Bell RS-1 opinions

[ledcat]

Anyone have any experience with this helmet? There are a couple of good deals out there for this model, and I've been wanting to try it out. Reviews have been positive.

[diehli]

I've had 4 Bell Stars. Had issues with the chin vents closing on the 1st, but Bell replaced it. Crashed in the replacement & was momentarily knocked out, but it otherwise protected my head & face. The other 2 are ready to go once I get a replacement bike.

I'd buy an RS1 if it fit my head, without hesitation.

[QuietRider]

I just bought an RS-1 on closeout. Snug fit (like it's supposed to be) yet very comfy - my head must be just like the model they used to design it. Aerodynamics are pretty good. At normal Interstate speeds I don't feel any wind forces at all as I turn my head side to side or up and down. Amazing. A bit quieter than my Shoei too, although I still need earplugs.

There is lots of air flowing, but it hasn't been hot enough to really test ventilation yet. Visibility is very good and I like the way the visor works. The D-ring is somehow easier to work that any other helmet I have had. And the little magnetic thingy is actually useful.

The combination of snug fit with no hot spots, good visibility, and excellent aerodynamics have made my riding unexpectedly more enjoyable. However...

The one negative I have had was when we were doing a long high speed 12 car pass coming out of the Sierra into the valley. The wind was blowing into our faces at probably 25 mph and I saw triple digits on the speedo during the pass. Almost suddenly I got a really strong pressure against my forehead from the wind blast. Some lift but mostly like someone was just pushing backwards on my forehead. I don't get this with the Shoei X-11. Coming back across the valley and into the bay area we were pushing a strong gusty wind and running at 70+ so the effective wind was probably around the triple digit level. It was quite uncomfortable.

So the aerodynamics are really great as long as the effective wind is not more than about 80. When the wind gets well above 80 there can be some uncomfortable forces. I plan to investigate this more, but it's not that easy to find triple digit wind situations around here to do testing.

All in all I am really happy with the RS-1

[vade]

Have had one for about 2 months, have been really happy with it so far. Have all the same positives that QuietRider has experienced. Hypothetically it may seen some wind speed in the 130 range, and did not notice any comfort issues there. YMMV

[ledcat]

Just pulled the trigger on a shattered rs-1 @ sportbiketrackgear. Can't wait to get it. Thanks for the good reports.

[QuietRider]

Originally Posted by vade

Hypothetically it may seen some wind speed in the 130 range, and did not notice any comfort issues there. YMMV

Good to hear that you didn't experience the pressures I did at high speed. It may well be that what I experienced was in part due to the type of windshield I have on the bike.

I did about 250 miles today in the RS-1 - very pleasant it was.

[B_palmer22]

I've got a panic zone and i love it. The visor adjuster lever has come unscrewed but its no problem i just screwed it back on. Have any of you guys bought the photochromatic visor yet? I'm still debating on it. A visor that costs half what i paid for the helmet hurts.

[xtremewlr]

Just got an RS-1 with the optional Transitions face shield.

Initial impressions riding with it to work this morning: MUCH better than the Scorpion EXO-750 I have been wearing.

Much less buffeting in the wind the the RS-1 and it's quieter. Enough so that I can actually hear my exhaust now. Ventilation seems much better over the Scorpion and the microfiber interior is very comfortable.

Overall fit of the helmet (I'm wearing a medium for both the Bell and Scorpion) is good but little bit on the tight side. I'm going to attribute this to it being a new helmet and needing some break in time for the padding still. The Scorpion would always leave a pressure mark on my upper forehead and the Bell does not do this. I couldn't wear the Scorpion for much more than an hour before that pressure area was causing my physical pain. Really hoping the RS-1 is not like that.

The face shields are SUPER easy to change out, even easier than the Scorpion system which is pretty decent.

I've read and seen allot of very good reviews on the helmet online. So far, the helmet is living up to those reviews and I am overall very happy with the purchase.

I found mine online at motorcyclecloseouts.com. It's one of the actual closeout models, the RS-1 Victory in blue. I paid a total of $319.98 shipped, including the transitions face shield.

2011343 Bell ClickRelease Transitions SOLFX Photochromic Shield $119.99

2021720 Bell RS-1 Helmet - Victory COLOR: BLUE SIZE: MD $199.99

[bonesFZ1]

Originally Posted by B_palmer22

I've got a panic zone and i love it. The visor adjuster lever has come unscrewed but its no problem i just screwed it back on. Have any of you guys bought the photochromatic visor yet? I'm still debating on it. A visor that costs half what i paid for the helmet hurts.

I bought the photochromatic visor for my Star. Let's just say I will never own a helmet that does not have it.