It’s old but not obsolete, and it’s back! The Bell Moto-3 is here with a bang and sports a black and orange ‘Stripes’ graphic. The iconic helmet from Bell has carved its way in the sub premium category with impressive design and much needed improvements in its safety characteristics. DOT and ECE 22.05 rated.
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What Would You Love?
The graphic is killer and simple. The popular 70’s wood paneling color scheme on a black background contrasting at either side and at the chin guard makes it look as impressive as its predecessor was all those years ago. Four stripes ranging from white to off white, yellow and creamy light chocolate brown run from the right hand side, make a 90 degree turn and sweep all the way across the left side till it reaches the left half of the chin guard and stops there.
Glossy and polished, the black paint and lacquer actually work together with the Stripe and make this helmet stand out with a very shiny look, without any chrome.
The chin guard venting scheme feels spot on with four aggressive, matched and angled vents on either side of the center line.
The shell lining at the bottom has a nice gasket lining covering up the EPS which stretches all the way to the chin bar. So does the eye port, but the gasket here has a certain ‘girth’ that gives out a muscular look.
The chin straps are your traditional Double D rings in keeping with the retro style.
The build quality is excellent and is as expected from Bell owing to their extensive experience.
The Top Features to Look Out For
So what changes have been incorporated in this ‘original’ from Bell?
Shell
Weighing in at 2 lbs. and 13 oz, it is very light owing to the fact that it is made of a lightweight fiberglass composite shell which guarantees to keep your squashy melon safe in accidents. Fiberglass is a little on the softer side when it comes to toughness, but it can stretch and mold to withstand a lot more stress and strain before its integrity is compromised. Often times, it is mixed with other components to make a composite shell, so that its flexibility and tensile strength is retained and harder compounds make up for the toughness.
If there are doubts about the safety rating, the DOT and ECE 22.05 ratings should calm things down for you and let you have that peace of mind.
It is intermediate oval in shape and fit so it is going to fit most people in the market. It is a bit narrow at the front, but not by too much. The rear is big enough to accommodate the average sized head.
Bell has made the iconic lid available in 3 shell and EPS sizes, giving you unparalleled choice in fitting as far as motocross helmets are concerned.
Visors
The peak is attached to the shell above the brow with five snap studs, but is actually pretty easy to remove. You just pull it off and out it pops in your hand. For installing it back, align the visor to the stud sockets and snap it back in, one by one.
The lack of a bubble visor might be hum dinger for some, but it is a motocross helmet in essence. It is meant to be worn with goggles, so it is assumed that you have those goggles with straps for cross country biking. The eye port is quite big and shaped to fit in any type of riding goggles.
We have worked closely with RevZilla, Amazon and 2Wheel over the years to provide our testers with products to review. They are all great partners and unique in their own ways, so make sure to check out their prices. Please don’t forget we may get a commission if you buy from them.
Ventilation
This is a Motocross helmet, so you are going to feel the full blast of incoming wind on your upper face when you have this on. Still, the helmet comes in with 8 angled and foiled chin vents which remain open without any toggles.
Since there are no top vents or chimney vents, the EPS does not have any air channels to speak of. The construction looks simple when the comfort liner is removed.
Padding and Lining
Inner padding is thickety thick from thick town with premium micro suede and microfiber liner which fits quite snugly, like a snarly teddy bear hugging your head. The cheek pads and terrycloth liner are anti-microbial and are efficient in wicking up sweat very quickly. It can be removed easily and washed without much effort.
The cool thing is that the cheek pads have cut outs for speakers or com units now.
The comfort liner snap fits at the brow and the neck in the EPS liner and saves you from any pressure points. But it lacks that thickness of the cheek pads, if you absolutely have to find a gripe about it.
Customer Reviews
Apart from raving reviews about the return of one of the favorite helmets of the yester year, some of them requested a snap on form fitting bubble visor. But there were no major complaints about this truly classic and original helmet.
Bottom Line
The return of a classic design truly bodes well for the rider brotherhood, as style and protection take over and inject a new sense in a ‘feel like god’ experience. The Bell Moto-3 Stripes is not a museum piece by any means and certainly deserves a place in that special corner of your heart (and garage!).
We have worked closely with RevZilla, Amazon and 2Wheel over the years to provide our testers with products to review. They are all great partners and unique in their own ways, so make sure to check out their prices. Please don’t forget we may get a commission if you buy from them.
