I Need A Better Motorcycle Helmet

[@kadett75]

I own one. The real strength of the Bell Bullitt is the visibility. It has the best visibility of any full-face out there, you can see as well out of it as from at 3/4 open face helmet. Being able to see is also a life saver, safety is not just about crash rating, and as you said his Bell Bullitt did save his life.

[@manny75586]

It is hard to blame the helmet without knowing more. A hard enough impact in any helmet can leave you severely concussed. The more interesting question would be about the fit. If the helmet isn't snug it creates another vector for rotational torsion which is bad for concussion and spinal injuries. I see a few too many people who wear loose helmets, which are far less effective.

[@achillesoftheclearwater1658]

I have always had a half helmet but the more i watch you vids the more I realize that you can still be comfortable and still look cool in a full face helmet so I’m sending a huge thank to you from me, my wife and kids

[@wolfg.1867]

Pretty much the best rating you can get is ECE. SNELL is actually behind the curve and not as in depth as ECE in addition ECE better applies to street riding better.

[@THEREALBONZO]

Dan, I realize this is an old video, but for you and all your viewers. I was involved in a motorcycle wreck back in 98. I suffered a traumatic below the knee amputation in the wreck when a car pulled out in front of me. I was doing between 55 and 65 miles an hour. After impacting the car, I and the bike were deflected into a telephone pole. I was wearing an Arai quantum at the time. My head inside the helmet impacted the telephone pole at an unknown speed. The visor split upon impact, but I did not suffer any brain damage. My only head injury was a subconjunctival hemorrhage in one of my eyes. High end Arai's or Shoei's do cost huge money, but they do their job.

[@russellwalker3837]

i hope you all realize that people do get head injuries and/or die in all brands of helmets. don't be naive in thinking that a snell rating sticker will eliminate this fact. there are to many factors involved in an motorcycle accident. racers get head injuries and/or die quite often in the best head gear money can buy. just the fact that you wear a helmet increases your odds greatly. but do what ever makes you comfortable. it's your head.

[@DeyonSingh]

totally agree with this comment, no helmet will be the best 10 out of 10 when they are hundreds if not thousands of variables when getting in to an accident.

[@gabrieljosue2451]

Good video but remember something. SNELL doesn’t mean that the helmet is safer. Its just a different type of measurement. ECE is considered safer in many cases becase this helmets generally put less stess on your neck than SNELL rated ones.

[@mrvwbug4423]

I use the HJC IS-17. Probably the best helmet under $200 out there. Has a 5/5 SHARP rating, only reason it doesn't have SNELL is because of the drop down visor (the CL-17 which is basically the same helmet with no drop down visor is SNELL rated). It fits me spot on, is surprisingly lightweight, vents decently, no fogging at all with the pinlock installed. Only real complaint is it is a bit loud, but a pair of earplugs fixes that. The crash testimonials on RevZilla seem to indicate that it performs extremely well. It is also available in several graphic jobs that have a lot of hi-viz on them. I believe you can get graphic jobs with hi-viz yellow, green and orange. I got mine in a graphic with a lot of hi-viz green (which matches my Kawasaki nicely).

[@charlieryan1736]

I had a Simpson but I felt like I couldn’t see as good and made me anxious ...so I only could ride a half or three quarter helmet for the past 5 years . I finally got the Bell that you currently have & I love it 👍🏻I feel I have the visibility of a half but the protection of a full. I know it’s not the safest but I thought I never would be able to ride in a full face ever. Thanks for another informative video

[@AndrewCaptainCharlie]

One important requirement for your next helmet should be an emergency cheek pad removal system. It will allow emt's to remove your helmet with far less strain and reduce the possibility of any additional spinal injury while removing the helmet after a crash. I had a bell qualifier dlx and moved away from it to a shoei rf-1200 and it is a great helmet. I highly recommend it.

[@DJMotoVlogs]

Dont get a Bell Vortex, It is super loud and very very heavy. I have a Shoei RF-1200 now and it is SO much lighter, quieter and cuts through the air like butter.

[@GreatEgret]

DJ MotoVlogs I second the Shoei

[@timothy9596]

I own the RF-1200 and a GT-Air. Although you can't go wrong with either, if I could only keep one I wouldn't hesitate to keep the RF-1200. As DJ stated it's lighter, quieter and very aerodynamic. Part of the reason it's lighter is not just the materials, but that they have four different shell sizes.

[@scottyg9167]

Super happy with my RF-1200. Sleek and quiet and pretty light. And cool-looking. All the best for Matt!

[@diegotejeda80596]

I have a bell vortex, and yes it’s loud, but if you’re going to be riding often you should be wearing ear plugs anyway. So it’s really not too bad.

[@Lowlander119]

Shoei RF1200 saved my life, good solid helmet but Bell makes better ones too

[@himydad1499]

What is going to save your live is your attitude on the road. The helmet maybe a compromise but the visibility it offers can also add to defensive riding.

[@berniemitchell9440]

Hopefully your friend continues with his recovery Dan. I used to work in an emergency room of a large hospital here in Brisbane Australia if I could give anyone some advice save the money on bike mods and buy decent gear helmet jacket pants all with armour ridding boots . Stay safe and stay alert guys.

[@hvymtal8566]

Wall of text inbound. EIDT: Thesis inbound According to RyanF9, anything more than a 3/5 from SHARP will only really help you out in specific situations with specific types of impact and specific energies. However, if you are adamant on a 4/5 or 5/5, be warned that retro style is going out the window (the Nexx XG100 and XG100R may be an exception, SHARP has yet to rate it but it looks pretty beefy). I would also advise against looking at the stickers and SHARP as the whole story, if it's been on the market for a couple years look for crash testimonials. The HJC RPHA-11 doesn't have a Snell sticker and it's only a 3/5 from sharp, but it's been good enough for Jorge Lorenzo, Ricky Cardus, Aaron Yates, and Larry Pegram. Sure, racetrack crashes are very different to road crashes, but it's something to think about, and while the crash reports I've seen of it are limited, I have yet to see one where I can conclusively state that the RPHA-11 was the issue (that said I'd heavily advise against it for cruisers; its a sport helmet through and through). It's also worth considering that the Bell bullet is a well-built helmet but that it's real safety is likely more to do with retro styling than materials and construction. it's also important to remember that your friend was dealing with very high energies in his accident, and that some of his head-related injuries could have been exacerbated by his relative lack of gear to other parts of his body and the brain having to deal with 6 billion little crises at once If you are adamant about Snell and Sharp 4/5+, I do have a few recommendations -Shoei RF-SR. It's the pseudo-replacement for the Qwest (which I'd also recommend if you can still find one) which means it should be well-suited to upright bikes and being a Shoei it's ECE and Snell, and Shoei doesn't have a single current helmet less than 4/5 other than the ancient GT-Air. It also won't break the bank, either. I'd recommend the Qwest even more highly if you can still find one -Arai DT-X. While aria has had some issues with side impact in the past, the latest generation of their lids are all top-notch an of course achieve that magical TARDIS bigger on the inside thing everyone strives for, and while I'm simply not sure if it has been rated since Arai insists on totally different nomenclature between EU and NA, most of their newer stuff has done quite well. Being Arai, it's also ECE and Snell. Go for the Signet or Quantum if you have an abnormal head shape, but be prepared to shell out the cash -Bell Star. I can personally recommend this one. It's more upright than the race star which should be more suitable for upright bikes (though the race-lid styling might look out of place on a crusier). DOT and Snell for the NA model and I highly doubt they make a separate one for the EU so I'm comfortable saying it has an unlisted ECE rating as well. If you can still find one, they are going for a song and the MIPS is even safer thanks to that fancy slip-line, which has pretty aggressive holes in it so it still ventilates well. I've never had even slightly damp hair with it, though I can't attest to the MIPS specifically. Downsides: it's a bit tight around the ears (reportedly fixed with the MIPS), it is loud enough that you want earplugs (unless you have a shuberth or a qwest, why wouldn't you?), and you WILL lose that little bit that plugs the mouth vent holes on the first ride and for some reason Bell doesn't sell more of them; keep it in a tin and put it in when the weather gets colder. Also the chin curtain doesn't work quite as well as you'd like, if it's properly chilly a turtleneck won't be enough. It also doesn't have a locking visor but it snaps down pretty firmly and has a big-ol bit hanging down over the chinbar to keep it on so that might not be a real issue and it did get 5/5. if there's one thing I've learned about Bell over the years, they don't screw around with the Star, it's as much their heritage as the custom 500 -HJC IS-17. Apart from the monumentally retarded internal sun visor (weak tint, spring retraction, having to hold the button to deploy it all the way, etc), the IS-17 is probably the safest lid you can buy under $200. It won't have a Snell sticker but that's really only because of the useless sun visor you should never bother with anyways, it's still 5/5 from sharp and to put it one particular way, if I were a motorbike paramedic and modular wasn't a requirement, it'd be my first choice of lid: inexpensive, vents pretty well, positive visor lock, and very safe (for the record the RPHA-Max would be my choice if I was forced modular -Anything from Shark. Say what you will about les francais, they build damn good helmets. The Evoline 3 might just be by design the safest modular in the world, and while they don't "do" snell, again that doesn't tell the whole story. Shark seems to have won over Lorenzo and Visordown gave it high marks while criticizing supposedly objective ratings at the same time LOL, one of the guys from Fast Bikes got a pretty gnarly tank slapper while wearing one on a CBR1000 and has preferred Shark by repeated personal experience (ah, fast bikes, never change), and another British mag called Motorcycle Sport and Leisure also had a rough crash in one. Fairly conclusive evidence that Snell isn't everything, then. And most of their other helmets much more suited to cruisers also receive high marks. I also have a friend who had a rough accident while wearing a Speed-R and while the helmet was trashed his noggin was one of the lesser-injured body parts of his. -Simpson Ghost Bandit and Street Bandit. Anything other than the ghost bandit can be fairly classified as barebones old-school helmets (and as far as features go, not in the good way), but when your comfort zone is drag racing it's hard to criticize them for safety. to put it another way, they're inexpensive because they're all protection and no frills, and I mean NO frills. While the ghost bandit won't earn a Snell sticker because of its internal sun visor, but then again the stickers aren't the whole story (repeat after me), the street bandit does, and actually having forehead vents makes it slightly more suitable for road motorcycling, but it's a drag helmet and it will vent like an original bell star, so I'd reiterate my recommendation of the Ghost Bandit (which also has locking quick-change visor in place of the snaps and screws). They're also not SHARP rated but considering how much NHRA guys crash, that probably doesn't matter. Then again, if they keep going back to drag racing again and again they _surely must_ have severe brain damage, so maybe it does lol XD. Also, the Ghost Bandit has two awesome American flag graphics -Higher-end AGV stuff like the Corsa is quite possibly the safest in the world, but then again, you're not looking for a race helmet. The X3000 might be good, but it might just be another Bell Bullitt. -While some of Scorpion's stuff is in SHARP, none of it seems to match up to NA helmet names, and they make good helmets for the price point but aren't renowned as the last word in safety, so.... -I wouldn't go near Biltwell's full faces with a ten foot pole. Cheaps out on safety and it shows. The Bonanza is alright, but you're not looking for a 3/4 and the Bell 500 is better than the Bonanza anyways and you'd be mad or a brain-bucket-wearer to call the 500 expensive -Not sure about Nexx, though I've heard good things about the XG100, which looks more like an 80s lid than a 70s lid and as far as safety goes (especially with the chinbar), that is a VERY good thing. They are ECE rated and none of their stuff is less then 3/5 on SHARP, if that gives you a bit of comfort, and it is a much safer design than the Bullitt -The Icon Airframe was a 4/5. They haven't rated the Pro but I suspect it will be similar. No Snell sticker but repeat after me: Snell is not everything. Their visor locking mechanism sucks ass, but on the flip side they also rock those Murican graphics. I've had the misfortune of actually witnessing a track day crash for someone wearing one. Plowed straight into a hard wall head-first at at least 50mph after a short tumble through some sand. He had a concussion but it was not severe by any means with no hemorrhaging according to the paramedic and the lid took most of the impact. It is very much a sport lid, though so it's not gonna be great for a Harley unless you go back to café. The other Icon lids are crap and you should avoid them. -Not solid on Schuberth. They're quiet, but they usually aren't Snell and they seem to put more emphasis on comms compatibility and sound deadening than safety having strangely gotten lower SHARP ratings as they have evolved, plus they are EXPENSIVE; You can get a Shoei Qwest which is a fraction of the price, as quiet if not more so, and much safer. I'd be wary. As far as colors go, for the love of god don't do black, especially matte black. White at the very least, hi-viz orange or yellow if you have the humility, and if you want graphics, look for bright colors or high contrast colors and patterns. If you are okay with it, stick a strip of 3M scotchlite on the back of your lid (your battery is a perfect spot if you use a sena 10R or SMH10R. It's also likely the same stuff on your turnouts, to give you an idea of how eye-searingly bright that stuff is). Other than black, they make the thin stuff in enough colors that you should find one that roughly matches, and being on the back of the lid it won't come unstuck. My 200 cents for ya. As always, it's your noggin and never let anyone else tell you what to do with it. Except to wear a lid. Let people tell you that. Kind of important. Short version: Snell isn't everything and Sharp isn't perfect. My best recommendations are Shoei RF-SR, Arai DT-X

[@mrvwbug4423]

I have the IS-17 myself, it is a bit loud (I wear earplugs anyway making this a moot point), and the visor could use a deeper tint (I believe HJC sells a darker drop down visor), but I can't think of a better helmet for less than $200. I also got mine in a graphic scheme that has a lot of hi-viz green (even matches my bike, yay Kawasaki)

[@hvymtal8566]

You should be wearing earplugs unless you have a particularly quiet helmet. If I had one myself I'd just go with a tinted main visor with a clear one in a visor bag and not even bother with the drop-down one. The only helmet I can think of that matches or beats the quality of its low price point as much as the IS-17 is the Bell Qualifier, and that's a whole magnitude of price down market; says a lot about the quality of the IS-17 and of HJC in general

[@blipco5]

+mrvwbug44 ....I have the IS 17 as well. A lot of the extra noise is coming in through the long slot that has the inside shield lever. When the riding season starts in a few months I'm going to experiment closing up that slot. Next time you're out riding on the highway, reach up and hold your hand over that slot and the helmet will get quieter. They do sell a darker inside shield for it.

[@belarmoto4337]

Bell bullit is safe. I got hit in the back by motorcycle and the impact was strong pretty sure the bell help me and I got little dizzy and after that I was okay.

[@chadmock5883]

I have the Bell Bullitt. I use it regularly ..I have a Schuberth C4 I use for touring/long rides. I ride a Heritage softail and a Bonneville T120. I typically use the bullitt on my Harley and the Shuberth on my Bonneville. Food for thought for sure. Im one of the only few who wear a helmet at all in my group. I stand by my decision to do so and this proves they do work. One way or the other. Ride safe.

[@SpyderTom1]

I own a Bullet Carbon and love it. I have seen a lot of things happen to people wearing top of the line helmet. I think it saved his life, its a great helmet. Send me yours I'll take it all day long. I hope your friend got better fast, keep the shiny side up.

[@jasonbratley9924]

Had a crash whilst i was wearing my Bell Bullet. 5 hours after i bought it. It was my first full face helmet.

[@mr.toasty9740]

Jason Bratley how was it? Did the helmet work well? Would you buy it again?

[@jasonbratley9924]

I was sat in traffic when a fella in a car just drove into the back of me. The impact knocked me off my scooter (a piaggio MP3, not a small scooter) and I hit the floor face down and bounced over onto my back. Two major impacts to the helmet, the first on the chinguard and the second to the back of my head. Emergency services stated that the helmet saved my life, and taking that on board when I came to buy a new helmet a few months later, I bought another Bell Bullet.

[@jasonbratley9924]

I must however add that I am looking for another helmet these days. I love the Bullet and it's looks, but with no pinlock option it is not suitable due to a LOT of fogging.

[@LeungKenP]

You get what you pay for. It's why Shoei, Arai, AGV, etc cost more; because of going through the additional certifications. That said, there's no guarantee that a better helmet will prevent a TBI. In all likelihood it may reduce the severity, but not by much.

[@joeb84]

Its a great helmet and personally know 3 people who have had accidents in this helmet and it done its job.

[@KyleP133]

There's only so much room for deceleration of your head in the padding of the helmet, because thats really all it does. It absorbs impact. An impact with a large, flat immovable object is basically a worst case scenario. It's an instant deceleration for the brain over about 1 inch of padding. There's only so much you can do with that. A larger helmet would perhaps have helped. Notice in the SHARP ratings, the Bell got 5/5 on a frontal impact. There's probably not a better helmet for an impact like that. I will say this, I feel like the best thing you can do for helmet safety is HIGH VISIBILITY. WHITE or YELLOW. I think Shoei has "brilliant yellow" as an option for some of their helmets that looks effective. But even white is pretty obvious. Unfortunately from what I can tell, solid colors are more visible and that graphics and patterns, so the best way to be safe is to ahve a plain, boring, solid, bright colored helmet. Red is no good. Green is no good. Black and silver are worse. That leaves white, orange, and yellow. I wear a Scorpion Exo 410. 4/5 SHARP, Snell rated, high viz yellow. Dorky as hell. But it's comfortable and it's cheap and it's safe. I would not stress a whole lot over Snell vs ECE vs DOT beyond that Snell and ECE mean the helmet maker is going the extra mile to make it safer. But after reading up on it all, they're just different standards that essentially measure the same things with slightly different methodologies. I like the SHARP system a LOT, though.

[@mburns4551]

This video is extremely helpful. Thanks so much. I wish him a speedy recovery

[@andrewcohee1699]

Just bought a bell pro star. I ride a Harley road king. I DO NOT NEED The level of safety this helmet provides. But I refuse to take a risk with my noggin. So shell out the money people it’ll help ensure that you’ll be less injured in the even of a crash. Not saying buy a pro star. But get something safe. Love the videos man! you’re the best!

[@ryd-er-die6697]

I have a shoei 3/4 with a full face shield and this vid has me thinking about upgrading to a full face helmet...hope matt is doing better... thanks for making this vid

[@redicanprime1181]

I just bought a Shoei RF1200. Best investment ever. Thanks for posting this video. Your the man, Fireman.

[@christianries5905]

Serious protection can only come from full-face helmets - I went with the AGV Sportmodular and I'm as happy as I can be. Lightweight (all carbon), quite reasonable wind noise and very stable with no buffeting at higher speeds.

[@omarbernal2408]

So the torc 1, bell bullit, gringo helmets are just for the retro look. Bell bullit are most expendive yet cool looking helmet.

[@bloodymarvelous4790]

I have 4 helmets (at the moment, more may be coming). My ride is a 2018 Harley-Davidson Road King Special in Industrial Gray Denim. HJC FG-70 / X-Wing Rebel FIghter (IS-5 in the US). Pros: Cool graphics, ECE rated (DOT in the US), yellow sun visor, gets a lot of nice responses from people, double D-ring closure. Cons: 3/4 helmet (no chinbar), expensive (for a 3/4 helmet), not very comfortable, loud/noisy, won't fit the Cardo Packtalk Slim. Shoei Neotec II / Excursion TC-5. Fitted with pinlock and Sena SRL-1. Pros: Modular, ECE/DOT rated, pinlock, dark drop down sunvisor, good visor detents, good faceshield detents, P/J homologated, accommodates full comms integration (Sena SRL-1 only). Cons: Heavy, expensive, won't fit other comm systems, ratchet closure system (not a fan), fairly loose fit / moves when turning your head at speed, a little stuffy due to lack of brow vent. Shoei X-Spirit III / Gloss black (X-Fourteen in the US). Fitted with pinlock, CWR-F clear or dark smoke visor, Cardo Packtalk Slim. Pros: Stylish racing helmet, ECE/SNELL rated (DOT/SNELL in the US), pinlock, light weight, vents really well, keeps water out even when vents are open, stable at speed, snug, double D-ring closure. Cons: Pricey, looks intimidating/aggressive with the dark smoke visor, no built-in sun visor. Arai RX-7V / 2018 Isle of Man TT (Corsair-X in the US). Fitted with pinlock and VAS-V clear or dark smoke visor. Pros: Gorgeous racing helmet, ECE/SNELL rated (DOT/SNELL in the US), vents really well, very stable at speed, snug, double D-Ring closure, great FOV. Cons: Very expensive, rain will enter helmet when vents are open, no built-in sun visor, won't fit the Cardo Packtalk Slim, I get mocked for wearing a racing helmet on a Harley. Thinking about buying the HJC IS-17 / Deadpool (discontinued) and the Shoei NXR / Ruts TC-1 (discontinued, RF-1200 in the US) because of the graphics. Gotta make my mind up quickly though since both are rapidly becoming hard to find.

[@Shaiy007]

I have a Bell Star hi viz yellow. The new Bell Star has the MIPS system, is well vented, very quiet, has panovision so much more viewer angle and is stupid easy to change, and more importantly - it is SNELL rated and has a 5 star on the SHARP website. The only thing that I can think of that is a con is the weight. It comes in at 4 lbs but that's not a big deal for me. The other con is that the shield is not cheap. They are priced between $59 and $80,which is rediculous. You can also purchase a Transitions shield so that the tint adjusts to the amount of sunlight there is for about $130.

[@Strawberry80x]

I have a Bell M5X 5 star rated .. snell & sharp are pretty much the same... once I reseached Helmets Bell consistently came out top with the most 5 star rated lids. Il love Bell for that have since done work with them they have total dedication to producing the safest helmet at no expense........

[@plinkbottle]

It has good visibility. If the riding position is fairly upright a person needs to be able to look down at the instruments, just for a glance without a neck stretch

[@honestkris1]

Thanks for posting this. I love the visibility of my Bell...Hard to give up...But this video is motivating me to re-think my decision and go get a Snell approved helmet. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

[@FireTheFaith95]

What's your opinion on the Bell Eliminator in this regard? The chin guard is much bigger.

[@dogsnmotorcycles]

I saw the FortNine video too, so I've been researching a new lid. Almost 3 years on mine, but a lot of heat and sweat in Phoenix riding. I've kept it clean, but I'm leaning towards hi-vis yellow, since white blends in with so many white cars. Good video and lots of awesome comments.

[@kevinankin]

I personally own a Shoei X-14 because of it's SHARP 5 star rating. It's SNELL rated as well, but the SHARP rating was the selling point. It's also extremely comfortable. It's design isn't for cruising as you won't get much airflow that way, so that might deter you. Check out the Arai Defiant Pro Cruise. If I rode a cruiser, that would be my helmet of choice. I wish Matt a speedy recovery.

[@jamesthomas1244]

Whatever you choose, I suggest going hi-viz yellow. I have one and notice more and more riders with them here in northern California. My sense is that not only are they one of the most affective safety additions, but are actually beginning to be seen as cool.

[@joelwitherspoon930]

JamesThomas Agreed. I have hi viz visor and sunglasses and they are worth it

[@hvymtal8566]

If you have a bit too much vanity for hi-viz, white is a good alternative, as are brightly-colored graphics or high-contrast graphics. Just... don't go black. Please don't

[@dogsnmotorcycles]

My helmet is white, but in AZ it seems that most vehicles are white, so I'm looking into going hi-vis since it stands out better, at least to me.

[@dogsnmotorcycles]

I have a white helmet, but I agree that hi-vis yellow stands out better, especially in the sea of white cars and truck in AZ. I think hi-vis is cool, but safe is cool to me.

[@jamesthomas1244]

Yes, safe is cool. We may think other bikers will laugh at us for wearing hi-viz helmets, but when they see you coming from down the road they intrinsically realize that you are far more likely to be seen and not hit -- than they are. That's not a laughing matter, and they know it. Mark my word, you are going to see more and more of them -- and more helmet manufacturers are making them as they recognize that riders are wising up and wanting them. Safe is cool.

[@kruzader]

What is the date stamped inside the helmet?

[@smrtrbl86]

For me the issue is the mouth/chin guard area. My cruiser speedo is on the tank and a larger chin guard makes me have to look way too far down to see it. But I still want a good helmet

[@joedavis6377]

Thank you Dan for your thoughts. Hope Matt is improving. I'm going to watch your other vids, as I'm getting ready to ride again.

[@lukerichey1397]

Thanks man. This one had an impact. Speedy recovery to Matt. I'm going full for a bit. Cheers.

[@kidretro3578]

The Bell Star is a beautiful helmet that has a pretty decent price. 5/5 from SHARP and what I currently ride with (Standard Edition). Pretty nice, and apparently the next tier, the Race Star, is supposedly one of the safest helmets out there with a three layered impact foam system. Ryan from FortNine even mentioned it in his 'Best Full Face Helmets' video so it's gotta be something worth looking into. Hope Matt has a speedy recovery.

[@4-n52]

Sorry about your friend. Sounds like he actually got lucky. Thanks to Blockhead and a couple of beers I went from a Shoei RF-1200 to a Shoei RF-SR. Why the switch? I ride a cruiser and noticed a huge difference in sound and wind battering when I tilted my head down since it was optimized for sport bike position. I figured if I could get that same effect with my head up it would be worth it. The RF-SR is designed for upright position and that's exactly what I got. It's also a $100 cheaper. What I didn't expect is the visibility is also better for an upright position. I don't know if the helmet would have made any difference but the RF-SR is Snell rated, extremely quiet and comfortable and a fantastic option for a cruiser or any other bike with an upright riding position. But at the end of the day the helmet with the best fit within your budget is the best option.

[@4-n52]

Holy crap. I didn't realize it was only a 35mph crash. That's a lot of helmet damage for 35mph but it really depends on how you land. Saw a video of a guy that broke a bunch of ribs going around a corner on a Grom at 15mph. He just got unlucky and landed badly. I know this video probably wasn't easy for you but appreciate you sharing so we can all become better and more prepared riders.

[@Ironandflannel]

So, new to motorcycling in my later years, 45. Love your vids, very informative. What helmet did you end up with? Can’t find a follow up video. Hope all worked along with your friend

[@patmanwainwright3423]

Look at the Bell Qualifier DLX it also has MIPS and a transition lens google mips tech it to help with what your talking about and i hope he gets better soon

[@BRUISER1]

Pull all the internal lining out and see if there are any signs of damage. Maybe the Bell actually did better than first thought

[@SilverShadow2LWB]

As a trauma surgeon, I don't understand how you can say that if the rider hadn't had the full face helmet with the mandibular protection, that he would have had some trachea injury (5:25)? How are they related?

[@marcoaguiar3226]

Yep you definitely need the new shoei glamster or even better value the hjc v90.

[@johnjacob688]

I picked up a Bell Bullitt in carbon fiber last spring mainly for it awesome visibility. Ended up not using it after only a few months. Its super uncomfortable, after an hour I was getting nasty headaches from the pressure points on the forehead and the wind noise was annoying anywhere over 25mph. Its pretty much over priced junk. I ended up buying an HJC DS-X1 mid season for the meantime and might end up getting an Arai XD-4 this spring.

[@Strthwg26]

thx man, was gonna buy a jet helmet for my daughter but decided for full face. Now with this video I feel this is not being overprotective.

[@koongfu00]

If you look at SHARP results, the parts of the helmet with impacts have the best califications, this helmet has 3 stars because at the sides doesn’t have the best calification.

[@randytovarful]

What camera and editor are you using? Your video is super clear.

[@mionggg]

Late to comment, but did you find out what actually happened to his upper lip? I notice the Bell Bullitt's chin bar does sit close to your face.

[@aislingweber4240]

I have a bell vortex it’s amazing. I did have a hcj before so it’s a upgrade for me

[@sharky8834]

What do you think about the sedicci primo carbon fiber?.. check it out..i Just crashed wearing it..i fractured my spine in two places done road rash on my knee strained shoulder and allot of pain on my chest and all around my torso...i was also diagnost with vertigo..i hit my head but I'm thinking it was more of a hit and scrape.. either way.. glad i was wearing n it..im still healing from my back and shoulder...its been 7 weeks.. my iron is getting fixed.

[@cafenightster4548]

Every 3 yrs i get a helmet and spend a minimum of $200. I have had two hjc's and they were a little loud, but they were rated. I held a bell Vortex and compared to others they are heavy.

[@tgmotoman1]

BUy a helmet that is for protection and not for looks. The bullet has always reminded me of the retro thing gone to far. I wear a Bell helmet, a Qualifier DLX, but it is a bit too short in the from chin area for me also. The MIPS helmets look to be good. I have been looking at the Scorpion EXO-AT950. Good luck in your search.

[@hollowaysteve]

It’s not a ‘bad’ helmet but clearly it’s a bit of a fashion statement. It’s for town work really. For cruising around and looking good. I wouldn’t wear one for the the quick countryside riding that I do. That being said however, a bad accident can still happen at slow speed in built up areas and one could still receive a serious injury in what could be perceived as a ‘safer’ helmet. The Bullet is built to a particular safety standard but it’s ‘not’ built to the same protective standards as a top line Arab/Shoei/AGV etc of the type used in racing. But ‘again’ that being said one can still gain bad injuries in one of those top line racing style helmets. It all depends on the circumstance of the accident. Hitting an immovable object at 35mph in ‘any’ helmet is going to do a head some damage. Once one starts getting into higher speeds the head damage shall increase regardless of the helmet type. Personally I’d want one with a deeper chin bar than the Bullet but you pay you money and take your choice. Any helmet is better than no helmet but you have to decide wether you want more hipster or more safety. There is no incorrect answer. It’s your life do do with as you wish. (Just don’t hurt anyone whilst doing it 😉)

[@LCFTW93]

You mentioned the chinguard a few times; with that said, what are your thoughts on modular helmets? Where the chin lifts up (I'm talking about riding with it in a full face position, but the hinge being a point of failure)

[@Smacr24]

I have a shoei RYD & a GT Air I can't recommend both enough. The GT Air has slight advantage

[@hellifasreaction4185]

Simon-Biker30 RYD called the RF-SR in the states 🤘

[@anthonytreetrunk]

This video showed up the day after I got my bell bullit!

[@kfrench5760]

How do you like it? Looking to buy one for my bagger

[@anthonytreetrunk]

@@kfrench5760 I really like it for in town, however on the freeway it has loud wind sounds. Also, it doesn't slide into my head as well as my other helmets, I gotta do a bit of wiggling to get it on and I think it's been broken In at this point

[@jerichojensen1506]

OMG me too!

[@forrestculver7301]

I would love a cool looking helmet", but it seems difficult to find something cool and super safe. I ended up getting a Bell Vortex Marker. 2010 SNELL rating for a super good price. Looks pretty nice too without being over the top like a lot of high end helmets.

[@TheDucatiPilot]

HJC RHPA 11 Pro

[@emiliodiaz3927]

any information on the accident ?

[@SpudsMcHaggis]

Helmet manufacturers actually have to pay to get a helmet rated and that cost gets passed down to the consumer. Now since they make helmets to cover all budgets not all helmets will actually get put up for SNELL testing in fact, it is a very small percentage of the market that does however, that does not mean that all helmets that do not have a SNELL rating will be worse then ones that do. What it does mean is that you can guarantee the minimum level of safety that a helmet with a SNELL rating will offer.

[@caseyroskwitalski4647]

Great video Dan

[@chrisreynolds3204]

If you're on a racetrack, you need Snell. Ultra high speed requires additional protection.

[@IO-tr3vr]

Did Bell manufacture helmet of Bell bulletproof?

[@edwardweiszbeck1649]

Good review and passionate points

[@matthewarcher45]

I watched this video and got a Bell Star instead of my cheapo from Walmart.

[@hvymtal8566]

That's a bit of a big step up from a cheapo. Money does not equal safety and is safety was your #1 priority then did you really have to spend $500? I can think of a bunch of sub-$300 helmets that are perfectly suitable for most riding conditions and get 5/5 from sharp, and a huge pile more that get 4/5, too, including from some pretty sweet brand stickers... Don't get me wrong, I have a bell star and love it, but if you were going to cheap out then price was obviously a concern and $500 is a lot to drop on a lid

[@dankkiwi1919]

I love the look of Simpson helmets but the fit was way too round for me also the wind noise is unbearable. I've owned 4 helmets and only one really fits super well because instead of getting it from online I actually went into a store and had someone with knowledge and experience fitting helmets. The woman who fit my helmet told me that because my simpson is too round theres dead space that in a crash could cause what you mention. I know use a Shoei RF 1200 and I love it.

[@runerider6842]

Schubert’s C3 best helmet I’ve ever had and its modular. Check it out

[@808Affliction]

Arai or shoei all the way!!! No brainer SERIOUSLY!

[@jordanw2944]

I like how you can just talk to yourself with a helmet on and no one knows.

[@MrBlack1272]

Yeah! I have flew blown rants! LOL

[@charlesmanson3625]

Haha totally

[@liamjay6181]

Bro, what kind of gloves are you wearing? Btw, I love your channel. Always giving good vids.

[@cecimigr20]

Great video and very real..!

[@jamesgaudreau8315]

Quick tip - first time here, no idea who matt is or the details of his crash so a quick recap at the beginning of the video would have been nice. Thanks for the video though!

[@crashdrumschool1]

Hey Dan, thank you for the video. Do you know if the Bell Vortex is the same as the Qualifier?

[@joeglenn7323]

Bell makes a helmet with MIPS. Look it up.

[@mrvwbug4423]

I want to like the Bell Star line, bu they don't fit my head very well :(

[@joeglenn7323]

My first and only helmet is a Bell Qualifier DLX. I had no experience with motorcycles prior to the purchase. I bought it prior to taking the MSF basic course. I didn't want to spend a bunch of money because I wasn't sure that I'd enjoy riding. I went with what felt comfortable and price. I didn't want the cheapest. I think it was about $250. Later I realized that the Transitions shield is about $125 o I'm riding around with a $125 helmet with a $125 shield. U'm in the market for something better ... meaning more safety oriented. MIPS alone is not enough. The way I look at it my head is the most important thing to protect while riding. I am willing to spend big bucks to get the right helmet.

[@PhinAI]

Thank you, for the links!

[@Strawberry80x]

Review the Helite jackets...

[@tw25rw]

How do modular helmets compare with full face?

[@East_Coast_Ghost86]

I'm a new rider....so new in fact, I haven't even ridden my bike yet. I am in the process of fixing up a 1988 Honda Hawk GT 650... I was looking at helmets and stuff, and trying to fit my budget. I found the Scorpion Exo T1200....it is within my budget, seems to be made from better material than standard polycarbonate, has cheek pad removal, etc..... Anyone have advice? Thanks in advance

[@kruzader]

For sure go for a full face helmet. People on here are throwing brands and prices, but we all have different head shapes and size. So 1st find yours to make sure it fits. Once you found your size, visit local stores and try it on....they can also help you determine what your head size and shape is. Alright now that all that is out of the way, keep one thing in mind. A helmet's life is a bout 3 to 5 years. Really depends on where you store it and how you take care of it. So a helmet that costs 900 bucks but is old really is no different than a 50 dollar. To determine the age of the helmet look inside. All helmets have a tag with the date. Finally you want a helmet with good rating, DOT Snell all that... reality is that DOT is not tested, it is just a standard set of rules that manufacturers need to meet. Snell in the other hand, takes the helmet and gives it a beating in several ways. I Hope you fix your Honda soon and begin riding. Ride safe. Save up about 600 - 1000 for decent gear. Gloves, Boots, Jacket w/ armor, and ofcourse the helmet.

[@JWLLMZ]

What helmet did you end up getting?

[@robant7899]

I remember reading a few years back about the fallacies of the Snell rating. How some aspects of it could actually hurt you more in a road going accident. Much different than a MOTO GP controlled race track. Is that still a valid argument?

[@leemacdonald6533]

This DOT standard is so low you might as Well wear a mountain bike helmet.

[@MarioLoco03]

Shoei RF1200. All day, my friend. Cost just as much as this Bullit

[@chrisdly3835]

Damn. I've got the Bell Bullitt also... I'm really not sure if I shouldn't buy a new one because that really doesn't sound good.

[@egary1974]

Ride safe

[@zayddabo7172]

Ruby helmet guanteed safe not just about the looks its all about safety

[@hellifasreaction4185]

Hey Dan. First time posting long time subscriber. All my positive energy and prayers for Matt and his family. I’ve been riding a little longer then you and have had 5 accidents (none at fault mostly by people on their phone and had 2 hit an runs). First helmet I purchased was Bilt (cheap cycle gear helmet) next HJC, then Bell, then Icon, and finally landed on Shoei. Out of all the accidents I had and research I’ve done I won’t ride with anything except a Shoei. To his their own but the Shoei is the highest rated helmets in my opinion. The most comfortable, quiet, and versatile helmet I’ve had. I love the build quality and integrity in the helmet/company. Little known fact Shoei offers a 5 year warranty on any defects and will test your helmet if you believe it to be in an unsafe condition (most people send after an accident) you can send it to the factory and they will put it through their tests to confirm or not if the helmet has been compromised in any way. As a previous first responder as well I appreciate the awareness you are bringing to your viewers attention. Stay safe. Throttle daily.

[@BroodingOrange]

Dan make sure they get an A on the science project. And have fun too haha.

[@isaachuerta]

Did your buddy film the accident with his helmet?. how did the accident occur?, was the accident in your opinion preventable?.

[@leootp22]

Just had a motorcyclist in the area die when this happened a few days ago. 16 yr old driving a F-250 turned a left in front of him. I'm glad your friend is ok. Be safe out there folks.

[@TheLibr4rian]

I love Bullit look, but I will buy Shoei. There is nothing more valuable than health & safety.

[@kilx81]

So I was randomly clicking around KZbin today and suddenly I got inspired to do a determined search.... Quick release vs double-D's..... Nothing. I am diehard double-D. Well started out riding with quick release. Then I got one with double-D.... Pretty annoying from the start. but I got used to it and then it became second nature. The reason I became diehard double-D is it never unlocks unintentionally. Any quick release I have had has done that from time to time. Also I've seen quite a few helmets pop off in accident videos I've seen. You should do a video of this topic. It's an ongoing debate but no one has a good video of this topic. Also that bell bullit helmet looks like a cheap scooter-helmet knock-off from China ... The sides so skinny and the chin-guard even skinnier than a pencil.... Probably ok doing 30 km/h not hitting the curb. At least you have wised up.... To bad it took an accident to do so. But hey.... If you haven't licked asphalt yet. you are definitely not a true biker. 😎

[@markgman4157]

Safety certifications based on bench testing are fine but tell one little or nothing about how a helmet will perform in a real world crash. The bench testing would be much more realistic if they'd do like they do with cars; launch dummies on motor cycles into objects. Even then such testing says little or nothing about what is going to happen in a specific helmet. A "better" helmet in this case may not have made a difference or it could have been worse. I am not saying the ratings don't matter at all, just understand what they mean in terms of a real crash which is very difficult to predict. If you're going to ride 1) know the risk, 2) get safety gear, 3) learn and practice effective road strategies to minimize the likelihood of accidents as much as possible. MCrider on KZbin preaches a lot of good stuff on road strategy. The most effective piece of safety gear is between your ears. I hope for a full recovery of your buddy Matt.

[@TheDucatiPilot]

Can't go wrong on safety or looks with the HJC RHPA 11 Pro "Venom" Helmet! ;)

[@tenshi53]

Its a 3/5 on SHARP and its ECE/DOT, but not SNELL. I like mine, but I miss my Bell RS-1 (with the photochromic shield).

[@JoseSalazar-ei1oy]

Better than any helmet rating or Bell Bullit is a car. Everything is a trade off.

[@amitkrupal1234]

What gloves are those

[@luishcoreia]

These helmets (bell bullit, Gringo, etc) are helmets more for the looks. They are not the safest or quiet or even more comfortable Helmets out there. I think people that get these helmets now what they are getting. I also like the looks. I would even get a gringo for Saturday morning rides... but not for touring or commuting.

[@samyb2834]

The Gringo is ECE certified.

[@luishcoreia]

@@samyb2834 and? Doesn’t mean it’s the safest helmet. A Lidl helmet is certified

[@mtvertcaver]

Just a couple of thoughts.... That helmet looks like it sets fairly high on your forehead. Maybe you should look for a helmet that comes down closer to your eyebrows, as well as a larger chin bar. My thoughts are with Matt and his family.