Does anyone have a Bell helmet?

[BIG--T]

I just ordered 2 today and then read a review where one said they run big and another said they run small.   Any insight will be appreciated!

Thanks

[hotglue #43]

Trying a helmet in a local store.... before ordering online is a good idea....
Bells have always seemed kinda 'round' to me.... but my head is long front to back, and narrow...  The Bells don't fit right on me.
YMMV

[BIG--T]

Trying a helmet in a local store.... before ordering online is a good idea....
Bells have always seemed kinda 'round' to me.... but my head is long front to back, and narrow...  The Bells don't fit right on me.
YMMV
[/quote

Yeah I went to 5 stores and cycle gear said they could order one!

[sugerbear]

at cycle gear, if it don't fit you don't have to buy it. that's a plus.

[Ghost Rider 2]

  I at one time wore Bell helmets.  About 3 years ago I bought a set of matching helmets 1 for myself other for my wife.  The interiors of the helmets were totally different. Bell helmets offices are in Rantoul, Ill.  About 45 minutes from me.  Made a couple of calls and got no where. So I hopped on bike and rode over to the place. Walked into building told them what I was there for.  They told me I should not be there.  ???  And showed me the door.  I got to parking lot called the tech line.  Was told I need to send both helmets in if I thought there was a problem.  Ask them where to send them,.  They gave me the address of where I was standing.  I ask them  where in the building the helmets need to come, because I was in the parking lot.  they told me I could not do that and hung up the phone.  I had worn Bell helmets for years.  BUT NEVER AGAIN!!!  Their customer service SUX>
  I would suggest anyone buying a helmet go to your local dealer buy it there after trying it on. The right fit means a lot.

[BIG--T]

  I at one time wore Bell helmets.  About 3 years ago I bought a set of matching helmets 1 for myself other for my wife.  The interiors of the helmets were totally different. Bell helmets offices are in Rantoul, Ill.  About 45 minutes from me.  Made a couple of calls and got no where. So I hopped on bike and rode over to the place. Walked into building told them what I was there for.  They told me I should not be there.  ???  And showed me the door.  I got to parking lot called the tech line.  Was told I need to send both helmets in if I thought there was a problem.  Ask them where to send them,.  They gave me the address of where I was standing.  I ask them  where in the building the helmets need to come, because I was in the parking lot.  they told me I could not do that and hung up the phone.  I had worn Bell helmets for years.  BUT NEVER AGAIN!!!  Their customer service SUX>
  I would suggest anyone buying a helmet go to your local dealer buy it there after trying it on. The right fit means a lot.

Wow, That was a bad experience! I have looked everywhere local just to try one on so I could order online!

[BIG--T]

at cycle gear, if it don't fit you don't have to buy it. that's a plus.

The thing about that is I don't want to buy at Cycle Gear but simply try them on, then order online. That is good to know about CG tho.

[The Anvil]

Bell helmets have an odd shape to them. Can't wear em. Too bad because they have a few cool offerings. YRMV though.

Hey Ghost rider, I can kinda see wherethe people at bell were coming from though. Sounds like they could've handled it better, but in this day and age you might not want disgruntled customers showing up in person lest the go all Edgewater on the place.

[Pete]

Been wearing Bell forever. Always the same size.

Bought my latest one last year, fits fine.

I agree with the others different heads fit different helmets, being able to try then on the first time really helps. But after that just order the same size in the same helmet.

As for customer service - never had a need to use it.

[bscrive]

Bell sure could have handled that a lot better, like getting a freakin tech out there to see what the problem is.    Customer service has gone down the tubes in North America.  Now they have a dissatisfied customer that will never buy from them ever again and he is telling others of his experience, thus loosing more business.  I know I don't want to do business with a company like that.

[Fritz The Cat]

I won't trust my head to a helmet sold at Walmart. 

[Hoser]

I have a Mag8, which is a open face with a internal pull down shield.  I got it at a bike shop going out of business sale in KC, got to try on several until I found a good fit.  It is a very comfortable helmet, and cost me 45 bux! Even matched my paint.  Hoser  
It's on the backrest

[Hoser]

I'll check the label and get back to you.  Hoser

update:  Don't know, my headbone done rubbed off the printing on the label. 

[old2soon]

Got a Bell full face. Went to Motorcycle Closeout just north of K C. The folks at that store KNOW what customer service is all about. I was tempted to order on line but wait-i own a Valkyrie!! Rode to the store and back like 550 560 miles on the round. Anywho i digress. They let me try on anything they had in the store. When i finally decided they brought out a factory sealed carton with MY helmet inside and a very nice young lady(always a plus)helped me make sure that new helmet fit good before i left. I also had 2 or 3 weeks with store receipt to exchange there if necesarry. The time and patience they showed me made sure i'll be back. Just wandered my fat keester out to the garage and back-it be a ace of spades i bought. If memory serves(ya right)it's like one step below the star series. Also my Honda dealer let me try on anything i wanted prior to buying my half shell. Point being a helmet purchase is NOT something to be taken lightly. A good comfortable fit is of the utmost importance!! And B T W-A few years ago i was in Milwaukee Wi and stopped in at Snap On Tools to see the chopper they had built by the family??? out of New York state. No dice. Unless you worked there you were NOT getting in. Security issues. A lot changed in our country after 9-11. Sorry for the long winded post. RIDE SAFE.

[donaldcc]

Hoser I think I have seen a pic of that "man cave" before, but like it.  Easy chair, TV, frig for the adult beverarge and sodas, and ice chest if you run out of room.  What I didn't see before was the treadmill.  Does that get much use?? 

[BIG--T]

I have a Mag8, which is a open face with a internal pull down shield.  I got it at a bike shop going out of business sale in KC, got to try on several until I found a good fit.  It is a very comfortable helmet, and cost me 45 bux! Even matched my paint.  Hoser  
It's on the backrest

Hoser that was a deal! Cheapest I've seen is around $89!!

[BIG--T]

After wearing a Bell about 10 years I ordered another of the same size, XXL.  The new one was too small, or maybe the wrong shape.  So, as models change the sizing may change a bit, too.  A mail order helmet probably has a 50-50 chance of fitting.

I'm sorry the Ghost Rider got mad.  Unfortunately, a lot of businesses can't allow the general public to just enter, due to security.  At our factory, people could just walk in, often women delivering lunch to their husband.  What's in that bag?  A sandwich or a pistol?  We had to change it to business-only escort required.

Anyway, if you get to Florida, try The Helmet Shop.  A store dedicated to that one product.  I wanted a fiberglass open face XXXL in black.  They had it.

I think you maybe right about different models, different size. I wear a XL in most but I've heard this Bell  modular runs a little big. Dang I hope I don't have to send it back!

[BIG--T]

After wearing a Bell about 10 years I ordered another of the same size, XXL.  The new one was too small, or maybe the wrong shape.  So, as models change the sizing may change a bit, too.  A mail order helmet probably has a 50-50 chance of fitting.

I'm sorry the Ghost Rider got mad.  Unfortunately, a lot of businesses can't allow the general public to just enter, due to security.  At our factory, people could just walk in, often women delivering lunch to their husband.  What's in that bag?  A sandwich or a pistol?  We had to change it to business-only escort required.

Anyway, if you get to Florida, try The Helmet Shop.  A store dedicated to that one product.  I wanted a fiberglass open face XXXL in black.  They had it.

Pluggy there is not a 'The Helmet Store' here but if you are near one I could sure use your help!! If you could try on a Bell Revolver modular and see if it runs big or small . Also try on a Bell Arrow full face I'm getting for my wife and if that cut is different. I concerned about the modular though.

Thanks a lot,

Tony

[Farther]

...one said they run big and another said they run small.   Any insight will be appreciated!

I have (had) three Bell helmets.  Two Drifters and one Shorty.  The shorty is pretty much true to size and one Drifter was true for its and the other Drifter was large for its size.  I think the newer Drifter was the one that was true to size.  The Bell Shorty is the only Bell that I currently have.  The others were given away.

[BIG--T]

Hey, Tony.  If you don't mind me asking, how big is your head?

Not at all. It is 24". According to their charts I need a XL 24"-24 3/8". I just hate a helmet that too tight!

[BIG--T]

...one said they run big and another said they run small.   Any insight will be appreciated!

I have (had) three Bell helmets.  Two Drifters and one Shorty.  The shorty is pretty much true to size and one Drifter was true for its and the other Drifter was large for its size.  I think the newer Drifter was the one that was true to size.  The Bell Shorty is the only Bell that I currently have.  The others were given away.

This will be my first full face helmet with the chin bar. All my helmets have been open face/ half and never had a problem with fit. I had a bad experience a couple years ago at the Honda shop where the full face squeezed my cheeks like a vice and he said thats the way their suppose to fit so  I told him to forget it! I know they're supposed to be snug but not to the point of hurting!

[donaldcc]

This will be my first full face helmet with the chin bar. All my helmets have been open face/ half and never had a problem with fit. I had a bad experience a couple years ago at the Honda shop where the full face squeezed my cheeks like a vice and he said thats the way their suppose to fit so  I told him to forget it! I know they're supposed to be snug but not to the point of hurting!

   What about a modular? I use half helmet when hot and modular full face when cooler.  I really like being able to flip up the chin bar when stopping for gas, at lights, etc.

 

[The Anvil]

[I know they're supposed to be snug but not to the point of hurting!

Actually, when you first get then they're supposed to be very snug, even a little uncomfortable because the foam will break in after only a few wearings. Once it does they should be comfy.

[BIG--T]

This will be my first full face helmet with the chin bar. All my helmets have been open face/ half and never had a problem with fit. I had a bad experience a couple years ago at the Honda shop where the full face squeezed my cheeks like a vice and he said thats the way their suppose to fit so  I told him to forget it! I know they're supposed to be snug but not to the point of hurting!

   What about a modular? I use half helmet when hot and modular full face when cooler.  I really like being able to flip up the chin bar when stopping for gas, at lights, etc.

 

Donald that's exactly what I'm getting is a modular and I also like the idea of flipping up the chin bar for air, drinks, etc.

[BIG--T]

Tony, I probably can't help you myself.  My head is larger than yours and any Bell Helmet I could try this year was too small.  I used to buy the largest size and cut some of the foam out to make it fit.  This year I was able to find Vega helmet size XXXL and it was just right.  It is a brand I had never heard of.  Out of 900 helmets at that store, only that one fit.

This brand specializes in making really big helmets up to 5XL.  Maybe there's a dealer in your area.

http://www.vegahelmet.com/altura.html

Pluggy you may have already helped me by saying any Bell helmet was too small. I ordered a XXL to be sure, plus the fact I'll be wearing a balaclava some this winter. I mostly got it just for cold weather and will go back to a shorty this summer. Here is Bell's sizing chart.
http://www.revzilla.com/bell-helmet-size-chart

[Hoser]

Hoser I think I have seen a pic of that "man cave" before, but like it.  Easy chair, TV, frig for the adult beverarge and sodas, and ice chest if you run out of room.  What I didn't see before was the treadmill.  Does that get much use?? 

Not really.    hoser

[highcountry]

We have four Bells at the house.  Two are Apex models and the other two are motorcross helmets.  We found that the sizes ran true to our actual measurements.  They seem to be high quality lids for a great price.

[BIG--T]

We have four Bells at the house.  Two are Apex models and the other two are motorcross helmets.  We found that the sizes ran true to our actual measurements.  They seem to be high quality lids for a great price.

Thanks for the info, I'll just stick to my size and see what happens!