Helmet issues

[SOlsenPHS]

We do not have a lot of choices of places to buy helmets where we live so we have to buy online. I recently asked for suggestions on different helmets on Facebook and we decided to go with the LS2 Valiant II Modular Helmet. We used the sizing chart online to determine what size to buy. After measuring my head, the chart said I should wear a Large. Every other helmet I have used I needed an XL. Again, I went to Facebook for suggestions on sizing to see of they run smaller or larger than the suggested chart size. I ordered an XL based off suggestions. I have had the helmet for about 2 weeks and it is really tight and presses on my forehead almost to the point of being uncomfortable. I can tolerate it for a while but we going on some long rides next month and I don't know that I can stand it on a 500 mile ride. Any suggestions on to make it more comfortable other than buying new helmets again? I hate to waste the money on them.

[ARtraveler]

When you get a new helmet, it should be a "little" tight. If it hurts...then you need a bigger size. Our last two sets of helmets, we "broke them in" by wearing them for a half hour each night while watching TV. We started with a half hour, then 45 minutes, then an hour. After four to five hours, the helmets shaped to us and fit very nice now.

[SOlsenPHS]

When you get a new helmet, it should be a "little" tight. If it hurts...then you need a bigger size. Our last two sets of helmets, we "broke them in" by wearing them for a half hour each night while watching TV. We started with a half hour, then 45 minutes, then an hour. After four to five hours, the helmets shaped to us and fit very nice now.

My wife had the same idea, I thought she was crazy but we will give it a try.

[KX5062]

Sometimes you can change the internal pads to give you more room.

[pidjones]

A hard, rounded object such as the head of a bowling pin can be used to compress the foam at "hot spots". I wouldn't got too far with it but it has eased the pain from tight temples on a couple new HJC that I've had. Don't go over ~1/8" deep with it.

[SpyderTx63]

I have the LS2 valiant 2 also. I ordered my usual size of medium. It also was a bit tight at first. It seems to be getting more comfortable everytime i ride. It is still pretty tight on my cheeks when the chin bar is down.

[SOlsenPHS]

I have the LS2 valiant 2 also. I ordered my usual size of medium. It also was a bit tight at first. It seems to be getting more comfortable everytime i ride. It is still pretty tight on my cheeks when the chin bar is down.

We are okay with the tightness on the cheeks but the forehead is hard to take.

[Plarimer]

I recently bought a Harley Davidson pilot modular helmet. It breaks down into three pieces from a half helmet to a full face. For some reason I’ve always found that the Harley helmet fit me the best and that I can try them on and walk around the store to see how they really fit.

[RayBJ]

..... I have had the helmet for about 2 weeks and it is really tight and presses on my forehead almost to the point of being uncomfortable.....

Sounds like the lid is too 'round' for your head shape. It may be the correct size but you likely need a more 'oval' shape. If you call Revzilla and explain your hot spot, they should be able to point you to a better fitting lid. Removing foam or padding is not a wise idea if safety is of concern.

[Adventurer]

When you get a new helmet, it should be a "little" tight. If it hurts...then you need a bigger size. Our last two sets of helmets, we "broke them in" by wearing them for a half hour each night while watching TV. We started with a half hour, then 45 minutes, then an hour. After four to five hours, the helmets shaped to us and fit very nice now.

Reminds me of when I was in Junior High (a very long time ago) and I slept with my new football helmet on all night to try to "break it in" before two-a-days started!!!

[Adventurer]

We do not have a lot of choices of places to buy helmets where we live so we have to buy online. I recently asked for suggestions on different helmets on Facebook and we decided to go with the LS2 Valiant II Modular Helmet. We used the sizing chart online to determine what size to buy. After measuring my head, the chart said I should wear a Large. Every other helmet I have used I needed an XL. Again, I went to Facebook for suggestions on sizing to see of they run smaller or larger than the suggested chart size. I ordered an XL based off suggestions. I have had the helmet for about 2 weeks and it is really tight and presses on my forehead almost to the point of being uncomfortable. I can tolerate it for a while but we going on some long rides next month and I don't know that I can stand it on a 500 mile ride. Any suggestions on to make it more comfortable other than buying new helmets again? I hate to waste the money on them.

Like someone else mentioned different manufacturers build for different head shapes. I once was gong to buy the LS2 but after reading about it decided it probably was the wrong shape for my head. Almost all charts say I should wear an XL but I usually require an XXL. I wear HJC almost exclusively now as their helmet shape in a XXL fits me regardless of the model and HJC is a pretty good value for the money, IMHO. Do a little google fu and you can come up with good info on helmet shapes vs head shapes. I will confess I once thought they meant face shape, but they are talking about the shape of your head from the top looking down onto your head.

[Tango]

If you can get to a Cycle Gear Store. They are great. Wife and I are going through the exact same thing right now. Her helmet was beyond painful. We brought hers back, and they replaced it to the next size up. No question about it! With mine, they removed three small pads in the front. Said to give that a try. So we will. This way there is no back and forth shipping. They have a huge selection of in stock helmets. :thumbup: Tom :spyder:

[K80Shooter]

Where did you purchase the helmet? You might be able to return it.

[BajaRon]

Sorry, somehow I managed a double post.

[BajaRon]

As mentioned by others. There is more to fit than head size. If you're getting pressure on your forehead, and there seems to be more than enough room between your helmet and ears (you should not be able to get your fingers between your ears and your helmet without some difficulty). Then the helmet is too round for you. You need a more oval shaped helmet (as has also been mentioned).

190001

Some people have a basketball head, some have a football head. And there is everything in-between. Most helmets are intermediate oval, which is fine for most. But will be too round for some and too oval for others. The LS helmet you have is a neutral oval. A middle of the road helmet. You may want to look for a helmet that leans towards the long oval format.

Web Bike World does a lot of research and has a ton of helmet information. Here is a link to their 'Review by Head Shape' page. Scroll down and find your helmet and it will tell you what the head shape is. Or, look for helmets that are best suited to your head shape.
https://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-helmet-reviews-by-internal-shape/

If you're going to modify your helmet. Crushing the Styrofoam shell works. You are reducing the ability of the helmet to protect you in the area where you do this. So, you want to do as little as possible. I use a large spoon to do this. It give a nice, rounded compression. Do a little at a time so that you get the pressure releaf you need while decreasing safety as little as possible. Again, getting the correct head shaped helmet is the best option.

[Peteoz]

This is probably the wrong thing to do, and I’m sure that will be pointed out to me, but my Schuberth 3/4 was a great fit except at the forehead.....and it was expensive and brought in from overseas, so I couldn’t ship it back easily. I carefully released the material covering, shaved maybe 1/16” off the forehead styrofoam using a small flexible box cutter, and reapplied the material. That was 4 years ago and it, along with the Shoei J-Cruise are the most comfortable helmets I own.

Pete

[Woodaddict]

i also did as Peteoz above did. i didn't have your brand helmet, but did a first time ride for 12 hrs in a new full face helmet. whew! it was uncomfortable, moving it around during ride to feel better. i actually had a bruise right on forehead that REALLY hurt. so i pulled back the liner and shaved off some styrofoam to get the desired fit

[Peter Aawen]

This is probably the wrong thing to do, and I’m sure that will be pointed out to me, but my Schuberth 3/4 was a great fit except at the forehead.....and it was expensive and brought in from overseas, so I couldn’t ship it back easily. I carefully released the material covering, shaved maybe 1/16” off the forehead styrofoam using a small flexible box cutter, and reapplied the material. That was 4 years ago and it, along with the Shoei J-Cruise are the most comfortable helmets I own.

Pete

:yikes: Don't let your local Mr Plod know that!! :lecturef_smilie:

According to the ADR's & Aust Approvals/Compliance bunf, doing that ^^ sorta thing, no matter how minor, makes your helmet no longer the same helmet that was deemed 'Compliant' on type testing, so therefore it's no longer safe for you to use/wear it while riding on our roads! :shocked: So just like me'n probly close to 1/2 of the other 'helmet users' in the country who've done the same thing or some similar 'minor fitting/appearance modification' to our helmets, if Mr Plod decides to get shirty enough to check, you too could be fined for 'riding a motorcycle while not wearing an approved & compliant helmet'..... :p And don't whatever you do peel that bleedin' ADR Compliant sticker off the back of the helmet or take the ADR tag off the liner - that'll make your helmet downright deadly & might attract a defect sticker!! :rolleyes:





:opps: Sorry, but I couldn't find the 'sarcastic' emoji, so you'll just hafta make do with those I did use! :thumbup:

[bmccaffrey]

Sounds like the lid is too 'round' for your head shape. It may be the correct size but you likely need a more 'oval' shape. If you call Revzilla and explain your hot spot, they should be able to point you to a better fitting lid. Removing foam or padding is not a wise idea if safety is of concern.

Hit the nail on the head. I have an oval head. Very hard to find helmets to fit the oval!

[Plarimer]

Mine was leather, easy to break in!

[UtahPete]

This is probably the wrong thing to do, and I’m sure that will be pointed out to me, but my Schuberth 3/4 was a great fit except at the forehead.....and it was expensive and brought in from overseas, so I couldn’t ship it back easily. I carefully released the material covering, shaved maybe 1/16” off the forehead styrofoam using a small flexible box cutter, and reapplied the material. That was 4 years ago and it, along with the Shoei J-Cruise are the most comfortable helmets I own. Pete

I use heat, like with a soldering iron, to selectively melt the foam in places it's too tight.

[UtahPete]

if you're going to modify your helmet. Crushing the Styrofoam shell works. You are reducing the ability of the helmet to protect you in the area where you do this. So, you want to do as little as possible. I use a large spoon to do this. It give a nice, rounded compression. Do a little at a time so that you get the pressure releaf you need while decreasing safety as little as possible. Again, getting the correct head shaped helmet is the best option.

A heated spoon is a great idea, Ron.

[Quickdraw]

I bought an HJC helmet online last year in size XL after measuring my head. It was too tight but because I had already worn it, they wouldn't take it back. So then I bought the 2XL. Again, my forehead was aching after a couple of hours riding. Again I could not send it back. I finally bought a 3XL. My head isn't that big so I'm guessing their size chart is wrong. I feel your pain.

That's the last time I buy a helmet without trying it on. Cost me $500 after all said and done. I guess I could sell them since they're brand new.

[pieman9155]

if order from revzilla they take them back. if are like my wife. she where's a long oval. she tried like 4 helmets. she has the LS2 strobe

[Lew L]

.

I've modified a few helmets for better ventilation ( holes in foam didn't line up with air inlets) and for hot spots. Used the removal method rather than compression of the foam.

Lew L

[Fat Baxter]

You need to determine your head shape before you shop for a helmet, especially if your head is oval. If it's long-oval, you'll find you have far fewer options. DAMHIKT. Very few helmet makers build a true long-oval helmet.

Arai's Signet-X is their only long-oval helmet line. Pricey, but it fits. I hear that some of the LS2 helmets are long-oval, but can't confirm.

[guzzihack]

I bought an HJC open face that I could never get rid of the pain in the forehead area. I took a chance on a Arai on sale and haven't regretted it so far.

[Tango]

If you can get to a Cycle Gear Store. They are great. Wife and I are going through the exact same thing right now. Her helmet was beyond painful. We brought hers back, and they replaced it to the next size up. No question about it! With mine, they removed three small pads in the front. Said to give that a try. So we will. This way there is no back and forth shipping. They have a huge selection of in stock helmets. :thumbup: Tom :spyder:

Update on my helmet. Went back to Cycle Gear walked in and took my helmet off in front of them. Guy looked at me, "that's way to tight on you". He had me try on a Shoei Neotec II. Wow what a helmet! Expensive as all get out. Gave me credit for the Sedici and I said that's steep for a helmet. The Shoei was $700. He knocked off $70, then another $30 off a new SENA made for Shoei. Cycle gear has gone out of their way for us. Taking back helmets no questions asked. They have earned our business! :firstplace: Tom :spyder:

[Tango]

We do not have a lot of choices of places to buy helmets where we live so we have to buy online. I recently asked for suggestions on different helmets on Facebook and we decided to go with the LS2 Valiant II Modular Helmet. We used the sizing chart online to determine what size to buy. After measuring my head, the chart said I should wear a Large. Every other helmet I have used I needed an XL. Again, I went to Facebook for suggestions on sizing to see of they run smaller or larger than the suggested chart size. I ordered an XL based off suggestions. I have had the helmet for about 2 weeks and it is really tight and presses on my forehead almost to the point of being uncomfortable. I can tolerate it for a while but we going on some long rides next month and I don't know that I can stand it on a 500 mile ride. Any suggestions on to make it more comfortable other than buying new helmets again? I hate to waste the money on them.


The Cycle Gear people said those size charts are very rarely correct. You need to try on the different makes to see what fits your head best. :thumbup: Tom :spyder:

[PhillyPod]

I agree with the comment by Fat Baxter that the problem may be that you have a long oval shaped head. I am the same. Every helmet I tried gave uncomfortable pressure on the forehead. I have now had 2 Arai Signet-X lids. They are the only model I find comfortable. Yes it is pricey but it is comfortable from the start, from a top company and Snell rated so that makes it a bit easier to take the cost.

I'd also second the opinion about contacting Revzilla. I have bought all my gear from them. I am fortunate to live near Philly so can actually go to their retail store, get suggestions from their staff and try things on, but I have also bought mail order from them. Top notch!