Bell Helmets Now Offering MIPS Impact Technology in Certain Helmets

Bell Helmets has taken yet another step in bringing innovative safety technologies to the masses with the announcement that MIPS, or Multi-Directional Impact Protection System, will be offered within several of its higher-volume helmets. The technology, first offered within Bell Bike helmets, is designed to manage energy from rotational and angular impacts, and will now be available in three tried-and-true Powersports helmets this fall – MX-9, MX-9 Adventure and Qualifier DLX. Qualifier DLX marks the first time that MIPS will be available within a street motorcycle helmet.

“It’s our belief that ‘high tech’ doesn’t have to equate to ‘high price,’ and we’re demonstrating that by bringing MIPS technology to these helmets,” said Chris Sackett, Vice President of Bell Helmets. “We have led the charge for safety technology for 60 years, and our mission continues to be one of providing high-quality safety features to riders at every level.”

MIPS uses a slip plane system that moves inside the helmet, mimicking the brain’s own protection system. This low-friction layer under the impact liner is designed to rotate inside the helmet with the intent to potentially slow or reduce the amount of energy transferred to or from the head. The MIPS liner is connected to the outer liner by four elastomeric bands that provide 10-15 millimeters of movement in all directions.

When a head rotates quickly and comes to a sudden stop, the rotational acceleration can cause the brain tissue to experience high levels of strain. The stretching of the tissue that can be caused by these motions can result in various types of brain injury. MIPS addresses this strain by allowing the head to slide independent of the helmet during the most critical milliseconds of impact. The slide that occurs during that critical moment of time helps to reduce the violence to the brain inside the skull, and can significantly reduce the risk of traumatic brain injury.

MIPS is the latest advanced safety system to enter Bell Helmets. In 2014, Bell Helmets introduced the Flex Impact liner in its Moto-9 Flex and in 2016 it was added to the Pro Star and Race Star. The Flex Impact Liner features exclusive “progressive layering” technology – a system of three unique protective materials – is designed to address low-, mid-, high-speed and rotational impact velocities to deliver Bell’s most comprehensive level of protection

For more information: www.bellhelmets.com.

The Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame recently named Marilyn Stemp and Steve Piehl to its board of directors.

Stemp is a pioneering figure in the motorcycle industry, founding IronWorks Magazine with her late husband, Dennis, and becoming the first female editor of a nationally circulated, mainstream motorcycle magazine. She also revived their trade magazine, Iron Trader News; edits the monthly Kiwi Indian News; contributes to several powersports media outlets; and is the founding editor of Sturgis Rider Daily. Stemp is a noted editor and writer of several motorcycle-focused books. Her consistent support for charitable efforts in the industry include the annual Biker Belles Celebration, Las Vegas BikeFest and as campaign chair for the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum’s development plan in 2014. She co-founded the Flying Piston charity events taking place in Daytona and Sturgis each year and is a National Ambassador for All Kids Bike. Stemp was inducted into both the Las Vegas Motorcycle Hall of Fame and the Sturgis Museum's Hall of Fame in 2018, and in 2022 she was recognized as one of the Top 100 Women in Powersports by DealerNews.