Product review: Bell RS-1 helmet

Rod Chapman delivers the lowdown on Bell's midrange full-race road helmet, the RS-1

I’m a creature of habit and if I like something, and it gets the job done, I generally stick with it. I’ve owned the same car – a Holden VS Commodore – for eight years. Ditto for my bike, a Honda Hornet 900. For the last 13 years I’ve only worn Shoei helmets but just a couple of months ago a Bell RS-1, in ‘Emblem White’ graphics, came my way – and it’s now my everyday lid.

Put simply, it does everything I need it to do and it does it all well. It’s comfortable – a perfect fit for my ‘average’ (as in size 58) head, while the anti-microbial lining is soft and washable.

I’m thankful for that ‘anti-microbial’ liner. I don’t like the thought of microbes vying for real estate inside my helmet, not one bit…

It was a pretty firm fit from new but after half-a-dozen city commutes and wearing it on the recent KTM 1290 Super Duke R launch in Spain it was spot on.

It’s a mid-range lid, sitting between Bell’s up-market Star range and its budget-oriented Revolver Evo line-up, but don’t for a second equate ‘mid-range’ with ‘light on features’.

Based around a Kevlar/fibreglass composite shell, the RS-1 comes with everything you’d expect of a modern road helmet, plus a few things you wouldn’t. The former include a full ventilation system, a quick-release visor, and a padded chin strap with traditional ‘double D’ closure. The latter include a magnetic chin strap keeper (far better than the usual press-stud arrangement), a long five-year warranty, and the option of a ‘Transitions’ Photochromic visor ($179.95).

That last point has been a revelation. The visor remains perfectly clear in low light conditions, then progressively darkens with brighter light. The transition, pardon the pun, is imperceptible, and while the darkest tint (in full direct sunlight) is still a little lighter than tinted visors I’ve used in the past, any glare is drastically reduced and the benefit of never having to change visors, ever, can’t be overlooked. Never get caught out with a dark visor at night again…

If the budget doesn’t stretch to $180 for a Transitions visor, the standard (supplied) clear visor is backed up by a range of tinted ($59.95) and iridium ($99.95) shields, plus clear or tinted race shields ($69.95), the latter with posts for tear-offs.

The visor also has a NutraFog II anti-fog coating but I’ll have to wait until winter to test that feature. It’ll have to be pretty effective to top the Pinlock anti-fog system I’ve used on past helmets.

The visor can also be opened just a fraction to allow a little more air in – handy on hotter days for extra ventilation and in winter to further reduce any fogging caused by your breath when stationary (when stopped at a red light, for example).

The visor’s quick-release system is a beauty – it’s the fastest and easiest I’ve come across. No tools, just flick down the lever each side and the visor pops out. Putting it back on is just as easy – it’s a 10-second operation.

I don’t really need to change visors often because I’ve got the aforementioned Transitions shield, but I do still remove it every now and then for cleaning.

It’s these little touches that, for me, really set the RS-1 apart from most other mid-price offerings. Bell has been around for decades but, after a lengthy absence, it’s only recently returned to the Australian market. Its considerable experience shows in the RS-1, which is a classy, quality affair that in my opinion represents good value at $469.95.

I usually cover around 500km a week on my bike in all sorts of weather, and the bulk of the kays are conducted on 100km/h motorway. On the road the RS-1 immediately impressed with its lack of buffeting and noise. I can’t prove it, but I think there’s a good chance this is the quietest lid I’ve ever owned.

Peripheral vision is excellent and the ventilation system works well – the various tabs used to open and close the vents are all easy to use with gloves.

The RS-1’s overall fit and finish is right up there; it gives every impression of standing the test of time but we’ll have to wait and see. My RS-1 now gets used at least five days a week so any downfalls in this area should reveal themselves soon enough. I’ve been wearing it now for about two months.

In any case, that five-year warranty gives you an idea of the faith Bell places in its products.

The features are all there but I reckon Bell’s also nailed the look with a great range of styles. You can have any single solid colour as long as it’s black ($399.95, matte or gloss), plus any of a range of up-to-the-minute designs including Emblem ($469.95 in white, matte black or hi-vis yellow), Stellar ($469.95 in black/silver or red/black), Corsa Red ($469.95) or Roland Sands Design Flash Bronze ($499.95).

Each is available in a size range from XS to XXL.

If you’re hunting for a new lid at a sensible price, it’s hard to go past Bell’s RS-1.

Visit www.monzaimports.com.au for more information or to view the full Bell catalogue.

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Product review: Bell RS-1 helmet

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