Bell Pit Boss Helmet, Matte Black, X-Large/XX-Large

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.

This is the half-helmet version, which I like during the warmer months. Great, durable, comfortable, and reliable Bell brand. Easy release D-rings with a snap at the end to keep the chin strap from flapping in the wind. Easy to see hi-visibility color (white). Comfortable and fits true to size with a micro adjustment wheel at the back of the neck. Zip in ear and back of neck padded cover for

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.

Generally a very nice helmet. I've owned Bell helmets for years and trust the brand. I have four complaints, though: 1. The smoked visor is really awful. It's hazy and if the sun hits it from the side, it becomes nearly impossible to see through (much like a hazy windshield in your car when the morning sun hits it). I cleaned it carefully and examined it - I don't see anything to explain the lack of clarity other than manufacturing defect or poor quality. I ordered a clear visor and am very happy with it - I use it with sun glasses so I don't really miss the smoked visor too much. 2. The visor rests on the bridge of my nose when it's down and if I push it up a little, it drops back down. This can get very uncomfortable. I can't tilt the helmet back enough to make it clear because of the adjuster and the design of the rear of the helmet. I may take my Dremel tool to it to raise the nose notch up a bit, but out of the box, it doesn't fit as well. 3. Reference #2 - It may be the shape of my head, but the padding in the lower edge of the rear of the helmet protrudes quite a bit into the space where your head goes. Combined with the adjuster, it makes the helmet difficult to wear comfortably for me. The back of my head is fairly straight down to my neck, meaning that the protrusion presses against the back of my neck, forcing the front of the helmet down. If you have a bulbous rear skull, this would probably fit really well. I may experiment with removing the adjuster and see if that helps. I've got it run all the way out and it's 'acceptable', but doesn't allow me to change the position of the helmet during a long ride to relieve the pressure on my neck. Lifting up presses harder on my neck. Pushing down on the front presses the front down over my eyebrows uncomfortably and makes use of the visor impossible due to #2. 4. The ear cups in the zip-on insert for a helmet headset are a nice touch, but tend to put the speakers slightly too low for my head and they aren't adjustable. I have to put on my helmet then press the pouches up a bit so that the sound is playing into my ears instead of below them. Again, it's probably got to do with where my ears are on my head, but the lack of adjustability is a bit of an issue for me. All of that said, I still like the helmet for the most part. I think some of the problems I have relate to the DOT specifications as I have another more traditional helmet that has the same issue with the back of the helmet. The government, as always, mandates that things meet a one-shape-fits-all protection, which just doesn't really work if you aren't the one shape they mandate! The only other thing that I wish was that Bell had a summer insert for the speakers. The one that comes with the helmet is fairly heavy and insulated which will be nice in cooler weather. But if I want to talk on the phone or listen to the radio in the summer through the headset, I tend to sweat quite a bit due to the heavier insulation. Perhaps I'll have someone make one that can zip into the existing zipper and only provide the ear cups portion for the summer. EDIT - 2/23/2017 - Ok - I've been using this helmet now for a year and a half and I've decided to give this helmet another star. Here's why: - Even though in the original review I mentioned possibly removing the adjuster, I did not realize until recently that the adjustment mechanism is removable without damaging the helmet. It actually snaps right out - this is a very good thing for my head shape. The adjustment system is probably great for a lot of folks, but it pushes the helmet forward on my head to the point where the visor presses against my nose. I got around this by buying a sheet of 1/2 thick high-density foam that I put in the top inside of the helmet, but it was never really satisfactory. When I took the adjuster out (just follow the side straps under the liner and give them a good pull - they'll unsnap - then do the same on the main piece in the back), suddenly the helmet fits perfectly and the visor sits nice and straight and doesn't hit my nose. If you're having problems with the visor, you probably have the same problem I do. Just remove the adjuster! If you're careful, it will snap back in without problems, so you can try it both ways. Also, you might want to note that there are several adjustment holes in there, so you may be able to readjust the position of the adjuster to make it fit you better. - Unless it's Winter, don't bother with the pouches for the speakers. I switched to a half-helmet headset for my Harley iMC Motorcom HS-H140P Half-Helmet and Helmetless Headset for 7 Pin Harley Davidson Audio Systems and during the months when it's too warm for that neck curtain, this is probably the best solution. I have added some pictures that show the removed adjuster, where you can see the snaps that it connects with. Also, a picture of the snap holes in the rear of the inside and one of the adjuster holes on the side under the liner. Note that the side snaps are way up under the liner - just follow the side strap for the adjuster and you'll find them. I like this helmet enough that I am going to purchase a second one for my wife, now that I know more about it. I still have to mark it down for the included visor and no summer version of the headphone curtain - I would still prefer that to wearing an external headset, but those are minor items that don't detract much for an otherwise excellent product that lives up to the Bell name.

Great helmet. Love the adjustable band inside and visor

I like the way it fits. I tried several helmets and finally found the Pit Boss to fit me the best. I have a 22" head so I got the medium and it was perfect.

Very happy with fit. Comfortable

It’s kinda cool looking riding a retro motorcycle but a bit heavy for what it is. I think heavier than my full dace Bell modular helmet. And the wind noise is loud when you are used to full face or 3/4 helmets. It is well constructed though and comfortable. It fits well and the adjustable strap works very well. Good for slow cruising through town. The cost is pretty low so good for and extra lid.

Excellent fit ,style. But don’t forget to measure your head exactly.

Bien conçu, en offre beaucoup pour son prix! J'en ai un autre datant de 2012, donc je devais m'en procurer un nouveau, et je retrouve les mêmes caractéristiques, ils ont maintenu la qualité un prix abordable. Seul problème: je me suis fait dire que les représentants Bell au Québec sont rares; donc le modèle est dur à trouver Claude

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When I received the helmet, the package was opened, helmet was out of cover and white bag is thrown to the sied and the matte color was stained with sticky stains

Odd shaped helmet...hurts my temples constantly...yet all my other helmets (including another Bell helmet) are XL and fit me perfectly...could it be a mis-labeled product?