Helmet fit-How tight should a new helmet be

schroeder · Post by **schroeder** » Thu Jun 05, 2008 7:25 pm

My Buddy will be delivered to me in a couple weeks. Went to try on helmets today. How tight should they fit? I usually wear a 71/8 hat and that is about a medium in most helmets. My friend who has been riding for years told me it seemed to loose and I should go with a small. Seemed a little tight but he said it will break in a little. He said if your helmet is not tight it will flop around to much and you will get a lot of wind also. I am looking at a full face helmet since I have never had a bike before. What say you. thanks

kilted texan · Post by **kilted texan** » Thu Jun 05, 2008 7:48 pm

Schroeder, When I was trying on helmets I looked for a snug fit but not too tight. I think I figured out a fit technique that might work for you. Put on the helmet & shake your head, like saying no. If the helmet slides go smaller. If it wiggles, but stays put it should be just right. I also noticed that if you wear a helmet too small the cheek pads will put pressure on your face & it will start to ache after about 5 minutes.

Which ever helmet you end up buying put the helmet on & walk around the shop for about 10 minutes. Go look at other stuff & see if it cause any pressure. Yeah you will look funny but it is better than grabbing a shovel to scrap up you gray matter off the road after an accident.

Post by **ericalm** » Thu Jun 05, 2008 11:03 pm

Two good guides to fitting a helmet:

http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle- ... et-faq.htm

http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/street ... index.html

jfrost2 · Post by **jfrost2** » Thu Jun 05, 2008 11:04 pm

Shaking your head back and forth like texan said is good, if it doesnt move around, you got it.

ferfdom · Post by **ferfdom** » Thu Jun 05, 2008 11:08 pm

The dealer I go to helped me fit my helmet! Try going to one near you and ask!

gt1000 · Post by **gt1000** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 1:31 am

Your friend is wise and ericalm's links, as always, are spot on. Tight is good. Once the helmet is on and the strap is cinched, you should attempt to gently roll the helmet forward and backwards. If it rolls more than a little, it's the wrong size or wrong shape.

If the helmet moves when you're just shaking your head, it's too big. Then again, I don't know how hard you're shaking your head, so nevermind.

There's another great helmet fitment guide at the Arai website. Sorry, don't have time to post the link now...

curlyred · Post by **curlyred** » Sat Jun 07, 2008 2:13 am

I bought a 3/4 helmet in a medium. It seemed fine in the store. It doesn't move when I shake my head, and the cheek pads don't bother me, even though it's fairly snug. Kind of hard to slide on and off, but I took that as a good sign at the time. But sometime during my ride the other day, say after about 45 min, it was hurting my forehead. It was pretty sore, and I had a headache afterward. (didn't diminish how much FUN I had, though!)

I don't quite know what to do. I feel like an idiot, but do these things "break in"? Or did I buy one too small?

This would make an expensive mistake. I've emailed my dealer, but haven't heard back yet. Suggestions??

I haven't worn it again yet. I'll probably be out on Piglet tomorrow, though.