My first street helmet in the 80s was a used Bell Star that was made in the 70s. Okay, at the time, I was too young to know that buying a used, old helmet was a bad idea. However, in that time period, the Bell Star was the helmet to have, and I couldn’t afford a new one. After all, if Evil Knievel wore a Bell helmet, I needed one, too. My helmet was a big, heavy, burgundy colored lid…and I loved it.
After the mid 80s, Bell helmets lost their luster, and much of their positive reputation. Japanese and Italian helmet manufacturers were moving to forefront and Bell was on the way out. It was a dark time for the Bell brand. In fact, most riders under the age of 35 are probably unaware of the storied history of the company.
So can Bell come back as a premium helmet maker? The company has reintroduced the Bell Star after three years of research and development. That is a good sign. For the company to have inserted a poorly designed Star back into the market would have been a big mistake.
Is the Bell Star a good helmet? The short answer is ‘yes’. The new Star is a DOT and Snell M2010 certified helmet, constructed of a Kevlar/carbon fiber/fiberglass composite shell. The shell is light and aerodynamically designed. Buffeting and helmet lift have been drastically reduced.
Air-flow is a strong point in the new Bell Star. What the company calls Velocity Flow Ventilation works very well. The top vents open extremely wide and the air flow is amazing. The entire ventilation system, including brow, chin, and exit vents, seems very well-designed.
Shield adjustment and removal is an easy affair on the new Star. It is a tool free design (as every modern helmet should be), and is also well-designed.
If there is a knock on the new Bell Star, it may be strange sizing. Riders report that sizing is not comparable to other manufacturers. What this means is that your first Bell purchase should be preceded by some careful fitting at a retailer.
The Bell Star is available in sizes XS through 2XL. The overall look of the helmet is attractive, and a full range of solid and creative graphics are available. Retail price is up there with other premium helmets. Solids run about $550 and graphics up to about $650.
I say, “Welcome back Bell Star!”
