If you’re shopping for a helmet in Australia, Biltwell Helmets are a strong option for you. The brand’s reputation for blending vintage style with modern safety are the keys to how they have grown in the market. The real question is which one fits your bike, your look, and how you ride.
Biltwell Helmets builds five distinct helmets, all DOT and ECE 22.06 certified, all sized S to XXL. They range from the fully-featured Lane Splitter down to the stripped-back original Gringo, with three variations in between. Each has its place: cafe racer, highway cruiser, open-road scratcher, and choosing the right one comes down to how much wind protection you want, whether you’re running goggles or a visor, and how aggressive you want the profile to look parked outside the servo.
Rollies Speed Shop is the Australian and New Zealand distributor for Biltwell, bringing the full helmet range into the country and supplying it through our dealer and workshop network. We’ll walk you through what sets each model apart and which rider they’re built for.
| MODEL | TYPE | SHIELD | VENTS | FIT | BEST FOR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lane Splitter | Full face | Flat shield, part of the design | Yes, built to vent at speed | Check against the model chart | Distance and higher speeds |
| Gringo SV | Full face | Integrated, flips up and locks | Five | True to size | Retro styling with modern airflow |
| Gringo S | Full face | Integrated bubble shield | None | Measure, then size up | Retro style without goggles |
| Gringo | Full face | None, goggle-ready | None | Measure, then size up | Maximum aesthetic purity |
| Tahoe | Open face | Built-in bubble shield | n/a | Check against the model chart | Open-face freedom with wind protection |
The Lane Splitter is Biltwell’s feature full-face helmet, built for riders who cover distance at speed and need aggressive styling to back up the retro-inspired shell. It’s the only model in the range with integrated ventilation designed for high-performance riding; air moves through the helmet, not just around it.
The profile sits lower and more streamlined than the Gringo line. The shield is part of the design, not an add-on, and the venting keeps your head cool when you’re holding triple digits on a summer run down the Pacific Highway. Available in eight colourways including limited-edition graphics, it’s the pick for riders on bigger-bore twins who spend more time on the throttle than at traffic lights.
Lane Splitter - Gloss Black
Lane Splitter - Gloss White
Lane Splitter - Flat Black
Lane Splitter - Gloss Olive Green
Lane Splitter - Gloss Chalk
Lane Splitter - Gloss Black With Gloss White Flames
Lane Splitter - Intersection Gold, Silver, & Bronze
Lane Splitter - Limited Edition 20th Anniversary Edition
The Gringo SV sits at the top of Biltwell Helmets retro full-face line. It carries the rounded, classic Gringo shape but adds an integrated shield and five vents, more airflow than any other model in the family. You get the vintage look without cooking your head on a 35-degree ride through the hinterlands.
The shield flips up and locks, so you can crack it at the servo without pulling the helmet off. The venting is deliberate: forehead, chin, and rear exhaust ports that pull heat out as you roll. It’s still a full-face, so you’re sealed from wind blast and road noise, but it breathes like a modern lid should. Ten colourways available, including limited-edition anniversary graphics.
Gringo SV - Gloss Black
Gringo SV - Gloss White
Gringo SV - Flat Black
Gringo SV - Gloss Silver
Gringo SV - Gloss Mint Julep
Gringo SV - Gloss Chalk Grey
Gringo SV - Gloss Atlantic Teal
Gringo SV - Metallic Whiskey
Gringo SV - Limited Edition 20th Anniversary Colorway
Gringo SV - Intersection Black Orange Grey
The Gringo S bridges the gap between the original Gringo and the vented SV. It’s the same vintage-inspired shell with an integrated shield, but without the vents. You get a cleaner, simpler look and the practicality of a flip-up visor: no need to carry goggles or swap shields depending on the weather.
This is the helmet for riders who want that 1970s full-face aesthetic but don’t want to mess around with separate eyewear. The shield seals against dust and bugs, tints are available, and the whole package weighs less and costs less than the SV. Nine colourways in the range, from flat black to metallic dart green.
Gringo S - Gloss Black
Gringo S - Gloss White
Gringo S - Flat Black
Gringo S - Gloss Hazard Orange
Gringo S - Metallic Ugly Gold
Gringo S - Metallic Dart Green
Gringo S - Apex Gloss White, Red, & Blue
Gringo S - Limited Edition 20th Anniversary Colourway
Gringo S - Gloss Garnet Red With Flames
The Gringo S keeps Biltwell’s classic, clean full-face design with an integrated bubble shield.
The Gringo SV adds five shell vents for extra airflow.
Both styles are DOT and ECE R22.06 certified.
The Gringo is where Biltwell’s helmet line started: the stripped-back, goggle-ready, cafe racer helmet that put them on the map. No vents, no integrated shield, just a DOT and ECE 22.06 certified fibreglass shell shaped like the lids your old man wore in the 1970s. You snap on your own goggles, your own shield, or ride it open if the run’s short enough.
It’s lighter than the S and SV because there’s less hardware bolted to it. The look is pure: no compromises, no modern add-ons breaking the lines. If you’re building a period-correct bobber or cafe bike and the helmet needs to match the tank paint, this is the canvas. Eight colourways available, including limited-edition 20th Anniversary graphics.
Gringo - Flat Black
Gringo - Gloss White
Gringo - Raceflow Gloss Black, Red, White, & Blue
Gringo - Gloss Greystone
Gringo - Metallic Catalina
Gringo - Sunset Spectrum
Gringo - Limited Edition 20th Anniversary Edition Colourway
Gringo - Metallic Sunburst
The Tahoe is Biltwell Helmets only open-face helmet in the Australian range. It uses the same bubble-shield mounting system as the Gringo S, so you get wind and bug protection without giving up the open-face feel. Think of it as a jet helmet with a long shield, more coverage than a standard open lid, less than a full-face.
It’s the lightest helmet in the range and the coolest in hot weather, but the extended bubble shield keeps wind off your face at highway speed better than a short visor would. You’re still exposed compared to a Gringo, but for summer rides, town work, or short weekend runs, it’s hard to beat the airflow and visibility. Six colourways, including metallic finishes and a 20th Anniversary option.
Tahoe - Gloss Black
Tahoe - Gloss White
Tahoe - Gloss Mint Julep
Tahoe - Metallic Sierra Green
Tahoe - Metallic Grape
Tahoe - Limited Edition 20th Anniversary Colourway
Use a tailor’s measuring tape and wrap it around the widest part of your head, just above your eyebrows. Compare that measurement with the helmet’s sizing chart to find your starting size. When trying the helmet on, pull the sides apart using the D-rings and slide it over your head. A correctly fitted helmet should feel snug around the crown and move with your head when you shake it, without excessive movement.
Biltwell’s full-face helmets use an intermediate oval head shape, which can initially feel snugger than some other helmets. The video does not identify individual models as specifically running small or true to size, so it’s best to use your head measurement and the sizing chart for the particular helmet rather than automatically sizing up.
The fit around the crown of your head is the most important part when choosing your helmet size. If the crown feels right but the cheeks are too tight or too loose, you can swap to thinner or thicker cheek pads to fine-tune the fit without changing helmet size.
Biltwell Helmets own recommendation boils down to three questions: how fast and how far you ride, whether you want to run goggles or a shield, and how much ventilation matters. The Lane Splitter is their sport lid; the Gringo SV is the all-day retro helmet; the Gringo S is the practical classic; the original Gringo is the purist’s choice; and the Tahoe is for summer and short-haul.
Every helmet in the range is hand-laid fibreglass, DOT and ECE 22.06 certified, and fitted with the same comfort liner system. Sizing runs consistently across models. If you’re a Large in the Gringo, you’re a Large in the Lane Splitter. Biltwell publishes fit videos and sizing guides on every product page, and we recommend watching them before you order, especially if you’re between sizes or new to the brand.
Yes, both use Biltwell's bubble shield system, and the shields are interchangeable. You can run smoked, clear, or mirrored shields on either helmet. The only difference is that the SV adds shell vents; the shield hardware and fit are identical.
Biltwell’s Moto 2.0 and Overland 2.0 goggles are worth trying with the Gringo. Owners report good results with Biltwell goggles, but some combinations fit tightly, so check comfort and clearance with your particular helmet before buying.
Yes, with one exception. Shields are model-specific: the Gringo S and Gringo SV share one, while the Gringo and Lane Splitter each take their own. Match the generation too, as newer ECE R22.06 Gringo S/SV shields do not fit older Gringo S helmets. The exception is the Tahoe. Its bubble shield is built in, Biltwell’s universal 3-snap bubble shield does not fit it, and no replacement Tahoe shield has been released yet.
The Lane Splitter has more deliberate airflow: it's built to vent at speed. The Gringo SV has five vents and will move air better than the non-vented Gringo S or original Gringo, but the Lane Splitter's aerodynamics are designed for sustained highway riding. If you're doing long runs above 100 km/h in summer, the Lane Splitter breathes better.
Yes, it's DOT and ECE 22.06 certified, which meets Australian helmet standards. Open-face helmets are legal for road use in every state and territory. The Tahoe's extended bubble shield offers more wind protection than a short-visor open-face, but it's still an open lid; your face is more exposed than in a full-face slide.
Yes, they’re a good option for riders who prefer a straightforward helmet with plenty of character rather than a long list of features.
Some models do. The Gringo and Gringo S run small, so measure your head and go up a size. The Gringo SV fits true to size. For the Lane Splitter and Tahoe, measure your head and follow that model’s own sizing chart. ECE R22.06 versions can also feel snugger than older DOT-only helmets, so try one on at a dealer before you buy if you can.
Biltwell’s ECE R22.06-certified models are tested to a recognised motorcycle helmet safety standard. Choose the correct size and fasten the chin strap securely every ride: proper fit is essential to getting the intended protection.
Yes. Biltwell's limited-edition and graphic colourways, such as the 20th Anniversary, Intersection, and Raceflow, carry a premium over the solid colours. The shell, liner and certification are identical, so you are paying for the paint. Current pricing is on each product page.
Around five years of normal use is a common guideline, but follow your helmet manufacturer’s instructions. Replace it sooner after a crash impact or if damage, deterioration, or a loose fit compromises its protection.
Online at biltwellhelmets.com.au, which ships from Brisbane, or through the authorised dealers Rollies Speed Shop supplies around Australia. To try a helmet on before you buy, use the Find a Dealer page, then call ahead to check sizes and availability.
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