Retro Motorcycle Helmets

Retro Motorcycle Helmets by Bell: Where Heritage Meets the Road

Retro motorcycle helmets, also known as vintage motorcycle helmets, classic helmets or café racer helmets, draw on the aesthetics of motorcycle culture from the 1950s through the 1980s while meeting current safety standards. No brand is better placed to make them: Bell was there at the origin of those designs. The Moto-3 is a direct recreation of a helmet Bell built in the 1970s. The Bullitt GT takes the proportions of the Bell Star helmets of the 1960s and rebuilds them with modern materials. Every retro helmet in the range carries ECE 22.06 certification.

Retro Full Face Helmets

Bell offers three retro full face helmets, each with a distinct character and use case:

• Bullitt GT: the café racer full face. Inspired by the Bell Star helmets of the 1960s and 70s, the Bullitt GT uses a fiberglass composite shell with genuine leather interior, 4 metal mesh intake vents, toolless shield removal and communication system compatibility. Available in solid colours and Lane graphic editions across mustard, tangerine, vintage white, stone, mocha and dark green. Certified DOT and ECE 22.06.
• Bullitt GT Carbon: the lightweight version of the Bullitt GT. A low-profile 3k carbon composite shell at 1350g with the same leather interior, Velocity Flow Ventilation™, closable mesh vents and toolless shield removal. Includes a dark smoke shield in the box. Available in solid black and matte black, plus Lane editions in blue, rose/pink and burnt orange. Certified DOT and ECE 22.06.
• Moto-3: the original. A faithful recreation of the Bell motocross helmet from the late 1970s, the Moto-3 uses a fiberglass composite shell, EPS-lined chin bar, removable antimicrobial liner and a secure 5-snap visor system. The look is unchanged from the original; the protection meets current standards. Available in classic solid colours, gloss graphic options and the RSD Obispo special edition. Certified DOT and ECE 22.06.

Retro Open Face Helmets

The Bell retro open face range covers three distinct profiles, from the most stripped-back classic to the most feature-rich premium option:

• Custom 500: the original Bell open face helmet, in production since 1954. Fiberglass composite shell in five sizes, genuine leather interior and an integrated 5-snap pattern for aftermarket shields and visors. The broadest colourway range in the retro lineup, from solid blacks and whites to flake finishes in emerald, purple and rootbeer. Certified DOT and ECE 22.06.
• Magnum: inspired by the open face helmets of the late 1970s and early 1980s. Polycarbonate shell, vintage terry cloth interior, leather chin strap, double D-ring closure and a 3-snap accessory system. Available in a wide range of solid colours. At 980g the lightest retro helmet in the Bell range. Certified DOT and ECE 22.06.
• TX-501: the premium retro open face, built for daily and touring use. Fiberglass composite shell with Velocity Flow Ventilation™, Class 1 optics drop-down sun shield, removable synthetic leather liner and premium micrometric buckle closure. The most feature-rich open face in the range, equally suited to city riding and longer road trips. Certified DOT and ECE 22.06.

Which Bell Retro Helmet Is Right for You?

The right retro helmet depends on the riding style and the level of face coverage preferred.

For riders who want maximum protection with classic styling, the Bullitt GT is the natural choice for café racer and street riding, while the Moto-3 suits riders drawn to the aesthetic of vintage motocross, scrambler and flat track culture. The Bullitt GT Carbon is the choice for those who want the same café racer look at a lighter weight.

For riders who prefer an open face, the choice comes down to features and heritage. The Custom 500 is the most configurable, with the widest accessory shield compatibility and the broadest colour range. The Magnum is the most authentically vintage in look and feel, at the lowest weight. The TX-501 is the most practical for everyday and touring use, with its integrated sun shield and premium ventilation system.

Riders who want a retro open face helmet with visor protection can fit aftermarket snap-on shields to both the Custom 500 and the Magnum, or rely on the TX-501's integrated drop-down sun shield for on-road sun management.