Bell Motorcycle Helmets

[Zoney]

2 years ago, I changed the brand of helmets I wear to Bell from Arai, which I had been wearing for 20 years.  I did it because Bell, has exclusive licensing for "Transitions" technology for their face shields.  Just like "Transitions" sunglasses, they go from clear with no sunlight all the way to dark, with full sunlight and anything in between depending on the light conditions.  I've been really happy with the helmets ever since.  I bought just an inexpensive one, ($109) first and then upgraded to a $400 helmet after 6 months.  The "transitions" shield is the same for every helmet they make, even for the Carbon Fiber racing helmets.

Yesterday, Bell Helmets came to the Honda/Kawasaki motorcycle store I work at and brought their equipment for their "Custom Sizing Program".  They used a lazer system to create a 3D map of my head.

The information is then sent in to Bell so they can build a helmet specifically to fit me.  There will be a huge difference in comfort and an even bigger difference in the safety.  Inside of motorcycle helmets have a styrofoam liner that serves as the deceleration zone that actually cushions your head and crushes during impact to minimize your brain slapping around inside your noggin.  On top of that is the normal comfort area that you actually feel.

With the custom sizing program there is very little comfort foam and twice as much of the "deceleration" styrofoam.  This foam is not solid but is in channels that allow it more room to compress, making it "cushier" for your brain and also serves as deeper channels to allow the airflow system more room to work.

There has never been any type of custom system ever and I think it is going to be a huge deal.  I also choose, depending on my riding position, how far up or down I want the eye hole, within limitations.  Mine will be 3'$ inch higher than standard because I am a sportbike rider and am in a "tuck" position unless sitting at a light.

These are pricey, but no more so than a top of the line Arai which has no custom sizing.  It also take about 4 weeks to build and ship each helmet.  There are no colors available, just natural carbon fiber weave.  Bell also has this available for their carbon fiber motocross helmets.

I'll let you know how it actually feels when it comes in.  I plan on wearing it for about a month before sending it out for custom painting.

[eagl]

That sounds very cool.  The 2 helmets I bought for autox were both Bell.  Seemed like good helmets with a reasonable range of prices and features.

[HL117]

Sounds impressive, I chose a Scorpion with the bladder pump, makes it nice and snug, have had no issue with it other than like you said, wish the eye hole was a little higher up.

[Zoney]

2 years ago, I changed the brand of helmets I wear to Bell from Arai, which I had been wearing for 20 years.  I did it because Bell, has exclusive licensing for "Transitions" technology for their face shields.  Just like "Transitions" sunglasses, they go from clear with no sunlight all the way to dark, with full sunlight and anything in between depending on the light conditions.  I've been really happy with the helmets ever since.  I bought just an inexpensive one, ($109) first and then upgraded to a $400 helmet after 6 months.  The "transitions" shield is the same for every helmet they make, even for the Carbon Fiber racing helmets.

Yesterday, Bell Helmets came to the Honda/Kawasaki motorcycle store I work at and brought their equipment for their "Custom Sizing Program".  They used a lazer system to create a 3D map of my head.

The information is then sent in to Bell so they can build a helmet specifically to fit me.  There will be a huge difference in comfort and an even bigger difference in the safety.  Inside of motorcycle helmets have a styrofoam liner that serves as the deceleration zone that actually cushions your head and crushes during impact to minimize your brain slapping around inside your noggin.  On top of that is the normal comfort area that you actually feel.

With the custom sizing program there is very little comfort foam and twice as much of the "deceleration" styrofoam.  This foam is not solid but is in channels that allow it more room to compress, making it "cushier" for your brain and also serves as deeper channels to allow the airflow system more room to work.

There has never been any type of custom system ever and I think it is going to be a huge deal.  I also choose, depending on my riding position, how far up or down I want the eye hole, within limitations.  Mine will be 3/4 inch higher than standard because I am a sportbike rider and am in a "tuck" position unless sitting at a light.

These are pricey, but no more so than a top of the line Arai which has no custom sizing.  It also take about 4 weeks to build and ship each helmet.  There are no colors available, just natural carbon fiber weave.  Bell also has this available for their carbon fiber motocross helmets.

I'll let you know how it actually feels when it comes in.  I plan on wearing it for about a month before sending it out for custom painting.

Fixed.  Sheesh, 3" higher would put it at the top of my head!

[Brooke]

Many years ago, when I was doing a lot of off-road motorcycling, I picked Bell helmets.  I was always happy with them.

[Zoney]

I have been wearing my new helmet since Tuesday when it came in.  

I now realize that I have never worn a helmet that fit before.  I've been wearing medium shells and even those sometimes felt tight in places.  those brands include Shoei. Arai, and also bell.  The shell size is small on this helmet but there is still more styrofoam, and a lot less of the "comfort" padding.  The helmet fits squarely on my head when all others always had a slight twist to the left because that was the way my not round head pushed them.  The eye hole is cut higher, the one I chose is the "Racing position", so it is as high as Bell allows.  Even in a full tuck, laying on the tank I can see straight ahead and level.  Huge improvement in visibility because of this.  The carbon fiber shell is really light, scary light.  Aerodynamics are better than anything I have ever worn.  Doing head checks doesn't lift or depress the helmet.  There is a LOT of venting and because of this it is noisier than usual but less noisy than my Arai RX7RR.  It is only 80 degrees in phoenix today so not hot enough to sweat but it really really vents.  We will se how it does in June when it's 114 out.

It does not move.  You put it on, it goes to one position and it stays right there.  you don't tilt it up or down because it won't there is no extra room, it just sits exactly where it is supposed to and does not move.  I'm tightening down the chinstrap less because I don't need that to help keep it from moving when I look around while driving.

It was a bit more than I thought.  the retail total including the 3D headscan is $1200.00.  should I need to replace it i would not have to pay for the headscan again so they would be 800.00.  Bell shipped it with the transitions lens included, a very nice carrying case and 3 extra sets of the removable washable liners.

I really wish this had been available to me while I was racing.  Lets see, there is a trackday on the 15th......................... .

[eagl]

$1200 is a lot for a helmet but its cheaper than a hospital stay.  You don't "learn a life lesson" from a big brain injury like you might if you lost a foot, for example.  So yea that's a lot but whats your head worth?

I don't ride simply because I value my brain/body more than I value the ride.  Sort of strange since I'm a fighter pilot and have come pretty close to smearing myself all over various ridgelines and desert floors over the last 20+ years, but I guess I just want a bigger payoff when I hang it out like that.  The couple of times I've ridden it was fun but not fun enough to balance the risk.  Flying military fighters and even trainers...  I flew high performance ejection seat aircraft for about 14 years on a painfully herniated L5-S1 disc, so I suppose that tells you how much fun I thought that was

[Swoop]

 Even in a full tuck, laying on the tank I can see straight ahead and level.

That is very interesting.  I've spent 20 years with a stiff neck....

However, purely for convenience, I ride with one of these.....with the built in bluetooth, speakers, mic, etc.