Bell Star Helmet Review

[Triple J]

So, normally I wouldn't write a helmet review since most people are already familiar with the various brands. However, the Bell Star is a relatively new model, and Bell has a bad reputation for their moto helmets...which I used to agree with, but now think should be reconsidered in light of their release of the Star.

I've always been an Arai person. My previous helmet was an Arai Astral X, and my current is an Arai Vector (essentially a new version of the Astral X). Their helmets are light, comfortable, aerodynamic, and fit me well. However, due to a few articles I've read I decided I should get a helmet that either wasn't Snell rated (Euro standard instead)...or was rated to the Snell 2010 standard, which is closer to the Euro rating (i.e. softer helmet). My 1 year old Arai is Snell 2000 rated, so they're a bit behind. I tried an AGV, but it killed my head.

A couple weeks ago I read an article in Sport Rider which said that all new Bell Star helmets were Snell 2010 rated. Coincidentally, I have a friend who is a dealer rep. for Bell (bicycle helmets, but he can get moto stuff). He's an avid motorcyclist and was never a fan of the Bell moto helmets until the Star came out...and he's raved about it since. I had him order me one of the new Stars. For full disclosure, I didn't pay full price (not even close actually).

I picked up the Rally Matte Black Star. Looks great IMO.  


I've had it for about a week, and have done a couple rides...here are my thoughts:

Price: $549. The Star is designed to compete against the premium helmets, and the price reflects that.

Accessories: Normally I wouldn't mention this for a helmet, but the Star warrants it. The helmet comes with a bag...not a flimsy soft cloth bag like most helmets, but rather a full on helmet duffel bag. It is very nice...and will be nice for transporting the helmet to and from trackdays. Makes the price a bit easier to swallow. Here's what it looks like:


Fit/Size: I wear a medium Arai, so I ordered a medium Star. The fit is very similar. I don't know about round, oval, egg-shaped, or whatever...but if an Arai Astral X or Vector is comfy for your head shape, then a Star should be as well. I believe the Shoei RF1100 also fit me well...but I'm not positive on the model I tried on.

Comfort: The helmet is very comfortable. The padding feels more like a Shoei or AGV than an Arai. The Arai feels like a pillow is wrapped around your head to me. With the Star you feel the individual pads more...not bad, just different.

One nice thing are the ear holes...they're great. There is absolutely no pressure on your ears. Arais don't hurt your ears (like AGV did mine), but they are squished. My ears don't feel like they're touching anything in the Star. My earplugs (custom) are immediately more comfortable (and they weren't bad before).   Another plus (maybe) is the ear indentations are designed to have a speaker inserted...not a big deal for me, but maybe for some.

Venting: Venting is excellent...better than the Arai. Actually, today was a little chilly and the ventilation was a little too good. I'm sure I'll appreciate it on nice warm days. There are 2 head vents, 1 brow vent (which blows on the visor inside), and a chin vent with 2 settings. Controls are easy to operate, although the positions on the brow and chin vents aren't intuitive...I'll have to remember what position is what opening.

Lining: The lining is fully removeable for cleaning. Not just the cheek pads...every single pad in the helmet. Nice...and better than my Arai.   The material is also soft and comfortable.

Weight and Aerodynamics: I'll update this with actual weights...but the Star feels lighter than my Arai. That's saying something because the Arai Vector is a light helmet. The aerodynamics are also very good. I've had it up to about 75 on the freeway and there was no uncomfortable buffeting ( I was on my Guzzi Griso, so naked bike). It's at least as good as my Arai, if not better.

The helmet also comes with a rear spoiler extender which attaches to the built in rear spoiler. This is supposedly for track riding and helps stabilize the air at high speeds. It basically just extends the spoiler by a small amount and adds a bit of a lip...it's pretty small, so your head won't look like an homage to the Fast and the Furious when it's installed. I don't know if it works. But c'mon...it an extra spoiler!!  

Features: Besides the venting and removeable lining it also has a removeable chin curtain (to reduce noise apparently), and a removeable breath deflector. Both work well. I'm not sure why you would remove them, but OK.

Visor: Easily the easiest visor to change I've seen.   Put the visor up, push a lever on each side and the visor ends pop out. Position the new visor in the same position and snap the ends into place. Super easy and simple. The visor is very near flush with the helmet...no large pods on each side.

The visor has notched positioning, and a locking mechanism to hold it closed (presumably for track use). I kinda like the smooth motion of the Arai visors better...but I'll get used to the notches. Seems a lot of people dislike the lack of notched positions on Arais. It's just what you're used to I guess.

Replacement visors are also set-up for tear-offs...if that's your thang.

Noise: Seems quieter than my Arai...probably due to the lack of side pods for the visor, and the addition of a chin curtain.

Conclusion: This is an excellent helmet, on par with the high end makes such as Arai and Shoei. It also has very nice features only found in the more expensive Arai models, such as completely removeable lining, and chin curtain. The bag is a nice touch. I would be happy with the helmet if I had paid full price.  

As a bonus (at least to me), Bell is a US company.  

[ducpainter]

Just for the record...

the first helmet I ever owned was  Bell Star 90. It was the first full face helmet available.

The year was 1972.

[Düb Lüv]

  i bought mine new for a steal of a deal. 20% off wholesale. i have a friend who owns a bicycle shop too. i love everything about it.

one thing i didn't see that you listed, is that it comes with an extra set of cheek pads that are firm.

also it as a small cleaning and care kit included. contains lube for the hinges and cleaning brush for the vents.







the horseshoe shaped compartment is where extra shields are stored








the track strip has a sticker back on it

[Slide Panda]

If you need even more info that what Triple J did, webBikeWorld.com has a review too. One nice thing about their reviews now is that they have a helmet shape chart that they rate the helmet being reviews against. The chart has a number of popular helmets on it to help give a real sense of the fit shape. They say the Star is a 'medium fit' which is comparable  to the AGV Stealth

[gOoIe B]

have used my Bell Star for almost 2 years now, and I have to agree on almost all points made here.  Really satisfied with my purchase, and in matte black it looks killer blasting down the road on my dark monster. 

The only 2 things I've noticed that I thought could use improvement are 1) the retention strap is a bit too long and feels cheaper, thinner, less comfortable than my suomy, and 2) my dark mirror tint visor's coating scratches way too easily, and doesn't like to be cleaned by anything else other than soapy water and a microfiber towel, and even then, no scrubbing whatsoever.  the blue anodize tinted shield on my suomy holds up very well to the abuse, however.

[IZ]

Good looking helmet J!  I like that B&W one.  It goes good with the 1100!

Even the R&W looks good! 

http://www.thebellstore.com/Helmets/star.html

[jim_0068]

have used my Bell Star for almost 2 years now, and I have to agree on almost all points made here.  Really satisfied with my purchase, and in matte black it looks killer blasting down the road on my dark monster. 

The only 2 things I've noticed that I thought could use improvement are 1) the retention strap is a bit too long and feels cheaper, thinner, less comfortable than my suomy, and 2) my dark mirror tint visor's coating scratches way too easily, and doesn't like to be cleaned by anything else other than soapy water and a microfiber towel, and even then, no scrubbing whatsoever.  the blue anodize tinted shield on my suomy holds up very well to the abuse, however.

just to be clear the helmet you have is different from the new bell star recently released. There is a 2008 version and the new 2010 version

[gOoIe B]

I guess you would say mine is the '08 version.  Based on all the pics provided though, I can't see a single difference.  Mine came with the bag and snap-on spoiler and all that too.  I only see new designs provided for the '10 line...

[jim_0068]

I guess you would say mine is the '08 version.  Based on all the pics provided though, I can't see a single difference.  Mine came with the bag and snap-on spoiler and all that too.  I only see new designs provided for the '10 line...

not sure how different it is, i know that webbikeworld felt there was. Not trying to dis your helmet lol just wanted to make sure that if someone was interested they don't get the '08 at some super discounted price and didn't know it wasn't the new model.

http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/motorcycle-helmet/bell-star/helmet-review/

[gOoIe B]

interesting review - I see that there have been some significant changes implemented in the '10 model lineup.  that magnetic chin strap retainer is pretty effin sweet.  Glad to hear that the chin strap padding has been updated too, although I can tell from the pics that the strap itself is still the thin cheap nylon strap as on the old ones.

[mitt]

Late to this thread, but I ride with 2 guys with the new bell's, and they like them.  They both got the transition visor - which seems like an awesome feature.

mitt

[todds89]

Late to this thread, but I ride with 2 guys with the new bell's, and they like them.  They both got the transition visor - which seems like an awesome feature.

mitt

Can you ask them where they got the transition visor? I've been looking for one.

Thanks!

edit - nevermind.. sportbiketrackgear.com has them in stock.. just ordered one

[ute]

Now this is a Bell Star ...circa 1977 still have my baby

[Speeddog]

Now this is a Bell Star ...circa 1977 still have my baby

~~SNIP~~

Had one of those myself. 

[carriesanaxe]

HI I BRIAN VAN FROM SPORTBIKE TRACKGEAR! sportbiketrackgear DOT COM!