Jusy got my Bell custom 500 lid today from LeatherUp.com ,size X-Lg. tight fitting especially in forehead area. Do they take a little time to break in? My Fulmer V2 & HJC r both XL's, wondering if I should return.

 

It's styrofoam. It's not going to break in any significant amount. If you have a hot spot just at the forehead you can use the back of a spoon to compress the liner in that area by pushing and rubbing hard, or you can try to shave the foam slightly if you can get under the liner. If it's too small in general, return it for a XXL

 

It will break in some. Helmets should be snug when new because of this...

 

Never done this but have heard you can take a large socket and press and roll in the irritating area to gain a little room

 

Ball peen hammer would work also. Or you could just get a bigger size.

 

The helmet will NEVER break in to relieve the hot spot. Bell helmets are for round heads - you may have an oval head like myself? I had to remove (sand) about 1/4" of foam to relieve the hot spot. Extremely comfortable at the expense of protection.

 

Bell helmets run small compared to others I've used, if you think it's more than 1/8" too small in that particular area I'd return it for an XXL.

 

Returning the helmet today for XXL, geez I got a big dome.

 

I don't think it will help you. I did the same with my 500 and I think you'll find the head area the same size but it will be looser around the cheeks which just let more air under the helmet. I ended up returning the larger size helmet and going back to the original size. I have a review on YouTube.

 

My HD half helmet gave me a pain right in the forehead after about an hour - it has never gotten better. I just ordered the Daytona Carbon Fiber one and it seems to be a much better shape in that area. I need to spend some time with it, but so far it seems to be an improvement.