Helmet review - Don't buy a Bell

Just thought I'd share my experience with purchasing my new Bell Qualifier do recently.
After looking all over the net for reviews, I could only find YouTube type reviews from Revzilla etc.
I liked the idea of a Transitions shield and it has a coin curtain to reduce wind noise....supposedly.
This helmet is the noisiest thing I have ever worn!
I have spent hrs upon hrs experimentin with a "windjammer", memory foam, adjusting the screen, taping over the vents with no success. The way the shield fits is the problem and is very loud.
After the first ride I tried to exchange it but the bike shop didn't want to know about me once they had my money.
My riding buddy bought the same helmet and managed to talk them into exchanging it. He had to change it for one they had on the shelf which was the more expensive Bell. He still says the same thing as me about the screen and hates it. A word of warning...don't waste your money on a Bell!
I actually have an $80 China helmet from eBay which is twice as quiete so very disappointed.

Found this as part of a review.
Sound Levels
The Qualifier DLX is slightly louder than average, a trade-off probably for the large amounts of air that can enter through the vents. When the vents are closed, the noise decreases and this is especially noticed around the top vents.
The noise around the bottom of the helmet is well controlled, mostly due to the taper along the bottom of the shell, which helps keep wind and noise from entering from underneath the helmet.
Overall, I'd rate the Qualifier DLX as slightly louder than average at the top when the vents are open.

I reckon if I put my head in a bell it would be loud too

2wheelsagain wrote:Found this as part of a review.
Sound Levels
The Qualifier DLX is slightly louder than average, a trade-off probably for the large amounts of air that can enter through the vents. When the vents are closed, the noise decreases and this is especially noticed around the top vents.
The noise around the bottom of the helmet is well controlled, mostly due to the taper along the bottom of the shell, which helps keep wind and noise from entering from underneath the helmet.
Overall, I'd rate the Qualifier DLX as slightly louder than average at the top when the vents are open.

I reckon if I put my head in a bell it would be loud too

It's the clapper that'll get you every time !        https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/clapper

To be honest I find no volume difference with all vents closed. When riding if I put my hand over the area where the sheild mounts to the Helmet on each side, there is a huge improvement. It seems that this is the problem area like the sheild doesn't clip tight enough to the helmet, leaving a gap for air turbulence. Wind noise from underneath is pretty good as the windjammer doesn't make much difference. If only I could make a small scoop on each side to divert the air away from those mounting points...

sumbloke wrote:To be honest I find no volume difference with all vents closed. When riding if I put my hand over the area where the sheild mounts to the Helmet on each side, there is a huge improvement. It seems that this is the problem area like the sheild doesn't clip tight enough to the helmet, leaving a gap for air turbulence. Wind noise from underneath is pretty good as the windjammer doesn't make much difference. If only I could make a small scoop on each side to divert the air away from those mounting points...

Could you use something like sikaflex to fashion a scoop ?

You might be onto something there Paul. Maybe I will do a trial with cheap silicone clear first so it can be removed. Sikaflex would be a permanent option once I found out that it worked.
I did try putting foam under the cap for the bluetooth cutout but it made the cap stick out more. I'm going to try some clear contact over it to seal it off as a lot of net reviews complain about it causing wind noise.

contact Bell directly with your problems. It sounds like the visor is buggered. Under consumer law I am pretty sure the shop has to deal with your complaint regardless as you have 12 months warranty on most items.

Try there main site first http://www.bellhelmets.com/en_eu/contact-us

Bell service, not bloody likely. I got in touch with them trying to get a replacement magnet for the strap, they sent me somewhere else that ignored my emails.

Just sent Bell an email. Not gonna hold my breathe though. It's pretty bad that I'm already looking at new helmets when this one is only 6 weeks old.

I too have an extremely noisy Bell, mine is the "revolver" flip front, Very comfortable but absolutely unwearable over 80Kph without ear plugs. I have an LS2 adventure helmet with peak and big chin piece that is quieter. 
Is there such a thing as a quiet helmet?

yep, I aggree the bell is hands down as noisy or even noisier as a pissed off mother in  law.