Helmet, Sensor, Wrench And More - Dirt Rider Tested

I have a history with Bell helmets, and a lot of it is good. So when the new Moto-7R arrived, I was ready to give it a try. I wasn't, however, very optimistic. The Bells of the previous five years hadn't fit me well, so I began this test a little hesitant.

I'm an XL in most helmets, and this lid's sizing was spot-on. It is snug going over the ears, but comfort is good once it is on. The light weight (especially for an XL) adds to the comfort. The new 7R is close-fitting and padded enough to stay put without squeezing any hot spots on my noggin. I've had older Bells that felt great in the pits, but when I got a little sweaty, they would fall down over my eyes when I landed jumps. Others I loved only after I cut ear holes into the liner. No problems like that with the Moto-7R. The finish and detailing on the helmet are nice. This one is the Metzger Replica, and like the Godfather's, it has a giant eyeball under the visor as well as on top of them. I say them because two visors are included with the helmet, as is a plush-lined protective bag.

The venting is good in hot weather, but it comes at the price of being loud compared with more closely padded lids. The liner is easily removable for washing, but the ear pads attach with hook-and-loop closures, and it is trouble to get them back in place. With the removable pads out, part of the helmet upholstery stays in, so it will remain dirty unless you wash both the helmet and the liner.

Compared with high-end helmets, the price is reasonable, the finish is staying shiny and seems tough, and none of the parts have gone missing except for a little plastic grill thingie on one side. I'm taking credit for that. A branch hit the side of the brain bucket like a Louisville Slugger. The impact caused the little part to pop off, but my head was no worse for wear. And ultimately, that is the key to helmet approval: I trust this $229.95 lid with my head. -Karel Kramer

Real Rider Tested
O'NEAL Hardwear Jersey And Pant
O'Neal's Hardware apparel line is its top offering. As such, my expectations were high. MSRP for the pant is $149.99, and the jersey is advertised at $49.99. These prices are right in line with those of other manufacturers, but if I am laying down 200-plus bones on some new riding gear, I feel I should be getting the best. And in many ways O'Neal met my expectations.

There are six well-styled colors to chose from, ranging from the traditional-red, black, blue and yellow-to the more exotic-lime and the as-tested chocolate. I found the look appealing. The colors are bold and vibrant with just enough tasteful styling. Appearance is half the battle, but more important are fit, function and durability. While testing at the 24 Hours of Glen Helen race, I literally wore my gear the entire time, even during nap time.

The pant fit well, with my only complaint being that the foam hip pads are uncomfortable ( I took them out after my first riding session). The knees and legs offer enough room for knee guards or braces without being sloppy. Fit around the waist was just right with enough adjustability in the belt to be snug and comfortable. Flex panels in the front and sides facilitated transitions from sitting to standing. Construction is top-notch with reinforced stitching in the right places. I liked the look, feel and comfort of the real leather knee panel, which proved its worth in four-stroke headpipe protection. Vented panels in the front as well as a vented inner liner helped keep things cool.

The cut of the jersey creates a fit that permits the use of an underprotector without being too loose if one is not used. The arm cuffs are narrow to keep the sleeves in place but not too tight to induce the fear of arm-pump. Material is very light and comfortable, with ventilation in the arms and front. Reinforced stitching on the bottom, collar and seams added to the durability.

After washing, the colors remained vibrant, and I noticed no frayed edges or loose strings, which I attribute to quality craftsmanship.

Overall, I was very pleased with the gear. I find the styling and color options (even the UPS-inspired chocolate) appealing to my taste. But most important, everything fit well and was comfortable even after the 24-plus hours of time we spent getting to know each other. I would hand over my hard-earned dollars without reservation for this gear.