After BELL's Moto 3 revival has finally arrived at our shop you can now read a first review of all retro motocross helmets with ECE that are available in the market now. For this comparative test, we have chosen exclusively retro MX helmets with ECE homologation because of its all over Europe street legal usability.
We have compared the following retro motocross helmets:
- BELL Moto 3
- DMD Seventy-Five
- Premier Trophy MX
In our review we glanced at some important features characterizing a retro cross helmet with ECE. Those features are amongst others the exterior and interior shell, the liner, the fit and the flexibility in combining a selection of different motorcycle goggles. In terms of a better comparability, we have chosen all test helmets in size L.
Outer shell in general
The first glance is onto the helmet shells. We took a measurement of the longitudinal axis from chinguard towards the rear rim of the helmet (see sketch, measurement "L"). It stands out that BELL's Moto 3 offers the most longish shell, offering 305 mm. Together with the second important measurement ("C") these two figures give you a good indication of the fit of retro motocross goggles of different shapes and sizes.
Both of the two competitors turn out to be less long (DMD Seventy-Five: L=290 mm, PREMIER Trophy MX: L=295 mm), the chin guard with the distinctive vents sits closer towards the chin.
What is also relevant in terms of the fit of a motocross goggle is the depth of the face opening (measurement C). It's again the BELL Moto 3 coming up with the maximum measurement (125 mm). DMD Seventy-Five (105 mm) and PREMIER Trophy MX (100 mm) turn out with at least 2 cm less.
A typical indicator for retro motocross helmets is the design of the chin guard. A varying number of grooves that are back filled with a mesh are not only a question of style but provide better ventilation. The knuckle at the chin guard is more distinctive at BELL's Moto 3 and DMD's 75 compared to PREMIER's Trophy MX.
Following, you can find the outer shell's materials, the number of the different shell sizes as well as measurements and weights (manufacturer information) of the tested retro motocross helmets (each case size L):
- PREMIER Trophy MX: Dyneema-Carbon-Aramid-Fibreglass
- 1 shellsize (S, M, L, XL)
- Measurement of sample size L: L=295 mm, width B=215 mm, C=100 mm, H=257 mm
- Weight: 1290 g / +-50 g
- DMD Seventy-Five: Carbon-Kevlar
- 2 shellsizes (XS-M; L-XXL)
- Measurement of sample size L: L=290 mm, width B=210 mm, C=105 mm, H=261 mm
- Weight: 1100 g /+- 50 g
- BELL Moto 3: Fibreglass
- 3 shellsizes (XS-M, L-XL, XXL)
- Measurement of sample size L: L=305 mm, width B=210 mm, C=125 mm, H=255 mm
- Weight: 1400 g / +- 50 g
Detailed look at the DMD Seventy-Five
The DMD Seventy Five's interior shell provides channels for improved head ventilation. The removable and washable textile liner, accordingly, is not continuously sewed to keep the channels open. Also, the cheekpads are removable and washable. Replacement parts are available in our shop on request. The chin strap is closed by a D-ring fastener.
Not included in delivery is a motocross sunpeak. In our shop you can find an original white DMD sunpeak with three snaps that fits to the DMD 75. Furthermore, there is an optional goggle retainer ("DMD clip for goggles") purchasable that fixes a rear goggle strap to the helmet. There is a small DMD logo on one side of the helmet which is clear coated.
By the way: a selection of motocross goggles that fit into the face opening of the DMD 75 can be found here in our corresponding goggle test.
The DMD Seventy-Five meets the current ECE standard.
Detailed look at the BELL Moto 3
In its 2016 remake the legendary BELL Moto 3 comes up with a plain interior shell without channels. The BELL shell refers to the BELL Custom 500 which uses the same interior shell as well as it passes its fit and exterior shell shape; the BELL Moto 3 is built in the same shell. Liner and cheekpads are partially removable and washable and are, depending on the exterior helmet design, made of synthetic leather or frottee cloth as original outfit. The chinstrap closes with a D-ring fastener.
The retro motocross sunpeak is perfectly fitting with style and shape and it is included in the delivery with a colour matching design. It mounts through five snaps. There will be different original BELL replacement sunpeaks purchasable at our shop soon. Also the Bell Moto 3 is not delivered with a pre-mounted goggle retainer, we refer once more to the "DMD clip for goggles" from our shop as an option. Lettering, relevant for the helmet design, pinstripes and a BELL logo at either fore- and rear head are clear coated and not removable though. Thanks to either the huge face opening and the the helmets' length around the chin guard, all of our retro motocross goggles fit onto the BELL Moto 3 very well (like 100% BARSTOW).
The BELL Moto 3 meets the current ECE standard.
Detailed look at the PREMIER Trophy MX
The PREMIER Trophy MX refers also to the classical shell shape of a retro motocross helmet. It provides channels in the interior EPS shell for basic head ventilation. Liner and cheekpads can be removed for washing.
The sunpeak is included in the delivery and matches the particular colour of the helmet design. Regarding the dimensions, the sunpeak of PREMIER is smaller than the BELL's one. At fore- and rear head, you'll find a clear coated and not removable PREMIER logo, at which the front logo is covered by the sunpeak, if mounted. PREMIER's Trophy MX closes classically with a D-ring fastener and presents as the only candidate of our retro motocross helmets a pre-mounted goggle retainer at the rear. Because of the narrow space available between the chin guard and the rider's face, primarily motorcycle goggles with a compact shape tend to fit best (e.g. AVIATOR T2/T3, or GLOBAL VISION Windshield).
The PREMIER Trophy MX meets the current ECE standard.
Review result
Retro motocross helmets can be used off- and onroad and on all different types of motorcycles. Parallely, the variety in the segment of classic motocross helmets increases. All of our tested ones, PREMIER Trophy MX, BELL Moto 3 and DMD Seventy-Five, are strong representatives of its kind, each with an independent interpretation of the scope of classic motocross helmets, each with its own advantages.
The DMD Seventy-Five convinces with a good fit and a compact chin guard which surrounds your chin closely. With a sensational low weight of only approx. 1100 g the DMD 75 is the lightweight retro moto cross helmet of this review. We are missing the sunpeak, that is not included in delivery but there is a possibility for adding this easily. The brandnew BELL Moto 3 scores in terms of product quality and practicability: this retro motocross helmet is manufactured exemplary, offers the widest face opening and accepts the widest range of different retro motorcross goggles as eye protection. Some of the Moto 3 designs are equipped with a frottee cloth liner, which is unique and feels superb. There's only two little flaws that come with the Moto 3: its "not-so-light" weight and in case you're wearing corrective specs with thick temples in a greater distance - the EPS shell of the BELL Moto 3 will collide with your specs temples because of the lack of a gap between cheek pad and interior shell. If you choose the PREMIER Trophy MX, you'll purchase a respectable retro motocross helmet which is delivered including sunpeak and goggle retainer. Its solidly manufactured quality, its high-grade material of the exterior shell and its low weight speak for its favour. Solely, the search of a well fitting motocross goggle can take a little more time.