I remember my first long-distance ride. The sun was beating down, the highway stretched out endlessly, and my old, basic full-face helmet felt like a claustrophobic sweatbox. Every time we stopped for gas or a quick map check, the ritual was the same: gloves off, helmet off, glasses off. Then, the reverse. It was cumbersome, hot, and frustrating. I found myself wishing for the protection of a full-face helmet but the convenience of an open-face one, and I certainly didn’t want to carry two separate visors for day and night. The problem is, helmets that offer this “best of both worlds” modular functionality, complete with an integrated sun shield, often come with a price tag that can make your wallet weep. This is the challenge every rider faces: finding that perfect balance of safety, features, and price without making a serious compromise in any one area. Neglecting safety is not an option, but overspending can keep you out of the saddle altogether.
- Size L (57-58 CM,22.4/22.8 Inch)
- Advanced Modular/Flip up and Dual Lens Design (inner smoked lens/outer clear shield);
What to Consider Before Buying a Motorcycle Helmet
A motorcycle helmet is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for your survival and comfort on the road. It’s the single most important piece of gear a rider will ever own. Its primary function, of course, is to protect your head in the event of an impact, a job governed by strict safety standards like the DOT certification. Beyond that, a good helmet significantly enhances the riding experience by reducing wind noise, which causes fatigue on long trips, shielding you from debris and insects, and protecting you from the elements, be it biting wind, pouring rain, or the blazing sun. Features like modular designs and integrated visors add a layer of convenience that transforms a piece of safety equipment into a truly functional part of your daily riding life.
The ideal customer for a product like the 1Storm HB89 is the pragmatic rider: the daily commuter, the weekend tourer, or the new rider who needs DOT-certified protection and modern features without a premium price. Riders who wear prescription glasses will find the flip-up chin bar exceptionally convenient. However, this type of helmet might not be suitable for those who prioritize ultimate lightweight performance for track days or aggressive sport riding, where specialized, and significantly more expensive, carbon fiber or composite helmets are the norm. For riders seeking a more minimalist aesthetic, an open-face or half-helmet might be a better alternative, though it comes at the cost of chin and face protection.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Fit and Sizing: This is the most critical factor. A helmet that is too loose can come off in a crash, and one that is too tight will cause painful pressure points and headaches. Always measure the circumference of your head at its widest point (usually just above the eyebrows) and compare it meticulously to the manufacturer’s size chart. Pay attention to the helmet’s internal shape, as some are better for round heads while others suit oval heads.
- Safety and Certification: Look for, at a minimum, a DOT (Department of Transportation) certification sticker on the back of the helmet. This ensures it has met the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 218 (FMVSS 218) for impact absorption, penetration resistance, and strap retention. More advanced certifications like ECE and Snell offer even higher levels of testing, but DOT is the mandatory standard in the United States.
- Materials and Weight: Helmet shells are typically made from polycarbonate/thermoplastic alloys, fiberglass composites, or carbon fiber. Thermoplastic shells, like the one used on the 1Storm HB89, offer excellent protection at a very affordable price point, though they tend to be slightly heavier than their more expensive composite counterparts. A helmet’s weight, typically between 3 to 4 pounds, directly impacts neck fatigue on longer rides.
- Features and Comfort: Consider the features that matter for your riding style. A modular (flip-up) design offers incredible versatility. A dual-visor system with an internal sun shield eliminates the need for sunglasses. Good ventilation is crucial for staying cool in warm weather. Finally, look for removable and washable interior padding to keep your helmet fresh and hygienic over the long term.
Keeping these factors in mind, the 1Storm HB89 Modular Full Face Helmet stands out in several areas, particularly its blend of features and value. You can explore its detailed specifications here.
While the 1Storm HB89 Modular Full Face Helmet is an excellent choice for its category, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at head protection, especially if your adventures also take you off-road on two wheels, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:
- SUPERIOR PROTECTION - Ride, skate, or roll safely! Our adult bike helmets are lightweight yet durable, with a fully formed ABS shell and shock-absorbing EPS foam to effectively absorb impact energy...
- Made for Every Kind of Rider: Kids, teen, and adult helmet for biking, skateboarding, rollerblading, inline skating, longboard, hoverboard, scooter, skating and other outdoor sports
- ADULT BIKE HELMET: Designed for fitness and recreational rides, this sporty bicycle helmet fits riders ages 14+ with head circumferences from 58 - 62 cm. Wherever the road leads, you’re covered.
First Impressions: Unboxing the 1Storm HB89
Pulling the 1Storm HB89 Modular Full Face Helmet from its box, the first thing we noticed was the finish. The Matt Black color has a stealthy, modern aesthetic that looks far more premium than its price tag suggests. It arrived well-protected in a soft drawstring helmet bag, a nice touch that’s often omitted at this budget-friendly level. At 4 pounds, it has a reassuring heft without feeling overly heavy. The aerodynamic lines are pronounced, and it comes with an optional spoiler you can attach for a more aggressive, “sports riding” look. The padding felt plush and substantial right out of the box. We immediately tested the core mechanisms: the chin bar release is a single, intuitive button on the inside of the chin, and it lifted with a solid action, clicking securely into the raised position. The drop-down sun visor lever, located on the left side, was easy to find and operate even with gloves on. The main clear visor has several firm detents, allowing you to crack it open for airflow. Overall, the initial impression is one of surprising quality and thoughtful design for a helmet in this class.
Key Benefits
- Excellent value for the price, packing premium features
- Convenient modular flip-up design is great for glasses-wearers
- Integrated drop-down sun visor eliminates the need for sunglasses
- DOT certified, meeting crucial US safety standards
- Comfortable padding and decent ventilation for long rides
Potential Drawbacks
- Matte finish is susceptible to scratches and scuffs
- Some smaller components, like the sun visor lever, feel a bit plasticky
Performance Under Pressure: A Deep Dive into the 1Storm HB89
A helmet can look great on a shelf, but its true worth is only revealed on the road. We put the 1Storm HB89 Modular Full Face Helmet through its paces over several hundred miles of mixed riding—from city commuting to open highway—to see how its features, comfort, and safety hold up in the real world.
Safety and Construction: DOT-Certified Peace of Mind
The absolute, non-negotiable foundation of any helmet is its ability to protect you. The 1Storm HB89 Modular Full Face Helmet is built around a lightweight, durable, and aerodynamic thermoplastic alloy shell that is fully DOT FMVSS-218 certified. This means it has passed rigorous testing for impact absorption and penetration resistance. While it doesn’t carry the premium ECE or Snell ratings found on race-spec helmets, the DOT certification confirms it is a legitimate, legal, and protective piece of gear for street riding in the US. The aerodynamic shape felt stable at highway speeds, with no noticeable lift or buffeting. The chin strap is a standout feature; it uses a ratchet-style quick-release buckle, which we found to be incredibly convenient and easy to use with gloves on, far superior to the traditional double D-ring system for daily use.
But the most powerful testament to its protective capabilities comes not from a spec sheet, but from real-world experience. One user shared a harrowing story of a crash where they were thrown from their bike, landing face-first on the pavement. They suffered a concussion but walked away without any further head or facial injuries, crediting the helmet with saving them from a far worse fate. This is the ultimate validation: when the worst happens, the helmet does its job. For a helmet at this price point to perform so admirably under such extreme circumstances is a massive vote of confidence in its construction and safety.
The Modular Advantage: Unmatched Convenience and Versatility
The single greatest feature of the 1Storm HB89 Modular Full Face Helmet is its flip-up chin bar. This is what transforms it from a simple helmet into a versatile tool for the modern rider. The release mechanism is a single, large button located on the interior of the chin bar, easily operated with one hand. Pushing the button and lifting the bar provides an immediate open-face experience. This feature is a game-changer for practicality. For those of us who wear glasses, it means you can put the helmet on and take it off without first removing your spectacles. At a gas station, you can flip it up to talk to the attendant, pay, or grab a drink without de-helmeting. When stopped at a long light on a sweltering day, flipping it up provides instant relief and airflow.
The mechanism itself feels robust. When lowering the chin bar, it locks back into place with two audible, solid clicks, one on each side, letting you know it’s securely fastened for full-face protection. We confirmed what some users noted: it requires a firm, deliberate motion to ensure it’s fully locked. This isn’t a flaw, but rather a safety feature ensuring it won’t accidentally disengage. This modular functionality, often reserved for helmets costing two or three times as much, is flawlessly executed here and is arguably the primary reason to consider this feature-packed helmet.
Vision and Clarity: The Brilliant Dual-Visor System
Excellent vision is critical to safety, and the HB89 delivers with its dual-lens system. The main outer shield is optically clear; so much so that, as one user put it, you sometimes forget it’s even there. It provides a wide, unobstructed field of view and seals reasonably well against the gasket to keep wind and rain out. While some users mentioned the hinge mechanism could be a bit “sticky” initially, ours operated smoothly through its multiple detents, allowing it to be cracked open just a notch for anti-fog airflow.
The star of the show, however, is the internal drop-down smoked sun shield. Actuated by a smooth-sliding lever on the left side of the helmet, it drops down like a fighter pilot’s visor, instantly cutting down glare on bright days. This completely eliminates the need to fumble with sunglasses, which can be uncomfortable under a helmet and are a pain to manage when transitioning from bright sunlight into a dark tunnel or overcast weather. The tint is dark enough for sunny conditions but not so dark that it dangerously impairs vision. Critically, as one rider with a modern bike noted, the shield is non-polarized, so it won’t interfere with visibility of TFT displays or GPS screens. This dual-visor setup is a massive quality-of-life improvement that you’ll wonder how you ever rode without.
Comfort and Livability for the Long Haul
A helmet can have all the features in the world, but if it’s not comfortable, you won’t want to wear it. We found the 1Storm HB89 Modular Full Face Helmet to be surprisingly comfortable, even on multi-hour rides. The interior padding is soft, thick, and does an excellent job of cradling the head securely without creating pressure points. For hygiene, the entire liner and cheek pads are fully removable and washable, a crucial feature for keeping your helmet fresh. Sizing was true to the chart for our testers; measuring our heads and ordering the corresponding size resulted in a perfect, snug fit. We also found ample space in the ear pockets to install a Bluetooth communication system, a feature confirmed by other riders.
Ventilation is handled by an adjustable chin vent and two top vents, which provide a noticeable amount of airflow when open, helping to manage heat on warm days. Wind noise is a subjective measure, but we found it to be quite manageable, on par with or even slightly quieter than many other budget-friendly full-face helmets. It’s not as silent as a top-tier Schuberth or Shoei, but for the price, the noise levels are perfectly acceptable for both city and highway riding, allowing for music or GPS instructions from a communicator to be heard clearly.
What Other Users Are Saying
After thoroughly testing the helmet, we dug into feedback from a wide range of riders to see how our experience compared. The consensus is overwhelmingly positive, with most users hailing the 1Storm HB89 Modular Full Face Helmet as an incredible value for the money. Many riders, from 20-year veterans to brand new passengers, praise its comfort, features, and stylish appearance. One user summed it up perfectly: “Incredible helmet especially for the price.” The convenience of the modular design and the integrated sun visor are consistently highlighted as favorite features.
The most compelling piece of positive feedback, as mentioned earlier, is from a rider who survived a serious accident while wearing the helmet, stating unequivocally that “it did it’s job fully.” This provides powerful, real-world assurance of its protective quality.
On the critical side, the most common complaint revolves around the matte black finish. As we also noted, it looks fantastic but is prone to scratching. One user mentioned getting a large scratch on day one from a plastic zipper. Another minor but recurring point is the feel of some plastic components, like the sun visor lever, which some feel is a bit on the cheaper side. Finally, while most found the sizing chart accurate, a few users reported needing to size up, underscoring the universal importance of carefully measuring your head before ordering any helmet online.
How Does the 1Storm HB89 Compare to the Alternatives?
The 1Storm HB89 Modular Full Face Helmet excels in its niche, but it’s important to understand the other options available, which cater to very different rider preferences and styles.
1. DLPACKJ DOT Retro Half Helmet
- 【DLPACKJ】DLPACKJ Novel & Stylish german motorcycle helmet Design
- 【EXTREME COMFORT】 Moisture wicking fabric keeps your head cooler and more comfortable. Custom formed interior, for a super comfortable fit
The DLPACKJ half helmet represents a completely different philosophy of riding gear. With its minimalist, German-style “skull cap” design, it prioritizes a retro aesthetic and maximum airflow above all else. This helmet is for the cruiser or chopper rider who wants the bare minimum of coverage required by law, feeling the wind on their face. Compared to the 1Storm HB89, it offers significantly less protection, leaving the face, chin, and jaw completely exposed. It lacks any of the HB89’s features like visors, ventilation systems, or a modular design. If classic style and an open-air feel are your top priorities, this is your helmet; if all-around protection and features are what you need, the 1Storm is vastly superior.
2. Yesmotor Half Shell Hawk Style Motorcycle Helmet
Similar to the DLPACKJ, the Yesmotor Hawk Style helmet is an open-face design, but it provides slightly more coverage, extending down over the ears. It’s still a minimalist, lightweight option designed for street bike, cruiser, or moped riders who dislike the enclosed feeling of a full-face helmet. It often includes a small, integrated drop-down sun shield, offering a single feature in common with the 1Storm HB89. However, it still cannot compete on the grounds of safety, as the entire lower half of the face remains unprotected. This helmet is a middle ground for those who want more than a skull cap but less than a full-face lid.
3. Raskullz Mohawk Helmet
- Radical printed dinosaur graphics are printed with glow in the dark paint!
- 3D bendable mohawk
The Raskullz Mohawk Helmet exists in a completely different universe from the other two alternatives and the 1Storm HB89. This is a novelty helmet designed for children for use with bicycles, scooters, and skateboards. Its primary selling point is its fun, character-based design with a 3D mohawk. While it meets CPSC and ASTM safety standards for these low-speed activities, it is absolutely not DOT-certified and should never be used for any form of motorized vehicle riding. It serves as a stark reminder that not all helmets are created equal; the 1Storm HB89 is a serious piece of adult protective equipment, while the Raskullz is a fun accessory for kids’ recreational sports.
Our Final Verdict: Is the 1Storm HB89 the Right Helmet for You?
After extensive testing and analysis, our conclusion is clear: the 1Storm HB89 Modular Full Face Helmet offers an almost unbelievable combination of features, safety, and value. It successfully democratizes premium features like a modular flip-up design and an integrated sun shield, making them accessible to every rider. It meets the crucial DOT safety standard, is comfortable enough for long journeys, and is packed with user-friendly conveniences like a quick-release strap and washable liner.
Yes, there are minor trade-offs. The matte finish requires careful handling to avoid scratches, and it’s not the quietest or lightest helmet on the market when compared to models costing five times as much. But for its intended audience—the daily commuter, the weekend adventurer, the new rider, or anyone on a budget—these are minuscule complaints. It delivers where it counts: protection, functionality, and comfort. If you are looking for a do-it-all helmet that provides full-face protection with open-face flexibility without emptying your bank account, we can recommend it without hesitation.
If you’ve decided the 1Storm HB89 Modular Full Face Helmet is the right fit, you can check its current price and purchase it here.
Last update on 2025-10-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API