This Iconic Motorcycle Helmet Just Some Major Upgrades

Bell’s new Bullitt GT sustains the original’s stunning style while smoothly improving its performance.

Published February 24, 2025

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Updated February 25, 2025

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For those of us who didn’t grow up on two (motor-powered) wheels, the first thing that captured our attention about motorcycles was probably some gorgeous, possibly retro pop culture artifact.

My eye was first caught by Steve McQueen’s Triumph Trophy in The Great Escape — with a close second being Luciana Paluzzi’s BSA Lightning in Thunderball.

For today’s kids (and kids at heart), however, it’s probably Mr. Milchick’s Royal Enfield Interceptor in Severance.

bell bullitt gt full — Thanks to the magic of magnets, the Bullitt GT’s face shield can be swapped without the use of tools.

But while McQueen didn’t even wear a helmet — and Paluzzi turned more heads when she doffed hers — Milchick’s sleek black throwback bubble-shielded brain bucket is arguably an even bigger draw than the bike, if Reddit is any indication.

Speculation about just what that helmet is runs rampant, but the good news is the brand that is probably behind it just made a lid with equal classic style plus some small but critical modern touches.

Meet the new Bell Bullitt GT.

Number one with a Bullitt

While it looks like it could have hit the streets before any of us were born, the original Bullitt dates back just over a decade.

That’s when industrial designer Chad Hodge, drawing inspiration from classics like the 1960s-era Bell Star, dreamed up a helmet as part of his final year thesis.

Bell was so impressed, according to Bike Exif, they hired Hodge to make his dream a reality.

bell bullitt gt three quarters — Those three little vents above the brow can be open and closed via a mechanism hidden under the chin bar.

The results speak for themselves, in that you’ll see the helmet everywhere, helping to explain why Bell has not only continued to produce it but introduced an upgraded version that’s a bit more user-friendly for today’s rider.

So, what’s different about the new edition? First off, the Bullitt GT boasts something I’ve never really seen in a retro styled helmet — and certainly something my beloved Biltwell Gringo doesn’t have.

The vents are closable, enabling you to adjust the airflow via a mechanism hidden under the chin bar.

bell bullitt gt back — As you can see here, the Bullitt GT very much retains the retro roundness and streamlined styling of the original.

Second, in another nod to progress, the GT features integrated speaker pockets, enabling you to add an aftermarket sound system.

Meanwhile, the shield gasket offers improved sealing, better protecting you (and your ability to rock out) at high speeds.

The shield itself is removable without tools, so swapping in another shade or switching to a Milchick-style bubble shield is quite literally a snap. (The key is indeed one of Insane Clown Posse’s favorite miracles: magnets!)

Bell says the helmet also features “an updated interior for easy maintenance,” which sounds a bit vague, and simple-to-swap cheek pads, which does not.

bell bullitt gt bottom — That little toggle on the left is what enables you to open and close the vents on the fly.

The Bullitt GT consists of 42% fiberglass construction, weighs roughly 3.3 pounds and is of course DOT and ECE certified, too.

That said, if you are still deadset on the Milchick program, there’s a pretty good chance it’s some version of Bell’s Custom 500, inspired by the brand’s very first production helmet from 1954.

All you need to do is remove the branding and add a 3-Snap Bubble DLX Shield and you should be good to go.