bell star vs shoei x12

This isn't really a helmet review as i feel the top of the line helmets are almost all the same and lets face it if it doesn't fit right it doesn't matter how good the helmet is.
This is a track day assessment that i experienced and i can't really chose a winner per say because both are so good and both have some disadvantages.

Shoei x12 has been my go to track helmet and the reason is the fit (for me, every one is different so when i refer to fit its for me) is so spot on that it feels like i have a custom helmet. I wear a size medium and there is no adjustment or changing pads or liners. The helmet is tight (thats the way i like it) but not over bearing as i said perfect fit. For a race helmet (i wear ear plugs too) its not loud at all ( once in a while i don't wear plugs and its no problem i misplace the plugs in the car or bag or my track suit pocket and don't feel like redoing gloves and helmet.) . The shield change is simple has a pin lock shield so no fogging. why would i even consider another helmet well simple answer is the shoei is hot. no other reason i guess to be tight somewhat quiet you sacrifice air flow.
finally there is no transition shield for the x12. (doesn't matter i only use transition on the street either with the bell or the shoei rf1200)

bell star (carbon or not same helmet i have both) is probably the helmet i have been buying the most. I've had 5 of them currently have 2. i also have had the bell rs1 more on that later.
so i have always used the bell star for my street helmet. the airflow is amazing you can feel it in the helmet you can HEAR it also even with earplugs.
the reason i used the star as a street helmet is the helmet was always slightly off for me. just a touch so i relegated it to my street summer helmet. in 2012 i had an rs 1 and it fit really good i was going to keep it but a few days later the star went on sale the carbon one so i returned it and got the carbon for basically the same price.
Problem was the fit was about 1/2 size off. The star was bigger than the rs1. i bought a shoei and bell i sold.
bell fixed the sizing matched the rs1 i bought another bell star. the bell fit really good but was not the fit i like with the shoei, however it was really good just not the feel i like but not off by any means no buffeting just shoei was slightly better. the star DOES NOT HAVE PIN LOCK. how they don't i don't know and it does have a fogging problem. I used rain x to coat the inside of the shield. works pretty well but you have to keep doing it every couple of months.
Bell shield change simple comes with a great carry case helmet was actually cool in the heat performed flawlessly. bad parts didn't fit as well as shoei no pin lock although in summer you don't need it and very loud.

closing - if i had to pick a helmet i would pick the shoei because the way it fits me. i can deal with a hot head for the session the fit is what gets it for me. i guess you have to sacrifice something in everything as nothing is going to be perfect.

i was so impressed by the bell i will bring it to my track days depending how hot it gets and i can always switch off.

Oh lastly price you can get a star or star carbon much cheaper than an x 12 (does the x12 ever go on sale the marquez original is what i have and its still up there in price) so if the helmets are equal to you there you go save a few hundred bucks and the bell is the winner. just buy a set of ear plugs.

if you are on the edge of getting a new helmet hope this helped.

no clue why i have 4 helmets and still looking at more someone help.

Steve B said:

Been wearing a Star since they first came out; great ventilation as noted but certainly loud as hell. Wear earplugs so no dealbreaker, but I do wish they'd bring in the neck roll to seal up the bottom under the ears a bit, since that's the main source of the wind noise in mine.

I've been snooping unsuccessfully to see what the new helmet they've got Cam Beaubier in is; looks rather sleek. Guessing the next Star?

Click to expand...

gunny note that when we see cam in sept. while we are at it garrett wears shoei and josh wears arai and please keep me saying no new helmets. i almost fell off the wagon recently.

also last year i spoke to a few bell guys. thats when they came out with the custom star. i dont know if they still have that.

like i said in my first post. all the top of the line helmets are good. you have to take what you like and subtract what you dont to come to a decision as long as it fits well.


for me i think im down to shoei and bell. my buddy hates the agv pista gp.
me personally will never ever go nexx or arai. nexx looks cheap to me and my friend dropped his from 2 feet and the carbon cracked.

arai no problems with them but they just dont fit right.