New Helmet Questions
Discussion
I was thinking of getting a new helmet, and have really liked Bell in the past, so looking at the RACE STAR DLX FLEX. Anyone on here got one?
I can't decide if the reviews I've read are positive, a lot are four stars, lots of good things to say but held back by details. One thing I really like about it is it comes with the panovision/protint visor that goes dark in the sun.
If I don't get this helmet, do any other manufacturers make an OEM photochromic visor?
Also, this particular model might be above my budget, what other recommendations would you have around the £600 mark?
P.S. My head shape fits Bell and AGV, I'm not sure what that makes my head shape
I can't decide if the reviews I've read are positive, a lot are four stars, lots of good things to say but held back by details. One thing I really like about it is it comes with the panovision/protint visor that goes dark in the sun.
If I don't get this helmet, do any other manufacturers make an OEM photochromic visor?
Also, this particular model might be above my budget, what other recommendations would you have around the £600 mark?
P.S. My head shape fits Bell and AGV, I'm not sure what that makes my head shape
At that price point it's very difficult to buy a rubbish helnet, they're all going to be pretty good.
My only caution would be the visor; my experience of one years ago was that it took too long to adjust from dark to light so if I rode into somewhere shady I would have to flip it up to see properly.
Hopefully the magic has improved since then.
My only caution would be the visor; my experience of one years ago was that it took too long to adjust from dark to light so if I rode into somewhere shady I would have to flip it up to see properly.
Hopefully the magic has improved since then.
Shoei do photochromic visors on the NXR2 and also the xspirit 3 or whatever they are calling the facelift version.
You need to buy them separately but they are official. Not cheap though, seem to be north of £150.
What the guy above says about going from light to dark is true but they are still far better than having a tinted visor and I’ve not seen universal good experience with the internal flip down tints.
Don’t be tempted by the photochromic pin lock inserts because the Uv protection on most visors limits their ability to react properly.
Ive had one on a xspirit 3 for years and love it.
You need to buy them separately but they are official. Not cheap though, seem to be north of £150.
What the guy above says about going from light to dark is true but they are still far better than having a tinted visor and I’ve not seen universal good experience with the internal flip down tints.
Don’t be tempted by the photochromic pin lock inserts because the Uv protection on most visors limits their ability to react properly.
Ive had one on a xspirit 3 for years and love it.
I bought one 3 years ago and like you, I am a Bell customer as I like their design and usually find them comfortable.
I tend to use my bike for short weekend blasts (less than 2 hours), and in those conditions, the helmet fares well. However, on longer rides, the ear cut out for the speaker creates an unwanted pressure point that makes the helmet uncomfortable. It may be due to the shape of my ears, but it does not have the same level of comfort as a Shoei, for example.
The Panovision visor is good, but not perfect, especially in winter sunshine where it could be a bit darker. At night, it is fully transparent.
It is quite an old design, so it will not comply with 22.06 but it has many safety features. The ventilation is quite good too and noise levels are low.
I bought mine around Xmas and got a super deal. I have the carbon one but there are some cracking deal for the matt one at Helmet City https://www.helmetcity.co.uk/shop-by-brand/bell-he...
Neal H said:
I have two helmets (a Shark & Scorpion) that have internal drop down sun visors. They both work very well, it seems like a simple solution to me - in fact since getting the first I’d be reluctant to buy a new helmet now that didn’t have one.
I agree ... this is the best solution ... the Shark rs spartan is on my shopping list this winter ... 
I’ve used Shoei photochromatic visors for about 7 years now and they are fantastic. I have them on my 2 NXR’s and my X-Spirit 3. I don’t use any other clear or tinted visor now.
My Mrs had a Bell helmet which also came with their version of the photochromatic visor and it was equally as good as the Shoei.
The only situation where they do get a bit confused is in foggy weather as they do slightly tint which isn’t ideal.
They aren’t cheap, but they are worth every penny.
My Mrs had a Bell helmet which also came with their version of the photochromatic visor and it was equally as good as the Shoei.
The only situation where they do get a bit confused is in foggy weather as they do slightly tint which isn’t ideal.
They aren’t cheap, but they are worth every penny.
What are these reported issues with drop-down sun visors? (Someone said reviews not universally good). I’ve had one for a few years now (Shoei Neotec and now Neotec 2) and it’s awesome. Takes less than a second to change when (eg) you’re just about to enter a tunnel. I don’t see any advantage in photochromic visors, which are very expensive to change if they get scratched.
mikey_b said:
What are these reported issues with drop-down sun visors? .
They are not all anti mist coated and the ones that are can reduce optical clarity. Even if those aren’t issues you are still looking through another bit of plastic which doesn’t help vision.If I didn’t have photochromic I’d have one rather than a fixed tint though.
One issue I found with drop down visor on my HJC. Because your helmet doesn't always sit on the same place on your head odd few mm forward or back sometimes a little askew I once lowered the internal visor and it came down sharply on my nose causing quite a nasty cut on the bridge of my nose, still got the scar to prove it. Whilst with care it hasn't happened again. It does make me wonder what would happen if I had 'and off' with the sun visor down.
mikey_b said:
What are these reported issues with drop-down sun visors? (Someone said reviews not universally good). I’ve had one for a few years now (Shoei Neotec and now Neotec 2) and it’s awesome. Takes less than a second to change when (eg) you’re just about to enter a tunnel. I don’t see any advantage in photochromic visors, which are very expensive to change if they get scratched.
I have a GT Air 2 and the drop down sun visor irritates my OCD tendencies. I have a Pin Lock on the regular visor and as the drop down only covers around 3/4 top to bottom field of view it's annoying to have multiple edges on the bottom bit of vision to look through (ie drop down, pinlock, visor). Glad I've had laser eye surgery or it would be even more annoying looking through with glasses on!Also looking through multiple visor layers would be a lesser issue but also sacrifices optical clarity.
Edited by ujio on Tuesday 19th December 14:06
No idea if it's relevant, but a friend of mine used to race at the TT and had Arai lids with photocromatic visors (plus dark, smoke, clear etc etc). He used it in one practice session and that was it, didn't react quick enough under the trees when going dark to light and vice versa.
Just a thought.
Just a thought.
Freakuk said:
No idea if it's relevant, but a friend of mine used to race at the TT and had Arai lids with photocromatic visors (plus dark, smoke, clear etc etc). He used it in one practice session and that was it, didn't react quick enough under the trees when going dark to light and vice versa.
Just a thought.
No - its not relevant but thanks anyway.Just a thought.
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