Bell Vortex, Arrow, Moto-9 Helmets 2012

We've got one new graphic for the mid-range Bell Vortex for 2012 and three new graphics for the bang-for-the-buck Bell Arrow. There is also a wild new graphic for the Bell Moto-9 lid. Check them out below and stay tuned for our HD videos that will highlight these graphics in full detail.

Click any image to see it larger.

Bell Vortex Attack Helmet Review:

Bell Vortex Attack Helmet

Bell Arrow Parts Bin Helmet Review:

Bell Arrow Parts Bin Helmet

Bell Arrow Ignite Helmet Review:

Bell Arrow Ignite Helmet

Bell Arrow Optimum Helmet Review:

Bell Arrow Optimum Helmet

Bell Moto-9 Unit Helmet Review:

Bell Moto-9 Unit Hot Yellow

Bell Moto-9 Tilt Helmet Review:



-RetroZilla

Related:

Bell RS-1 2012 Helmets - Graphics
Bell Custom 500 2012 Helmets - Graphics
Bell Star RSD Black Beauty Carbon Helmet
Bell Mag 9 Helmet
Bell Pit Boss Helmet
Bell Drifter DLX Helmet
Bell Revolver EVO Helmet

Bell Vortex Helmet Graphics

The Bell Vortex Helmet is Bell's mid-range Snell-2010-rated sport, track and race helmet. For late 2011, they've released a new batch of graphic options of this very popular helmet. For the amount of features you're getting, including the Snell safety standard, this helmet really offers excellent bang for the buck. Check out our brief video overviews of the new graphics below.

First is the Bell Vortex Flying Tiger Helmet:

Next is the Bell Vortex Archangel Helmet:

Next is the racer-inspired Bell Vortex B-54 Helmet:

Next is the Bell Vortex Siege Helmet:

Lastly, we could leave out the OG in the lineup, the Bell Vortex RSD Apocalypse Helmet:

Bell Vortex RSD Apocalypse

-RetroZilla

New Bell Vortex Helmets

The Bell Vortex Helmet gets a facelift this season with some crazy new graphics!  Bell Helmets is introducing the Flying Tiger, B-54, and Siege designs to add some more flair to the already-popular Vortex helmet.  In addition to the quiet and comfort already available from the inside of a Vortex, you now have the option to be loud and annoying on the outside of your helmet.

If the Vortex is new to you, check out our original Bell Vortex Helmet Review:



-- ckZilla
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Related:
Bell Custom 500 Helmet Review
Bell Vortex and Bell Star Helmet Review
Bell RS-1 Helmet Review

Bell Photochromic Transitions Shield Review

Through Bell Helmets union with Transitions SolFX Optical who is the undisputed leader in photochromic lenses, the pinnacle of light-adjusting shields has been achieved in the Bell Photochromic Shield. The shield intuitively reacts to light conditions meaning that you'll never have to swap shields when riding at night or during full-blast sunlight. Check out this video of the Bell Transitions SolFX shield below for all the details.

Beyond the obvious benefits of having an automatically-tinting shield, the Photochromic Faceshield also utilizes the Bell NutraFogII anti-fog coating which dramatically cuts back on fogging. It is also anti-scratch and its UV-protection coatings block over 99% of UV rays. The shield is compatible with the Bell Vortex Helmet and Bell Star Helmet as it utilizes the Bell ClickRelease shield system.

We have a couple guys around the office that have been using this shield with their Stars and Vortexes and we've heard nothing but great reviews about it.

-RetroZilla

Related:
Bell Star and Bell Vortex Helmet Review
Bell Helmets R&D Headquarters Tour
New Motorcycle Gear - July 2010

Bell Vortex and Bell Star Helmet Review

We've already done extensive RevZillaTV video reviews on both of these helmets (Bell Star & Bell Vortex) but whenever we come across new product information we like to share it. We feel that there can never be too much information to further knowledge and assist in the buying process. To that end, we're releasing these videos that feature Bell Helmets' product experts detailing the nuances of the Bell Star Helmet and the Bell Vortex Helmet.

First is the Bell Star Helmet:

Bell Star Rally Helmet

We've featured the Bell Star Helmet in several helmet buying guides that we've done, including our Super Premium Motorcycle Helmet Guide and our Motorcycle Race Helmet Buying Guide. It is a standout redesign of the former Bell Star iteration. It touts Snell 2010 certification, a super lightweight and resilient construction, and phenomenal ventilation utilizing Bell's FlowAdjust system which is a variable system that pulls air through the helmet to keep your head cool while you're riding. The shield is three-way adjustable, with one setting dedicated to a cracked de-fogging mode, and it features the Bell Click-Release system for lightning fast shield changes. Utilizing the optional track ship improves the already impressive aerodynamics of the Star which goes through intensive
research and development, wind and water tunnel testing. The
stability of this helmet is absolutely stellar.

Bell Star Hess Helmet

The Nutra-Fog 2 shield is anti-scratch and anti-fog with a UV-protective coating that blocks 99% of harmful UV rays. Bell also developed a photochromic shield with Transitions SolFX Optical, the Bell Star Photochromic Face Shield, which automatically adjusts tint depending on ambient light conditions. Bright sunshine, midnight darkness? This shield performs in all conditions, eliminating annoying shield changes. The guts are removable, washable and moisture-wicking, with an antibacterial and antimicrobial treatment. The cheek pads are contour-cut for comfort and optimal fit and the D-ring chin strap closure features a Magnafusion magnetic strap keeper to eliminate annoying flapping at speed. From the main features to the detailed nuances, this helmet is an extraordinary lid in both
performance and appearance.


Next is the look at the Bell Vortex Helmet:

Bell Vortex RSD Apocalypse Helmet

The Bell Vortex Helmet borrows heavily from the Star in terms of engineering and construction and it shows. It is probably our favorite helmet at the sub-$200 price point and we think it offers arguably the best functionality of any entry-level priced helmet we carry. The Vortex uses the Velocity Flow Ventilation system with FlowAdjust, which is the exact same system as the Star and helps to moderate airflow and temperature regulation. The Vortex has the exact same shield as the Bell Star, the NutraFog II anti-fog anti-scratch UV-protected shield. It is also made to fit the aforementioned Photochromic Shield and has the same ClickRelease shield-change mechanism as the Star. Wind and road noise is dramatically reduced by the padded wind collar and the Vortex has the same removable
washable and antibacterial liner as the Star. It also touts
Snell 2010 certification.

Bell Vortex Grind Helmet

So what's the big difference here between the Vortex and the Star? Aside from some subtle differences like the fact that the Star's cheekpads are hand cut for superior fit while the Vortex's are stacked foam, the major difference is the shell composition. While the lightweight composite polycarbonate alloy shell used by the Vortex is no slouch, it doesn't compare to the Super Premium level of the Star's Kevlar, Carbon Fiber and Fiberglass TriMatrix construction which elevates the Star to a completely different level. That said, if you're not a racer and don't do much trackday riding, but rather are a rider looking for optimum functionality from an entry-to-mid-level sport helmet, you may not have to look further than the Bell Vortex.

All in all, Bell seriously impressed us in 2010 with these new lids. Be sure not to miss the RevZillaTV reviews of these helmets by visiting the individual product pages at RevZilla.com. Check out the competition by visiting our section of Motorcycle Helmets.

-RetroZilla

Related:
Bell Helmets R+D Headquarters Tour
Motorcycle Helmet Buying Guide
Super Premium Motorcycle Helmet Buying Guide
Everyday Riding Motorcycle Helmet Buying Guide

Bell Helmets R+D Headquarters Tour

In order to fully understand the process of development, testing and manufacture of Bell Helmets, a full tour of their headquarters is necessary. Bell has developed a process from the ground up that involves industrial design at the beginning level for ergonomics, fit and styling through CAD engineering and prototyping, safety testing, creative design and final production. The video below takes a full top to bottom tour of the facility so we can all learn the nuts and bolts of what goes in to each and every Bell Helmet that is manufactured.

Bell Star Cerwinske Helmet

The initial phase of Bell Helmets development begins at the industrial design level. Their design team starts by creating sketches of models and 2D renderings of helmet concepts, eventually making clay models and fleshing out ideas for designs. After the industrial design takes place, the team begins to work with the mechanical engineers to get the helmet design to the next stage. The mechanical engineers take the original clay models and put them through a Digitizer, which traces across the models, creating a digital model of the helmet. The engineers then utilize the digital model in CAD to fine-tune the model before eventually sending it to a Prototyper that produces a 3D manifestation of the design.

Bell Vortex RSD Apocalypse Helmet

After the prototype is complete, every helmet gets sent to their Test Labs. Here, they perform a series of tests involving everything from penetration and impact protection to aerodynamics and ventilation. The impact tests simulate the same level of testing that is used in Snell Certification. These tests begin at the prototyping phase to help refine actual designs and improve strength and performance; testing continues through Quality Control and Batch testing phases.

Bell Star Day of the Dead Helmet

Once the prototype is perfected, the helmet is ready to go to the Art Department. Out of all motorcycle helmet manufacturers, Bell arguably uses the most well-known and reputable artists. From Roland Sands to Jona Cerwinske to Jimbo Phillips to Derek Hess to Chris Wood, Bell's Artist Series of helmets represents the pinnacle of motorcycle helmet designs.

These are the main phases of development for Bell Motorcycle Helmets. Their facilities are truly some of the most advanced in the industry and their ground-up approach to manufacturing is what separates their lids from the pack and makes them an upper-echelon helmet producer.

-RetroZilla

Related:
Motorcycle Helmet Buying Guide
Super Premium Motorcycle Helmet Buying Guide
Motorcycle Race Helmet Buying Guide
Everyday Riding Motorcycle Helmet Buying Guide