Bell Helmets NZ & AU — Buyer's Guide

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

Harris Race Radios is a New Zealand Bell Helmets dealer and specialist motorsport helmet supplier. Aaron Harris is an MSNZ Licence Examiner and has 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.

For broader Bell range information, visit the Bell Helmets New Zealand & Australia brand page. For general helmet standards, fitment, and motorsport safety guidance, visit the Helmet Knowledge Centre.

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 different forms of motorsport.

Harris Race Radios stocks a broad Bell motorsport range — from CMR karting helmets through to FIA 8860 carbon shells — with genuine stock sourced through official Bell channels. Bell helmets are supplied with the homologation information published for the specific model. Always confirm the model, certification, and event requirements before competing.

Which Bell Helmet Do I Need? — By Discipline

Quick Bell Helmet Selector

What do you race? Bell models to consider Important check
Circuit racing RS7, GT6, HP7 Evo IV Confirm the FIA or Snell standard required by your series.
Rally driver GT6 Pro Rally, HP10 Check the event rules, communications setup, and FHR requirements.
Rally co-driver Mag-10, GT6 Pro Rally Open-face visibility and intercom compatibility may be priorities.
Karting KC7 Check whether your class requires CMR 2016 or a CIK-FIA standard.
Speedway or dirt track Bell speedway and dirt-track models Confirm the current track, series, and governing-body requirements.
Off-road or 4WD Bell pumper helmets Check forced-air and intercom requirements for your vehicle and event.
Offshore or marine racing Bell Offshore Confirm marine certification, extraction, and communications requirements.

These are starting points, not a substitute for checking the current helmet rule for your event. Contact us if you want help narrowing down the correct model.

Circuit Racing — Cars

For circuit car racing in New Zealand and Australia, many categories specify a full-face helmet approved to FIA 8859-2024, FIA 8860, or an accepted Snell standard such as SA2025. Requirements vary by series and event, so check your logbook and current regulations before choosing a helmet.

  • Bell RS7 — FIA 8859-2024 approved. Lightweight, excellent ventilation, strong radio and intercom compatibility. A practical circuit option.
  • 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 the standard specified by the event or governing body, which may include FIA 8859-2024 or FIA 8860. 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 categories commonly specify CMR 2016 for junior competition and/or CIK-FIA standards. Requirements vary by class and event. Do not assume a car-racing helmet is accepted in karting — check the current regulations for your class before ordering.

  • 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 classes may specify Snell SA2025 or another accepted standard. Requirements vary between governing bodies, tracks, and series, so confirm the current helmet rule before competing. 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 supplies motorsport radios and helmets for speedway and dirt-track competitors, and can help match the helmet and communications setup to your event requirements.

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. Used in F1, GT, and professional circuit competition.
FIA 8859-2024 Circuit, Rally Current FIA standard used by many circuit and rally categories. Confirm acceptance with your event.
Snell SA2025 Circuit, Speedway, Off-road Current Snell standard. Acceptance depends on the regulations for your category and event.
CMR 2016 Karting Junior karting standard. Check the current class and event requirements before ordering.

Not sure which standard your series requires? Contact Rex or Aaron — Aaron is an MSNZ Licence Examiner and can help interpret the published requirements. Your event regulations and logbook remain the final authority.

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 Aaron Harris, an MSNZ Licence Examiner 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.

Before ordering, confirm the current returns and exchange terms if you are unsure about sizing.

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

Many MSNZ and Motorsport Australia circuit and rally categories require or recommend an FHR (Frontal Head Restraint) or HANS device with a compatible helmet. Bell helmets use standard FIA anchor posts on applicable models — confirm anchor-post compatibility with the specific helmet and FHR device before use.

Harris Race Radios supplies matched Bell helmet and FHR options, with advice on anchor post compatibility, tether angle, and the requirements published 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. Bell helmets sold by Harris Race Radios are genuine products sourced through official Bell channels. Check the specific model information and certification marking before competition.

Do you ship Bell helmets to Australia?

Yes. We ship across New Zealand and Australia with tracked delivery. Dispatch and delivery timing depends on stock availability, destination, and the courier service selected.

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

Contact us before ordering if you are unsure about sizing. We can help with head measurements, shell shape, and model selection. Check the current returns and exchange terms before purchase.

Which Bell helmet is approved for MSNZ competition?

Requirements vary by discipline, class, event, and the current MSNZ regulations. Circuit and rally categories may specify FIA 8859-2024, FIA 8860, or an accepted Snell standard, while karting has separate requirements. Contact Rex or Aaron for help interpreting the published rules, then confirm the final requirement in your event documentation.

Which Bell helmet is approved for Motorsport Australia competition?

Motorsport Australia requirements vary by discipline and event and may include FIA 8859-2024, FIA 8860, or Snell standards. Check the current event regulations or contact us for help identifying the relevant requirement. You can also review our Motorsport Australia approved helmets guide.

Can you wire a Bell helmet for radio or intercom?

Yes — as Australasia's leading motorsport radio specialists, we can supply and wire many Bell helmets 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?

Warranty coverage depends on the product and manufacturer terms. Bell helmets sold by Harris Race Radios are sourced through official Bell channels. Contact us if you have a warranty issue and we will advise on the available support process.

Shop Bell Helmets by Category

Need expert advice? Contact Harris Race Radios for Bell helmet and communications advice.