A sneak peek of the Roland Sands Designs “Apocalypse” graphic was all the motivation we needed to pick up this new Bell Vortex. Actual on-head performance of this Snell 2010-approved full-face helmet during our recent Open-class sportbike shootout (“Alternative Energy,” July) has kept it in place on our craniums.
Fancy graphics aside, there’s a lot going on here. For example, the ClickRelease shield mechanism makes visor swaps a snap. Shields are coated to prevent fogging, scratching and protect the wearer from harmful ultra-violet rays, by the way. The contoured cheek pads are removable for washing, as is the remainder of the antibacterial/antimicrobial interior.
After breaking a sweat flogging bikes and logging laps at Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele, Utah, Associate Editor Mark Cernicky discovered that the Vortex’s three-opening, top-of-helmet Velocity Flow Ventilation lacks the full, head-in-the-breeze flow of its pricier brother, the Star. The closable, glove-friendly design is fine for a sporting street ride but left us wanting more air when wrestling literbikes around a racetrack. The padded full-wrap neck collar—a feature not found on the Star—does an admirable job of reducing wind noise.
Even more admirable is the Vortex’s price, which starts at $169.95 (add $20 for the Apocalypse and other graphics). Who says a comfortable, feature-filled and safe helmet has to cost an arm and a leg?
DETAILS
Bell Powersports
5550 Scotts Valley Dr.
Scotts Valley, CA 95066
800/456-2355
www.bellpowersports.com
Price…$189.95
Ups
- Magnetic chinstrap keeper is a snap
- Space in ear ports for speakers
- Shaped to fit rounder heads, as opposed to the “long oval” Star
Downs
- Hot head
- 3Mode Shield adjustment of Star would be nice
- A bit heavy
