We all think we ride as good as the pros but the sad reality is that we don't. Their skill is way above and beyond ours but one thing that we can have that our professional brethren do have is quality gear. Whether we're blasting down the track at triple digit speed or traveling at a leisurely pace while going to the grocery store, being well protected from head to toe is extremely important. Which is why wearing a helmet for me is never an option but rather a necessity (plus in my state it's required by law but that's not the point).

As mentioned, protecting my most prized asset, my head, is something I take very seriously and as such am somewhat of a snob when it comes to helmets. I've had my fair share through the years; some great and some not so great with prices ranging from bargain basement (hey, I was young and naive) to "Oh my God you paid HOW much for that?" Now that I’m a bit older and wiser when it comes to gear selection, I’m glad to see Bell mixing it up in the marketplace with their RS-1 product. This benefits all of us as riders to have another helmet manufacturer pushing the boundaries of protection when it comes to motorcycle safety. Bell takes safety seriously as the RS-1 is DOT and SNELL M2010 approved which means it has passed all applicable tests to obtain these certifications.

The RS-1 is slated to fit between the top-of-the-line Bell Star and the value-minded Vortex. Seeing all of the features that the RS-1 encompasses as well as the care given to create such a helmet, it’d be an easy choice to go with the RS-1 over the aforementioned helmets or even its competitors [cough: Shoei].

Diving deeper into some of the features that the RS-1 offers the one that stands out for me is the fit and finish. If the helmet I’m interested in purchasing doesn’t fit my head correctly then I don’t care how cheap or expensive it is as it’s a moot point. The RS-1 has a more oblong design with an angular front, so for me it fit perfectly although if you have a head that’s more round, you may not find the fit as exact.

The design (or lack thereof) is subjective but I’ve had the people I ride with give me a “thumbs up” and trust me when I say that my friends don’t hold back with their opinions. If something sucks they’ll tell you straight up. I went with the solid matte black version as I like the minimalist characteristic it presents plus I’m past the flashy “Hey look at me type graphics” even though Kenn (the big stinky cheese here at 2WF) thinks I should branch out more. Never…Never I say!

All of the features you’d expect from a premium type helmet are all present and accounted for. For instance, the removable and washable Agion^® antibacterial/antimicrobial interior comfort liner, Kevlar/fiberglass composite shell, Velocity Flow Ventilation™ with FlowAdjust™ vents and a quick shield change mode dubbed ClickRelease are all standard.

Let’s discuss the last two features as any rider who’s been riding for a while is concerned with air flow and shield replacement. ClickRelease was designed for the quickest, easiest shield swaps ever. I changed the included clear shield to a dark smoke version without reading any instructions (‘cause that’s how I roll yo!) and the whole process took less than a minute. Note: Bell’s NutraFog II™ anti-fog, anti-scratch and UV protective coating are standard on all shields.

To avoid any confusion however, here are some simple steps to follow: To remove, simply fully open the shield and depress the ClickRelease Triggers. For installation, just align the shield pivots in the fully open position and push until they click into place. Done.

Now that you know how to put a new shield on, you’ll notice three options that are available via a little lever on the left hand side of the helmet. They are: Lock, Crack and Ratchet or Friction. Lock is basically just that; it locks the shield in place so it can’t be moved. This is a great feature to have when you’re at the track as the last thing you want to have happen is your shield flying open/off at 150mph. Crack is nice on those foggy days when you want a little cool air to be let in. Ratchet or Friction mode gives you the ability to move the shield in any position desired. I will mention that when the shield’s adjusted close to the top or bottom it snaps in place with the latter leaving a nice 1” gap for some fresh air to come in.

Speaking about air flow, I found air flow to be ample and while at speed with all of the vents open I didn’t experience a lot of wind noise which appears to be an added benefit to Bell’s design. That design consisted of using advanced flow dynamics modeling, wind tunnel testing and rider trials, which gave Bell engineers more than enough data to create a natural airflow engine that literally pulls air through the internal venting system. By opening or closing the FlowAdjust™ vents, you can dial in the desired amount of airflow to match almost any condition (more air for those days that it feels like Africa hot or less air when you see icicles on your mirrors).

OK, enough about the outside of the RS-1, how’s the interior? As mentioned, it’s removable and washable and with the contour cut cheekpads, it makes for a snug but comfortable fit. By curve cutting the cheekpads instead of bending a linear pad, the helmet has a more natural, comfortable feel on the face and cheeks. After plenty of trips ranging from just a few miles to all day events, I never once felt like “Man, I need to stop and give my head some time out of this thing.” I did however have consistent helmet head but nothing a baseball cap couldn't conceal. It’s a small price to pay for this type of protection.

Although a minor detail, the MagnaFusion™ Strap Keeper bears mentioning as apparently Bell thought to include this feature. Instead of having that little dangling piece of the chin strap flapping in the air, Bell has put a magnet on the end of it so that the magnet on the D-ring can make a connection that good ol’ Chuck Woolery would be proud of (“We're back in two and two”).

Let’s talk about longevity for a minute. While we all should be getting new helmets after a few years of heavy use, not all of us do and if something does happen to your helmet on either day 1 or 3 years later, it’d be nice to know that you’d have some sort of recourse. Bell has implemented a standard five year warranty which illustrates that they are confident in their product line and shows the dedication that they have to be successful. I mention this as all you have to do is ask our illustrious editor in chief as Bell was quick to resolve an issue he had with the MagnaFusion™ Strap Keeper (I haven’t experienced this problem but he has a lot of personal issues to begin with so…). As a matter of fact he received a new helmet which is a fantastic example of them following through with superior customer service and again just goes to show that Bell wants to differentiate itself from its competitors.

So with all that said, where does that leave the RS-1? I’d have absolutely no problem using it for double duty – track and street. It’d feel right at home in both environments and at either $349.95 for solids or $399.95 for the graphics version, it's certainly affordable (sizing from XS – XXL). With the RS-1 being such a great overall helmet I can’t wait to see what its next of kin will be like.

To buy a new Bell RS-1 and help support 2WF.com at the same time please click on this link to Motorcycle-Superstore.com's Bell Helmet section.

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