Bell M1 Review: Crash Helmets for Sale. For other motorbike helmet reviews click the links in the menu above.
Summary: Bell’s entry-level motorcycle crash helmet is rated top for safety, has good finish and is light. Noise levels are good and it comes with an anti-fog visor. No major problems reported and it’s good value for money. A recommended buy in our crash helmets for sale section.
- 5 Star SHARP safety rated (maximum score)
- Weight 1.35Kg (light)
- ACU Gold Star (for track use)
- Double-D Ring fastening
- Typical price about £145 (though now discontinued)
Even though it seems Bell helmets have always been around, it seems they’re not that popular in the UK. Which is surprising, because they’ve been at the cutting-edge of motorycle crash helmet design for a long time – since 1954 in fact. And most of their crash helmets score the maximum 5 out of 5 SHARP safety rating! So let’s take a look at one of those 5 star rated helmets, the entry-level crash helmet in Bell’s range – the Bell M1.
The Bell M1 comes in two shell sizes which is OK as those two outer shells will cover the 6 available sizes (XS-XXL) reasonably well – meaning internal padding won’t need to be too thick or thin to cover the extremes of sizes (click the link to find out more). The Bell Europe website states it’s constructed of composite fibre which isn’t particularly descriptive as both fibreglass and carbon fibre are composites. However, with a 5 star rating, you can be sure it’ll do its job well. It’s also the lightest full faced helmet we’ve seen on this site weighing in at 1.35 kilos which is exceptional.
Best places to buy this Bell?
Please click below to visit the Bell helmets pages at our recommended stores. And if you buy from one, we get a small sum from the sale at no extra cost to you - a massive THANKS! (it's how we finance the site).
The shell has also been wind tunnel tested to be slippery and reduce buffeting – something users agree is noticeably better than many other helmets – and it’s pretty quiet too. What’s slightly less good is the paint finish. Of course we’re used to exceptional standards in higher priced helmets (and let’s not forget this is Bell’s entry-level helmet) but the lacquer on some patterned helmets have been reported to be a bit ripply.
However, and certainly for the price, build quality and finish (other than the lacquer) is generally reported as good (one user said it was better than the Aria’s and Shoei’s he’d had!).
No complaints about comfort either – though a couple of guys with glasses said they found it difficult to get them to fit. The M1 has both removable cheek pads and liner so keeping things stink free should be pretty easy (if you want to know the best ways to clean the inside or outside of your lid, please click the links). Of course, as with any crash helmet, it’s important to get the right fit – but if you do, the M1 is a nice place to be and well designed for riders – with one rider commenting that it gives great vision looking up when you’re cranked over and driving out of a bend.
Something else that’s commonly agreed is good is ventilation. It’s got the usual chin and forehead vents which do a pretty good job, though the chin vents can be fiddly to operate and a couple of guys mentioned it was difficult to get it to close fully. Having said that, it’s reported the design of the vents and chin guard, coupled with the anti-fog visor, mean it’s hard to get it to fog up, even in low temperatures.
However, there are some negative comments about the visor. One guy mentioned a problem with getting the visor to shut properly (it still leaked air a little) and another complained that it doesn’t open far enough – when fully open you can barely see below the bottom edge and it didn’t open far enough for him to get his glasses on. However, for others, it was fine.
Best places to buy this Bell helmet?
Please click below to visit the Bell helmets pages at our recommended stores. And if you buy from one, we get a small sum from the sale at no extra cost to you - a massive THANKS! (it's how we finance the site).
Definitely want a Bell?
Here you'll find all our Bell crash helmet reviews and previews including full face, flip-up and open face helmets.
Star Ratings
I have my bell helmet for about 20 years now, and have used it extensively in that time. It’s my first bell helmet and I honestly think that if you can find them new still then it’s a no Brainer. I genuinely don’t believe that the was a better helmet at that that time for that price range and I have never looked back since. I could not recommend it more. What’s most impressive is that it is regarded as an entry level helmet but it performs way better than a few helmets that I have tried that cost more than double it price. It is not perfect and my complaints regarding it is merely because of my own qwerkyness and by no means regarded as faults in any way shape or form. For example since I have the helmet for more than 10 years now, I have put on a slight bit of weight since then so at the time it fit perfectly but now I feel that because my face is fatter I feel I could benefit with a slightly thinner cheek pad. I have not experienced any problems like that have been reported regarding the helmet not sealing. My helmet does not even let in the smallest of wind or anything. There were some reports of certain cases where the finish we not that good with paint clear coat fading or sumthing but I have experience no such, the buckel in my opinion perfect and never struggled with it. The main issue I have is that I would like to purchase a replacement visor for it purely for aestetics but because the halmet has been discontinued I’m finding difficulty finding a suitable replacement visor for it. And I have no clue what my options are. I don’t know if an aFtermarket replacement visor for it even exists and I’m unable to figure out if a generic one will work or not. Other than that, if you can get your hands on a new one I would not hesitate to purchase another one just like it
I`m VERY impressed with the amount of fresh air flowing through these new vents !! I can`t really ever see it misting up !! If that`s the case, then this would be a genuine first for me and all the helmets that i`ve tried out since the `70s. It fits well, looks good and gives me confidence when i`m wearing it. 10/10 BELL !!!!
I HAD MINE FOR 6 MONTHS NOW AND DON’T HAVE ANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE VISOR OR WIND. VERY COMFORTABLE AT ALL SPEEDS. I AM ABOUT TO PURCHASE 2 MORE, ONLY BECAUSE I CANNOT FIND ANOTHER M1 TRACKER LIKE MINE AND THE WIFE WANTS HER LID TO MATCH MINE
Had one for 6years in Lawson colours.Comfy ,light and quiet enuff.No problems with visor system,very simple to operate.Bought an other one now and still happy with it.Its a cheap helmet but performs well.
It’s the worst helmet I’ve ever bought cheap built and changing visor is a total nightmare had it two weeks and binned it . Lets wind in . Bought a hjc top helmet . Would not recommend bell to anyone .
brilliant lid had mine for a year ,m1, only problem is the visor doesn’t shut properly fairly large gap at the bottom which makes your eyes water in the cold. but ts the best lid by far for the money comfortable doesn’t do it justice I love it