The Moto-9 Flex is one of Bell’s best MX helmets and one of the best off-road helmets on the market. Endorsed by seasoned MX riders, the Bell Moto-9 Flex offers a high degree of impact mitigation, incredible quality and amazing comfort. From prices starting at AU$900, this premium helmet comes with an equally premium price tag, but is it really worth the price? We’ve reviewed the Bell Moto-9 to see why it’s one of the most popular MX helmets in Australia and worldwide.
Review Summary:
- Incredible quality
- Innovative safety features
- Lots of designs to choose from
- One of the safest MX helmets on the market
- Expensive
Introducing the Bell Moto-9 Flex
Helmet Style: MX
Certifications: Snell | ECE 22.05 | DOT
Shell: Carbon Composite
Sizes: XS-XXL
Shell Sizes: 3
Weight: 1.45kg
Liner: Removable | Washable | Antibacterial
Intercoms Compatible: No
Eyewear Compatible: Yes
+ 5 year warranty
+ Bell’s best MX helmet
+ Eject Helmet Removal System
− Only two visor screws, causing visor to move
Safety
The Moto-9 Flex is the top-of-the-line dirt bike helmet from Bell’s range. The helmet features Bell’s Flex technology, a first-of-its-kind, three-layer impact liner. Flex utilises multiple densities of material to disperse impact energy and reduce rotational energy transfer. Each layer of the lining is separated and designed to rotate independently of your head (pictured below). This minimizes brain movement and lowers the chances of head and neck damage. The liner is also segmented, allowing for an adaptive, more personalized fit for a wider variety of head shapes. This segmentation also helps deliver superior ventilation throughout the helmet.
Each layer in the Flex liner is constructed from slightly different materials. The inner-most layer is expanded polyolefin (EPO), the middle layer is expanded polypropylene (EPP), and the outer-most layer is expanded polystyrene (EPS). These three materials are all designed to absorb forces at different speeds, vastly increasing the degree of safety. The image below shows the speed at which each liner will protect you.
The Moto-9 Flex also has Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) placed behind the chin guard, which is rare to see on helmets but adds to the overall safety. This helmet is yet to be SHARP tested but is already DOT, Snell and ECE 22.05 certified, making this one of the safest MX helmets you can buy.
Helmet Shell & Lining
With a shell constructed from 3K carbon fibre, this helmet has the look, feel and performance of a true race helmet. The segmented liner automatically conforms to your head for a better fit and more predictable energy management. The Moto-9’s carbon composite shell guarantees structural integrity and a lightweight build. This helmet exhibits an exceptionally high level of comfort and safety.
Comfort & Sizing
Included with the Moto-9 Flex is the X-Static XT2 silver liner
Finding the most comfortable helmet for you has never been easier with three shells across XS to XXL head sizes. The cheek pads and comfort liner use a sweat-wicking microfibre that is smooth and keeps your head dry. The included cheek pads also utilise Bell’s Magnefusion technology. This means the cheek pads use magnets to attach to the helmet and can easily be removed for washing or by emergency services following an impact.
Ventilation & Noise
The Bell Moto-9 Flex has a total of nine vents on the front that channel the air through the liner and shell, as well as a removable and washable chin vent filter. The four passive exhaust vents allow hot air to be pushed out through the back. As mentioned previously, the segmented liner creates more channels for air to travel and disperse, further enhancing the ventilation. This is one of the coolest MX helmets you will find on the market. The helmet itself is incredibly quiet. Most external noises are completely dampened and there is no whistling from the vents or the peak.
Extra Features
Other safety features include an emergency quick removal system cheek guard. Paramedics use this to remove the helmet with minimal stress exerted on the neck. The Moto-9 also includes the “Eject Helmet Removal System”, a plastic insert fitted inside the crown, linked to a rubber tube. Emergency services can use the tube to pump air into the bag, slowly pushing the helmet off your head. It also comes with a magnetic tip on the fastening strap, making it easy to secure even with gloves on. The Moto-9 Flex also comes with Bell’s five-year warranty.
Conclusion
Overall this is one of the best MX helmets on the market, and it’s well worth its price. For only AU$900, this helmet is extremely comfortable and packed full of features. From its top-of-the-line safety to its excellent ventilation, there’s no doubt this is one of the best off-road helmets you can buy in Australia. Praised by Motocross riders around the world, packed with a five-year warranty, this helmet is perfect for all your MX riding.
