Is This Helmet For
This helmet is not designed for serious riders looking for the absolute lightest, high-performance helmet available. Additionally, the manufacturer did not attempt to sell it as anything other than a modular helmet intended for full-face protection during travel and conversion into an open face configuration once stopped. However, that type of riding is very common for many types of riders. Tourists traveling long distances by motorcycle or scooter make numerous stops along the way. Commuters travel short-to-medium distance daily by motorcycle or scooter. Riders transitioning from half-helmets to full-face helmets appreciate having an open face configuration at slow speeds. In addition, this helmet is suitable for multiple applications due to the fact that the same DOT-approved shell is used on motorcycles, scooters, snowmobiles, dirt bikes, or e-bikes. Therefore, if you want to purchase a single helmet to perform dual-duty. Whether that be as a primary helmet or as a secondary backup helmet, this would be a viable solution. As stated previously, the helmelkin is a value-based product based on consumer review ratings. For less than most similar products available today, consumers receive a DOT-certified modular flip-up helmet with a removable interior liner, ventilation system, and full-face to open-face conversion capabilities. Based on a 4.4-star average rating from nearly 500 user reviews, consumers appear to be satisfied with the performance of this product despite accepting some trade-offs. Based on your specific needs and preferences as a motorcyclist or scooter rider, this may be an excellent option for you to consider. To determine availability and sizes, please visit the Amazon link below. For additional information regarding our selection of motorcycle helmets and comparisons of different brands and models, refer to our Blog.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does helmelkin meet DOT standards?
Yes. The helmelkin modular helmet meets DOT standards in accordance with the FMVSS-218 standard. It is therefore compliant with federal regulations for wearing helmets while operating vehicles on public roads throughout the United States. Compliance remains valid as long as the chin-bar is properly secured in place to protect your face.
How does the flip-open function operate?
To convert the helmet from a full-face configuration to an open-face configuration, rotate the chin-bar upward using the hinges built into both sides of the upper shell.
Should I select a size larger than my usual size?
Yes, many reviewers suggest selecting a larger size if you are near the border of two possible sizes. Since modular helmets often provide a snug fit around the cheeks and ears, selecting a larger size will help ensure greater comfort on longer rides.
Can I clean and wash the interior padding?
Yes. The interior liner is easily removable allowing you to clean it after each ride.
Is this helmet limited to use only on motorcycles?
No. The DOT-certified shell of this helmet is compatible for use on motorcycles, scooters, snowmobiles, off-road bikes and electric bicycles. If you have multiple machines in your garage, you can potentially utilize this helmet for use on several of them.
How does this helmet compare to a fixed full-face helmet?
A fixed full-face helmet generally weighs less and provides greater structural support than an equivalent priced modular-style helmet due to the presence of hinges for opening/closing the chin-bar. On the other hand, the major advantage of a modular helmet is that it enables users to rapidly transition from full-face mode to open-face mode as needed. While aggressive riders typically prefer fixed full-face helmets for racing at higher speeds, commuter/touring-type riders find that being able to easily transition between configurations is beneficial for ease-of-use.