Before I get off on a roll here, I have to give serious praise to Jason. Not just for being the cool dude that he always is, and for the exceptionally great prices (as per usual), but for really taking his time with me on this order.
I'm a pain in the ass.
But I had my heart set on the Bell Star Hess. I'm one of those who typically buys the best that I can, and a few friends said that I'd like the Bell Star even more than my Shoei RF-1100... and to me that is a BOLD statement because the Shoei is the best I've ever had.
See here's where Jason makes a difference (at least for me)... he gets to know you, and remembers you when you order time and time again. He KNEW I wouldn't fit in the Star properly, and suggested the RS-1 instead. "Cool" I thought, but i really want a freakin Star... but I deferred to Jason's knowledge because he has yet to steer me wrong.
I ordered all 4 lids and accessories on Friday, two large boxes arrived today (fast as always IMO), and I tore into them like a freak.
I won't bore you with all of the details of the contents, but rather jump ahead to the FREAKIN RS-1....
Pseudo-Review:
Bell RS-1 Steam Punk
Ok, so I pull it out of the box and was disappointed that you don't get the deluxe helmet bag, just a standard helmet sock. Whatever, petty in the long run to be unhappy about that really.
I take the helmet out of the sock (grrrr) and was pleasantly surprised... it's a matte finished helmet! I know, I know... pretty damn evident in the pics, but for whatever reason I saw it as a shiny black in the pics. I'm happy because it fits the matte motif of my Stealth Gixxer. So... yay!
I slid it over my ugly ass melon and HOLY HELL... I have absolutely NEVER felt a more comfortable, more luxurious interior in my life. WTF is in there, cashmere??? My Shoei is totally fine, but it feels like the liner is made of Brillo pads by comparison! The weight is wonderfully light, the peripheral view is ample, the interior is snug, but I feel no pressure points at all. The chin bar is set far enough forward that I don't feel cramped, hell... I could stick my tongue out and not touch anything. I'm not saying that this is how you should test fit a helmet you freaks... just sayin' it is damn roomy in there.
All of the vents feel solid in each position, and are easy to operate.
Well, time to hit the road... I was excited like a little schoolgirl.
I've heard the RS-1 flowed slightly less air than the RF-1100... not so. This thing flows distinctly better than my RF-1100. I'm not saying that it is night and day, but it is very noticeable.
Did I mention how insanely comfortable this lid is?? Dayum.
Noise at 80mph is a tad less than my Shoei, way less than my Scorpion EXO-900 (to be expected), and less than my Akuma Stealth.
Aerodynamics are awesome. Seemingly cut through the wind. No issues at ALL doing a head-check. Works equally well sitting straight up on my cruiser as it does at 3/4 and full tuck on a sportbike. Airflow is good in all 3 positions as well, and you don't hear that often.
I also noticed that I was able to more easily turn my head (and turn it further) with this lid on than others I have previously worn. Maybe it's just me, but I did notice this tonight.
I still love my Shoei, but it now falls to a second place after the RS-1. I am in absolute love with this one. I almost don;t even want to test ride my other new helmets at this point! :wacko
I will certainly be buying another RS-1 very soon. Probably the Born Free design... how kick-ass is that??
A little side note on the transitions shield.
Just like the actual Transitions eyeglass lenses (of which I have several pair with them), they get PERFECTLY clear, but not very dark. Odd though.. I felt very "comfortable" in the direct sun with it. It tints to what I'd call "medium dark", not as dark as a dark smoke shield. However... I never squinted or felt bothered... i felt cool and comfortable in there. I was taking notice of the fact that it wasn't tinting that dark.. yet as I was making the observation, I realized that I was totally comfortable. I wonder if now all of my dark smoke shields might feel TOO dark? We'll see.
Is it worth $130? To me, yes. At least twice a week I leave in the morning in bright South Florida sunlight to come home later in total darkness... and I am reallllly tired of going home mid-day for lunch ONLY to switch shields anticipating my evening ride. Now those days are done forever. So it performs for me, and was worth the expense.
So again, thanks Jason, you done me good on ALL 4 of my new lids for fit, even though I doubted you on the S&S... you still freakin' nailed it brother. I owe you once again.