Okay, a quick call to Bell just a few minutes ago answered my question. Bell did stop shipping the firm cheek pads with the Star models in 2010. So, before 2010 you would have installed in the helmet the softer set and been provided the firm set. After 2010 you now simply get the firm set installed in the helmet and that's it. For me this is exactly what I wanted to hear since I now know I won't have to buy the firm ones. So, for all of you looking at the Star models, if you buy one after 2010 your helmet will have the firm pads installed.