Open Face vs Full Face Helmets for Cafe Racers: Safety, Style, and Comfort Compared

You're standing in the garage looking at your cafe racer. Everything's right: that beautiful tank, the colored wheels, maybe a nice Motogadget tachometer. But then you arrive at that one question every cafe racer owner has to answer: which helmet actually fits this machine and riding style? And honestly, it's not just about looks. The choice between an open face and full face helmet determines not only how you look, but also how safe you are, how comfortable you ride, and whether you're actually happy with your purchase.

This isn't marketing fluff. This is what you really need to know.

Why This Choice Is Even Difficult

The open face vs full face helmet cafe racer question is tough because you really can't win on all fronts at once. An open face helmet gives you that pure, authentic cafe racer look you probably have in your head. No plastic neck piece, no full jaw covering your face. Pure retro. Pure riding feel.

But then you're on a busy road. An oncoming vehicle hits you. And then you find yourself silently wondering: shouldn't I have...

A full face helmet, on the other hand, offers something completely different. Enclosed. Protected. Maybe a bit less "cafe racer" according to some. But much safer, that's for sure.

So let's sort this out properly. Because you deserve nothing less than the right information.

Safety: The Hard Facts

Let's start with the most obvious difference. A full face helmet protects your lower jaw, your chin, and the sides of your face. An open face helmet doesn't.

The numbers don't lie:

• In a head-on collision, your face and jaw without full face protection are at serious risk
• Open face helmets protect against around 40% of possible head injuries
• Full face helmets offer protection against approximately 80% of head injuries
• Your jawline is one of the most vulnerable parts of your face in an accident

This isn't to scare you. It's just how it is.

On the other hand: many cafe racer riders ride relatively slowly and carefully. This isn't drag racing. The risk depends on how and where you ride. City traffic at 30-50 km/h is different from highway traffic.

Both helmets must of course be ECE 22.06 certified. That's non-negotiable, regardless of which you choose.

The Comfort Story

This is where it gets interesting. Open face helmets win hands down on comfort when it comes to fresh air and visibility.

You feel the wind in your face. You have better peripheral vision. You can easily communicate with someone next to you. And most open face helmets are lighter and more compact than full face versions.

That said: if you spend a day on the bike in weather conditions like rain, snow, or extreme wind, you'll quickly lose that advantage. Your face takes a beating from water and wind. Your eyes water. That's not exactly pleasant.

Full face helmets protect you from this sort of thing too. You're essentially more insulated from the weather. For longer rides, especially in changing conditions, this can be a major advantage.

Plus: many modern full face helmets have good ventilation openings. They're nowhere near as suffocating as they used to be. A well-made full face helmet from a serious brand can actually be just as comfortable, just differently.

Style: The Common Thread

Now I need to be honest: the open face helmet traditionally fits the cafe racer philosophy better.

It's rooted in history. Cafe racers emerged in the 1960s in London, with riders modifying their old motorcycles and racing to cafes. The helmets back then? Open face. That's part of the picture.

A real cafe racer with a full face helmet can feel like something doesn't quite add up. It's more... motorcycle. Less... cafe racer.

But here's the important thing: it doesn't have to be that way.

Modern cafe racer culture is evolving. And brands like Roeg, Bell, and DMD understand this. They make helmets that can fulfill both identities.

The Bell Custom 500, for example. This is an open face helmet with serious retro credentials. Minimalist, clean design, available in classic colors. This is what you picture in your head when you say "cafe racer helmet."

Then there's the Bell Bullitt GT, a full face helmet that consciously moves in retro territory. The design isn't futuristic or aggressive. It's... honest. Retro-inspired, but full face.

The Roeg JETT is another story: an open face helmet made by riders who understand cafe racing. This isn't a compromise. This is pure intent.

And the DMD Retro series? This might be the best compromise: an open face helmet that looks like it came from the 1970s, but with modern safety standards.

So yes, open face feels more traditional. But don't dismiss a full face with retro aesthetics. It can really work.

Practical Differences in Detail

Let's get concrete:

Weight and Space

Open face helmets are lighter. A 200-400 gram difference can feel noticeable, especially on longer rides. They also take up less room on your motorcycle.

Field of Vision

Open face wins here. You have no visor in front of your face, so your peripheral vision is better. This is noticeable, especially in corners.

Wind and Weather Resistance

Full face wins completely. With rain, snow, or strong wind, a full face helmet is simply better. There's no discussion about it.

Bug Strikes and Maintenance

This is underrated. With an open face helmet, your face and eyes get much more exposure to insects, dirt, and UV sun radiation. Over years, this can be noticeable. Full face helmets protect against this.

Interior cleaning (shampooing) is possible on both, but sometimes slightly more involved with full face helmets.

Connection to Your Motorcycle

This is personal. Many riders feel more "connected" to their motorcycle in an open face helmet. You feel more wind, you hear more, you're more "outside." This is probably also why cafe racers traditionally opt for open face.

Comparison: Open Face vs Full Face Helmet Cafe Racer

What Riders Actually Do

Here in our shop in Haarlem, you see the full spectrum. Some cafe racer owners go 100% for open face. That's their choice, their risk, their authenticity.

Others go for a middle ground: they have an open face helmet for nice days (weekend rides, events, quick trip to the cafe), and a full face helmet for daily use and bad weather.

This sounds like a hassle, but it's actually quite practical. You get the best of both worlds.

Don't forget: how you combine your helmet with your jacket and gloves matters a lot. A good retro-style Holy Freedom jacket or Roeg jacket can probably even make a full face helmet feel more "cafe racer."

Which Choice for Whom?

Choose Open Face If:

• Most of your rides are short and careful
• You ride a lot on clean, dry days
• Authenticity matters more than everything
• You absolutely want that "pure rider" feeling
• You're willing to deal with more weather exposure

Choose Full Face If:

• You encounter many different weather conditions
• You also do longer rides
• Safety is your number one priority
• You ride all seasons
• You want it to feel very protective

Consider Having Both If:

• You're serious about your motorcycle
• Your budget allows for it
• You probably ride in different moods

Our Recommendations (Specific)

If you want a real open face for your cafe racer, the Bell Custom 500 is truly a classic. This isn't just a modern design with "retro" influences. This is a helmet that you can genuinely feel like you're riding through a cafe from 1967 in.

For those who want a bit more protection but don't want to give up everything: the Bell Bullitt GT. This is a full face that doesn't pretend to be something it's not. It's retro aesthetics in full face form.

The Roeg JETT is for those who know what they want. This is an open face helmet made by riders for riders. Serious stuff.

And the DMD Retro series might be the smartest compromise: authentic looks, modern safety, reasonably priced.

The (Inevitable) Conclusion

There is no "right" answer to the open face vs full face helmet cafe racer question. There's only your answer. And that answer depends on how you ride, where you ride, how you balance safety and authenticity, and honestly: how you feel on your motorcycle.

What we do know: both types of helmets can protect you if you choose wisely. Both can look great on a cafe racer. And both can be comfortable, if you pick the right one.

The one thing we don't compromise on: choose something that's ECE 22.06 certified, fits well, and feels right. That's non-negotiable.

Your cafe racer deserves a helmet that suits you. And that might be an open face. Or a full face. Or maybe both.

Come Visit or Chat With Us

At Dapper Motor in Haarlem, we carry all the major brands. Bell, Roeg, DMD – we have them all. And we can show you what the difference feels like. Not in theory. In practice.

Come by, try the helmets, feel the quality, and make your choice. Or chat with us online. We're here to help you make a decision that really makes you happy.

Because a motorcycle without the right helmet isn't a motorcycle. Make sure you get it right.