Full face, modular, open face, or half: which helmet style should I buy?

Full face helmets cover the most, including the chin bar, and are the quietest at speed, which suits highway miles and Pacific Northwest weather. Modular helmets have a chin bar that lifts so you can talk, drink, or take a break without pulling the helmet off, trading some weight and a hinge for that convenience. Open face helmets leave the chin exposed but keep the top and sides covered, favoring airflow and an unobstructed view. Half helmets are the lightest and coolest option and cover the least. Start with how much of your riding happens above 45 mph and in rain, then compare specific models in full face, modular, open face, or half helmets.

Is a modular helmet as safe as a full face helmet?

A modular helmet carrying a DOT certification has passed the same federal test a certified full face has, so certification is not the difference. The difference is structural. A modular has a hinge and a latch where a full face has solid shell, which adds weight and adds a mechanism that can wear. Some modulars are certified for riding with the chin bar closed only, so check the specific model rather than assuming. Riders who want the chin bar to lift usually accept the extra weight for the convenience, and riders who never open it are generally better served by a full face.

What size helmet does my child need?

Youth helmets are sized to a child's head circumference, not to their age, and a helmet a child will grow into does not protect them, because a loose helmet can shift or come off in a crash. Measure around the head about an inch above the eyebrows and match that to the model's sizing chart. A correct fit is snug at the cheeks with no movement when the head shakes and no gap under the strap. Washington also prohibits carrying a passenger under five years old on a motorcycle. We fit youth helmets in our Lakewood store before purchase, and you can see what we carry in youth motorcycle helmets.

Can I replace the face shield on my helmet?

Yes, on nearly every modern helmet. Face shields are wear items and are meant to be replaced when scratched, hazed, or when you want a different tint. Shields are model specific rather than universal, so you need the shield made for your exact helmet, not one that looks similar. Most current helmets use a tool-less mechanism, so the swap takes under a minute once you know the motion. If you know your helmet brand and model, browse helmet shields and visors, or bring the helmet into our Lakewood store and we will match it at the counter.

What does a DOT rating on a helmet actually mean?

A DOT rating means the helmet is certified to meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 218, the United States standard covering impact absorption, penetration resistance, and retention system strength. Manufacturers self-certify to it and the government spot-tests helmets from the market. ECE is the European standard and works differently, with batch testing before helmets reach riders. Snell is a voluntary private standard some manufacturers pay to meet on top of DOT. A helmet can carry more than one. What matters legally in the United States is the DOT certification, and a helmet without it is not legal to ride in on public roads in Washington. Certifications are listed on each product page.

Is a helmet required by law in Washington?

Yes. Washington has a universal helmet law under RCW 46.37.530. Every operator and passenger on a motorcycle, moped, or motor-driven cycle must wear a helmet meeting United States Department of Transportation standards, with the neck or chin strap fastened securely while the vehicle is in motion. There is no exception for age, experience, or trip length, which makes Washington stricter than many states. Novelty helmets without a DOT certification do not satisfy the law. Riders on a motorcycle without a windshield must also wear glasses, goggles, or a face shield. Helmet laws vary by state, so check the rules where you ride if you are traveling.

Motorcycle Helmets DOT & ECE Certified

LS2 Advant X Solid

2 reviews

21 in stock

The LS2 Advant X (FF901) is a modular motorcycle helmet with a chin bar that rotates a full 180 degrees to rest behind the head, so the same helmet can be ridden as either a full face or an open face. The shell is high performance fiberglass composite (HPFC) and the helmet weighs 1600 g plus or minus 50 g. It is certified to ECE 22.06, ECE P and J (dual open and full face homologation), and DOT FMVSS 218. Sizes run XS through 3XL across two shell sizes, and every helmet ships with a Pinlock 120XLT MaxVision insert, a dark smoke shield, and a carrying bag. What this helmet is built for The Advant X is aimed at riders who want one helmet for mixed use: closed up on the highway, opened up in traffic, at fuel stops, or on slow city miles. Because it carries both the ECE P (protective chin bar) and J (open face) ratings, it is legal to ride in either position rather than only for stopping. The tradeoff for that versatility is weight and cost: at roughly 3 lb 8 oz it is heavier than a comparable full face, and the rotating mechanism adds parts that a fixed-chin helmet does not have. Key features 180-degree rotating chin bar, certified for use in both positions High performance fiberglass composite (HPFC) shell, two shell sizes Multi-density EPS with internal ventilation channels Quick-release main shield with scratch-resistant and UV-resistant coatings Hidden internal drop-down sunshield with easy-remove mechanism Pinlock 120XLT MaxVision anti-fog insert included Adjustable chin and top intake vents with rear exhaust ports Laser-cut comfort liner: breathable, hypoallergenic, removable, washable Micrometric metal buckle with reinforced chin strap Emergency cheek pad release system for first responders Reflective safety patch and chin curtain Certification and construction Advant X shell and safety specifications Safety standards ECE 22.06 and DOT FMVSS 218. ECE P and J certified as both an open face and a full face helmet. Shell material High Performance Fiberglass Composite (HPFC) Weight 1600 g plus or minus 50 g (approximately 3 lb 8 oz) Shell sizes 2 shells: XS to L, and XL to 3XL EPS sizes 5 EPS: XS, S, M, L, XL to 3XL Liner sizes 7 liners: XS, S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL Cheek pads 3 sizes: XS to XL, 2XL, 3XL. Available in slim or standard thickness. Comfort, shield, security, and ventilation Comfort Extra-comfort laser-cut foam liner Removable and washable Breathable and hypoallergenic Chin curtain Shield system Quick-release main shield Scratch-resistant and UV-resistant Pinlock 120XLT MaxVision insert included Internal sunshield with hidden sliding button and easy-remove mechanism Security Micrometric metal buckle Reinforced chin strap Emergency release system Multi-density EPS Reflective safety patch Ventilation Chin vent and top intake vents Rear exhaust ports Channeled EPS to move air across the head What is in the box Helmet Carrying bag Dark smoke shield Pinlock 120XLT MaxVision insert How to measure for helmet fit Measuring your head is the right place to start, but it is only a guideline. Different head shapes can require a slightly smaller or larger helmet in any given model, so trying on the specific model is always recommended. A helmet should be as snug as possible without being tight enough to cause a headache. Being fitted in person by a professional is the most reliable method. Measure the circumference of your head with a tape measure, or with a length of string that you then line up against a ruler. Start above the ear and circle all the way around, resting the tape about a half inch above the eyebrows and across the fullest part of the back of the head. Measure several times so you do not end up with a reading that is too small or too large. Compare your measurement to the size chart. If you fall between two sizes, take the larger size. Replacement parts and accessories The following Advant X components are sold separately. Note that some parts are shared with the Advant X Carbon but do not fit the standard Advant (FF906). Advant X replacement part numbers and available options Component Part number Options Cheek pads 04-471 XS to XL in black standard, black slim version 1, and black slim version 2 (shorter tabs) Liners 04-461 XS, S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL Baseplates 05-050 Black. Fits Advant X and Advant X Carbon. Outer shields 04-428 Clear, dark smoke, photochromic, and dark electron iridium in silver, gold, red, blue, green, and black gold Pinlock inserts 04-478 Pinlock 120 XLT MaxVision insert Inner drop-down sunshields 04-468 Amber, clear, and dark smoke in version 1 and version 2. Fits Advant, Advant II, Advant X, and Advant X Carbon. Common questions Can the Advant X be ridden with the chin bar rotated back? Yes. It carries ECE P certification as a full face and ECE J certification as an open face, which means it is homologated for riding in either position rather than only for stopping. Does the Advant X come with a Pinlock insert? Yes. A Pinlock 120XLT MaxVision anti-fog insert is included in the box, along with a dark smoke shield and a carrying bag. Does it have an internal sun visor? Yes. A drop-down sunshield is built into the shell and operates from a hidden sliding button. It can be removed without tools using the easy-remove mechanism. How much does the Advant X weigh? 1600 g plus or minus 50 g, roughly 3 lb 8 oz. That is heavier than a typical fiberglass full face, which is the usual tradeoff for a modular chin bar mechanism. What size shell will I get? The Advant X uses two shells. Sizes XS through L share one shell, and XL through 3XL share the other, with five EPS densities and seven liner sizes spread across the range to keep proportions correct. Can I change the fit without changing helmet size? To a degree. Cheek pads are available in slim and standard thickness in three size groups, and the liner is sold separately in seven sizes, so the interior can be adjusted within a shell size. Do Advant X parts fit the standard Advant? Shields and Pinlock inserts do not. Advant X shields and inserts do not fit the Advant FF906, and Advant KPA shields do not fit the Advant X or Advant X Carbon. The inner drop-down sunshield is the exception and fits Advant, Advant II, Advant X, and Advant X Carbon. Before You Select a Size: Helmet-Fit Facts A helmet is one of the most important pieces of riding gear you will choose, and the size printed on the label is only a starting point. Head circumference, head shape, crown contact, cheek-pad pressure and the retention system all affect whether a helmet fits correctly. Two helmets marked the same size can fit very differently—even within the same brand. Measure around the widest part of your head, keeping the tape level and approximately one inch above your eyebrows. A new helmet should feel evenly snug around the entire head without sharp or painful pressure points. When you move the helmet gently from side to side, your skin should move with the liner rather than the helmet sliding independently. Fasten the retention system and confirm that the helmet cannot roll forward or lift off the head. Wear the helmet for several minutes before deciding. Comfort padding may settle with use, but an incorrect shell shape or painful pressure point is unlikely to be solved by choosing blindly. Why Come to Eagle Leather for a Helmet Fitting? Our staff is trained to help with helmet fitting and can help you compare head shape, size, pressure points and retention across different models. Inventory changes daily, but Eagle Leather consistently carries many hundreds of helmets—often approaching 1,000 units—across half-shell, open-face, modular, adventure and full-face styles. That selection gives you the opportunity to compare brands and internal shapes instead of relying on a size label alone. For such an important piece of riding gear, we encourage you to visit Eagle Leather for an in-person fitting before selecting a size without trying the helmet on.

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21 in stock

$499.98

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