DOT motorcycle helmets are what are a requirement, of course, in the helmet law states. A DOT motorcycle helmet can be anything from a shorty all the way up to a full face helmet. You, the rider, need to figure out what kind of DOT protection you want. Most cruiser riders want the shorty and the opposite end is the sport bike riders usually opt for the full face protection.

Match your helmet to your riding style. Just because the helmet is DOT rated doesn't mean you can ride like a jerk and be magically saved when you hit a telephone pole at a buck twenty. DOT rated means the helmet met the safety requirements of the Department of Transportation. You have a significantly better chance of surviving a crash with a DOT rated helmet, than you do without...obviously. The foam used inside the helmets between your head and the shell is what will help save your live on impact. It helps absorb the energy of the crash, so you can get back up a do another wheelie.