Featured Motolegends De-lists Bell Helmets

Discussion in 'Clothing & Gadgets' started by learningtofly, Dec 27, 2020.

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  1. learningtofly

    learningtofly He’s not the Messiah, he’s a very naughty boy!
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    Their statement:

    Bell is the most famous name in the motorcycle apparel arena. The company invented the open-face helmet as we know it today. They then invented the full-face helmet, and then the off-road helmet. But the path that Bell is now taking with its retro collection is not one we want to accompany them down.

    Bell is all about style; and whilst we still offer some of the coolest gear on the planet, we are no longer prepared to put form ahead of function. There’s nothing wrong with Bell’s helmets, but these days, even though you might have to pay a bit more, there are helmets that are nicer to wear and that are, let’s say, better performing from a functionality standpoint.

    We’ve worked with the Bell ever since it re-launched the Custom 500 back into the European market, so we didn’t take this step lightly but, simply put, Bell is no longer really our kind of brand.

    Now we have been running a helmet Sale across our range of brands for a while now, in order to move on colourways and styles that were not being continued into 2021. But we’ve decided to increase our discount on Bell to a frankly ridiculous figure of 40%. Now this is our buying price, so with free P&P, we are actually losing money on every helmet we sell. That hurts, but they will serve no purpose taking up space on our shelves.


    Personally I can't wear Bell helmets anyway, although I love their retro ranges in terms of style. I have to say, though, that I really admire Motolegends stance on this, and - with my recent very positive buying experience with them - they're right up there on my list of top retailers.
     
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  2. Notso

    Notso Senior Member

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    Whether you like the ranges Motolegends sell or not, they work hard for their customers. For me, as much as I like looking there, it tends to be a bit too far into the fashion end of things for my wallet and I end up buying from Sportsbikeshop!
     
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  3. learningtofly

    learningtofly He’s not the Messiah, he’s a very naughty boy!
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    Did you know that they price match (including discount offers) and deduct a further 10% on top? I got a Shoei helmet there recently for 10% lower than the lowest UK price.

    That said, they openly admit that if you're the sports bike/race leather type of rider then they're probably not the best retailer for you. However, for classic/retro/vintage type stuff they have a superb stock.
     
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  4. Hobnail

    Hobnail Senior Member

    Jan 4, 2020
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    Bell Helmets. A difficult company to fathom. There is Bell Racing, that makes numerous helmets for the car crowd and professional racers, with costs that start at $500 US and go up from there. Serious head protection. Then there is Bell Helmets, which is owned by Vista Outdoor, a holding company with such diverse brands as Remington and Bushnell. It appears the original company/founders from California (Roy Richter) have sold the motorcycle market products to Vista. It is a bit difficult to follow the progression, but clearly there is a difference between Bell Racing and Bell motorcycle and bike products.

    For me, I abandoned Bell for other builders (Arai) because the Bell products are less function and more fashion.
    https://bellracing.com/helmets/pro.html
    https://www.bellhelmets.com/motorcycle/
    https://vistaoutdoor.com/brands/
     
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  5. crispey

    crispey crispey creme de la creme

    Nov 6, 2014
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    I’ve bought from motolegends a few times and am impressed with them. A bit like the motorcycle equivalent of walking into a saville row tailors, we’ve all been to one haven’t we?, their customer service is brilliant and will spend a lot of time helping you choose the product that fits properly and is right for you. Plus offering proper coffee in a China cup with biscuit!
    I can’t wear bell helmets either, not the right shaped head
     
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  6. Gyp

    Gyp Well-Known Member

    May 13, 2020
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    That's interesting and well worth knowing as I'd assumed that they were one and the same.

    Amused that the Bell Racing logo says "Bell Helmets" where the Bell Helmets logo looks virtually identical but simply says "Bell"
     
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  7. Callumity

    Callumity Elite Member

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    Hasn’t been ‘a’ company for some time with sell offs, acquisitions, re-mergers etc., between original US business and Europe. Bell is effectively a brand segmented across a variety of activities requiring protective head gear with cheaper helmets from Chinese factories.
    I don’t quite buy the fashion over function criticism when ALL manufacturers offer multiple paint jobs. The basic proposition remains polycarbonate cheap via fibreglass to pure carbon pricey with all manner of gimmicks in between. Bell’s motorcycle range is no better or worse than any other in that regard. Shoei etc., simply don’t make cheap end helmets but charge a premium anyway!
    As for de-listing - could be they weren’t selling enough to attract discounts or any number of commercial reasons to dress up an exit.
     
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  8. Hobnail

    Hobnail Senior Member

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    Yeah,
    My point is Bell abandoned the Snell rating on most of the street gear. I can't use them for SCCA Solo II (double service) because of that. When I was looking for a replacement helmet for my old Bell, they also didn't do any fitting. Just standard sizes and hope for the best. Arai (sorry my "brand") is pretty serious about fitting the helmet with adjustable pads. They recommend having the helmet tested and fitted by their qualified techs. The helmet I bought fitted much more tightly and firmly than any other "stock" helmet I would have picked up at the shops.

    It just bothers me that one of the most important items of equipment is considered fashion and not technology. I have looked back on Bell gear and they seem to promote safety and durability, but why abandon Snell?

    That's all.
     
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  9. learningtofly

    learningtofly He’s not the Messiah, he’s a very naughty boy!
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    #9 learningtofly, Jan 3, 2021
    Last edited: Jan 3, 2021
    I don't doubt that the decision by Motolegends is a genuine and transparent one. They've been critical of Bell's safety ratings and their general approach to safety in their retro-styled helmets for many, many months (if not years) and even in their product videos have been issuing warnings in that respect. They're effectively a specialist retailer and are very picky about what they sell, and to my mind the decision is based upon clear and well-articluated principles.

    No point being cynical for cynical's sake, and there are plenty of sources for Bell helmets if that's what you want. Further, and having had recent first hand helmet buying experiences with Motolegends, I'd say that they're pretty unique in terms of knowledge and customer care.
     
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  10. andyc1

    andyc1 Lunarville 7, Airlock 3

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    I have a Bell Star, not a retro, more a race style. Must be 3 year old now but I have to say its a great lid. I ride naked bikes and it copes unbelievably well with the wind, no neck strain even at triple figures, better than any Schuberth or Shoei I've owned. Easiest visor release mechanism I've seen too! Its a well designed lid, great fit (I'm a Shoei head) and it physically quite big so there must be plenty of padding/protection in there. Its quite drafty so only use it in the summer and I've never needed to fit the pinlock, does not fog up. I really rate it but they definitely seem to be all about retro looks there days sadly.
     
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  11. learningtofly

    learningtofly He’s not the Messiah, he’s a very naughty boy!
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    #11 learningtofly, Jan 3, 2021
    Last edited: Jan 3, 2021
    Surprised you can wear a Bell if you have a Shoei-shaped head. I can't, they absolutely kill me unless I get one that's too large everywhere but my temples. In any event, you're right to make a distinction between the retro-styled helmets and the more sports/race oriented models that Bell produces. Motolegends only stocked the former as their focus is entirely on classic/retro/vintage styled clothing and accessories; my understanding of Bell's other stuff is that it's perfectly fit for purpose, though.
     
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  12. BZFMIII`

    BZFMIII` Member

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    This is interesting as I was going for a retro Bell lid and the carbon (whilst more expensive comparably) I felt would catch both ticks in Safety and style

    In short, if not Bell for the retro style then happy to take any ideas?
     
  13. learningtofly

    learningtofly He’s not the Messiah, he’s a very naughty boy!
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    Arai Rapide and Shoei Glamster for full face; Arai Freeway Classic, Hedon Hedonist and Shoei JO for open face.

    They'd be my suggestions, anyway.
     
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  14. Notso

    Notso Senior Member

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    I think it was mostly the visor seal and ventilation that was criticised on the Bell with associated noises rather than safety in a crash. The Bell got 3 out of 5 star Sharp rating, which is reasonable, loads of Arai get that.
     
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  15. learningtofly

    learningtofly He’s not the Messiah, he’s a very naughty boy!
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    No, that's not correct. None of the retro-styled helmets in question (e.g. Eliminator, Bullitt, Custom 500, Moto 3) are Sharp rated.
     
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  16. Notso

    Notso Senior Member

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  17. learningtofly

    learningtofly He’s not the Messiah, he’s a very naughty boy!
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  18. Peter B

    Peter B Active Member

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    If you have the patience to find the cheapest price for a piece of kit they sell, their 10% price beat is excellent.
    Their service is second to none, and they really do know their stock.
    I've only had two Bell helmets, one full face in the 70s that was OK, and a flip lid now. Both of them replaced with Shoei's, neither fitted terribly well without a thickish balaclava under them.
     
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  19. BZFMIII`

    BZFMIII` Member

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    I've picked up a bullit carbon Matt from Urban Rider (couldn't find a discount code) for over £100 less than some other sites.
    The sizeing is interesting as UR has a different size chart from Bell

    I'll try it, if it doesn't fit then I'll return it

    Thanks for all the responses BTW

    Ground anchors that can fit onto a wall are next :-D
     
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