Helmet Fit

[jthornton]

I want to get a new helmet with a drop down chin thing with the built in shield or with the drop down shield for those times when I get caught in the rain. I live in Swamp East Missouri so it is pretty hot most of the summer so ventilation is crucial. Living in SEMO means I live 3 hours from anywhere... 3 hours to St. Louis, Memphis, and Little Rock.

My problem is my head is not the standard shape that is used to build helmets as both of my current helmets are too tight front to rear and Ok side to side. I know I've seen somewhere where a helmet manufacturer has different shapes for different head shapes but can't find that. I don't mind driving to one of the above cities if someone knows of a good stocking dealer for helmets where I can try them on.

My other choice is to move to Illinois and ride with a ball cap but I don't like that option.:gaah:

Thanks for any ideas.
JT

 

[NancysToy]

Arai has a variety of head shapes...although they have discontinued at least one of them in the US.

 

[jthornton]

Thanks, I see that Arai has 10 dealers within 125 miles of the barn...

Edit: I see BajaRon carries Arai helmets, maybe he will chime in with some inside info.

JT

 

[NancysToy]

Unfortunately, for your desires, Arai does not make a modular (drop face). I don't know what shap your head is, or what otehr helmets you may have tried, but you you are best to try them on, whatever you choose.

 

[DrewNJ]

http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-helmets/motorcycle-helmet-shapes.htm

Is this the page your looking for? It's a decent bit of info but I've found some oddities in the information over the years as well.

You REALLY need to find somewhere and try them on. Even if you have to make a road trip to do it.
Good Luck
Doug

 

[finless]

I had a hard time finding a modular helmet that fit me too!
The only one I found fit my head was the HJC IS-MAX.

If that is not high end enough you might be stuck. There are not that many choices for modular helmets. At least the I could find without mail order.

Bob

 

[BajaRon]

What helmets do you now have that are too tight front to back?

Scotty is right, Arai does make several different head shaped helmets and some of them have removable, layered padding to accommodate in-between heads. He is also correct that Arai does not make a modular or flip up helmet.

My guess, from what you describe, is that you have a NARROW head. But you might have a neutral head and be wearing 'ROUND' head helmets, which would give you the same symptoms.

Most helmets these days are built on an 'Intermediate' shape, which fits more heads than any other single shape. If you are wearing a helmet that is LESS round than your head it will be tight side to side with room front to back. If you wear a helmet that is MORE round than your head, it will be too tight front to back with plenty of room side to side.

The web site http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcyc...met-shapes.htm listed by DrewNJ is a good place to start looking.

One fallacy that I find common is a statement like 'I have a Shoei head' or 'I have an HJC head'. It used to be that helmet companies made all of their different model helmets using the same shell design. So if a size Medium Shoei helmet fit you perfectly, you could pretty much be assured that all Shoei size medium helmets would fit you perfectly. So statements like these were accurate.

But this has NOT been true for quite a long time. Each different model of a single brand helmet typically uses at least a slightly different head shape. So if brand xxx model XYZ helmet does not fit, it doesn't necessarily mean that another model from the same company will not fit you better.

Of course if you're looking for a modular only, then you'll have only 1 choice per brand.

It is extremely important that you get a helmet that fits properly with a snug fit all the way around and that it does not move around on your head. Most people balk at a correctly fitted helmet saying; 'It's too tight!'. But a helmet that isn't snug, isn't going to protect you either. And believe me, you can get used to it.

A brand new helmet should always be a bit too tight (equally, all the way around). The interior padding is designed to conform to the features on your face/head after wearing it for a few hours. If the helmet is perfect when it is new, it will soon be too loose.

You should be able to shake your head fairly vigorously side to side and front to back (Don't hurt yourself!) and your helmet should not move on your head. If the helmet moves much when you do this or if you can feel your head banging around inside, you DO NOT have protection in an accident.

I sell Arai helmets which are a top of the line brand. But you're much better off with a $150 helmet that fits properly than you are with an $800 helmet that doesn't.

 

[bzbaeren]

Helmet fit

I have the save kind of problem and I found that cycle gear has a good variety of modular helmets and a 7 day free exchange policy that I think they honor even on their online purchases so even if it is a pain to mail back if they aren't close you aren't stuck with a loser. Don't think you're serious about the move though

 

[d.o.spyder-rts]

I have a Shark Evoline 3 and I like it. The helmet may be used full face or 3/4 face. The chin bar rotates to the rear of the helmet. It also comes with a sun visor. I bought mine from cyclegiant.com (wingstuff.com). Most dealers probably won't carry this brand because of the cost-around $420. Dale

 

[elixermixer]

I have a Shark Evoline 3 and I like it. The helmet may be used full face or 3/4 face. The chin bar rotates to the rear of the helmet. It also comes with a sun visor. I bought mine from cyclegiant.com (wingstuff.com). Most dealers probably won't carry this brand because of the cost-around $420. Dale

Have the Evo 3 as well. It has become my daily lid. It's my 3rd shark and I love them. The ability to ride full speed chin bar up or down. Not having to pack a clear or dark shield in case it's too bright or I get stuck out when the vampires come out. It is now my commuting helmet and its the one I grab 8 outta 10 clip my senna in and turn the music up. I use it on the bike and trike just love it.

 

[Ga Blue Knight]

You could also look at Nolan helmets which have a modular and are a high end helmet. They are sold mostly in BMW dealers

 

[FlaBound]

I wear the Shoei Neotech modular. The standard large fits me well. However, it is my understanding that they offer a variety of liners for different head shapes.
Also, I understand the different size helmets also have different size shells. I've read that some manufacturors use the same shell, and merely change liners to define the various sizes.
I imagine your aware of revzilla. They allow you to return stuff fairly easy, and also have good customer support. A phone call to them may be enlightening.
They sell just about every helmets out there.
I was fortunate that a local dealer had some Shoeis to try on for size.
Shuberth makes a very high end modular ( not inexpensive) that has a more european ( rounded ) configuration.

 

[Rock-n-Spyder]

You should take a look at the Nolan N-104 modular helmet. I think you will find a comfortable fit and it is very "roomy". I tried a number of helmets on that just made me feel too confined but not the N-104. Very nice helmet!

 

[bertmc]

Take a ride to St Louis

Hello JT, I would take a ride to St Louis. Look up the dealers & call/email to see what brands they have in stock. I have had Nolan modulars and prefer my current Shoei Neotech with built-in sunshade and good ventilation. Follow Ron's advice and get a helmet that fits properly: that is, tight.

Bert

 

[Blue Star]

Reevu Helmets

I looked at the Reevu Helmets today, and was blown away by them. I plan on buying one soon. They have two flip up models too. You can find more info at www.reevu-usa.com or emailing [email protected].

 

[jthornton]

What helmets do you now have that are too tight front to back?

I only have a few minutes this morning on the computer we are going on a Mystery Ride.

I have a GMax GM2X XL. Just a cheap helmet I bought when I needed one in a hurry.

The other one is KBC Tour Com XXL #838405 and it is even tighter than the GMax front to rear.

Thanks for all the info and help.

I wish there was cardboard cutouts to see what shape fits your head...

JT

 

[jthornton]

Hello JT, I would take a ride to St Louis. Look up the dealers & call/email to see what brands they have in stock. I have had Nolan modulars and prefer my current Shoei Neotech with built-in sunshade and good ventilation. Follow Ron's advice and get a helmet that fits properly: that is, tight.

Bert

Hi Bert,

I went to one motorcycle accessory store in the NW part of St Louis and they had a whole wall of helmets but 1/2 or better was for off road... I did find a 1/2 helmet there for my wife it has a Z on the front with a drop down shield.

JT

 

[jthornton]

I have a Shark Evoline 3 and I like it. The helmet may be used full face or 3/4 face. The chin bar rotates to the rear of the helmet. It also comes with a sun visor. I bought mine from cyclegiant.com (wingstuff.com). Most dealers probably won't carry this brand because of the cost-around $420. Dale

One of my buddies has a Shark with the flip up chin part and he likes it a lot.

JT

 

[jthornton]

It will take me a while to carefully read each reply and I thank each and everyone for replying.

I'm off for the rest of the day.

Thanks
JT

 

[wyliec]

JT,

I must say that BajaRon knows his 'helmet' stuff. I purchased and Arai through a dealer of the product back in 2009 when I purchased my Spyder. The person who was the so called expert got the shape of my head right; but, the XL was not correct and I didn't know better at the time. It wasn't until months later that Scotty explained how a helmet should fit that I realized I had the wrong size. After corresponding with Ron, I realized I should have purchased a medium. The only thing Ron could do was suggest the thicker top pad and cheek pads; but, he said I might end up being a bubble head when done. It's now a perfect fit without being a bubble head.