Pro motocross athlete Carey Hart is no stranger to the Bell family. With a long history of helmet collaborations, we’ve been honored to work alongside this powersports legend to provide riders with premium head protection in uniquely epic designs. As we kick off a new series of Hart Luck helmets, we connected with Carey to learn more about the inspiration behind the graphics, while getting the lowdown on his growing charitable passion project, Good Ride.
While “Carey Hart” is a name synonymous with moto, can you tell us a little about who you are and what you do outside of that world?
Away from my work life, my life mainly consists of being a father and a husband. Life is pretty complicated with my wife’s work commitment on tour, and in that situation my role is mainly father. I’m lucky to be able to adjust my schedule so that I don’t have to be away from my family too much.
Your career history is super interesting, from pioneering freestyle motocross to opening Hart and Huntington! Where do you see yourself expanding next?
Truthfully, I don’t have any plans to expand. I’ve worked pretty hard over the last ten years to simplify and prioritize my life for my kids. I truly love what I’m doing in the twin world—it’s fun, challenging, and fulfilling. I have a pattern of trying to “build” my work passions to a point where I don’t enjoy it. I’m trying to be careful of that. I really love all aspects of v-twin. Building motorcycles is a great way to keep myself challenged and working with my hands, and I have a team of companies that I get to create fun products and projects with. Time spent on the road and in the saddle reminds me of the most fun parts of my motocross career, as well as seeing the country with my friends and raising hell.
What is Good Ride, and how did it come to fruition?
Big B and I started Good Ride six years ago. What we do at Good Ride is host a series of organized rides, mainly at rallies, to raise money for veterans. We are a 501c3, and the funds that we raise are passed on to Infinite Hero. We have been fortunate enough to have companies like Bell, Indian, Fox shocks, Cardo, Black Rifle Coffee Company, and Wienerschnitzel support our fundraising. I’ve always wanted to do something charitable, and it was a little bit tricky to do in the world of motocross. With the events we go to on behalf of sponsors, and the large contingent of active-duty military and vets, it just made sense to start Good Ride.
How can someone get involved?
There are a few different ways to support Good Ride. If you are at one of the rallies or events we are having, purchase an entry and come along for the ride! It’s a very fun event for a great cause. If you can’t come or don’t ride, you can also purchase an entry for a veteran and you will receive a free limited-edition hat. Lastly, you can be a financial donor or sponsor of the rides.
You’ve been a partner of Bell for some time, with an array of helmet graphics under your belt. While each one is epic in its own right, which one is your favorite and why?
My favorite was my first signature piece. It was a design specific to Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. It’s my favorite event of the year, and I have attended for twelve rallies now. It was also my first signature piece in V-twin, which is pretty special.
When collaborating on a helmet, do you try to put your spin on each design? What is it you want whoever wears one to think or feel?
Each design represents a project I’m doing, a style I like at that time, or an event I’m inspired by. Where fashion is a big part of the design, I want riders who purchase my helmet to know they look cool and are safe while riding down the highway.
Can you tell us a little bit about your latest Hart Luck helmet? What was your inspiration for its design? What makes this one different from the others?
With this design, I wanted to go a little cleaner, and classic. I was in the middle of an Indian Motorcycle project for the actor Jon Bernthal, and he wanted a very simple and classic paint scheme on his motorcycle. As the project came together, I thought that a similar paint design on a helmet would be good for the marketplace.
What can fans expect from you and Bell next?
I’m really excited for more projects with Bell in the future. Aside from the graphic design, we are going to start incorporating Mips technology in all the helmets, in order to give the rider even more protection if the helmet ever has to do its job and see the ground.
