Take on the Bell 500 Helmet?

[Jedz123]

Hey guys,
On the market for a new 3/4 helmet didn't know if anyone had any experience with the newer Bell 500 helmets.

My HJC 3/4 is OLD and I desperately need a new one for this season...

I have a HJC Symax 3 modular W/ BT for every day use but I tend to ride open face more often then not in warmer nicer climate. There looks like there is allot of face shield accessories for the 500, I hear the quality is good too. I would likely get the RSD (pictured above). Seems like a the best 3/4 I can find. I really like the design as well...

Does anyone have any opinions on this helmet our the Bell brand? I've always bought HJC for my local MC shop is a dealer for them and they usually hook me up with a great deal.

Any 2 cents is always appreciated!
Thanks
-Jedz

 

[tkent02]

The part where most of the impacts happen is missing.

 

[GS1150Pilot]

My thinking exactly. Why would anyone buy a 3/4 or half helmet?

Here's a cool Bell.

 

[Jedz123]

The part where most of the impacts happen is missing.

My thinking exactly. Why would anyone buy a 3/4 or half helmet?

Here's a cool Bell.

View attachment 44414

Is that Bell Bullitt? I'll look into that.

 

[GS1150Pilot]

Yep, the Bullitt. Totally cool modern vintage.

 

[Jedz123]

Very Informative. The screen is HUGE!

Thanks for the 2 cents!

 

[Guest]

I wonder where they came up with the name "Bullitt". If it has to do with Steve McQueen and the movie Bullitt, they would have to pay Warner Brothers, estate of Steve McQueen and possibly others for the use of the name. I know as I own a Mustang Bullitt and Ford had to pay royalties to call it that.

I bought a Bell Vortex from these people: http://www.ebay.com/usr/508motorcycles?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2754

I paid $68.00 shipped for a brand new helmet. The local Suzuki dealer has the same helmet for $178.00.

Check them out. They may have what you're looking for.

 

[Rob S.]

The part where most of the impacts happen is missing.

I can attest to that. :black_eyed:

 

[Vmass]

My thinking exactly. Why would anyone buy a 3/4 or half helmet?

Here's a cool Bell.

View attachment 44414

Thanks......this is my next helmet, w/bubble shield.

 

[Wingsconsin]

I have been using a Bell Mag 8 for the past couple of years for my Goldwing riding.
It has been really comfortable, versatile , and protective. I have a tinted shield on it that is a light grey and I can use it at night to reduce glare.
Overall a really nice helmet - I installed a headset that hardwires to the bike for radio/cb / intercom and it is fine.

​On the GS I use my older 3/4 HJC because it is comfortable, and has lots of cool stickers ...

 

[dpep]

The part where most of the impacts happen is missing.

My thinking exactly. Why would anyone buy a 3/4 or half helmet?

Full face helmets do provide greater protection than 3/4 helmets in some crash scenarios. I would not begin to dispute that. What I do question is the percentage street crashes in which a full face prevented injury when a 3/4 would not have. Contrary to conventional motorcycle 'wisdom' there is little evidence to indicate that percentage would be anywhere near the level currently claimed by experts and laymen alike.

Now before everyone starts posting up the picture of their full face with the gouged up chin bar let me cut you off by saying that alone does not prove anything except that your protruding chin bar hit the ground instead of or along with the top and/or side of your helmet hitting the ground. It does not indicate that your face would have hit the ground. There is some pretty good physics to suggest it would not have in most cases.

I don't want to hijack Jedz thread. Maybe I should start a separate one on helmet coverage. But I did want to say that if he or anyone else finds a good 3/4 that they like, fits well, and takes a shield they needn't pass it up for lack of protection IMO. I do not concur with those who hold that anything less than a full face helmet might as well be a doo-rag.
...

 

[Guest]

The two times my head hit pavement, the side of the helmet was scraped.

 

[Jedz123]

Full face helmets do provide greater protection than 3/4 helmets in some crash scenarios. I would not begin to dispute that. What I do question is the percentage street crashes in which a full face prevented injury when a 3/4 would not have. Contrary to conventional motorcycle 'wisdom' there is little evidence to indicate that percentage would be anywhere near the level currently claimed by experts and laymen alike.

Now before everyone starts posting up the picture of their full face with the gouged up chin bar let me cut you off by saying that alone does not prove anything except that your protruding chin bar hit the ground instead of or along with the top and/or side of your helmet hitting the ground. It does not indicate that your face would have hit the ground. There is some pretty good physics to suggest it would not have in most cases.

I don't want to hijack Jedz thread. Maybe I should start a separate one on helmet coverage. But I did want to say that if he or anyone else finds a good 3/4 that they like, fits well, and takes a shield they needn't pass it up for lack of protection IMO. I do not concur with those who hold that anything less than a full face helmet might as well be a doo-rag.
...

I know Skull caps and and half helmets are not accepted as proper head gear by the MSF...

However the MSF states that 3/4 and Full face helmets offer good protection in most crash scenarios, why you can wear a 3/4 helmet in any MSF course. Oddly though If you wear a modular you HAVE to wear it down during the course but a 3/4 is fine. They said it had something to do with the helmets design to absorb impact and a modular is designed to function shut. FYI on that.

I personally will go down the Bullitt route for I really like the design and build quality... I'll be grabbing one of these soon:

Stainless and Chrome accents... Fiberglass shell, leather interior... High quality for sure!

I really really enjoy riding with a 3/4 helmet because of the visibility you get from using one. I also love the wind in my face, I think shield up I'll get the same effect from a Bullitt.

Thanks for the 2 cents Wings on you Bell! I'm glad you have had positive results from it... Why I want to steer away from HJC, you get what you pay for.

 

[Frank Z.]

The Bullitt line is a good choice, Jedz.

Here's an FYI regarding importance of chin-area protection that we use in MSF classes:

 

[Vmass]

I looked on Bell's website to see if they had suggestions on how to measure for helmet size and came up empty. I realize hitting up a Brick and Mortar to size is best, but any measurement suggestions for the Bullitt?

 

[Jedz123]

I looked on Bell's website to see if they had suggestions on how to measure for helmet size and came up empty. I realize hitting up a Brick and Mortar to size is best, but any measurement suggestions for the Bullitt?

Vmass when I order my helmet I plan to try a medium for that's the size I run with HJC (However my Symax III ia a Medium but it is smaller then the other HJCs I've owned???) I'll be ordering through Revzilla so if it doesn't fit I'll be able to return and swap for no cost.