Open Face Helmets

Open Face Motorcycle Helmets by Bell: Heritage Design, Modern Protection

Open face motorcycle helmets, also known as 3/4 shell or jet helmets, cover the head and sides without a fixed chin bar, offering more airflow and peripheral vision than a full face design. Bell has been building open face helmets since the 1950s, and the Custom 500, Magnum and TX-501 all draw on that history while meeting current safety standards. Three distinct characters, one shared commitment to protection.

The Bell Open Face Helmet Range

Each model in the Bell open face range is built around a different rider profile:

• Custom 500: the classic Bell open face helmet, in production since 1954. A fiberglass composite shell in five sizes, genuine leather interior, dual-density EPS liner and an integrated 5-snap pattern that accepts a wide range of aftermarket shields and visors. Available across a broad range of solid colours, flake finishes and graphic editions. Certified DOT. The Custom 500 Carbon variant uses a low-profile carbon composite shell and carries both DOT and ECE 22.06 certification, at 982g one of the lightest open face helmets in the range.
• Magnum: inspired by the iconic open face helmets of the late 1970s and 1980s. A polycarbonate shell in three sizes, vintage terry cloth interior, leather chin strap, double D-ring closure and an integrated 3-snap accessory system for shields and visors. Available in a wide range of solid colours. Certified DOT and ECE 22.06, at 980g the lightest helmet in the Bell open face range.
• TX-501: the premium open face helmet built for city and touring use. A fiberglass composite shell with Velocity Flow Ventilation™, Class 1 optics drop-down sun shield, removable and washable synthetic leather comfort liner, premium micrometric buckle closure and multiple accessory shield options. Includes a dark smoke visor in the box. Certified DOT, at 1175g the most feature-rich model in the range.

Riders drawn to retro open face styling can also explore the Bell retro motorcycle helmet range, which includes additional heritage-inspired models.

Visors and Shields for Open Face Helmets

Open face helmets leave the lower face exposed by design, but both the level of protection and the riding comfort can be adjusted significantly depending on the shield or visor fitted.

The TX-501 includes an integrated drop-down sun shield with Class 1 optics. This sits inside the shell and deploys at the touch of a lever, filtering sunlight without covering the lower face. It is a sun management system, not a full face shield.

The Custom 500 and Magnum use external snap-on shield systems. A range of aftermarket shields in clear, smoke and tinted options can be fitted to the 5-snap or 3-snap mounting systems, covering the face from the chin upward and substantially increasing protection from wind, debris and weather. When a full shield is fitted to the Custom 500, the coverage approaches that of a full face helmet, though the construction and certification remain those of an open face helmet.

For riders specifically looking for an open face helmet with visor options, the Custom 500 offers the broadest compatibility with aftermarket accessories.

Certifications

The TX-501 and Custom 500 are certified DOT. The Custom 500 Carbon and Magnum carry both DOT and ECE 22.06 certification, the current European safety standard for motorcycle helmets.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are open face motorcycle helmets safe?

Open face helmets are certified to the same safety standards as full face helmets and provide effective protection for the skull, sides and top of the head. The key difference is coverage: without a fixed chin bar, the lower face is exposed in a crash. Research into motorcycle accident data indicates the chin and lower face are impact zones in a meaningful proportion of crashes. For low-speed urban riding and slower roads, an open face helmet is a reasonable and widely used choice. For higher-speed road riding, touring at motorway speeds or circuit use, a full face helmet offers more comprehensive coverage. An open face helmet fitted with a full aftermarket shield bridges some of this gap, though the certification remains that of an open face helmet.

How should an open face helmet fit?

An open face helmet should sit level and low on the head, with the front edge approximately two fingers above the eyebrows. It should feel snug and even on all sides, with no gaps at the temples or above the ears. When you try to rock the helmet forward and backward with both hands, it should move your skin rather than slide over it. A helmet that lifts off the back of your head when pushed forward is too large. Some initial snugness is normal as the liner settles with use. If you are between sizes, try the smaller size first, as open face helmets tend to have fewer internal fit adjustment options than full face models. The Custom 500 is available across five shell sizes, which helps ensure a proportional fit across the full size range.

Can I wear glasses with a Bell open face helmet?

Yes. Open face helmets are the most glasses-friendly helmet style, as the open lower section makes it straightforward to put glasses on and take them off without removing the helmet. All three Bell open face models — the Custom 500, Magnum and TX-501 — accommodate standard glasses frames. Thin, flexible arms are the most practical choice. Riders who wear prescription glasses and want sun protection can also look at the TX-501, which has an integrated drop-down sun shield that sits over the glasses inside the shell.

Does a visor protect you on an open face helmet?

It depends on the type of visor. The TX-501's integrated drop-down sun shield filters light but does not cover the lower face, so it does not increase impact protection. External snap-on shields, available for the Custom 500 and Magnum through Bell's accessory range, cover the face from chin to forehead and provide meaningful protection from wind, rain, insects and road debris at speed. They do not change the helmet's safety certification, which remains that of an open face helmet. For full facial coverage in the event of a crash, a full face helmet or a modular helmet are the appropriate choices.