Deano has been testing the Bell Race Star DLX Flex for a year. Here’s his verdict so far…
When it comes to time spent with my head inside this Bell Race Star DLX Flex, the old adage ‘time flies when you’re having fun’ certainly rings true. I can hardly believe I have run this helmet for 12 months already, and I have certainly lost count of the number of bikes I have tested with this lid on my noggin. I have used it on road and track, on highways and byways, and even on the dirt… and with a bit of a clean it comes up like new, both on the outside and inside.
I have fitted a Cardo Packtalk Neo to the Race Star, which was a simple job thanks to the easily removed magnetic cheek pads (part of the Magnetic Emergency Release System) and the generous space around the ears for fitment of the system’s speakers.
That space around the ears means the Race Star isn’t the quietest helmet on the market, but I usually ride with ear plugs so wind noise isn’t a problem.
On a hot day at SMSP I appreciated the ample ventilation on offer, which includes a chin vent, forehead vent, top inlet vent and rear exhaust vent, all of which can be run in opened or closed positions. Bell claims the Virus Cooljade Liner feels cooler than traditional liners, and while that’s difficult to quantify, the smooth finish of the material certainly feels comfortable.
One of my favourtite things about the Race Star is the standard ProTint shield, which darkens progressively in sunlight, so there’s no need to swap visors for day and nighttime riding. I love this visor, along with the helmet’s wide and deep eye port that provides excellent vision, but I do have one criticism in that it isn’t Pinlock ready. For crook weather I have clear and tinted Pinlock-equipped visors that are easy to fit thanks to a tool-less system.
The Race Star weighs 1540g and features a carbon-fibre shell and a three-layer impact liner with a slip plane between two of these to mitigate rotational forces in an impact. It has a double-D retention system and meets DOT, Snell and ECE requirements.
I rate this helmet highly for road and track use.
4.5/5
For full details and other models in the Race Star range go to this link.
Bell Race Star DLX Flex
$1229.95
Colour: Labyrinth Gloss White/Black
Sizes: Mens: S-XL
From: Cassons
Website: www.cassons.com.au
Phone: (02) 8882 1900
WORDS: DEAN MELLOR
