BELLBullitt Helmet (Gloss Black - Large)

I bought both the Torc T1 and this Bell Bullitt helmet to compare the shell size ultimately. I like the look of the Torc T1 better, honestly, and who cant argue that $199.99 is much better than $399.99. Torc T1 has some slight moulding at the top that I preferred, and you can close all the vents including those at the forehead if you are riding in cooler weather. It also came with a nicer carrying bag (who cares in the end), but it is embroidered and you can carry it like a small bookbag. Aside from most all of the other obviously stated features that both helmets listed... I could not determine the size of the overall helmet. For me, I am a small helmet size and I did't want to be carrying around the circumference and weight of a larger size helmets shell. I was also getting mixed messages about the weights on these helmets. The Bell offers 3 shell sizes. I received both in a day which is so awesome. I placed both retro helmets unwrapped on my level countertop and the Bell helmet shell is significantly smaller. Looks like over an inch shorter. I didn't even try the Torc T1 on... you can see other reviews about that fit. I knew I wouldn't be riding in cold weather... it is not a commuting option for me... and although I really love the look of the additional moulding on the top of the T1, it's not enough for me to carry Torc T1 extra surface on my shoulders while 75mph +/- winds try to lift my head off. My neck aches imagining it. Besides, Bells reputation has been great and I grew up with it.I have to point out - in my opinion - if my head was larger... maybe a medium... or XL... there is little doubt that this decision would have been in favor of Torc T1. The shell size would have most likely aligned better with my helmet size and all the other preferable features including the price would have made this a decision in favor of Torc.I took measurements in inches: Bottom Neck hole, Torc T1 31.5" vs Bell Bullitt ~30; @shield hinges front to back, Torc T1 35" vs Bell Bullitt 34"; @shield hinges top to bottom, Torc T1 34.25" vs. Bell Bullitt 33.5"; face opening width at eye level left to right, Torc T1 8.5" vs Bell Bullitt 8"; face opening height center, Torc T1 4.5" vs. Bell Bullitt ~5.Overall, I wish they both had more safety technology, but for the Bell Bullitt's price point... comparing my husband's Bell Qualifier DLX MIPS for $270ish, I'm definitely disappointed it doesn't have more safety tech.Also considering the Bell Bullitt price, I also would think that it could have a transitional sheild option like the Bell Qualifier DLX MIPS.The Bell Bullitt is tight on slightly and I hope that the leather and padding allows some give with some wear time.The Bell Bullitt pushes my hair down on the my forehead each time no matter my strategy. That's annoying.Lightweight for its retro style, but more weight than other full face helmets that are over $100 less... thinking of comparing my husbands Bell Qualifier DLX MIPS.

In my opinion, this helmet is really comfortable and has excellent field of view. I don't have any issues with the noise (coming from an open face helmet I don't notice a difference), it's light, and the fabric over the padding is really soft. It's a great full face helmet for people who don't want the style of most full face helmets. It's clean, simple, and old school looking without being old school unsafe. I hope I never get to experience its effectiveness in a crash, but as a cyclist as well, I trust Bell. I have zero problems with this helmet... and I am extremely picky. I bought this because I wanted more protection than a half or open-face helmet, but I didn't want something that looked completely out of place on a Vespa but would also translate well to a Harley Sportster or Moto Guzzi V7 in a few years (inb4 "why do you need a full face on a Vespa?" it's a 300 which I regularly ride between 40 and 60mph. The pavement won't care what kind of bike I flew off of if I'm involved in an accident).Yeah helmets are for safety and not just looks, but it's obvious that most motorcyclists wear helmets and gear that go with their bike. It's just the way it is. If that wasn't true, more people on cruisers would wear full face SHOEIs and more people on Japanese sports bikes would wear those WWII style half helmets with a bandana (I'm not saying I haven't seen it, but it's not common).As for size, I wore a large in my last two helmets but I'm a medium in this one. Make sure your helmet fits properly! Be safe out there.

So this is a pretty nice helmet. I wish (okay, no I don't) that I could tell you how it performs in a crash. But I don't know. I must admit to buying a little bit into the Bell name and am hoping that the Bullitt carries some of the science and technology of it's non-retro counterparts in the Bell line.So let's get in to what I do know, Pros and Cons Style.Pros- It looks cool. Yes, I know that helmets are first and foremost about safety and I'm not supposed to worry about whether or not I look cool. However, I'm 100% certain that a helmet is more effective if you wear it. And I am 100% certain this helmet is more effective than not wearing anything at all. Don't be ashamed because you want to look cool. If the reason you weren't wearing a full face helmet was because you didn't think it looked cool, and now you wear one because you think this looks dope, then you're safer because of it.- The aperture is nice and wide. You can take in more of the world while still retaining the safety of a full face helmet. Is it a 3/4 or half shell? Of course not. But it's nice and wide and you have great peripheral vision and the added bonus of not having your jaw ripped off if you land on your face.- Good airflow. it's relatively comfortable.- Easily changed face shield. If you're like me and you hate wearing sunglasses under a helmet, this is pretty ideal. And when the sun goes down, easily swapped back to clear.Cons- The fit...sort of...part I. It takes some getting used to. The first time I rode in it, I was a little disheartened because the band around the forehead wasn't overly comfortable, squeezing to the point where I got a headache. That has improved quite a bit with subsequent rides and as the padding on the inside has molded a bit more to my head, it's definitely more comfortable. The headaches are gone. But I wouldn't plan on a long tour your first ride out with it.- The fit, part II. It may be wide around the cheeks, as it was for me. The helmet comes with 25mm cheek pads in the large helmet. I got 35mm pads and noticed an immediate improvement.- The fit, part III. The helmet can get sort of pulled out of place at speed. Not significantly so, but enough to where it's a bit annoying. In town and going about 50-55mph, it's pretty good. Get to 75 and you start to notice the wind coming up under the helmet and pulling it up a bit. This was improved with the tighter cheek pads quite a bit. All that said, I wouldn't go on a ride I planned on being longer than 25 or 30 minutes without putting a windscreen on the cruiser I ride. If you're just in town or get up to 70-75 for 10 mins at a time, you're probably good.- The wind noise. It's not a quiet helmet. Then again, it's a retro helmet, so...you kinda gotta deal.All in all, I'm glad I have the helmet, most specifically because of the wide aperture and improved fit once I wore it a few times and got the replacement cheek pads. I would point out the Premier Trophy is an excellent helmet and I'll like get another, some day. As of now, I have one Bullitt, one Premier Trophy. I like them both.