Bell Star Helmet Review

Main advantage

Just as you would expect from a Bell helmet, this model comes with a reliable construction that ensures the user’s safety in all kinds of situations. Safety is and always should be paramount when it comes to pretty much everything in life, but especially riding. With this being said, one of the reasons for which you should give this Bell helmet a try consists of the Tri-Matrix Composite Shell technology it uses. 

This proprietary material is a mix of aramid, carbon fiber, and fiberglass, which ensures extra strength, but it does so at an affordable price. It’s also very important for any helmet to be lightweight and comfortable, especially if you know that you will need to wear it for long rides. Therefore, Bell uses woven synthetic fibers to make sure that all these boxes are checked. 

These fabrics are extremely durable, and they also ensure the necessary protection in case of a crash. This is not something that we want to think about, but it’s always best to make no compromises when it comes to safety. The Star helmet both meets and exceeds safety standards such as DOT, Snell M2015, and ECE 22.05, so you can rely on its performance from this point of view. 

Main disadvantage

One of the aspects that could be improved when it comes to this Bell model is the fact that it tends to get a bit noisy when used at very high speeds. Depending on how you intend to use it, this could be somewhat of an inconvenience, but a minor one, given that you can always use some earplugs as well. 

However, if you are not a fan of high-speed riding, then it’s not going to be an issue at all. Given all the other features that it has, it’s still an excellent helmet that you should definitely try if you are looking for a reliable unit that can keep you safe and comfortable.  

Main features explained

Interior

This helmet’s interior is another thing that puts it in the elite category, given that the manufacturer paid a lot of attention to details and to making this a comfortable unit. One of the first aspects any rider should be aware of is that this model comes with the brand’s X-Static Liner and Padding technology, which is an upgrade compared to previous helmets. 

Since the concept of safety applies to both the exterior layer and the protection ensured against crashes and the interior layer that needs to keep the user comfortable, it’s important to know that the X-Static fabric provides protection against odor and bacteria. This is something that has been clinically proven, so you can rest assured that you are not going to be disappointed. 

This special fabric also includes a silver layer that comes with powerful antimicrobial capabilities, and it does this by creating what is called an ionic shield. This shield permanently keeps bacteria and fungi at bay, so you will enjoy all these benefits for as long as you wear the helmet. 

As we’ve said, the manufacturer took the safety and comfort aspects very seriously. The material used for the helmet’s interior is also highly flexible, so it will follow the rider’s face and head shape for a great fit. Plus, the helmet also comes with the Magefusion Magnetic Cheek Pads that can be quickly removed for a better reaction in case of an emergency. 

This can be done without needing to cut any material, so it’s a matter of seconds that can save the rider valuable time in case something goes wrong and a crash actually takes place. Therefore, if you decide to give this Bell model a try, you will be well protected from every point of view. 

Eye Port & Visibility

Another feature of this Bell model is the Panavision viewport that is specially designed to provide additional visibility to the rider. What makes it great is the fact that it does this both vertically and horizontally, so it’s definitely an upgrade compared to previous models, as well as an extra reason to try this helmet out for yourself. 

As you can imagine, enhanced visibility means that the rider is able to see any obstacles that might appear on the road faster, so this is a safety matter as well. The same goes for those situations in which changing lanes is necessary, especially since doing this usually requires extra visibility. 

Traditional viewports don’t offer the same level of safety from this point of view, but this Bell model took this into account as well. If you want to feel that you are protected all around and able to see anything that might come your way, then the fact that this model includes the Panavision viewport is definitely something that you should take into account. 

There is another aspect that you may want to know as well, namely that Bell helmets feature two different and unique profile shapes, depending on the type of riding you prefer. In the case of this Star model, the profile is the Streetview one, that’s suitable for touring and sports position. The other alternative is the Raceview profile that Pro and Race Star models use. 

However, experienced riders know that the Streetview profile does a fine job in terms of aerodynamics, so even if you want to take your motorcycle out for a ride at a higher speed, this is not going to be an issue. Therefore, you will get both performance and versatility out of this model. 

Ventilation System

The Bell Star helmet comes with three main ways for the air to enter, namely the chin, top, and brow vents. All of these were specially designed to work together and ensure maximum ventilation and comfort for the rider. After all, if you are planning to use the helmet for longer journeys or during hot days, you don’t want to deal with excessive interior moisture. 

The chin vent is centrally located right under the face shield, and you won’t have any difficulty when it comes to operating it while wearing gloves. When it’s left in the open position, the air easily passes through four horizontal slots. 

The chin bar includes two vent channels that are covered with a vinyl plug and that can be used in different ways. For instance, if you leave the vinyl plug in, the air goes toward the back of the face shield, which helps right away with defogging, and this can be very helpful during the winter season. For summer riding, though, the plug can be removed, and the air goes directly toward the chin bar. 

The brow vent is less frequent in other similar models, but this Bell helmet included it for outstanding performance in terms of ventilation capacity. Together with the top vent, the system ensures the rider’s comfort in all sorts of weather conditions. 

The top vent might create some noise, but the narrow design that reduces this issue will prove to be surprisingly effective in providing a good airflow level. The top vent is definitely one that you will appreciate as you are wearing the helmet, while the removable liner plays its part as well in terms of comfort, given that you may sometimes choose to block some of the airflow. 

Face Shield & Other Features 

There is a lot that can be said about this Bell helmet, but the thing you want to keep in mind is that it provides superior results from every point of view. Along the same lines, the manufacturer added an upgraded face shield as well, which ensures superior performance in terms of durability, especially when compared to similar helmets offered by other brands. 

The anti-fog system works very well to ensure enhanced visibility when the road conditions require it, which means that the rider is going to benefit from extra safety as well. The face shield also comes with a friction lock that is placed under the lift tab, so you will be able to secure it even when wearing gloves. 

We all know how convenient it is when you can handle the helmet using gloves, as this saves a few seconds every time, and so does Bell, which is why it included this feature that makes the entire unit more user-friendly. Since we’re talking about both extra comfort and performance, it’s a good moment to take a look at the ultralight shell that this Bell model features. 

Thanks to the materials used, the helmet won’t become a burden. However, equally important is the fact that the aerodynamic profile is extremely stable, which means that it can successfully resist any lift or buffeting when riding at high speeds. Therefore, even if you want to test your motorcycle from time to time, if you try this helmet on, you will be able to safely do this. 

Last but definitely not least, you should also know that this Bell model comes with a comfortable fit ensured by the snug cheek pads and a narrow neck roll that keeps it in place at high speeds. One of the unique features is the break-in margin that can go up to 20% as time passes.