BELL Pit Boss Helmet (Matte Banner Black/Red)

A+ Excellent product! (My 2nd purchase) Super fast shipping!

I just sold my Yamaha 1700 Road Star and purchased a pearl white and black Honda PCX scooter. I have two fantastic full-face helmets but decided I simply wanted a half-face helmet for my scooter. I read every review on every helmet possible and tried on whatever was available at my local store. I detest the “mushroom head” look and let’s admit it, vanity sometimes gets the best of us and I even used a “brain bucket.” It was impossible to get all of the helmets I wanted to try on in one place, so after reading all the reviews I decided to go for this one based on the fact that it is a Bell helmet, so I know it means quality, and because it had excellent reviews, a nice flip-down visor, and many people said it was a much slimmer profile. Here are my findings:

I really like the helmet. I bought pearl white and black to match my bike, plus the fact that white helmets make riders more visible. The helmet does not make me look like a mushroom head, but it is NOT a super slim profile either. It is a real helmet that provides as good protection as you’re going to get in a half helmet. Anything less and you would have to go with a brain bucket.

The quality is fantastic, nothing less than what you would expect from Bell. I live in a hot climate almost year-round and will probably never use the neck collar, but as you can see from the photos it zips in and out nicely and does not protrude. It is very comfortable. It also seems very soft but well-made and I don’t think it would wear out and peel like many other reviews I have read from other helmets. It also has snaps on the bottom so that it connects to the exterior pieces.

The visor is non-removable and definitely better quality than a simple snap on; however, some riders might find the snap-on version preferable in case they want to snap on a full-face windshield. (There are plenty of other options available to do this from other manufacturers.) The inside lining is not removable but you can pull it away from the inside of the helmet and wipe it down if necessary.

The pull-down visor is easily extended or retracted with a protruding lip on the left side. (You can easily see it in the photos.). It clicks up or down and it’s really nice. It’s large enough to cover everything above my nose but does not hit my nose. You can see that I have about 3/16” between the pull-down visor and the bridge of my nose, and I would guess that I have a rather short face. The included version is dark smoke. I wear prescription glasses and it easily covers my glasses. Clear and light smoke versions are also available for purchase.

Someone complained in one review that the pull tab was pink, not red. It is clearly red, but frankly, if you don’t like it that color just get a black magic marker and make it black! Seriously?!!!

The twist dial is a super nice feature. I loosened it up to make the helmet slide on and off easily. I wear a large and this helmet was true to size. Dialing in the twist dial really makes it as snug as you want. Although I haven’t had a chance to use it on the freeway, (I don’t really want to be doing that on my scooter,) I can imagine that this would definitely help with preventing the helmet from lifting up in wind buffeting,

This helmet does not have air vents, so if that is an issue for you, you should probably consider another option.

I included plenty of photos to help you see what it looks like from every possible angle on someone who is not a model… Lol!

I hope this helps you make a wise decision.

Been trying to buy one in the UK for ages but the ££ was stupid, Amazon was doing a discounted deal on shipping, so I ordered one…..I’ve had several Bell helmets in the past, all great quality and spec, this is no different, not the cheapest Half helmet on the market, but possibly the best, buy a size over your usual fit, as the ‘Dial’ system makes it as snug as a snug thing.

I replaced my Bell Shorty (long overdue) with the Pit Boss and could not be happier. I measure just shy of 24” and went with the XL/XXL. The fit is very nice with the adjuster – just like a bicycle helmet dial adjuster. Also better than my old Shorty as Bell changed from a round to oval shape a number of years ago. It almost feels like a 3/4 or full face without the heat or claustrophobia, very important here in Florida. The visor (tinted) is a great feature, and does not seem to add visual bulk in comparison to the Shorty. I haven’t done a weight comparison, but don’t care, as any difference is minimal. The visor is much nicer than the snap-on option for the Shorty (though it was supposed to come with an extra set of screws – mine did not). Most importantly, the shell is not ABS or the typical plastics that shatter, sometimes shockingly on impact. Similar to (better?) than the Shorty, the PB utilizes reinforced fiberglass which, if you’re going to wear a helmet with less coverage, you want what IS there to be as protective as possible. My bone conducting headphones fit and the wind noise is less pronounced than with the Shorty – both with the neck gaiter in place. A note with the initial fit…be sure to pull the adjuster down in back after sliding the helmet on or it will feel too small. Seems obvious, but the helmet is so comfortable that if you’re on the smaller end of the size range, the dial being pushed up in back might seem okay, especially if it “fits” that way. It will likely become uncomfortable. IF you’re on the larger end of the size range, the adjuster is removable, but I’d go up a size…it’s a great feature for this style helmet.