Ah, the great Bell Moto-3 where to start… Well, let’s back up a bit. Bell first released the original version of this helmet in the 1970’s. It put a stake in the ground along with the Bell Star as one of the first full face helmets offered to motocross riders. You can read more about the original Moto-3 here. Over the years it was adapted to street riding and gained a strong following, so it made sense when Bell decided to remake this legendary lid with modern technology.
In this review, I’ll breakdown my initial thoughts on the helmet after a few rides on the Triumph Scrambler. I’ll post a follow up as we move deeper into the riding season and I break this baby in.
Helmet Weight
This thing is light! Granted, it has a large opening and no shield, but I was surprised how light it felt in my hands and on my head. I’m sure the fiberglass composite shell helps shave off some weight too.
Size and Comfort
Overall, it’s cozy. Not too much to report as this is a bare-bones kind of helmet. However, the shape is an intermediate oval. This is important! Don’t size up to make it ‘fit’, instead get a helmet that’s made for the shape of your head. I’m riding with a size small so it’s pretty snug, as it should be. The inside feels nice and is made of a cotton terry cloth liner that is wicking. I’ll be able to test the sweat factor as we enter warmer days.
Style
The style is directly taken from the original Bell Moto-3 and it’s rad! I personally love the look especially if it’s paired with a vintage, custom or modern classic motorcycle.
In Action
The helmet lets in a significant amount of air through both the large opening and slotted chin vents. These vents are always open, so get ready for some fresh air straight to the face. However, one of my initial concerns was venting around the entire helmet. I’m coming from a Shoei RF-1100 which has a nice venting system to allow for good airflow throughout. So, it will be interesting to see how it performs and feels in hot weather.
Wind Factor
It’s quite noisy, but not overwhelming. Imagine you’re riding down the road and flip open your face shield. Pretty noisy, right? It’s similar to that, but a bit quieter. And you don’t get any whistling or extra noise because the outer shell is pretty smooth.
The visor on the peak of the helmet starts to lift as you reach higher speeds. However, you can easily remove it before your ride by pulling it off the built in snaps.
Goggles
You can wear the Moto-3 with or without goggles. I chose to pair my Moto-3 with some 100% Accuri goggles. These help protect your face from dirt, rocks, wind or debris and to my surprise they didn’t obstruct my peripheral vision.
Conclusion
Overall I’m excited to be riding with the Bell Moto-3 this season. I plan to do a follow up as a part 2, where I’ll be able to provide more insight into the pros and cons of the helmet. Ride on!