Bell Helmets Making a Comeback

Whymee
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Whymee 11/13/2017 6:45am
11/13/2017 6:45am Edited Date/Time 11/14/2017 4:57pm
Back in the late 70's & 80's Bell was THE helmet to have. Open faced, Moto 3 etc. Some where along the way Bell lost favor with the market. I believe something to do with a fire in Italy or something along those lines. They could not get product out. Plus Arai & Shoei came out with some awesome lids. I have both.

A few years ago I was at the Daytona SX & Bell was there with a display. First time I tried on a Bell in 15 years. I was impressed. When it came time to buy a new helmet I went looking for a Bell. All the local dealers had HJC & Fly. As far as I was concerned they are sub-par. Couldn't find a Bell anywhere. Still can't (locally).

Last year I went to the Daytona SX & while I was there I went shopping for a Bell. Had to all the way to Orlando to purchase one. One of the best fitting helmets I ever had on. And I payed full retail (gasp)!

I usually buy my helmets on close out from various retailers online after I am confident on the sizing. I just picked up a Bell Star (street) and that is a fantastic lid. I am now going to purchase a Bell 9 Carbon Flex.

Bell is back!

BTW: I am in no way related to, or sell Bell products....




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APLMAN99
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APLMAN99 11/13/2017 7:26am
11/13/2017 7:26am
Haven't tried a Bell dirt helmet in many years, the old Moto4 was the best fit I've ever had. I think when they went to the Moto5 was about the same time that they were bought by an Italian company and they changed the shell shapes from oval to round?

I just about bought one of the Rogue half helmets a year or so ago, but it was just a tiny bit small so I passed. HJC is the helmet that actually fits me best.
waitingtoroostagain 11/13/2017 7:28am
11/13/2017 7:28am
I agree with this 100%! I used to think they were pretty low down on the list but they are really looking good these days. I would like to try one on and if it fits like I hope, I'll definitely be getting one next time.
MudPup545
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MudPup545 11/13/2017 7:58am
11/13/2017 7:58am
Only brand I'll buy. Not knocking the others, I'm sure they are excellent helmets. But, my Bells just feel/fit great.
Acidreamer
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Mansfield, OH US
Acidreamer 11/13/2017 8:14am
11/13/2017 8:14am
Did bell ever disappear as one of the top helmet brands?

The Shop

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Louie112
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Austin, TX US
Louie112 11/13/2017 8:49am
11/13/2017 8:49am
Bought the Pink/Unit Moto 9 as my first high-end helmet ever and just got the Carbon Flex! Fits and looks awesome, I probably won't be wearing anything else for a while.
nascarnate326 11/13/2017 9:13am
11/13/2017 9:13am
Acidreamer wrote:
Did bell ever disappear as one of the top helmet brands?
Did bell ever disappear as one of the top helmet brands?
No.
Andy_Greenney 11/13/2017 12:56pm
11/13/2017 12:56pm
Tried a Bell after years with various Arai's.......looking forward to getting my next Arai
Katoomey
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WY US
Katoomey 11/13/2017 1:24pm
11/13/2017 1:24pm
When were they ever gone. Stupid post. By the way, the moto 9 is a decade old.
m.hardesty16 11/13/2017 1:44pm
11/13/2017 1:44pm
I used to think Bell was just some rinky dink bicyle helmet maker but now I own the moto 9 and its a really nice helmet.
dylanv21
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Fresno, CA US
dylanv21 11/13/2017 3:13pm
11/13/2017 3:13pm
Whymee wrote:
Back in the late 70's & 80's Bell was THE helmet to have. Open faced, Moto 3 etc. Some where along the way Bell lost favor...
Back in the late 70's & 80's Bell was THE helmet to have. Open faced, Moto 3 etc. Some where along the way Bell lost favor with the market. I believe something to do with a fire in Italy or something along those lines. They could not get product out. Plus Arai & Shoei came out with some awesome lids. I have both.

A few years ago I was at the Daytona SX & Bell was there with a display. First time I tried on a Bell in 15 years. I was impressed. When it came time to buy a new helmet I went looking for a Bell. All the local dealers had HJC & Fly. As far as I was concerned they are sub-par. Couldn't find a Bell anywhere. Still can't (locally).

Last year I went to the Daytona SX & while I was there I went shopping for a Bell. Had to all the way to Orlando to purchase one. One of the best fitting helmets I ever had on. And I payed full retail (gasp)!

I usually buy my helmets on close out from various retailers online after I am confident on the sizing. I just picked up a Bell Star (street) and that is a fantastic lid. I am now going to purchase a Bell 9 Carbon Flex.

Bell is back!

BTW: I am in no way related to, or sell Bell products....




If you want one, hit me up. I can pry get you one for a decent price! I work in a shop and like to help out fellow vital mxers!
BobPA
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BobPA 11/13/2017 3:19pm
11/13/2017 3:19pm
dylanv21 wrote:
If you want one, hit me up. I can pry get you one for a decent price! I work in a shop and like to help...
If you want one, hit me up. I can pry get you one for a decent price! I work in a shop and like to help out fellow vital mxers!
Hook me up with a solid white one. Large
Dirty Points 11/13/2017 3:50pm
11/13/2017 3:50pm Edited Date/Time 11/13/2017 3:57pm
Acidreamer wrote:
Did bell ever disappear as one of the top helmet brands?
Did bell ever disappear as one of the top helmet brands?
Yes.

They were THE brand throughout the early era of motocross. Then throughout the 90s and very early 00s, they were quite a bit lower in availability and prominence. They have gone through several aquisition/management cycles since.
YellowZonker 11/13/2017 3:53pm
11/13/2017 3:53pm
I wouldn't consider the Fly F2 carbon a subpar helmet.
GuyB
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GuyB 11/13/2017 4:08pm
11/13/2017 4:08pm
Comeback?
bama205
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bama205 11/13/2017 4:10pm
11/13/2017 4:10pm
What's the current qualitylike ?
tobz
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tobz 11/13/2017 4:13pm
11/13/2017 4:13pm
tempura
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JP
tempura 11/13/2017 4:33pm
11/13/2017 4:33pm
I haven't even seen ONE moto 9 or moto 9 flex over here, so haven't had a good look or tried one on. Nobody seems to stock them, and I haven't seen anyone wearing one.
I like the Shoei fit and finish, I'll be buying the new Shoei soon.

Pit Row

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RangerLee
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RangerLee 11/13/2017 6:15pm
11/13/2017 6:15pm
Late 80's, I was in 7th grade, the Bell Moto 4 came out. Rick Johnson used one, I wanted that helmet so bad. I had dirt bike magazines and catalogs and would stare at the M4. I made it known to my parents how bad I wanted one.

For months upon months, I just wanted a bell Moto 4.

Christmas morning, I get one, While Moto 4, it was everything I dreamed. It felt great on my head, and it looked sooooo good.

I still look back and remember how badly I wanted that helmet and how it made me feel to get one. The more recent look of the Bell Moto helmets are good again, and I am happy to see them doing well.
cali11
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cali11 11/13/2017 6:18pm
11/13/2017 6:18pm
I picked up a nice Bell for when riding my street bike
Hut
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Hut 11/13/2017 6:22pm
11/13/2017 6:22pm
I wore JT ALS1 back in the day, meh
jk367
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jk367 11/13/2017 7:01pm
11/13/2017 7:01pm
Katoomey wrote:
When were they ever gone. Stupid post. By the way, the moto 9 is a decade old.
Tool
holtergeist797 11/13/2017 9:39pm
11/13/2017 9:39pm
bell has always been at the top of the game in helmets. they never left
sgrimmxdad
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sgrimmxdad 11/14/2017 2:03am
11/14/2017 2:03am Edited Date/Time 11/14/2017 2:03am
We have been running 6D's for the last 4 years. My son loves the look of the camo Bell 9 Carbon Flex so I ordered him one and he LOVES it! Says best fitting helmet he has had so far. We did have to go up a size, the Bell does seem to run a tad small!
acres951
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acres951 11/14/2017 7:58am
11/14/2017 7:58am
tobz wrote:
[img]https://i.pinimg.com/236x/18/66/2a/18662a217d8fd527f3e8d98a07ae67e4--motocross-racing-motocross-bikes.jpg[/img]
Awesome pic!
wideopen198 11/14/2017 9:41am
11/14/2017 9:41am
I'm also very happy with my Bell moto-9. The only other helmet I might be considering in the future is a 6D but I haven't test fitted one of them yet. A couple years ago I just went to the dealer and tried on pretty much everything. Shoei, Arai, Suomy, TLD, Nolan, Fox etc. In the end I went for a Bell and I haven't bought another brand since then.
AJ565
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AJ565 11/14/2017 10:16am
11/14/2017 10:16am
I've always had HJC helmets when I was racing and have taken a few hard hits with them. When I was looking at new helmets I went with a Bell Moto-9. I've been very happy so far with it. Its not the one I wanted, but I didn't want to drop $700 on a helmet either.
Jack_Mehoff
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Jack_Mehoff 11/14/2017 12:12pm
11/14/2017 12:12pm
I went from shoeis to flexes. The bells are lighter and they definitely do a better job when you hit the ground.
Myke
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Myke 11/14/2017 12:18pm
11/14/2017 12:18pm
Just bought a moto 9 flex, I love it. Was wearing a standard moto 9.
langhammx
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langhammx 11/14/2017 4:09pm
11/14/2017 4:09pm
The Bell Moto 9 flex is what I wear, mainly because it fits my head shape best. Honestly, you can't go wrong with Bell/ Shoei/ Arai/ 6D. They ALL fit different !! My head and the 6D don't work well together, it kills my forehead and gave me a headache. I wore Shoei's for years, but they changed the shape awhile back and it just wasn't the same. Never liked the looks of Arai myself.

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