Choosing a motorcycle helmet involves more than selecting a familiar logo or an attractive shell color. Bell has produced riding helmets for decades, with options ranging from compact open-face designs to highly protective full-face models. Each style serves a different type of rider, route, and riding position.
A full-face helmet surrounds the head, cheeks, and jaw with a chin bar and face shield. An open-face helmet leaves the face exposed, creating a lighter, breezier experience that many urban and cruiser riders appreciate. The right choice depends on how much protection, ventilation, visibility, and convenience you expect during every ride.
Bell helmets also vary in fit systems, certification, visor design, ventilation, liner materials, and price. Comparing those details before shopping helps you identify genuine value, especially when browsing discounted motorcycle gear alongside clothing, bags, and accessories in an outlet catalog.
The most important difference is the amount of head and face coverage. A Bell full-face helmet protects the crown, sides, back of the head, cheeks, and jaw. Its chin bar can help shield the lower face from impact, wind, insects, road debris, and rain. The integrated face shield also reduces eye strain at highway speeds.
An open-face model covers the top, sides, and rear of the head while leaving the chin and much of the face uncovered. Riders gain a broad field of view and a more natural feeling of airflow, but sunglasses or goggles cannot provide the same level of impact protection as a properly fitted shield and chin bar.
Certification should be checked on the exact model rather than assumed from the Bell name. Look for the safety standard required in your riding area, and inspect the certification label inside the helmet. A helmet should be replaced after a serious impact, even if its exterior appears undamaged.
Open-face helmets are often appealing for warm-weather commuting, low-speed city travel, and relaxed rides. Their lighter visual profile and open lower section make it easier to communicate at fuel stops, hear surrounding traffic, and enjoy airflow. Some riders also find them less restrictive when wearing glasses.
Full-face helmets can feel warmer and more enclosed, especially in slow traffic. However, modern Bell models use ventilation channels, adjustable vents, removable liners, and carefully shaped shells to improve comfort. At higher speeds, the enclosed design can actually feel calmer because it reduces wind pressure and turbulence around the face.
Noise is another consideration. Open-face helmets allow more wind and engine sound to reach the ears, while full-face designs generally create a quieter riding environment. Neither style eliminates the need for hearing protection on long journeys, since prolonged exposure to motorcycle noise can cause fatigue and hearing damage.
Bell’s full-face range includes practical street helmets such as the Qualifier and Qualifier DLX, as well as performance-focused options such as the Star DLX and Race Star Flex DLX. These models differ in shell construction, aerodynamic design, interior materials, visor systems, and intended use. A street commuter may value simplicity, while a sport rider may prioritize stability at high speeds.
For an open-face experience, the Custom 500 is one of Bell’s best-known choices. Its low-profile shape, broad size range, and classic styling suit cruisers, standard motorcycles, and riders who prefer a traditional appearance. Bell also offers open-face and three-quarter designs with features such as removable visors, integrated sun protection, or more substantial comfort liners, depending on the model.
| Feature | Full-Face Bell Models | Open-Face Bell Models |
|---|---|---|
| Head coverage | Head, cheeks, jaw, and rear | Head, sides, and rear |
| Face protection | Chin bar and face shield | Usually visor or optional shield |
| Wind management | Stronger protection at speed | More airflow and exposure |
| Typical use | Highway, touring, sport, mixed riding | City, cruising, warm-weather rides |
| Weather resistance | Better protection from rain and debris | Face remains more exposed |
| Communication | May require a fitted intercom setup | Easier conversation at stops |
| Visual character | Modern, technical, streamlined | Classic, compact, open design |
The table provides a general guide, but details vary by size and configuration. A particular model may be available with different liners, shields, or certification versions. Read the product specifications and check what is included before comparing prices.
A helmet only works as intended when it fits correctly. Measure around the widest part of your head, usually just above the eyebrows and ears, then compare the measurement with Bell’s size chart for the specific model. Head shape also matters because two helmets with the same listed size may feel very different.
A full-face helmet should feel snug around the cheeks and crown without creating sharp pressure points. The cheek pads may feel firm at first and soften slightly with use. When fastened, the helmet should not shift independently of your head, and the chin strap should sit securely beneath the jaw.
An open-face helmet still needs a close, stable fit. Because it has less structure around the face, an incorrectly sized model can move in the wind or lift during a sudden stop. Try the helmet with your usual eyewear, balaclava, or communication device, and keep it on for several minutes before deciding.
A full-face helmet is usually the stronger choice for riders who spend time on motorways, travel in changing weather, or want the broadest practical protection. It also makes sense for sport riding and longer tours, where wind, dust, insects, and road spray can become exhausting. A removable or washable liner can be especially useful for frequent riders.
An open-face helmet can suit short commutes, neighborhood trips, scooter use, and riders who value visibility and a classic silhouette. It is convenient when frequently stopping and starting, though riders should remember that exposed skin remains vulnerable to impact, sun, cold, and debris.
Your motorcycle can influence the decision as well. A fully faired sport bike may direct more wind toward the helmet, making aerodynamic stability and face coverage valuable. A relaxed cruiser position may make an open-face design feel natural, but the motorcycle’s appearance should never outweigh the protection appropriate for the route and speed.
Price is only one part of the buying decision. Compare the shell construction, safety certification, visor replacement cost, ventilation, liner care, warranty, and availability of spare parts. An inexpensive helmet that fits poorly or needs immediate replacement parts may offer less value than a discounted premium model.
Consider the rest of your riding equipment too. Gloves, armored jackets, boots, rain layers, and secure luggage contribute to a practical setup. Riders carrying extra layers or tools can browse options such as motorcycle backpacks, provided the bag is comfortable, stable, and suitable for motorcycle use.
Care also affects longevity. Store a helmet away from direct sunlight, fuel fumes, and extreme heat. Clean the exterior with mild soap and water, avoid harsh solvents, and wash removable liners according to the manufacturer’s instructions. General accessory-care habits, including those explained in this Pandora care guide, reinforce the same principle: delicate products last longer when stored clean, dry, and protected.
Before selecting a Bell helmet, use the following checklist:
Discounted gear can make it easier to build a complete riding wardrobe, but verify product condition, sizing information, and seller policies before placing an order. The outlet catalog brings motorcycle equipment together with fashion, accessories, and other branded products, allowing shoppers to compare practical gear with seasonal purchases in one place.
Select the Bell design that matches your real riding habits, confirm the fit carefully, and inspect the certification and features before checkout. Browse available helmet and motorcycle gear deals now to prepare for safer, more comfortable miles.