bell pro star.

Buy overseas. I believe the lorenzo carbon is only available overseas, which is where I got mine. Some helmets are not sold in the U.S. cuz of DOT. Most of the time, they will also sell the visors as well, even if it isn't listed on the companies website.

The Bell Pro Star I bought a couple years back (if it was called that) was the worst helmet I've ever owned. Vents vibrated (had to glue them) and the liner went to .... after a month. It seemed good day one, but wasn't built to last. Not sure how much their quality has improved over that, but it was absolute junk.

AntiHero said:

The Bell Pro Star I bought a couple years back (if it was called that) was the worst helmet I've ever owned. Vents vibrated (had to glue them) and the liner went to .... after a month. It seemed good day one, but wasn't built to last. Not sure how much their quality has improved over that, but it was absolute junk.

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It was that way twenty years ago its still that way today. Bell as a company has been passed around like a $5 trick .
so when People bad mouth good companies like Arai - its the internetz speaking and can safely be ignored.

kickarsmann said:

Cheapest carbon fiber helmets out there is the HJC and Icon. Now I've owned both of those and it was great for the MONEY. I'm not at the level of pro racers so I just wanted a nice helmet that looked cool and offers me a bit of protection. Over the years, I came across the Bell star and got the Lewinsky Carbon. I just love the unique design of it and the transition shield did it for me. I love riding and hate bringing shades. The tint didnt get as dark but something is better than nothing comparing to the functionality it offers.
I really enjoyed my bell helmet and willing to buy the Pro Star.

I don't understand why some helmet can be priced so high when others offer same amount of protection. I hate how brands affect it so much. I mean who needs a 3500 dollar helmet. We aren't pros. That tiny bit of weight isn't gonna help that meal you just ate.

Get a helmet that fits you and your budget best.

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Lightweight helmets are not about reducing net weight of rider and bike to improve performance. It is about reducing the helmet weight to reduce inertia. It improves the safety of the helmet.

There is an old saying about helmets and price. If you have a budget head buy a budget helmet.

Revzilla just picked the Bell Race Star over the Shoei X14. I was close to pulling the trigger on an X14 but was waiting to see what the graphics looked like in person. I really like the Race Star Triton looks though. I'm thinking hard about trying the Bell out now. I've always had Shoei and Arai (Shoei fits me better though) but I guess it won't hurt to try something new. My only concern is the durability issues I've read about on their older models.

Tried the x14 on yesterday and actually live very close to Shoei corporate so I can get it fitted perfectly. Like the bell race star as well and want to hold out, but it looks like the release is 6 months from now. Still considering the corsair x as well, but really not sure what to get. it shouldn't be this difficult...

Yeah, everything I'm seeing is summer for the Race Star so maybe 3 more months or so. I'm really digging the black/silver Race Star Triton so I'm still undecided. You can never have too many helmets right?

And yeah, it shouldn't be this hard.

Arai classed as ugly.......yet nobody has mentioned how bad the X14 looks?

I thought so at first too but it has grown on me. Plus I think the graphics on the Asail will make it look better/smoother. I still wear an X11 and I thought the same thing about the X12 when it came out. It looked boxy but I got used to it. It really all comes down to personal choice I guess. I really like the Corsair X but Arai just doesn't fit me as well. I still have a Arai RX-7 Corsair Hayden at home that I wear occasionally around town but it's a tad loose. I would consider them as well if it fit better, plus they are $100 more than the other two.

Ding - Ding - Ding = BELL !!!!

Dam Ox Man!!

Ive not seen that pic before and must state that this angular cut to that Shoei is VERY hard on the eyes to say the least! However, they are comfy INSIDE IMHO though have always seemed to just be the smallest tiny bit too large (even at correct see too) which makes them ride back on my grape when you start hitting triple digits and such- which also pulls on your chinstrap choking you as well. ONLY drawback in my opinion of Shoei.

Arai was probably the first TRUE Race helmet I splurged for when i started doing serious track day stuff and racing in CCS - YES it was too expensive for its own good! Fit SUPER SUPER tight and had pressure points around my melon inside it, BUT that thing did NOT ever move at high speeds, was light, and had good field of view which all put it on top of my list for serious riding helmets!
Went the HJC Carbon Route-which was a simple "ok" lid.

THEN CAME THE BELL STAR !!!


So funny for me, since I used to wear a cheap Bell WAYYY back in the 70s when I had my XR-75 (Who didnt?) Then onto a PE-175, then XR-250 and even tried the infamous RM-250 classes which was way too much of a Powerband for me to hang onto at my age then! (LMFAO just remembering those days!!) and Bell was the Logo we all had out in front of our helmets back then!
***I did own a Shoei X-12 I think it was for about 6 months before selling it due to it moving back as i said (In Pics on SV650)

When that Bell Star, and to top it off - IN CARBON came out I couldnt resist one due to the graphics and just to bring me back to the days of being a Bell owner - I thought WTH since I could always return it if i didnt like it, or it didn't fit right?
BUT..........it DID FIT and it fit VERY WELL, and upon my first ride with one I literally felt the cool air flowing thru my bald head and thru each and every vent exactly as they stated in their advertisements! As Mark and other said- this lid is a SERIOUS Summertime helmet that can cool any hot day for you inside it, doesnt break the bank account, and actually comes in some snazzy graphics too! All in all a superior helmet (Granted- IMHO folks) and one that definitely should be at least tried out on a ride before casting aside as a "No thanks" type of model.

FWIW to anyone reading my 8 cents- Between the two of my last surviving helmets I would still reach for the Bell overall.

So pics include:

- The Bell Star Cerwinske Model (with transition shield-PRICELESS ITEM!)
- The Arai Corsair (?) bought to match 1198s Corse (W/ Valve Graphics)
- Red Arai (Possibly Corsair V?) around 2003 timeframe?
- White Arai (Same year but different Arai (Model Unknown)
**Iridum shields were big items back then and helped with vision believe
it or not. Plus they looked cool (imho of course)
- The Carbon Fiber HJC with another Iridium face shield/ Cheap and comfy but not high speed / low frag enough. lol
- Lastly, The Shoei X-12 around the 2009 timeframe I think. (Hallett
Motor Speedway in Oklahoma, which was a fun little track for those who
have ridden it before?

So thats my Helmet story and 10 cents. Love to hear what the Highest Rated and Voted #1 Helmet is out there these Days guys! Someone fill me in on whats the latest and greatest since I am out of the sport now!

WHOOOOAAAAA!!!!!!!


Mark was dead on when he said the new Bell Series are SMOKIN!!!!
I just looked at their site and started drooling over these - PLUS the new Bags too!

https://www.bellracing.com/Shop/Category/road-racing

New Bags- which SHOULD come Embroidered with your name on them too!

https://www.bellracing.com/Shop/Category/helmet-bags

***Mark pointed out that I used the wrong links to the Bell Lids (they were Formula1 helmets, and is going to correct me with proper link and all when he gets time to do so. Sorry all.

Gunny, that Shoei in your pics is the X11 Vermilion I believe. It's the same helmet I have and ride with daily. I love everything about it but it's getting up there in age so I think it's time to retire it. It matches the 1299 pretty good also.

I think I'm going to take a chance with the Bell. I agree with you, they look pretty damn good this year. I'm currently out of the country until October so it won't kill me to wait until this summer for delivery. It's just hard to get rid of the bug once it gets you. Thanks for all the input.

would never trust my life to a bell...

arai and maybe shark ...

I love my Corsair V because it fits my melon so damn well......I am sure there are other that fit well too....

Best thing is to go down to the shops try them on and find the ones you like and fits not what others like........

Just cos I think the X14 looks like a bag of spanners does not mean all will..

Road Rider got their hands on an X-14 Assail and posted pictures. I'm really digging the look. It looks modern, clean, and I think it will blend nicely with the Ducati red. I went ahead and pre-ordered one. It should ship within a couple of weeks. I still really like the Race Star but just couldn't pull the trigger because I don't know much about Bell. I'll stick with Shoei until I can actually find a Race Star and try one on.

Beautiful helmets. Are there any significant advances beyond the shell? For example, I've been reading about new technologies from companies like 6D with improved safety. 6D claims their helmet absorbs energy from impacts much better than traditional foam liners, using tiny shock absorbers suspended in a layer of air.

psyclone said:

Beautiful helmets. Are there any significant advances beyond the shell? For example, I've been reading about new technologies from companies like 6D with improved safety. 6D claims their helmet absorbs energy from impacts much better than traditional foam liners, using tiny shock absorbers suspended in a layer of air.

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I just read that article in the new Sport Rider about 6D helmets, seems legit. The only other helmet that I know of that uses new technology is the Bell Race Star. It uses a Flex Impact Liner which is basically three different layers of protection.

I chose the Shoei because I've had three in the past, know they fit me, and trust they are "safe enough" with the DOT and Snell ratings. I think they went the other way and focused on aero improvements this year. And you're right, the are pretty damn good looking helmets.

VAST said:

would never trust my life to a bell...

arai and maybe shark ...

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When I started riding. Bell was the helmet to get.

Couple of my old ones. Now have a Corsair and a Bell Moto 9 in carbon.

I tested out the Bell Pro Star and it's really nice but the AGV Pista Mimetica is the best helmet I've ever owned hands down.

yodafro, that's a cool helmet. I really like the camo with the carbon showing through.

I have an AGV Pista GP and an Arai Corsair V and really like them both. I would still be interested in seeing what the Bell Pro Star has to offer. I'd have to see one in person and feel how it fits my head before I'd buy one though. I still think the new Bell Pro Star has a lot of great technology in it.