Open face helmets for motorcycles provide the same rear protection as full face helmets for motorcycles and little protection to the face. When the rider’s face is not protected, bugs, dust and wind to the face and eyes can cause a rider great discomfort or significant injury. It is not uncommon for riders to wear wrap-around sunglasses or goggles to supplement eye protection with open face motorcycle helmets.
The half helmet style of helmets for motorcycles is make with essentially the same front design as open face helmets for motorcycles but with a raised rear. Half helmet helmets for motorcycles provide the minimum coverage generally allowed by law in the United States. Riders using half helmet helmets for motorcycles commonly add to their eye protection through other means.
Full face, open face and half helmet style helmets for motorcycles are all secured by a chin strap. All of the protective benefits that helmets for motorcycles give are drastically reduced if the chin strap is not fastened.
There are other helmets for motorcycles on the market. Some of these helmets for motorcycles are called "beanies" or "novelty helmets". These kinds of helmets for motorcycles are are not certified and they are generally used only to provide an illusion of compliance with mandatory helmet laws.
Novelty helmets for motorcycles are often smaller and lighter than Department Of Transportation approved helmets for motorcycles and are unsuitable for any kind of crash protection. They are unsuitable because they lack energy-absorbing foam that protects the brain during a crash by allowing it to come to a gradual stop during an impact.
Novelty helmets for motorcycles can protect the scalp against sunburn while riding and it might protect the scalp against abrasion in a crash, but they are not designed to protect the skull or brain.
Helmets for motorcycles are believed to reduce injuries and fatalities in motorcycle accidents. Many countries, including the United States, have enacted laws requiring acceptable helmets for motorcycles to be worn by motorcycle riders. The laws vary considerably. Sometimes mopeds are exempted. Some countries have significant popular opposition to compulsory use of motorcycle helmets. There is a group called the Helmet law defense league that deals with the philosphical objections to helmet law enforcement.
