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.
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.
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.
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 03/30/2026 09:57:42
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.
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.
Bought this and an Arai Classic V for shorter, lower speed rides with more helmet on/off evolutions and for a minimalist option. Nails "the look" better than any other option I've seen/tried. Fine fit/finish at the price. Reasonably comfortable but with a noticeable increased pressure ring around the forehead to back of my intermediate oval head. This was not uncomfortable, just noticeable and not a perfectly even pillowy cradle of a liner. I have not rode this helmet, I kept the Classic V for it's outstanding comfort and relative easy of getting on and off with large earplugs in as well as the hope the venting system would make a difference (it did). I would not hesitate to buy or own this helmet. It is a great value.
Love my new helmet. Did not think it ran on small side at all, was perfect fit. I have always ordered a medium, and this med fit great. I like the look and design and it felt high quality with padding being kind of quilted inside in diamond shape. And, I must have missed it in description was pleasantly surprised to get the retro bowling bag style helmet bag with it, which was smooth felt lined inside to protect my bubble shield I added. Great value for the money.
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.
This helmet has history, vintage/retro styling and is the quintessential helmet. I bought mine 4 years ago. It is matte black and I wear it with a Biltwell bubble shield, which adds even more retro/vintage appeal. The stitching and quality of the padding inside this helmet are superior. I wipe the inside down with a damp cloth using only water to clean it periodically and recently used goo gone with citrus to perform a deep cleaning and the insides look brand new. The exterior material of this helmet will look scratched and dinged if not handled with care so store in a safe place and don't set it down on the outer shell... keep it upright. This helmet is not the right choice for offroad or extended highway trips. In good weather, it's tolerable up to 60 mph and ... MoreThis helmet has history, vintage/retro styling and is the quintessential helmet. I bought mine 4 years ago. It is matte black and I wear it with a Biltwell bubble shield, which adds even more retro/vintage appeal. The stitching and quality of the padding inside this helmet are superior. I wipe the inside down with a damp cloth using only water to clean it periodically and recently used goo gone with citrus to perform a deep cleaning and the insides look brand new. The exterior material of this helmet will look scratched and dinged if not handled with care so store in a safe place and don't set it down on the outer shell... keep it upright. This helmet is not the right choice for offroad or extended highway trips. In good weather, it's tolerable up to 60 mph and outstanding for inner city commutes. Wind noise and airflow can be excessive at times depending on weather, riding conditions, speed, etc... you will likely need a 3 or 5 button face shield or goggles to go with this helmet. If your primary goals are extreme safety and comfort from the elements, you might consider other options. If you like the look, price and simplicity of this helmet, then this is a top contender.
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.
