Bell RS-1 review

[Disaster]

Bought this to replace an HJC CL-16. The visor mechanism on the HJC was starting to bind up badly...so much so that the visor mechanism unscrewed and popped off. The HJC never fit me as well as it should...super tight on the forehead, loose on the cheeks.

There are a lot of good reviews of the Bell RS-1. Many say it is a value priced Star, with nearly identical features and performance. Currently there are a few styles for $180...fantastic price for a helmet of this quality.

Fit/comfort: The fit is perfect for my head shape (narrow vs. round) with no pressure spots. A little tight to pull over my ears. Nice deep ear pockets for the radio speakers. Liner is very comfortable and easy to remove.

Shield: The shield works smoothly and locks closed and ajar (to let airflow in.) So far no signs of fogging. Very easy to remove but stays put.

Sound: Fairly quiet relative to leaking wind but not much insulation over ears so sound does get through.

Weight: Definitely lighter than the HJC.

Venting: Two easy to use vents at mouth and forehead. They work well. I do notice wind noise increases with the upper vent open.

Negatives: The neck roll isn't removable though I saw a Youtube video where the reviewer was able to pull it out and reinstall it.

 

[racer1735]

I have worn the RS-1 for the past 2 years....it replaced my previous Suomy. Very good venting, I really like the fact that the visor holds a position with its detent shield (I prefer riding with shield at 3/4 position). Very nice liner. A bit loud, but most 'performance' helmets tend to be noisy due to the amount of air being pulled thru the shell. The fact that you can occasionally find them for somewhere around $200 makes it a bargain in my book.

 

[pnelson]

I've had my Bell Star for a year and a half and love it. Bought it for $299. It's light, quiet (when the vents are closed) and comfortable. I like the lever on the left side that lets you crack the shield just a little bit.

The best thing about the Star and RS1 is the ability to use the transitions shield. This shield quickly darkens in sunlight and gets light when the sun goes down. That means you only have to carry one shield when touring. It fits on Star, RS-1 and Vortex helmets. I find the anti-fogging of Bell shields to work very well but it's sensitive to hot water. If you wash it in hot water the anti-fog coating will delaminate from the shield. Only use cold water when cleaning the inside of the shield. I use Plexus on the outside and it works great.

Transitions shields are $120 but worth every penny.
http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/bell-star-vortex-transistions-photochromatic-face-shield

I just wish Bell made an adventure helmet. I have a Moto 8 that I use when it's warm and I'm going to be off-road.