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The best Bell Bullitt alternatives in 2026 are the HJC V10 for value, the Biltwell Gringo SV for budget riders who want a flip-up visor, and the Bell Bullitt GT itself if you liked the original. The original Bullitt has been replaced and is on closeout. Many classic rivals, like the Shoei Glamster and Arai Concept-XE, aren’t sold in the US, so the real choice is narrower than most older lists suggest.
This guide is research-based. We checked US availability, certification, SHARP safety scores and published review findings for every helmet in November 2026, and we’ve flagged models that are on closeout or not sold in the US.
Quick picks
- Best overall retro full face: Bell Bullitt GT
- Best value: HJC V10
- Best budget: Biltwell Gringo SV
- Best closeout deal: Nexx XG.100R
- Best luxury: Hedon Heroine Racer 2.0
What happened to the Bell Bullitt?
The original Bell Bullitt is discontinued. Bell replaced it with the Bullitt GT, which keeps the 1950s-style shell and big eyeport but adds a wider field of view, a tighter shield gasket, better vents and ECE 22.06 certification. You can still find the original on clearance for around $200. It’s DOT and ECE 22.05 certified and scored 3 stars in SHARP testing, so it’s a reasonable deal if you accept the older standard.
Riders love the Bullitt’s styling and huge view, but complain about the same things in every review: it’s noisy at highway speed because of the open chin area, the shield isn’t Pinlock-ready so it fogs in the cold, and swapping the shield takes a coin or screwdriver. Those are the points to compare the alternatives on.
Already deciding between two retro helmets? Our Bell Bullitt vs Biltwell Gringo comparison goes deeper.
Bell Bullitt alternatives compared
| Helmet | US price | Shell | Certification | SHARP | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bell Bullitt GT | About $450 | Composite | DOT, ECE 22.06 | Not rated | Current |
| Bell Bullitt GT Carbon | About $670 | Carbon | DOT, ECE 22.06 | Not rated | Current |
| HJC V10 | About $330–$345 | Fiberglass | ECE 22.06 | 3 stars | Current |
| Biltwell Gringo SV | About $300 | ABS | DOT, ECE 22.06 | Not rated | Current |
| Biltwell Gringo S | About $110–$300 | ABS | DOT, ECE 22.06 | Not rated | Standard model on clearance |
| Nexx XG.100R | About $293–$329 | Composite | DOT, ECE 22.05 | 4 stars | Closeout |
| AGV X3000 | Varies | Fiberglass | DOT, ECE 22.05 | 3 stars | Limited US stock |
| Hedon Heroine Racer 2.0 | About $1,249 | Carbon composite | DOT | Not rated | Current |
Prices are US retail in November 2026 and change often, especially on closeout models.
1. Bell Bullitt GT: best overall
If you like the Bullitt, the GT is the obvious upgrade. Bell widened the eyeport, improved the shield seal and vents, and certified it to ECE 22.06 as well as DOT. A UK review measured a large at 1,434 g, which is light for a full-face helmet. It’s still not quiet, so wear earplugs on the highway. The GT Carbon cuts weight further, to about 1,280 g in a medium according to published figures, and includes both clear and tinted shields.
2. HJC V10: best value
The HJC V10 is the strongest alternative for most riders. It has a fiberglass shell, a large eyeport, emergency-release cheek pads, and a Pinlock 70 insert in the box. That Pinlock fixes the Bullitt’s fogging problem. It weighs about 1,380 g in a medium and scored 3 stars from SHARP. Reviewers note wind noise from around 50 mph and a looser cheek fit than some riders like. Check the US listing for DOT certification before you buy.
Source: SHARP HJC V10 test.
3. Biltwell Gringo SV: best budget
The Gringo SV gives you the retro shape with a big flip-up visor for about $300, and it carries both DOT and ECE 22.06. It has three shell sizes, so smaller heads don’t end up in a bulky helmet. The downsides are an ABS shell, so it’s heavier than fiberglass helmets, a visor seal that lets in noise, fogging in cold weather, and a fit that runs small.
4. Biltwell Gringo S: classic flat-shield look
The Gringo S has the flat-shield, small-eyeport look many riders want from a vintage helmet. Biltwell sells a 20th Anniversary edition at about $300, while the standard ECE 22.06 version has been on clearance for around $110 at some dealers, which suggests the core model is winding down. It runs small, so size up if you’re between sizes.
5. Nexx XG.100R: best closeout deal
The Nexx XG.100R scored 4 stars from SHARP, better than the original Bullitt, and is light at about 1.45 kg. It’s on closeout in the US for roughly $293 to $329, down from about $420 to $470. The catch is that it’s certified to the older ECE 22.05, not 22.06, and once current stock is gone it may be hard to find.
6. AGV X3000: for the racing heritage look
The X3000 copies the shape of Giacomo Agostini’s 1970s racing helmet, with a fiberglass shell and a sculpted chin. It scored 3 stars from SHARP. US stock is limited, and we couldn’t find an ECE 22.06 version, so treat it as a buy-if-you-find-it option. Reviewers note buffeting around the chin bar and a shield swap that needs a tool.
7. Hedon Heroine Racer 2.0: the luxury pick
Hedon’s Heroine Racer is a handmade London helmet with a carbon composite shell, a leather interior and a double-lens anti-fog shield. It weighs about 2.96 lb and costs about $1,249. It’s DOT certified. We couldn’t confirm ECE 22.06 for the 2.0, so check the label if that matters to you.
Retro helmets you can’t easily buy in the US
Several of the best-rated retro full-face helmets aren’t DOT certified or aren’t sold through US dealers:
- Shoei Glamster 06: 5 stars from SHARP and ECE 22.06, but Shoei hasn’t sold it in the US.
- Arai Concept-XE: 4 stars from SHARP and ECE 22.06. We found no US listing.
- Simpson Venom: 4 stars from SHARP, sold in the UK and Europe. Simpson’s US range centres on the Mod Bandit modular instead.
Importing a helmet without DOT certification can be a legal problem in US states with helmet laws, so check yours before ordering from abroad. Our helmet laws by state guide lists the rules.
How to choose a retro full-face helmet
- Certification: look for DOT plus ECE 22.06 where possible. Our helmet safety ratings guide explains what each standard tests.
- Fogging: retro shields often aren’t Pinlock-ready. The HJC V10 includes one, which is a real advantage in cold or wet weather.
- Noise: big eyeports and open chin bars let in wind. Wear earplugs whichever helmet you buy.
- Weight: fiberglass and carbon shells (Bullitt GT, V10, XG.100R) are lighter than ABS ones (Gringo).
- Fit: Biltwell helmets run small; measure your head and use our helmet size calculator.
For more styles, see our best café racer helmets and best Bell helmets guides.
FAQ
Is the Bell Bullitt discontinued?
The original Bullitt has been replaced by the Bullitt GT and is now sold on closeout. The Bullitt GT and Bullitt GT Carbon are current.
What helmet is similar to the Bell Bullitt?
The HJC V10 is the closest current alternative, with a similar retro shape, large eyeport and an included Pinlock insert. The Biltwell Gringo SV is a cheaper option with a flip-up visor.
Is the Bell Bullitt GT ECE 22.06?
Yes. The Bullitt GT and GT Carbon are certified to DOT and ECE 22.06.
Why is the Bell Bullitt so loud?
Its large eyeport and open chin area let a lot of wind into the helmet. Reviewers recommend earplugs above about 65 mph.
Is the Shoei Glamster sold in the US?
No. Shoei sells the Glamster in Europe and other markets, but it hasn’t been DOT certified for the US.
