So, you want to ride a motorcycle? Perfect. But before you go sprinting to the nearest dealership to get the latest and most badass motorbike your money can buy, make sure that you’re equipped for the occasion. No, I’m not talking about leather jackets or kickass shoes or the most retro-looking pair of gloves on the market.
Whether you’re using your two-wheeler as a daily commuter or an occasional ride out of the city, there’s one thing that’s easily the most important equipment that one should have when riding: a good helmet.
In case you’re in the market for your first helmet, consider the Bell Qualifier. Made by the American company, Bell, the Qualifier is its entry-level lid specifically catered for new and intermediate riders who don’t want to spend so much on gear.
There are plenty of reasons why the Bell Qualifier makes for a great first helmet but in this case, let me give you six – based on my observation after wearing one on a long ride with several media personnel using the Bell Qualifier, courtesy of Dan’s Bike Shop.
Rated with a certification that matters
The Bell Qualifier is certified with an ECE rating of 22.05. While you might think that you only need the ICC sticker that the Philippine government mandates, ECE certification guarantees that the helmet you’re wearing is safer. That’s because ECE certification holds a more stringent set of tests in comparison to the more common DOT rating in the US.
Simply put, ECE-rated helmets are relatively safer than DOT-rated ones. Don’t even start with non-rated lids that could endanger your precious grey matter.
Several designs to choose from
The Bell Qualifier comes in 17 design options – from plain glossy black ones to something as loud as the Z-Ray, adorned with lightning stripes. There are several sizes to choose from as well, which starts with Small for heads measuring 55-56 cm in diameter up to XXL measuring 63-64 cm in diameter.
The one that you see here is size XL which comes in the Ascent Matte Black/Grey color. Just be wary of the matte colors, though, as they don’t want to be touched so often.
Sufficient ventilation
One of the best features of the Bell Qualifier is its ventilation system called “Velocity Flow.” It has two vents right above the eyebrows that you can easily open and close, while another one is found on the chin. To complete the airflow, there are four exhaust vents at the back of the helmet.
During the ride, the ventilation system noticeably worked to keep my head cool even in slow paces. The earlier part of our ride was under brisk sunlight, so ventilation was important at that time.
One downside of the ventilation, among other things, is that the Qualifier’s noise suppression needs improvement, especially at high speeds. But then again, from someone who owns a classic round-shaped helmet, it’s already a huge advantage over the cheap ones you can buy in the market.
Anti-fog that works
The latter part of our ride went through one of the worst rain showers I’ve encountered while riding. That, plus the fact that we went through Tagaytay after that rainfall. The protective cap on my action camera was instantly cloudy after minutes.
Surprisingly, the Qualifier’s shield didn’t fog at all, which was quite important given that rains are commonplace here. I just wish I could say the same about my eyeglasses.
Replaceable/upgradeable parts
Helmets wear out after multiple uses but the good thing here is, the Qualifier comes with detachable, quick-drying cheek pads and liners that you can wash (for hygiene, of course). And when the time comes that you have to replace them, there are replacements you can buy as well.
That goes the same for the shield with anti-scratch feature, which, in the case of the Qualifier, comes with a quick-release system that doesn’t need any tool. The mechanism and the shield itself aren’t the most premium in the market, but at least replacements are readily available. You can even upgrade to Bell’s awesome Protint shield, which automatically turns dark depending on the sunlight.
It just makes total sense
The Bell Qualifier may not be the safest helmet you can buy, nor is it the lightest at around 1,600 grams. It certainly isn’t the quietest out there; it’s not even the most stylish given its rather functional shape.
But for P6,290 (SRP at Dan’s Bike Shop), the Bell Qualifier ranks high for these things I mentioned considering the pricing of its competition. Sure, there are several much cheaper options out there, but with the value that this lid brings to the table, along with the esteemed reputation of the Bell brand, the Qualifier should be at the top of your list for your first helmet.