Bell Custom 500 Open-Face Motorcycle Helmet

This particular Bell 500 helmet, Apex version, fit me true to size. My head measures 59 cm which calls for a size Large, and this helmet fits me perfectly. Some websites selling this helmet suggest ordering one size up as they said it runs small were incorrect for the Apex version. My head is an intermediate oval in its shape also, which this helmet is also supposed to be Nice quality for the money, and the interior seems of very nice quality, nice stitching and colors. No venting, but being white with silver, gray stripes, and open face, it should be fine at least where I live, highs in low 90's mid summer, near Lake Erie, in Pennsylvania I will buy a flip up face shield for it now that I know it fits well. Many varieties of shields for this Bell helmet. Maybe a pair of goggles also. I usually wear full face helmets, but recently acquired a small adventure motorcycle where this helmet will be perfect !!! Only slightly negative is the thick padding on either side of my jaw is pushing in just a little too much being brand new, and am sure it will relax a bit from wearing it. I look at that as a good thing, having a snug fit means safer in the event of an accident, and after all, why some of us choose to wear a helmet in the first place, right ? A "just in case" insurance policy. Shipping was amazingly fast, I was pleasantly surprised I got it so quickly, so hats off to the seller !!!

The Bell helmet is well made. I have only one complaint. The size. My head is 7 3/8. The helmet is an extra large and it is very tight. The extra large was supposed to cover my head size. However it does not. I don’t think I will ever buy another helmet online. With this said I would still recommend bell helmets.

This is the second helmet I ordered and it fits looks and works well.

5 for the helmet, which is a quality item if your head shape fits. Little mushroom head with the Bell visor, quiet for a 3/4, sizing is accurate although the fit is initially firm. Lining looks high end, quilted and comfortable. Took 1 star because the helmet was offered as new but seems to have been a return. Missing the helmet bag, packaging materials and booklet. Scuffs and dings on the top and side as a result of banging around inside a cardboard box. Amazons fault, not Bell.

So far this thing is awesome. I got this after I ordered 2 biltwell bonanza helmets and I'm glad I didn't settle for the bonanza because the 500 fits my head perfectly. Not to say the biltwell is bad quality, it was actually nearly as nice as the 500 but I would say the bell was of slightly higher quality, but not by much. My head is slightly oblong and the biltwell bonanza is for more of a round head, so the medium was too wide but fit ok front to back, and the small was too short front to back but fit ok in width. The Bell 500 in medium is just right. I would say if you're between sizes definitely get the larger of the two. I prefer a snug fit and usually wear a larger small or a smaller medium and buy based on reviews from others. I ended up getting the biltwell bubble smoke shield and it looks and fits absolutely awesome on the Bell! The setup is very light and the bubble shield offers a perfect field of view with no distortion whatsoever. You will be able to see anything and everything with this helmet, no blind spots. No issues on the freeway for me. It's nice and quiet at speed. No weird whistles or howls from air vents but just enough airflow coming in from under the shield. I live in Hawaii and I was worried I'd get too hot, but as of now I am very satisfied :) Enjoy.

The Bell Motorcycle helmet is pure garbage. It's very cheaply made. I measured my head the way they said.. I bought a XL which was a size bigger than suggested, and it was still way too small. I couldn't get it over my ears. Don't buy it and think you'll be able to easily return it. Your $179... $200. With tax will be tied up for weeks, while still having to spend more cash on another helmet. Buy a different brand other than bell. Bell used to make high quality helmets but now Bell turns out crappy helmets. The Bell helmet dose not allow room for goggles to be worn because it set so low on the brow. You are best off buying from a motorcycle dealer where you can buy and try on in person. I wish that I never purchased this Bell helmet sight unseen. It's garbage.. PURE GARBAGE!!!

I measured a size "Medium" in this helmet, per the manufacturer's specs. Bought that but it squeezed my head so tight I literally thought I was going to pass out. Send it back with no issues and purchased one size up, a Large. It fit fine through the ears, but there was a ton of space on top and near my forehead...so much so that the helmet would "fall down" into my eyes. Not good at all. I don't think I have a particularly odd shaped head, but this helmet fits really weird. If you have a long and skinny head shape maybe this will work for you? I don't know. I highly recommend finding it in stock locally and trying it on before you order. At least I had no issues returning both of them. Otherwise, the helmet is well made, has a beautiful finish and very nice interior. I really wanted it to work but an ill-fitting helmet is virtually useless because it'll never be worn or protect you correctly. 5 stars for the quality, 3 stars for the really odd fit. I'm giving it 3 stars overall as fitment is far more important than how a helmet looks. Again, I advise you to make sure this helmet will fit your head profile before you order. It is unlike any other helmet I have tired on, either closed or open faced.

Maybe folks that are worried how they "look" should be doing fashion shows or designing clothes. It seems a significant % of the Harley crowd are worried about appearance first, then riding. I'm a rider with over 100k miles and 4 cross country trips. For too many years I was not so smart and I wore a "dot" brain bucket. The brain bucket was comfortable, but the wind noise and buffeting were high; still, I put up with it. After an accident, I was commanded by the boss not to ride - our dog died 6 weeks ago, and the "no ride" decision was reversed to deal with his loss. Last weekend I took a 200 mile scoot and realized the bucket would not cut it anymore. I bought this Bell helmet and since have been on a 60 mile highway ride and WHAT A DIFFERENCE! Much less hectic now with less wind noise and buffeting (no windshield) and a smoother ride for my noggin. I don't care what I look like with the helmet on. This is an ideal helmet for old school riders that are used to brain buckets and want to get into a simple upgrade. It is comfortable! The quality is plenty good - I am able to sneak my shades on with the helmet on - I feel a little smarter for wearing a proper helmet. At 60, I'll take the protection and let others worry about how they look. This is a relative review though....if someone is going from a simple brain bucket to this Bell Custom 500, you will get an excellent improvement in wind noise and buffeting not to mention much better protection in case there is an accident.