Three Quarter Shell Motorcycle Helmets

This style is similar to a full-face helmet, but it does not wrap around the face. The shell extends from the brow over the cranium to the base of the neck and forward over the ears. A chinstrap secures the helmet, sometimes in the form of a chin cup.

These motorcycle helmets are popular with police officers, as it is easy to communicate with the helmet in place. Also, the helmet can be quickly removed without momentarily blocking the vision, unlike a full-face helmet. However, three quarter shell motorcycle helmets still afford much of the same protections as full-face helmets.

For the most part, people who prefer three quarter shell helmets are those that rack up road miles on large full dress bikes, like the Harley Davidson Road King or the Honda Gold Wing. Headsets are often installed in three quarter shell motorcycle helmets and used to communicate with other riders.
Three quarter shell motorcycle helmets are rarely chosen to wear on a cruiser and virtually never seen on those riding café racers.