I just ordered a Bell Vortex helmet and the transitions face shield from Cycle Gear.
(http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o145/aviationfred/_3_zps0eb80266.jpg) (http://s119.photobucket.com/user/aviationfred/media/_3_zps0eb80266.jpg.html)
Fred
Looks good ! Did you try one on ?
George
Let us know how you like that transisitions face shield. SolFx were supposed to come out with a shield for my Arai but they have been saying that for 3 years now...
Last I checked, Bell helmets are the only mfgr. that has that feature
I love mine, rs1. The transitions lens works great. Sportbike track gear has star mat black rally in 2xl for $209. When I looked last week
If I had any spare cash I'd buy one for second helmet.
Actually, GMAX also makes transitions lenses for the GM68 series of helmets.
Tony
Quote from: movenon on February 22, 2014, 12:39:55 AM
Looks good ! Did you try one on ?
George
Yes I tried one on. I wear a medium. The fit is a lot like my Icon Domain II
Fred
Quote from: aviationfred on February 22, 2014, 06:28:09 PM
Quote from: movenon on February 22, 2014, 12:39:55 AM
Looks good ! Did you try one on ?
George
Yes I tried one on. I wear a medium. The fit is a lot like my Icon Domain II
Fred
That's a good looking helmet Fred. I notice a lot of helmets on sale now.
George
wow- you guys are awesome. Didn't know they even made this. This is a major dilemma for me here in the northwest. Spring through fall you may start out in sunny, then a cloud rolls through and its dark, then its sunny again. Plus I always had to keep the spare lens in the case and was always worried over scratching it. This is my next helmet or something similar for sure
Quote from: Vsekvsek on February 23, 2014, 12:19:26 PM
I always had to keep the spare lens in the case and was always worried over scratching it.
I use one of these to carry an extra face shield in. Works great.
http://www.twistedthrottle.com/oxford-stowaway-visor-transporter (http://www.twistedthrottle.com/oxford-stowaway-visor-transporter)
Fred
Quote from: aviationfred on February 23, 2014, 01:14:37 PM
Quote from: Vsekvsek on February 23, 2014, 12:19:26 PM
I always had to keep the spare lens in the case and was always worried over scratching it.
I use one of these to carry an extra face shield in. Works great.
http://www.twistedthrottle.com/oxford-stowaway-visor-transporter (http://www.twistedthrottle.com/oxford-stowaway-visor-transporter)
Fred
I keep my spare in a red heel boot sock... cheap, and works great!
Fits right around the front of the tank bag.
Quote from: aviationfred on February 23, 2014, 01:14:37 PM
Quote from: Vsekvsek on February 23, 2014, 12:19:26 PM
I always had to keep the spare lens in the case and was always worried over scratching it.
I use one of these to carry an extra face shield in. Works great.
http://www.twistedthrottle.com/oxford-stowaway-visor-transporter (http://www.twistedthrottle.com/oxford-stowaway-visor-transporter)
Fred
Yep Fred. I have the same thing. It has worked it's way to the bottom of the bag on many occasion, even forgotten about for a year at a time, but the visor always remains perfect, even with loose tools and the like resting on it.
Carrying a spare visor in something rugged yet luggage friendly has always been a problem. These things are excellent. A great $20 worth.
Noel
Just one more to have options....
http://www.cyclegear.com/search/go#p=R&w=visor&url=http%3a%2f%2fwww.cyclegear.com%2fsearch%2fgo%3fw%3dvisor%2520bag%26ts%3dajaxv2&rk=1&uid=56286617&ts=racv2&rt=racsug&rsc=h:aff1OIG6yMT1hU&asug=visor?apelog=yes (http://www.cyclegear.com/search/go#p=R&w=visor&url=http%3a%2f%2fwww.cyclegear.com%2fsearch%2fgo%3fw%3dvisor%2520bag%26ts%3dajaxv2&rk=1&uid=56286617&ts=racv2&rt=racsug&rsc=h:aff1OIG6yMT1hU&asug=visor?apelog=yes)
Quote from: FJmonkey on February 23, 2014, 07:35:23 PM
Just one more to have options....
http://www.cyclegear.com/search/go#p=R&w=visor&url=http%3a%2f%2fwww.cyclegear.com%2fsearch%2fgo%3fw%3dvisor%2520bag%26ts%3dajaxv2&rk=1&uid=56286617&ts=racv2&rt=racsug&rsc=h:aff1OIG6yMT1hU&asug=visor?apelog=yes (http://www.cyclegear.com/search/go#p=R&w=visor&url=http%3a%2f%2fwww.cyclegear.com%2fsearch%2fgo%3fw%3dvisor%2520bag%26ts%3dajaxv2&rk=1&uid=56286617&ts=racv2&rt=racsug&rsc=h:aff1OIG6yMT1hU&asug=visor?apelog=yes)
Thanks for the link Mark! I have a Cycle Gear a few miles from the house and picked up this visor bag. It's usually $20...Amazon has it for $15...Cycle Gear has it on sale for $10. For a tenner, I gave it a shot.
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41Chvp5vVKL._SY300_.jpg)
It's really pretty cool! Flat and curved just right to fit the spare visor and it's lined with soft material on the inside. It's hard to grasp this from the picture, but there is an adjustable strap and a buckle sewn into each end. You have the option of wearing this around your waist like a fanny pack under your jacket...in case you don't have anywhere else to carry a spare visor. Ingenious. :good2:
Cap'n Ron. . .
I have not had a chance to ride with the new Bell helmet. I will say that the initial fit is the best fitting helmet that I have ever owned.
Fred
I have 2 of them, you will like it. I've never owned an Arai but the Bell fits my bean better than my Shoei
And is quieter...IMHO
You know, I guess the noise of a helmet is an intensely subjective thing. I had a Bell Vortex and found that it "boomed" terribly. Of course I'm really sensitive to helmet noise. (I use custom molded ear plugs)
I did find that the RS-1 is considerably quieter. Almost vents as well as the Vortex and the transitions visor still fits.
Lotsa variables there... differences in head shapes, helmet shapes, fairings, and where one's head ends up behind them. :unknown:
I have been using the Bell Star for the past few years and absolutely love the fit and ventilation. I have the SolFx shield and it works great. Transitions in less than 10 seconds from full tint to clear. Its not quite as heavily tinted as the dark smokes I ran in the past, but does fine for me.
Might pick up a Vortex as a backup when I order my next Star before the spring rally. My star is over 5 years old now and I need to pick up a new lid for the track as it is now outdated. I had planned to keep it as my street lid, but may pick up a vortex to see if it is quieter. Pretty sure my first gen Star amplifies the wind noise....
I thought it was universally agreed that you don't choose your helmet, it chooses you, that you head shape dictates your options.
Last time I bought a helmet I went shopping armed with a list of potential lids, after much research, only to discover I couldn't wear any of them, not comfortably anyway.
I just kept trying on helmets until I found one that was a perfect fit. It was nothing like the one I really wanted, but it was obvious the second I put it on that it was the right one.
Do not kid yourself that the helmet you really want but doesn't fit will "wear in"
Noel
Noel,
You are absolutely correct. I really like my Icon Domain II, and the fit is OK, no hot spots or fit issues. I put the Vortex on and WOW :yahoo: The fit is amazing.
Fred
Quote from: ribbert on March 07, 2014, 07:12:31 AM
I thought it was universally agreed that you don't choose your helmet, it chooses you, that you head shape dictates your options.
I agree. No matter how many great helmets there are out there, I always find that Shoei fits the best. No 'break-in" period required, no discomfort at all and always quiet. They just know how to make a helmet that fits all four corners of my head (I am Dutch, after all).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbjksQapIfg
Zwartie
I had been wearing Shoei helmets for over 20 years. Switched to a Bell RS1 last year and have been very happy with the helmet and shield. Carrying only one face shield for day and night is great. I still wear a light smoke sun glasses during the day. The drawback is the cost of the shield, ouch over a hundred dollars for the shield. Other than that no complaints.
Kurt
Fred, any followup opinions about your Vortex? I'm looking at hats, and it's on my list. I'm thinking about the Revolution Evo modular, as well, but I'm concerned about the noise. I really like the transition face shield idea.
Quote from: ZOA NOM on November 25, 2014, 07:10:48 PM
I'm concerned about the noise. I really like the transition face shield idea.
I love my Bell helmet. It is not the most quiet helmet on the market, but it fits my head perfect. I did a simple mod to quiet the noise a little. There is a small vent right behind the ears. I pulled back the liner and used a pair of foam ear plugs to stuff the holes with. It did make a difference. On trips out of town I also use an ear plug speaker set up that cancels out pretty much all the noise.
The transitions face shield is incredible. It is also very durable.
Fred
Cool, thanks for the feedback. The more I look through the options, the more I think I'm gonna stick with a simple full-face, and skip the modular. I really want the transition visor, so I'll look through all the Bell models and try to find the quiet bang for the buck.
Went with the Vortex on sale from Revzilla. Got the Transition shield too. First impression while wearing the helmet sitting on my couch to "break it in" is that it is very form fitting, but lighter than I thought it would be. Rode to work with it tonight, and the transition shield is spectacular, both in vision and fog. I didn't have to keep it cracked to be able to see, which made it far quieter than my old hat. Nothin but love so far.
Yes, if it does not kill you in the first 30 min then it will likely conform and fit your head. Padding has a way of making things fit, to some extent. Glad you have a proper lid. My current helmet was worn for over 30 min in the store while I shopped. It seemed too tight and I was thinking of not getting it. Not to mention, feeling kind of stupid while shopping with a helmet on for 30+ min.... I am quite happy with the fit and it turned out to be a really good fit. Let your helmet choose you. You will be much happier.
Update - Got the Vortex outfitted with the transition shield, and added the ProGrip universal stick-on fog shield, then got the Sena SMH5-FM Bluetooth setup. The commute will never be the same. It's 39 degrees, and I'm takin the FJ!