Full face helmet
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 5,865
Likes: 168
From: Potsdam, NY
It takes a long time to find a helmet that is a good fit. Why? Because everyone has a different shaped head and every helmet model fits differently.
Helmets are supposed to fit very tight but not be painful. All helmets will pack down over time and fit tightest when new. A lot of higher end helmets offer different thickness liners and cheek pads.
Helmets are supposed to fit very tight but not be painful. All helmets will pack down over time and fit tightest when new. A lot of higher end helmets offer different thickness liners and cheek pads.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,630
Likes: 17
From: Central FL
What I've found with helmets is that usually the cheap ones fit a smaller range of people. When you get into the higher quality ones they actually have models for different shape heads and interchangeable cheek pads. By the time you try and buy several cheap ones you can usually go out and buy a real nice one. As far as recommendations I would say look at Arai and Shoei.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,800
Likes: 3
From: Alaskan transplant to Florida
Yours sounds too small to me! I am assuming you bought it online,which is a crap shoot! I have one I bought online a couple years ago. It doesn't fit right and has never been in the wind! Waste of money and too late to send it back!
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 434
Likes: 1
If you can chew gum and wear helmut...too loose.
They loosen up.
They loosen up.
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Novice
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Echoing what others have said. Buying a helmet online without trying it on is a crap shoot. Different manufacturers make helmets for different shaped heads. I have an oval head and have never been able to wear HJC (or Harley since they make them) but Shoei fits me great.
Helmet should fit snug to your face and make you pucker a little. It might be tight on your ears when you pull it on (might have to reach up with your fingers and push them up) but not tear them off. While wearing it, it should be tight enough so that when you shake your head the helmet follows your head and does not flop around but you do not have to feel like your head is in a vise. If you wear glasses, the helmet sides will be snug against them as you put them on but not so tight that they do not sit normally on your face (if you can't see straight you can't very well ride).
Main thing is that you should be able to put it on, tighten up the chin strap and walk around the store for 10-15 minutes and still feel comfortable. If you feel discomfort, like pressure on your forehead or someother pain point then the helmet may be too small or just not the right shape for your head. Try another size up if not too sloppy or try another manufacturer which might be better suited to your head shape.
A helmet that is uncomfortable will end up staying in the closet.
Helmet should fit snug to your face and make you pucker a little. It might be tight on your ears when you pull it on (might have to reach up with your fingers and push them up) but not tear them off. While wearing it, it should be tight enough so that when you shake your head the helmet follows your head and does not flop around but you do not have to feel like your head is in a vise. If you wear glasses, the helmet sides will be snug against them as you put them on but not so tight that they do not sit normally on your face (if you can't see straight you can't very well ride).
Main thing is that you should be able to put it on, tighten up the chin strap and walk around the store for 10-15 minutes and still feel comfortable. If you feel discomfort, like pressure on your forehead or someother pain point then the helmet may be too small or just not the right shape for your head. Try another size up if not too sloppy or try another manufacturer which might be better suited to your head shape.
A helmet that is uncomfortable will end up staying in the closet.
Last edited by BradDG; Nov 3, 2011 at 09:52 PM.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 12,653
Likes: 18
From: Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
When I bought my bike, I knew I needed a helmet that day so I bought one (a 3/4) from the dealer. I tried on a large and it was really tight especially in the cheek area. The girl said maybe we should try a XL. It too was too tight. So we tried the XXL and that's what I wound up getting. When I got my half helmet later, I ordered a XL and it was a tad tight around the crown, but loosened up some later. I won't ever buy another helmet without trying it on though because this just shows how different they can be.