Most fashionable motorbike helmet graphics are grim—which is why I virtually all the time gravitate in direction of stable helmet colours. However after I heard that my favourite helmet designer, Good day Cousteau, had created a graphic for the brand new Bell Race Star DLX Flex, I couldn’t resist.
In the event you love bikes and spend sufficient time on social media, you’ve in all probability seen Good day Cousteau’s work. He’s a self-proclaimed “bored inside designer” with a love for traditional vehicle and motorbike racing, that began designing helmet graphics and importing them to Instagram. His account went gangbusters in a single day and shortly drew the eye of mainline helmet producers—like Bell.
The American helmet model not too long ago commissioned Good day Cousteau to create graphics for 2 of their helmets—one among which was the Bell Race Star DLX Flex. Pitched as a race-bred helmet for on a regular basis use, the Race Star DLX Flex boasts a 3K carbon shell, Bell’s proprietary ‘Flex’ liner, and a photochromic defend. It is available in a wide range of colours and designs, however none look fairly pretty much as good because the gorgeous ‘Good day Cousteau Algae’ graphic featured right here.
Inspiration for the graphic got here from the Portuguese designer’s coastal environment. The sunshine blue hue represents the ocean, and the natural shapes that wrap across the shell echo the seaweed that’s usually strewn throughout his native seaside. It’s miles extra tasteful than the neon-slathered choices that dominate the market.
Sure, the design would arguably be higher with no gigantic Bell emblem on all sides. However given the model’s racing heritage, and the truth that Good day Cousteau has accomplished job of weaving them into the design, I can stay with it. The paint job itself feels prime quality, with sections of matte paint dancing round bits of clear-coated carbon fiber.
So it seems to be good, however what’s it prefer to trip in? I put some miles right into a model new Bell Race Star DLX Flex Good day Cousteau Algae, courtesy of Bell Powersports USA, to seek out out.
Building and format With a 3K carbon fiber outer shell, the brand new Bell Race Star DLX Flex is a claimed 10% lighter than its predecessor. Bell lists a weight of roughly 1,540 grams for a medium-sized helmet; my XL check unit weighed in at a good 1,627 grams. The Race Star DLX Flex makes use of 5 totally different shell sizes, and 6 totally different EPS liner sizes, throughout its dimension vary.
The helmet’s silhouette speaks to its supposed utilization. The general vibe is racy, with delicate contours working alongside the edges and a pointy spoiler on the again, however not overly so. It’s a impartial sufficient form that I don’t really feel odd driving my Triumph Bonneville in it.
The ‘Flex’ within the Race Star’s prolonged moniker refers to its internal affect liner. The triple-layer system makes use of a distinct density materials for every layer, successfully optimizing affect absorption at low-, mid-, and high-speed crashes. Between that and the outer shell, the Race Star DLX Flex conforms to the DOT and Snell requirements within the US, and the ECE22.06 customary in Europe.
Consolation and match Sitting between the ‘Flex’ liner and your head is an anti-microbial liner that appears and feels premium. I haven’t ridden on a scorching sufficient day to totally check its moisture-wicking properties, however it has carried out properly in reasonable temperatures to date. And the entire thing is detachable and washable too.
The Race Star DLX Flex comes pre-fitted with a detachable neck roll, a chin curtain, and a nostril guard to assist stop fogging. It fastens by way of a tried-and-tested double D-ring strap, with titanium D-rings for further avenue cred, and a magnet for securing the top of the strap. The magnet is way extra user-friendly than the everyday press stud association, and I want extra helmets got here with it.
Measurement-wise, the Race Star DLX Flex runs true to Bell’s dimension chart. Consolation-wise, it feels each comfortable and plush, with one main caveat; it doesn’t love my massive ears, making it a chore to placed on. It rubs them like loopy occurring, and as soon as it’s on I have to shuffle it round a bit earlier than it sits comfortably round them.
It’s additionally tighter than most helmets towards my cheeks. There’s rather a lot to unpack right here—for starters, it is a helmet descended from racing, so a good match is to be anticipated. Secondly, there are not any noticeable hotspots anyplace else.
Then there’s the truth that the cheek pads are swappable. Held in place by magnets, they’re simple sufficient to come out (a boon for first responders), and Bell sells them in at least eight totally different thicknesses, so that you could fine-tune your helmet’s match.
Bell additionally claims that the padding can break in by as much as 20% over time, so there’s probability that the Race Star DLX Flex will change into kinder to my ears and cheeks over time. If it doesn’t, I would attempt a thinner set of cheek pads; there’s just one dimension thinner than those it got here with although, so I’m undecided how a lot of a distinction it’ll make.
Cosy-ness apart, the cheek pads are delicate sufficient to permit area for glasses. And if you happen to pop them out, you’ll uncover tidy recesses to accommodate audio system, full with foam disc covers and hook and loop patches to safe them.
Air flow and noise Bell has loaded the Race Star DLX Flex with an array of vents, situated on the chin, brow, prime of the pinnacle, and again. They’ll all be opened and closed by way of easy latches which are simple sufficient to get to with gloves on. And so they’re efficient too—I’ve but to overheat on this helmet, and I’ve but to have it fog up on me.
At freeway speeds, the Bell Race Star DLX Flex isn’t the quietest helmet on my shelf (that accolade belongs to the Shoei NXR2). Nevertheless it is without doubt one of the quieter helmets I personal and greater than satisfactory for many driving situations. It’s additionally notably aerodynamic; I favor driving bare bikes, and the Race Star DLX Flex cuts by way of open air with negligible buffeting.
Visibility Whereas the ‘Flex’ within the Race Star’s title refers to its liner, the ‘DLX’ refers to its ‘deluxe’ trim—specifically, its premium ‘ProTint’ photochromic defend. In layman’s phrases, the defend adjusts its tint in response to how a lot UV mild hits it, going from clear in low mild situations to totally tinted in daylight. If, like me, you like tinted shields, however don’t love how horrible they’re at evening, this setup is a no brainer.
It really works properly on the Race Star DLX Flex, adjusting seamlessly and creating an satisfactory quantity of shade at its darkest. The defend is broad and tall too, with a superb sight view and no noticeable distortion. And it’s not susceptible to fogging—though it doesn’t use the ever-present Pinlock system.
I’ve to credit score Bell for probably the greatest hinge techniques available on the market too. As an alternative of clicking by way of incremental positions from open to closed, the defend swoops down from absolutely open to totally closed in a single clean movement. It’s one other element born from monitor racing, the place {a partially} open defend is lower than helpful.
On the hinges, you’ll additionally spot a pair of discreet push buttons. Press these and slide the defend ahead, and it pops off with zero protest. Reverse the method, and it slides again in place simply as simply. It’s hands-down the perfect shield-swapping Remechanisms I’ve ever used.
I’ve a love-hate relationship with the Race Star DLX Flex’s shield-locking mechanism although. Sitting entrance and heart, it makes use of a beneficiant tab that wants an especially constructive hand to click on closed or open. It creates a superior seal—however it’s deafening when it slams shut and takes extra effort to open than I’d like.
Verdict At $919.95 for the Good day Cousteau Algae model at Revzilla (or $819.95, if you happen to take it in plain black), the Bell Race Star DLX Flex’s fashion and efficiency come at a premium. Nevertheless it’s simple to see the place all that cash went. The helmet is well-built, full of ride-focused options, and comes with primo upgrades—like its photochromic defend and a padded Bell helmet bag within the model’s signature pink. It seems to be unbelievable too.
The one factor I can fault it on is consolation, and that’s actually simply right down to the cheek pads. Everybody’s head is totally different although—so outcomes might range. My recommendation, as all the time, can be to attempt before you purchase, or purchase from an internet retailer with a stable returns coverage.
Bell Helmets | With because of Good day Cousteau | Photos by Devin Paisley and Wes Reyneke
