The full faced helmet covers the entire head and most of the face with a hard shell covering the entire head and face area and is secured with a chin strap for support. The cheek and mandible areas of the face are completely encompassed within the shell of the helmet which rides forward on the face and leaves only a wrap around style view port that is covered by a sliding, acrylic visor that blocks out the environmental weather elements and eases rider eye fatigue.

The inner shell of a full face helmet is heavily padded and therefore offers the most protection and security for the rider. This helmet is considered the safest and most preventive in a motorcycle accident because they cover the widest area of the head and face. The only disadvantage to the full faced helmet, according to motorcycle accident attorneys is that this style provides only a limited line of visual or sound input from the outside environment. Also due to being the heaviest of all styles made, create a large potential for neck injury or strain in high wind conditions.

Three quarter shell helmets have a style similar to full faced helmets with the exception that is does not wrap around the face, but instead extends from brow over the cranium to the back of the neck and forward covering only the ear area of the head. The helmet is secured with a strap, sometimes containing a chin cup for extra security. Communication with other riders while still in place, as well as easier removal without vision block makes these a more popular helmet type without compromising much of the same protection offered as the full faced helmet. These helmets are rarely worn on cruiser biker and virtually never on cafe bikers.

The least intrusive of all helmet styles is the half-shell or beanie. It is also the one that offers the least protection against head injury to the rider due to the fact that it only covers the top crown of the head with no face, side or ear protection, is the lightest and least wind resistant. This is the helmet chosen by riders who have little desire or regard for protection, yet are required by law to meet minimum protection equipment standards while riding.

All helmets used must meet the minimum safety standard for prevention of motorcycle injuries as set by the Department of Transportation and can be identified by mandatory, manufacture placed stickers.

Despite the type of helmet chosen by the rider, whether the individual desires to only meet mandatory law requirements or fill the desire for most protection, all is null and void if the helmet does not fit properly. It can neither be too large, which will allow upward wind drafts to place strain on or "whiplash" the neck, nor can it be so tight as to cause headaches or other difficulties that lead to a lessened attention span to the act of riding. Weight of the helmet is also an important consideration to avoid neck strain with the lighter versions being the most desirable. Best advice is found by seeking assistance from experienced dealers and/or riders to simultaneously meet rider needs and conditions without compromising mandatory law requirements.