Do Bell helmets run small?
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,229
Likes: 417
From: Outer Banks, NC
I've always preferred Bell just because of their history and reputation. About 9 years ago I needed to replace my worn out lid and I stopped at the J&P Cycle store just off I95 near Daytona. The nice lady working in the helmet section helped me find a full face Bell Vector that I liked. She stressed a new helmet should be on the "tight" side and that it would form and feel right on your face in a short time. She was right and it has been a good helmet.
Now, fast forward to last year, I ordered a Bell Star online. I followed all the directions on measuring your head to come up with the correct size (large). It was a complete flop, WAY too tight. No way it was ever going to be comfortable. I wasted more time and ordered the "skinnier" cheek pads. They came in, nope didn't help at all! Ok, I returned (what a pain!) the helmet and had them send the next size (X Large). Guess what? Still too uncomfortably tight. Put the skinny cheek pads in and it finally felt like I could give it a try.
The helmet is slowly loosening up and it will work for me. I do have a round "Charlie Brown" head and that may be my problem. But why did that Bell I bought 9 years ago work so well and this one is tighter? I think Bell changed the way they construct and size their helmets.
I'll get off my soapbox now....
Now, fast forward to last year, I ordered a Bell Star online. I followed all the directions on measuring your head to come up with the correct size (large). It was a complete flop, WAY too tight. No way it was ever going to be comfortable. I wasted more time and ordered the "skinnier" cheek pads. They came in, nope didn't help at all! Ok, I returned (what a pain!) the helmet and had them send the next size (X Large). Guess what? Still too uncomfortably tight. Put the skinny cheek pads in and it finally felt like I could give it a try.
The helmet is slowly loosening up and it will work for me. I do have a round "Charlie Brown" head and that may be my problem. But why did that Bell I bought 9 years ago work so well and this one is tighter? I think Bell changed the way they construct and size their helmets.
I'll get off my soapbox now....
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 798
Likes: 726
From: Moncton, NB
I've always preferred Bell just because of their history and reputation. About 9 years ago I needed to replace my worn out lid and I stopped at the J&P Cycle store just off I95 near Daytona. The nice lady working in the helmet section helped me find a full face Bell Vector that I liked. She stressed a new helmet should be on the "tight" side and that it would form and feel right on your face in a short time. She was right and it has been a good helmet.
Now, fast forward to last year, I ordered a Bell Star online. I followed all the directions on measuring your head to come up with the correct size (large). It was a complete flop, WAY too tight. No way it was ever going to be comfortable. I wasted more time and ordered the "skinnier" cheek pads. They came in, nope didn't help at all! Ok, I returned (what a pain!) the helmet and had them send the next size (X Large). Guess what? Still too uncomfortably tight. Put the skinny cheek pads in and it finally felt like I could give it a try.
The helmet is slowly loosening up and it will work for me. I do have a round "Charlie Brown" head and that may be my problem. But why did that Bell I bought 9 years ago work so well and this one is tighter? I think Bell changed the way they construct and size their helmets.
I'll get off my soapbox now....
Now, fast forward to last year, I ordered a Bell Star online. I followed all the directions on measuring your head to come up with the correct size (large). It was a complete flop, WAY too tight. No way it was ever going to be comfortable. I wasted more time and ordered the "skinnier" cheek pads. They came in, nope didn't help at all! Ok, I returned (what a pain!) the helmet and had them send the next size (X Large). Guess what? Still too uncomfortably tight. Put the skinny cheek pads in and it finally felt like I could give it a try.
The helmet is slowly loosening up and it will work for me. I do have a round "Charlie Brown" head and that may be my problem. But why did that Bell I bought 9 years ago work so well and this one is tighter? I think Bell changed the way they construct and size their helmets.
I'll get off my soapbox now....
Last edited by ahhlou; May 5, 2022 at 10:00 AM.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,229
Likes: 417
From: Outer Banks, NC
Based on my experiences , the older Bell helmets were designed for round heads. Most modern helmets generally are designed for intermediate oval heads. As I have owned a Star helmet, it fit tight, on purpose (My ZX12/14 days). It is closer to a racing helmet than a multipurpose helmet. These days, for touring, I wear a modular helmet which has a more relaxed fit...
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