The Bell Eliminator

The Bell Eliminator has been reviewed multiple times, and before I made the purchase, I may have watched at least 10 YouTube videos on it, read some random pieces on the internet, and tried to see if I can find anything trustworthy, and then I made the purchase.

Bell has easily made the coolest looking helmet to ever exist. I still think that the Bell Eliminator Helmet is the best looking helmet out there on the market. The combination of that vintage-retro feel mixed with current modifications is what made me want this helmet for my own collection. Up to this point, I never spent more than $250 on a helmet. After buying the Bell Eliminator (and two visor shields), I was about $600 into it which was A LOT for me for a dang helmet.

The day I put the helmet on, I immediately realized that it was sized for oblong alien heads. So, if you have a jaw that sticks out 2 inches past your nose, and the back of your head shoots out, then I think you might find this helmet very form fitting. Beyond the tiny "first-world-problem" of my head not perfectly fitting, I decided that I should suppress that thought and stay stoked on the new purchase I made. But then I went for a ride.

I am a zero complainer, and in-fact, I am typically the person at a restaurant that will just eat whatever is served to me even if it was wrong, and I'll still tip more than the average person. I get it, things slip through the cracks and not everyone or everything is perfect. But this helmet...This was made to destroy ears. 

I never personally cared about the bs "aerodynamic" tech that comes in a helmet as I always thought that most of it is just marketing garbage to get you to buy something (and I still lean that way). However, I quickly realized that there is NO thought in how the airflow works with this helmet. You have vents on the front and just a bunch of holes on the top of the helmet (three rows). And Bell decided that you should not have the luxury of being able to open or shut them. They're just open at all times.

Normally, I wouldn't even care but there is no exit for the airflow. Nothing venting out the back of the helmet, so of course, the air turns into wind, the wind turns into turmoil, and the turmoil turns into tiny tornadoes in your helmet specifically around both of your ears. If you don't wear ear protection, you will hate life. Anything 40mph and under: totally cool. Anything above that: be prepared to have your ears eliminated. 

At faster speeds (60mph+), the holes on the top of the helmet will start to take in more airflow, and you will feel like some airflow demon is pushing your head down but then lifting it up with the bottom chin scoop vents that supply the ear tornados. It's incredible and impeccable design for torture.

If you drive inside a bubble on your motorcycle, or if you go under 40mph, then you might not have any issues. NOT.

Well let's just pretend and say that you have an alien head that fits this helmet perfectly, and that you have no ears...no problem right? Not the case. As cool as it ties into the whole design of the Bell Eliminator Helmet, the tiny-ass 3 thread (maybe 5 thread but doubt it) screws that hold down the visor shield will make your life miserable if you ever decide to even look at them.

If you are like any other human on this planet, being able to accessorize something is a natural desire. I bought a dark shield and a blue shield visor. What I didn't know is that I should have purchase 69 screw kit sets by Bell because ANY time you decide to switch out a visor shield, you will strip your screws.

I come from a world of snowboarding, skateboarding, and building old bikes; I'm very aware of how careful you have to be with smaller screws. For whatever reason, these damn demons will strip on you instantly, then the female (inside the helmet) will come loose and just spin in circles with the screw in it, and then you will get frustrated and dream about destroying your helmet; I just actually follow my dreams to become reality (as per the pictures).

Beyond the alien fit, the ear tornadoes at higher speeds, the horrible airflow, and the visor shield screws stripping on you, it gets worse. The strap, it's a magnetic concept. Now, this is by far the smallest issue with this helmet, but a problem nonetheless.

Yes you will. The magnet just wants to grab onto anything and it's oddly on the end of a very long strap. It's a weird issue, and it almost shouldn't be an issue, but it was something that many of the YouTube reviews mentioned, but it wasn't something that bothered me initially until I realized how horrible this helmet's function really was. Then it just made me mad enough to destroy it.

I have had countless messages of others who own this demon helmet, and have mentioned the same issues that I have had with it. Ultimately, this helmet would be the best gift for someone you have no affection for. I really tried to like it, and I have actually had it in my collection for almost 2 1/2 years, I even took the time to professionally paint it and give it new life. But ultimately, it's just lipstick on a pig and it had to go. I would never recommend this helmet unless you got it for free and you wear ear protection, then maybe. But looks did not win over function on this one, and I could never suggest buying it unless you want to destroy it.

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