Bell Helmets NZ & AU — Buyer's Guide

Bell Helmets — Complete Buyer's Guide for New Zealand & Australia

Harris Race Radios is New Zealand's official Bell Helmets dealer and Australasia's most experienced motorsport helmet specialist. Rex and Aaron Harris are MSNZ-certified helmet examiners who have fitted, tested, and raced with Bell helmets at club level through to international endurance events including Bathurst, Barcelona, and Dubai. This guide is written from that experience — not from a catalogue.

If you know what you need, shop all Bell helmets. If you're not sure, read on — or contact Rex or Aaron directly.

Why Bell Helmets?

Bell is one of the most trusted names in motorsport head protection — used by F1 champions, Supercars drivers, rally crews, kart racers, and speedway competitors worldwide. Bell helmets combine proven safety engineering with lightweight construction, excellent ventilation, and a wide range of homologations covering every form of motorsport.

Harris Race Radios stocks the full Bell range — from entry-level CMR karting helmets through to FIA 8860 carbon shells — with genuine stock sourced through official Bell channels. Every helmet carries current FIA, Snell, or CMR certification. No grey-market imports, ever.

Which Bell Helmet Do I Need? — By Discipline

Circuit Racing — Cars

For circuit car racing in New Zealand and Australia, you need a full-face helmet approved to FIA 8859-2024 or Snell SA2025 as a minimum. Most MSNZ and Motorsport Australia (CAMS) circuit categories require one of these standards — check your logbook or series regulations if unsure.

  • Bell RS7 — FIA 8859-2024 approved. Lightweight, excellent ventilation, strong radio and intercom compatibility. Our most popular circuit helmet.
  • Bell GT6 — FIA 8859-2024 and Snell SA2025. Versatile circuit and rally helmet with wide visor aperture.
  • Bell HP7 Evo IV — FIA 8860-2018 carbon shell. For drivers requiring the highest level of homologation — GT, Supercars, and professional circuit competition.

Shop Bell Circuit Helmets →

Rally & Stage Rally

Rally helmets need to meet FIA 8859-2024 or FIA 8860 standards. Co-drivers often prefer open-face helmets for visibility and communication. Intercom compatibility is critical — we can advise on and supply the correct wiring for any Bell rally helmet.

  • Bell Mag-10 — Open face, FIA 8859-2024. Popular with co-drivers for wide field of vision and intercom compatibility.
  • Bell GT6 Pro Rally — Full face with rally-specific features. FIA 8859-2024 approved.
  • Bell HP10 — FIA 8860 carbon. For professional rally crews requiring maximum protection.

Shop Bell Rally & Open Face Helmets →

Karting

Karting helmets must be approved to CMR 2016 (junior) or CIK-FIA standards. Car racing helmets (SA2025, FIA 8859) are not permitted in karting — you need a helmet specifically homologated for kart use.

  • Bell KC7 — CMR 2016 approved. Lightweight, excellent ventilation, and strong fit for junior and senior kart racers. Compatible with AiM MyChron data systems.

Shop Bell Karting Helmets →

Speedway & Dirt Track

Speedway and dirt track helmets need to meet Snell SA2025 or equivalent standards as required by Speedway NZ and your track. Bell speedway helmets feature a wider field of vision for peripheral awareness on oval circuits and rear-facing ventilation to reduce dust and dirt ingestion.

Harris Race Radios is the official radio and helmet supplier to Speedway NZ tracks and competitors — we know exactly what your track and series requires.

Shop Bell Speedway & Dirt Helmets →

Off-Road & 4WD Racing

Off-road and 4WD racing helmets need to handle dust, heat, and forced-air ventilation requirements. Bell pumper helmets feature pre-wired intercom connections for seamless radio integration — critical for off-road and desert racing where communications are essential for safety.

Shop Bell Offroad Pumper Helmets →

Offshore & Marine Racing

The Bell Offshore helmet is purpose-built for powerboat and marine racing — carbon composite shell, high-visibility orange, fast-removable chin bar for emergency extraction, and integrated ZeroNoise intercom. Rex Harris is a qualified Radio Telecommunications Engineer and approved Radio Certifier for NZ (RSM) and Australia (ACMA) — we can advise on marine VHF radio integration and licensing for offshore racing.

Shop Bell Offshore Helmets →

Understanding Bell Helmet Homologations

Standard Discipline Notes
FIA 8860-2018 Circuit, Rally Highest FIA standard — carbon shell required. F1, GT, professional circuit.
FIA 8859-2024 Circuit, Rally Current FIA standard for most MSNZ and CAMS circuit and rally categories.
Snell SA2025 Circuit, Speedway, Off-road Current Snell standard. Accepted by most MSNZ and CAMS categories.
CMR 2016 Karting only Required for kart racing. Car helmets not permitted in karting.

Not sure which standard your series requires? Contact Rex or Aaron — as MSNZ licence examiners, we can confirm exactly what your logbook needs.

Bell Helmet Fitting — Getting It Right

A helmet that doesn't fit correctly is a safety risk — regardless of its homologation. Bell helmets come in round oval and intermediate oval shell shapes. Getting the right shape and size for your head is critical.

Harris Race Radios offers expert helmet fitting advice from Rex and Aaron Harris — MSNZ-certified helmet examiners with decades of experience fitting helmets to racing drivers from club level through to international competition. We fit helmets at our Paraparaumu base and can advise remotely for customers across New Zealand and Australia.

How to measure your head for a Bell helmet:

  1. Measure the circumference of your head approximately 2.5cm above your eyebrows using a soft tape measure.
  2. Take the measurement in centimetres and match to Bell's size chart.
  3. If between sizes, go up — a helmet that is too tight will cause pressure points and discomfort during a race.
  4. Contact us if you are unsure — we can advise on shell shape and liner options for your specific head shape.

We offer 60-day returns and free exchanges if the size or model is not right.

Bell Helmets and Radio / Intercom Compatibility

Not all helmets work equally well with radio and intercom systems. Microphone placement, shell geometry, and liner design all affect communication quality at speed. As Australasia's leading motorsport radio specialists, Harris Race Radios can advise exactly which Bell helmet works best with your radio or intercom setup — and supply and wire the complete system.

We stock and support:

  • Rugged Radios intercom systems — wired for Bell circuit, rally, and off-road helmets
  • Motorola digital radio systems — with Bell-compatible helmet kits
  • Stilo and Peltor intercom adapters for Bell helmets
  • Custom wiring looms and PTT systems for Bell helmets

Shop Motorsport Radio Systems →

FHR and HANS Devices with Bell Helmets

Most MSNZ and Motorsport Australia circuit and rally categories require an FHR (Frontal Head Restraint) or HANS device when using an FIA 8859 or 8860 helmet. Bell helmets use standard FIA anchor posts — compatible with all major FHR and HANS devices.

Harris Race Radios supplies matched Bell helmet and FHR bundles, with expert advice on anchor post compatibility, tether angle, and compliance for your specific series.

Shop Bell Helmet & FHR Bundles → | Shop HANS & FHR Devices →

Frequently Asked Questions — Bell Helmets NZ & AU

Are Bell helmets sold by Harris Race Radios genuine?

Yes. Every Bell helmet we sell is genuine, sourced through official Bell channels, and carries current FIA, Snell, or CMR certification. We do not sell grey-market or parallel imports.

Do you ship Bell helmets to Australia?

Yes. We ship across New Zealand and Australia with fast dispatch and tracked delivery. Most orders are dispatched within 1–2 business days from our Paraparaumu, New Zealand base. Delivery to Australian metro areas typically takes 3–5 business days.

Can I return a Bell helmet if it doesn't fit?

Yes — we offer 60-day returns and free exchanges if the size or model is not right. Contact us before ordering if you are unsure about sizing and we will help you get it right first time.

Which Bell helmet is approved for MSNZ competition?

Most MSNZ circuit and rally categories require FIA 8859-2024 or Snell SA2025 as a minimum. Karting requires CMR 2016. Contact Rex or Aaron for confirmation of what your specific series or logbook requires — as MSNZ licence examiners, we can give you a definitive answer.

Which Bell helmet is approved for Motorsport Australia (CAMS) competition?

Motorsport Australia generally accepts FIA 8859-2024, FIA 8860, and Snell SA2025 helmets for circuit and rally competition. Check your CAMS approved helmets guide or contact us for confirmation.

Can you wire a Bell helmet for radio or intercom?

Yes — as Australasia's leading motorsport radio specialists, we can supply and wire any Bell helmet for radio or intercom use. Contact us with your helmet model and radio/intercom system and we will advise on the correct wiring kit.

Do Bell helmets come with a warranty?

Yes. All Bell helmets sold by Harris Race Radios are covered by Bell's manufacturer warranty. Contact us if you have a warranty issue and we will manage it through official Bell channels.

Shop Bell Helmets by Category

Need expert advice? Contact Harris Race Radios — Rex and Aaron are available 7 days.