Bell RS1 Helmet

[turbodude]

Anyone running a Bell RS1 Helmet?

If so, what do you think of it?  What was your prevoius helmet?  Do you have the photochromatic shield?

I am looking to upgrade a 5 year old HJC AC12.  I have tried on Shoe RF1100 and like the fit.  What makes me interested in the bell is the availability of the photo chromatic shield so I don't have to carry a spare shield or ride home with my face shield open. 

Shoei has the pin lock stuff, but you have to buy the pin lock shield and inserts.   

[vtamb81]

I just picked up a Bell Vortex last week with the transitions visor.  I've only used it a couple of times but i like it.  I got it for the same reason, so that i wouldn't have to worry about sunglasses under my helmet...and i've never been a fan of the drop down shaded visor inside of helmets.

It tints up pretty quickly, but getting back to clear takes a little longer.  this usually won't be an issue though unless you're going through a dark tunnel or something, in which case just flip up the visor.

Very happy so far.....i'll definitely be taking care of this visor more than usual though with the price tag!

Aaron

[turbodude]

Thanks Aaron!  Do you find that the shield is more sensitive to scratching than a normal one? 

Just got a star of ebay for $210.  I will be getting the transitions visor & will report back after I try it out.  An integrated sunshield is something I've though helmets should have figured out a long time ago.  

My bombardier snowmobile helmet has a drop down sunshield and it works fabulous.  No carrying sunglasses that can fog up.  You can drop it down wearing winter gloves.  I'd just wear the bombardier helmet for hte bike, but it doesn't really have a lot of ventilation for the hot days & I don't trust a modular helmet as much as a fixed helmet.  The only issue I ever had is going through 4' of powder one day some managed to find it's way between the shields, but it was like riding through a snow gun...

For others interested in the Bell & transitions shield, there are some other posts in here from last year if you use the search....

[vtamb81]

Don't think its more sensitive then any other visor.  jsut the most expensive visor i've ever bought so i'm babying it.

Nice pickup on the Star, sounds like a great deal.

Aaron

[Triple J]

I have a Star with a transitions visor. The combo is awesome! 

[turbodude]

Got the helmet today. 

Initial impressions.  Very light.  Quality seems to be equal to Shoei RF1100s that I tried on and fit seems to be pretty close as well.  Ventilation is awesome, wind noise is pretty quiet, though I hear more bike noise if that makes any sense. 

Haven't tried out the transitions visor yet.  I will update on that later, but I am happy so far.  Way more comfortable than my old HJC AC12.

[turbodude]

Update:  Transitions shield is awesome.  Could be a slight bit darker in full sun, but it still works great.

Shape of helmet is great.  Much less wind buffeting at 80mph than my HJC which is important on a Monster. 

With vents open, it is much louder than other helmets I've had, but I guess thats the price you pay for ventilation.  Ventilation is great also. 

[Thermite]

The transititions tint is on the outside of the visor.  Be careful not to scratch and clean bug guts off after each ride.  Mine has spots that no longer tint because of damage.  It's not bad and after more than a year of riding I still like the visor a lot.