Bell - Custom 500 Riff HelmetCore Since '54 The Custom 500 is the epitome of a classic 3/4 helmet. With 5 shell sizes the Custom 500 is sure to give the rider a personalized fit regardless of where you are on the size chart. The quilted, contrast-stitched, plush interior is wrapped in a fiberglass composite shell. Fit and finish are impeccable, and with dozens of shield and visor accessories available, the opportunity to personalize yours is endless. Experience the best in category helmets from those who helped invent truly protective helmets.
Bell - Custom 500 Riff HelmetCore Since '54 The Custom 500 is the epitome of a classic 3/4 helmet. With 5 shell sizes the Custom 500 is sure to give the rider a personalized fit regardless of where you are on the size chart. The quilted, contrast-stitched, plush interior is wrapped in a fiberglass composite shell. Fit and finish are impeccable, and with dozens of shield and visor accessories available, the opportunity to personalize yours is endless. Experience the best in category helmets from those who helped invent truly protective helmets.
Bell - Custom 500 Riff HelmetCore Since '54 The Custom 500 is the epitome of a classic 3/4 helmet. With 5 shell sizes the Custom 500 is sure to give the rider a personalized fit regardless of where you are on the size chart. The quilted, contrast-stitched, plush interior is wrapped in a fiberglass composite shell. Fit and finish are impeccable, and with dozens of shield and visor accessories available, the opportunity to personalize yours is endless. Experience the best in category helmets from those who helped invent truly protective helmets.
Bell - Custom 500 Riff HelmetCore Since '54 The Custom 500 is the epitome of a classic 3/4 helmet. With 5 shell sizes the Custom 500 is sure to give the rider a personalized fit regardless of where you are on the size chart. The quilted, contrast-stitched, plush interior is wrapped in a fiberglass composite shell. Fit and finish are impeccable, and with dozens of shield and visor accessories available, the opportunity to personalize yours is endless. Experience the best in category helmets from those who helped invent truly protective helmets.
Last updated at 03/21/2026 18:34:13
Bell - Custom 500 Solid Helmet - Gloss Black LG
Delivery $38.33
Bell Custom 500 Solid Open Face Motorcycle Helmet | Team Motorcycle Gloss Black / L
Delivery $112.17
Bell Custom 500 Open-Face Motorcycle Helmet (Gloss Black - Large)
Delivery $49.68
originally posted on denniskirk.com
First off let me start by saying the Bell Ace Cafe helmet looks amazing and Dennis Kirk got it to me very fast. But I find it to be a very uncomfortable helmet. I had a motorcycle accident and damaged my Biltwell Bonanza helmet and needed to replace it with a new helmet. I ordered the Bell because I loved the graphics. But the Biltwell helmet is so much more comfortable! If you can only afford one helmet and you like the style of the 3/4 helmet and you want something comfortable to wear don’t waste your money on the Bell, buy a Biltwell. I also believe the Bell helmets run small in size compared to other helmets. All of my helmets are large in size the Bell is really snug almost too tight.
originally posted on cyclegear.com
Nice helmet but comes down pretty far on the brow. This rendered the goggles I purchased for it useless. There's no comfortable position to put them that will block wind. The goggles end up putting pressure on the bridge of the nose if they're to provide any wind protection. I determined it just wasn't possible to comfortably wear them with this helmet without risking visibility as they could move around or cause excess wind into the eyes.I had hoped I could wear sunglasses with this helmet but again, difficult to comfortably put them on. I can wear sunglasses but they have to be inserted in a way that angles them down so the arms of the glasses are sitting on your ears angled towards your lobes. It's impossible to slide the sunglasses straight on as you would ... MoreNice helmet but comes down pretty far on the brow. This rendered the goggles I purchased for it useless. There's no comfortable position to put them that will block wind. The goggles end up putting pressure on the bridge of the nose if they're to provide any wind protection. I determined it just wasn't possible to comfortably wear them with this helmet without risking visibility as they could move around or cause excess wind into the eyes.I had hoped I could wear sunglasses with this helmet but again, difficult to comfortably put them on. I can wear sunglasses but they have to be inserted in a way that angles them down so the arms of the glasses are sitting on your ears angled towards your lobes. It's impossible to slide the sunglasses straight on as you would wear them without a helmet. This results in the sunglasses constantly sliding down, again applying pressure to the bridge of your nose. I found myself constantly needing to adjust them for comfort.This forces you to purchase the visors or shields specifically designed for this helmet.
originally posted on revzilla.com
Size chart is way off! I was on the line between 2 sizes, went with the larger size of the 2 and even that one is too small. I really doubt that RevZilla checked the sizing. Looks nice, seem durable, classic style not comfortable at all as that black on the inside is not padding but an unforgiving hardened protective layer with cloth over it. I will use this for the Distinguished Gentleman's Ride and then to deep storage or Goodwill it goes.
| Shape | Intermediate Oval |
Bell - Custom 500 Solid Helmet - Gloss Black LG
Delivery $38.33
Bell Custom 500 Solid Open Face Motorcycle Helmet | Team Motorcycle Gloss Black / L
Delivery $112.17
Bell Custom 500 Open-Face Motorcycle Helmet (Gloss Black - Large)
Delivery $49.68
First off let me start by saying the Bell Ace Cafe helmet looks amazing and Dennis Kirk got it to me very fast. But I find it to be a very uncomfortable helmet. I had a motorcycle accident and damaged my Biltwell Bonanza helmet and needed to replace it with a new helmet. I ordered the Bell because I loved the graphics. But the Biltwell helmet is so much more comfortable! If you can only afford one helmet and you like the style of the 3/4 helmet and you want something comfortable to wear don’t waste your money on the Bell, buy a Biltwell. I also believe the Bell helmets run small in size compared to other helmets. All of my helmets are large in size the Bell is really snug almost too tight.
Nice helmet but comes down pretty far on the brow. This rendered the goggles I purchased for it useless. There's no comfortable position to put them that will block wind. The goggles end up putting pressure on the bridge of the nose if they're to provide any wind protection. I determined it just wasn't possible to comfortably wear them with this helmet without risking visibility as they could move around or cause excess wind into the eyes.I had hoped I could wear sunglasses with this helmet but again, difficult to comfortably put them on. I can wear sunglasses but they have to be inserted in a way that angles them down so the arms of the glasses are sitting on your ears angled towards your lobes. It's impossible to slide the sunglasses straight on as you would ... MoreNice helmet but comes down pretty far on the brow. This rendered the goggles I purchased for it useless. There's no comfortable position to put them that will block wind. The goggles end up putting pressure on the bridge of the nose if they're to provide any wind protection. I determined it just wasn't possible to comfortably wear them with this helmet without risking visibility as they could move around or cause excess wind into the eyes.I had hoped I could wear sunglasses with this helmet but again, difficult to comfortably put them on. I can wear sunglasses but they have to be inserted in a way that angles them down so the arms of the glasses are sitting on your ears angled towards your lobes. It's impossible to slide the sunglasses straight on as you would wear them without a helmet. This results in the sunglasses constantly sliding down, again applying pressure to the bridge of your nose. I found myself constantly needing to adjust them for comfort.This forces you to purchase the visors or shields specifically designed for this helmet.
Size chart is way off! I was on the line between 2 sizes, went with the larger size of the 2 and even that one is too small. I really doubt that RevZilla checked the sizing. Looks nice, seem durable, classic style not comfortable at all as that black on the inside is not padding but an unforgiving hardened protective layer with cloth over it. I will use this for the Distinguished Gentleman's Ride and then to deep storage or Goodwill it goes.
Excellent. The price was reduced account a blemish from being a floor model. I would do this again, it was as I mentioned Excellent.
This Helmet would have been perfect if not for the safety dweebs and snowflakes requiring more protection. The online photos do a good job of making this dome look cool and retro but its shaped like the fat end of an egg and if you paint it green and put antennas on it you could pass as "The Great Gazoo" from the Flintstones... It really is larger, thicker due to extra padding than an original and who wants to be safe when you're trying to look cool? I would say the fit runs on the tight side if you order one might want to err on a size larger. It is a nice helmet as far as finish and quality, just shaped weird IMO. I'm going to click the "I would recommend" button just keep It makes your head look like a bellend.
Nice hat, nice finish, everything you can expect from Bell. But just not able to fit eyeglasses or sunglasses while wearing the helmet. almost seems like hat sits too low on head. I own many helmets, this is the first time I've had this happen.
I bought this helmet for vintage dirt biking. The quality is first rate. The fit is small. Goggles from Scott, Oakley, Smith and Fly will not fit properly in the window, too narrow. I have to push the helmet up to get the goggles off the very end of my nose as well. I even ordered a size larger having read other reviews. The liner comes down past the shell, is the reason why. I had to wear this helmet several times before it stopped giving me headaches. It seems to be made for somebody with a yeti shaped skull. It also crushes the side of my eye/sun glasses. For street riding, it is o.k. For dirt it is not. I have new Moto III's and they don't do this. I wish Bell would bring back the RT or Super Magnum of the 70's. As it is, I wasted $125.00. I will keep this one ... MoreI bought this helmet for vintage dirt biking. The quality is first rate. The fit is small. Goggles from Scott, Oakley, Smith and Fly will not fit properly in the window, too narrow. I have to push the helmet up to get the goggles off the very end of my nose as well. I even ordered a size larger having read other reviews. The liner comes down past the shell, is the reason why. I had to wear this helmet several times before it stopped giving me headaches. It seems to be made for somebody with a yeti shaped skull. It also crushes the side of my eye/sun glasses. For street riding, it is o.k. For dirt it is not. I have new Moto III's and they don't do this. I wish Bell would bring back the RT or Super Magnum of the 70's. As it is, I wasted $125.00. I will keep this one as a spare for when others ride with me.
Great helmet if you don't need it to fit a head. Strike one: There is a block of foam in the back at the base of the skull that feels...terrible. It is the reason many people feel forehead pressure. I had to rip it out to get the helmet to fit at all. Strike two: The helmet is too deep. It makes visibility very poor and forget goggles. There is also no slot for sunglasses in the foam which makes for additional pressure. Probably great for people with enormous foreheads, or eyeballs on either side of their nose. Strike three: The liner is not removable, which means you can't fine-tune the cheek pads as you can the far better helmet, the Biltwell 3/4 helmet. Bonus strike: It's not in the remote realm of correct sizing. My large felt like a small medium. Boo. This is a ... MoreGreat helmet if you don't need it to fit a head. Strike one: There is a block of foam in the back at the base of the skull that feels...terrible. It is the reason many people feel forehead pressure. I had to rip it out to get the helmet to fit at all. Strike two: The helmet is too deep. It makes visibility very poor and forget goggles. There is also no slot for sunglasses in the foam which makes for additional pressure. Probably great for people with enormous foreheads, or eyeballs on either side of their nose. Strike three: The liner is not removable, which means you can't fine-tune the cheek pads as you can the far better helmet, the Biltwell 3/4 helmet. Bonus strike: It's not in the remote realm of correct sizing. My large felt like a small medium. Boo. This is a terrible helmet. I only give it two stars if it happens to fit your noggin.
It's a beautiful helmet, top quality and looks just like the photo. Size runs a very small to me. Measurements indicate a I would be a small but it does not fit. I tried medium and it also is too tight. I'm going for a large now even though my other helmet is a medium and it fits a bit loose, therefore, I went with a small. I still give it 5 stars but can't comment on all details below because I haven't worn it yet. I hope to improve the review when I have one that fits.
This is your basic helmet. Very competent. The lining is very well done (I like it a lot) and it fits a little snug until you wear it a few times. If you wear glasses, it's pretty good for that, a bit of smoosh-down, but it's very doable. I bought a visor with an up and down wind-screen and it's perfect, even with a hard wind-screen it works well (I have that too). Perfect for unlimited vision. and that's what I like about it. Great for around town, local runs. My favorite helmet, and I own three types. No ventilation, but you don't need it and it gets hot as heck around here in the Summer. It's a wonderful helmet, very basic (with a lovely interior) and there's a reason for that. It's a classic. Just buy it. It will never go un-used.
| Shape | Intermediate Oval |
