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Great Job Bell!!!
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I just wanted to share my positive experience with the new 2012 Bell Star (Matt Carbon) Helmet.
I was on the hunt for an alternate helmet to my Arai XD3, which is great for slower rides, but not too great for longer hauls on the Highway/Freeway at higher speeds (visor acts as a very effective sail!).
I looked at all sorts of helmets including Arai, Shuberth, AGV and few others, I wanted a high quality helmet, and I'm a firm believer in "you get what you pay for", so I was looking at helmets on the 450-800 dollar range. The Arai were nice, the Shuberth C3 was nice, but I really didn't want to take the chance of having the same issue as others did with the fit, I also thought the modular helmet thing was a bit "nerdy". The AGV's were nice and light (and cool looking), but the fit was wrong for my head.
I was even looking at purchasing the really nice looking Shuberth SR1 from a EU distributor, but I couldn't get a straight answer out of the folks in EU as to how I might be able to pay for the helmet using my credit card (their loss).
Enter BELL. I had noticed the Bell Star a few times during my search, because the shape and style really caught my eye. I kept clicking on the helmet to check it out, but was really skeptical due to the fact that it was a Bell helmet. My concern was that Bell has lost a lot of their "street cred" over the past six years (or more) and the quality was not on par with the brands I mention above.
Then I started some deeper research and learned that Bell was sold off once again a couple of years ago to Giro Helmets (cycling helmets I have used for years). I have a deep appreciation for Giro, and I know their attention to detail very well from my own personal experience using their products for the past twenty'ish years! I also learned that Giro is part of the parent company Easton (the carbon fiber specialists), whom I also have a ton of respect for.
Then I started reading the reviews that were posted on various sites to see what users had to say. I could not find a single review of the Bell Star (2010 forward) that had anything but positive stuff to say. Then I saw the new 2012 Matt Carbon Fiber model that just launched, and I had all the info I needed to move forward with the purchase. http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/b...n-solid-helmet
I took delivery if the helmet last week, and I can tell you that this helmet is one of the nicest I have ever seen. The carbon weave is perfectly executed. The helmet is very light, and the style is very well designed (not too flashy, but cool). Also the fit and finish is really well executed, with very tight tolerances between the small parts. The fit of the 2010 and later models is on par with Arai (if you wear a Med Arai, you wear a Med Bell Star).
The liner is incredibly soft and comfy. The air flow is unbelievable, and can be trimmed to meet you desired level of cooling. The aerodynamics (the main reason I was looking for another helmet) are really great. I can finally head check at speed without feeling like my head is going to ripped off my neck. Also the annoying flutter effect caused by windscreen turbulence is GONE! (BTW I ride a 2011 R1200 GS with a shortened windscreen). Also, this helmet is WAY quieter than my Arai. I still love my Arai, and I suspect the main culprit in making the Arai noisier is the visor, so I'll still be using my XD3 for slower stuff and off road trips.
I don't work for Bell, and I have no ulterior reason for writing this review other than the fact that this helmet simply exceeded my expectations, and I can imagine others would have the same apprehension I had about dropping big bucks on a Bell given their less than stellar reputation for putting out quality products a few years ago (warranted or not, perception is reality).
I know how hard business can be, and Bell earned my respect, so I thought I would share my positive experience.
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Bell Star Rally Red
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I give this helmet a 5 out of 5. It is very comfortable, functional, and attractive. I do recommend earplugs for freeway riding, but this is the case with most helmets. I have the photochromatic faceshield, which is also excellent. The faceshield design and quick release are probably the best in the business. I can recommend this helmet as an alternative to Arai and Shoei top of the line helmets costing more.
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Awesome experience and awesome helmets
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I just want to share my recent experience with Bell. I received a bell star C note a few years back but never had a chance to use it so it sat brand new in the box until recently when I bought a new bike and decided to use it with my new bike. I come to realize that there was something wrong with the helmet since the chin curtain wouldnt attach correctly. It was extremely loose and would come out really easily. I thought I was pretty much stuck with the helmet but I decided to contact Bell to see if they can repair it. I gave them a call and they shipped me out a fedex bill so that I can send them the helmet for inspection. I shipped everything to them and received a call a few days later. The customer service rep was extremely helpful and offered to replace the helmet since it is not repairable. They even upgraded me to the carbon model since the C-note is no longer in production. I received the new helmet today and absolutely love it. I want to say it is honestly the best helmet I have ever seen (this coming from a Shoei X-11 owner). The fit is perfect and the attention to detail is impeccable. The interior is extremely plush and soft plus they give you a really nice helmet bag to carry it around in. I think I have found myself a new go to brand for my future helmets. Time to put in an order for the Transitions Shield. Thanks Bell!
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Styling and finish is superb but the fuction is lacking
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The paint/finsh and styling is awesome!
BUT, it's too loud. Vents are too open and direct allowing dust and bugs to get in. Bugs get in the vents directly over the visor and crawl around on your forehead. Bugs and dust get in through the nose visor and into your eyes....all the time. You can see right through it. The visor was defective and the inside anti-fog coating separated causing spawling appearance, thus ruining it. Luckily I got it on sale for $199. If had paid full price, I would have been very upset.
Over all I would not recommend this helmet to anyone over a comparable $200 helmet like the Scorpion EXO-500.
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Star Helmet Opinion
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Overall great helmet. Coming from a Shoei RF-1000, the Bell Star is noticibly lighter and far less of the high speed bouncing around that the wind produces. Especially while riding with a passenger. The 3 click visor settings are pretty cool as well. I pull up to stop sigh and just turn the knob and it pops right open. This helmet also doesnt seem to fog up at all in colder weather. The vent system is by far the best out of any helmet Ive owned. I cn literally feel the cool air passing over the top of my head and exiting the helmet! Expensive but we get what we pay for in this case!
