Bell Helmets, an industry leader in helmet technology and innovation, recently announced the Moto-9 Flex. The Moto-9 is Bell's newest motocross helmet offering a radical advancement in managing energy across the wide array of impacts common with off-road motorcycling.

At the heart of the Moto-9 Flex is Bell’s exclusive “progressive layering” technology – a system of three unique protective materials, each designed to address specific impact velocities while simultaneously working in harmony to deliver Bell’s most comprehensive level of protection available today.

With helmet manufacturers touting innovations for specific scenarios, such as low speed or rotational impacts, Bell has created a helmet that effectively addresses various possible impacts, including high, medium or low speed, and rotational impacts. In off-road racing, where a risk multiple impacts are possible, it seemed only logical for Bell to develop a helmet that effectively addresses many all of them.

“We’ve seen so much attention and discussion being given to specific impact scenarios, and that concerned us, because off-road motorcycling can be completely unpredictable. A proper helmet needs to protect the rider in the widest array of situations they might encounter,” said Chris Sackett, Bell Helmets Vice President.

Together with the Advanced Concepts Group at BRG Sports, Bell discovered Expanded Polyolefin (EPO), which actually works in tandem with the often used Expanded Polypropylene (EPP) and Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) layering systems. EPO is a soft and flexible low-density polymer that, when placed between the EPP and EPS layers, dampens low-threshold impacts.

Along with the three potential impact speeds, Bell has addressed rotational energy management by engineering a “slip zone” within the Moto-9 Flex impact liner. The “slip zone” allows for subtle movement between the inner layers and works to reduce rotational energy transfer from angular impacts.

Bell also addressed head comfort with the Moto-9 Flex, with its “Adaptive Fit” system containing a segmented construction in the EPO layer, which conforms to a rider’s head for a better fit and more predictable energy management.

To further improve comfort, Bell included its top-of-the-line Velocity Flow Ventilation system, which offers maximum helmet ventilation and temperature control. The Moto 9 Flex will be available in early 2015. MSRP: $599.00 Bellhelmets.com