Helmet question from a new rider.

[Fribur]

Hi all!

On Saturday I pick up a Ryker Rally from the dealership, and I intend to drive it home.

I am a brand new rider-- I've never driven anything other than cars.

My question concerns a helmet-- here is the scenario:

1. the dealer is not willing to let me try on helmets due to COVID.

2. I decided then, to research and buy a helmet via Amazon, because then I can return it if it doesn't fit and get another.

3. First helmet came, and it was the wrong one. I immediately returned it.

4. Second helmet arrived today, and I'm wearing it while typing this message. I got a modular-- the LS2 Valiant, for close to $300. It's a large, which is what was suggested based on my own measured head size.

It looks great!

Question: How do I know if this thing actually fits me? It feels tight, but since I've never bought a helmet, I don't know if it is properly snug, or too tight.

I have it on now. It seems fine on the top of my head. It *might* be too tight around my cheeks. How do I know if it is? How should it feel? How much will the padding thin over time? I can feel it actually restricting my jaw a bit. I'm not in any pain, but... I don't know how it is *supposed* to feel.

I can't look very far downward before I feel the strap digging into my throat.

 

[Fribur]

I think it's too small. Taking it off was definitely a relief, and I can feel around my head (especially my jaw) that it was a bit painful as it was.

going to try an XL. Hope it fits, because it will arrive the day before I go pick up the bike.

 

[campermac]

first off, don't go cheap. You only have one head and it is valuable. So pick a good brand.
Second, If you are new to the bike scene then I suggest a full face helmet for maximum protection.
Third, take a cloth tape measure, one like a person that sews uses and measure your head. Place the tape measure 1" above your eyebrows and ears and measure the diameter.
Fourth, Go to a helmet manufacturers website of the helmet you like and they all have a sizing guide on their website to be able to compare your measurement to the size that you would need. If you end up with an in between size where your measurement could be either a smaller or larger size I suggest going to the smaller size because the pads will wear in and loosen up.
last thing, Check to see if the size guide gives you recommendations for helmet size comparisons if you have an oval or round head.

Good Luck

 

[RayBJ]

Helmets come in different shapes as well as sizes. Each brand has different shapes available. They vary from Round to narrow oval. You need to measure your head circumference and know your head shape. If the lid is tight only on the sides, it's too narrow. Conversely, if tight at forehead it's too round.

I WOULD NEVER BUY A HELMET WITHOUT 1ST TRYING IT ON!!!!!

Motorcyclegear.com has a 'Lid Picker' kit to determine your fit. https://www.motorcyclegear.com/info_pages/lidpicker.html

Here's an example of the brands, models. Probably not up to date but good for showing the differences.
http://www.lidpicker.com/free-data

Revzilla and other online shops will usually let you exchange for free once.
Also, Cyclegear stores (p/o Revzilla) have a decent selection to try if you have one nearby.

 

[Wmoater]

Since you already bought it, Put the helmet on and watch tv for an hour. If you don’t notice it’s there your good. You’ll know in 20 minutes if it’s to tight. When my wife was picking one out she walked around the shop looking at cloths and talking etc for 30 minutes. If you forget it’s on it’s perfect. If it’s bugging you it’s no good. Don’t just try one. Try them all. Revzilla has $7.00 return on anything if you choose not to keep or exchange. That’s cheap to return.

 

[Fribur]

I WOULD NEVER BUY A HELMET WITHOUT 1ST TRYING IT ON!!!!!

My dealer will not let me try on helmets before I buy, because of COVID.

So... I'm buying them from Amazon, trying them on, then returning if they don't fit. I was really hoping to have something ready to go before I pick up the bike on Saturday, so I didn't have to buy a helmet from whatever limited selection happens to be there (and that I can't try on).

first off, don't go cheap. You only have one head and it is valuable. So pick a good brand.

I have no idea if what I purchased is a "good brand." I couldn't do much more than $300-- I purchased an LS2 Valiant. It seemed to have good reviews for the price-- I watched a lot of Revzilla and Youtube videos before making the choice.

I did measure my head as suggested, and at first, purchased a helmet that the manufacturer said would fit me. I think it's too small, though.

 

[ARtraveler]

Your wearing it while you are "breaking it in" is a good idea. Most helmets will seem tight at first. They stretch a bit to take on the shape of your head. Our last helmets Bell/Mag 9 seemed tight at first. We wore them for a couple hours each night while watching the TV. After about 4 days...they felt like exact fit.

 

[Fribur]

Put the helmet on and watch tv for an hour. If you don’t notice it’s there your good. You’ll know in 20 minutes if it’s to tight. When my wife was picking one out she walked around the shop looking at cloths and talking etc for 30 minutes. If you forget it’s on it’s perfect. If it’s bugging you it’s no good. Don’t just try one. Try them all. Revzilla has $7.00 return on anything if you choose not to keep or exchange. That’s cheap to return.

Thank you! This is what I needed to hear. It definitely was "noticed." I'm returning it and trying the next size up. It was too tight.

 

[Fribur]

Your wearing it while you are "breaking it in" is a good idea. Most helmets will seem tight at first. They stretch a bit to take on the shape of your head. Our last helmets Bell/Mag 9 seemed tight at first. We wore them for a couple hours each night while watching the TV. After about 4 days...they felt like exact fit.

So here is the thing-- it wasn't just tight (unless it is supposed to feel this way)... it was actually so tight around my jaw that it was restricting my mouth movement, and after about 15 minutes I had some pain.

 

[ARtraveler]

So here is the thing-- it wasn't just tight (unless it is supposed to feel this way)... it was actually so tight around my jaw that it was restricting my mouth movement, and after about 15 minutes I had some pain.

That is to tight. When you start to hurt quickly...that's a good clue.

 

[RayBJ]

So here is the thing-- it wasn't just tight (unless it is supposed to feel this way)... it was actually so tight around my jaw that it was restricting my mouth movement, and after about 15 minutes I had some pain.

It's too narrow. If the size is right for your measurement, you need to look at semi-oval or round. Also, good lids have cheek pads sizes that can mix & match to custom fit.

 

[RickD]

Sounds too tight to me, too. There are a LOT of useful tips on this website: https://www.revzilla.com/common-tread/how-to-buy-and-size-a-motorcycle-helmet

Knowing the circumference of your melon and its general shape w/respect to ovality is crucial to getting a proper fit. In my experience, Revzilla has a lot of knowledgeable people just waiting to reply to your emails.

If you live in a helmet law state you may need DOT certified. I would suggest Snell certification as well. https://www.revzilla.com/common-tread/helmet-safety-ratings-101

 

[Markubis]

Also, do you know if you have an oval or round head? Most helmets are shaped for certain shaped heads. You could try checking this by measuring over the top of your head from side to side and then from front to back. Basically where the band of a baseball hat would sit on your head. If your front to back is close to your side to side then you have around head. If front to back is larger then side to side then you have an oval.

 

[CsOldGrayDog]

Ok it does sounds too tight, but do not get one too large! A helmet that's too large will not protect as it should, actually increases air noise when riding and will cause you issues over time. A perfect fitting helmet is not easy to get, I actually found a Arai factory dealer, close enough to visit (pre covid). They then fit me, going through several models, to pick shape and size. It's snug, all around me head, and face. Having ridden in what must gave been loose helmets I thought fit, I now would never make that mistake again. Ps my wife rides in a Valiant ls2 she loves it, I was impressed by quality.

 

[Bfromla]

:welcome::congrats::agree: & ya first helmets usually become spares opcorn: recommended no more than 5years of use:lecturef_smilie: Recent thread maybe useful

https://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?139728-Super-sale-only-1-in-stock

 

[JohnRuckus]

If there is a cycle gear in your area, go there. They'll assist with fitting and selecting a helmet.

 

[Fribur]

I appreciate all of your responses!

Ok it does sounds too tight, but do not get one too large! A helmet that's too large will not protect as it should, actually increases air noise when riding and will cause you issues over time.

I ordered just one size larger.

It's my last shot-- I won't have a chance to get another if this one doesn't fit. I'll have to buy one at the dealership and hope.

I don't have a good idea of the *shape* of my head. Based on an earlier post, I guess it's possible my head is more "round."

Want to see me? What shape is my head? sorry about it being sideways-- no idea how to fix that.

 

[Peter Aawen]

It's too narrow. If the size is right for your measurement, you need to look at semi-oval or round. Also, good lids have cheek pads sizes that can mix & match to custom fit.

:agree: With those & the other 'that is too tight' comments, but be aware, a brand new helmet SHOULD feel at least a bit 'tight' on first putting it on! It should even still feel 'snug' on your face/head 2 or 3 years down track, BUT, it shouldn't 'hurt' after 20-60 minutes or so! If it hurts or you can't breathe, open your mouth enough to talk, or freely move your head to look left, right, up, & down sufficient to see around you while you're riding without significant effort or the strap cutting off your breathe/blood supply to your brain, then it's too tight/small/wrong shape!! :shocked:

To fit properly, a helmet should fit your head snugly (& so probably it'll need to be a bit tight when brand new, cos they WILL wear in a bit!) and the strap should be able to be reasonably snugly tightened without choking you. Once on & strap snugged up, do the following:

• shake your head vigorously - if the helmet moves much, it doesn't fit properly & could injure/paralyse/kill you if you have an accident!
• nod your head vigorously - if the helmet moves much, it doesn't fit properly & could injure/paralyse/kill you if you have an accident!
• hang your head down in front of you as if to rest your chin on your chest & reach back/over to grasp the back of the helmet at your neck, then tug as if to pull the helmet off - if the helmet moves much, pulls forward over your face, or the strap really chokes you enough to stop breathing, it doesn't fit properly & could injure/paralyse/kill you if you have an accident!
• looking straight ahead, trying to hold your head still, grasp the helmet on both sides and twist each way - if the helmet moves much either way, it doesn't fit properly & could injure/paralyse/kill you if you have an accident!
• if it's a full-face or modular helmet with a chin bar, look up, lean your head back, & grab the chin bar then push up & back as if to push the helmet off - if the helmet moves much, pushes up/back off your chin, pushes dangerously into the nape of your neck, or the strap really chokes you enough to stop breathing, it doesn't fit properly & could injure/paralyse/kill you if you have an accident!
• with the helmet & your usual riding jacket/top on, look over your left shoulder, then your right shoulder, look up then look down, and thru this all, see how far you can turn &/or move your head before being forced to stop - a well fitting good quality helmet should let you reasonably look around yourself enough to fairly readily see/view the 180° or so sphere around, either side of, & in front of you without significant straining - anything better is a bonus, anything less is a risk to your safety.

Do you begin to see the commonality amongst all these? :dontknow:

A well fitting helmet WILL be a bit tight at first, so that it stands some chance of remaining snug throughout its life; it might even press your cheeks &/or forehead in a little, especially if new, but it shouldn't hurt within 20-60 mins; and it should be snug enough that it won't move much at all on your head during anything short of a high speed collision - if the helmet moves much or readily when it's on, or if it doesn't snugly fit your face/head/forehead appropriately to its style, then it doesn't fit properly & could injure/paralyse/kill you if you have an accident! It should be light enough that you can move around freely without it impeding that movement, and it shouldn't be able to be dragged off your head or cut off your breathing &/or blood supply to your head even if you do have an accident/get lifted up by your helmet! Many people mistakenly choose helmets that're too loose because they don't like the way they fit snugly, but by doing so, they are INCREASING their risk of being paralysed or killed if they're ever involved in a reasonably severe accident! That said, choosing a helmet that's TOO TIGHT is almost as bad as choosing one that's too loose because if it's too tight there's not enough 'give' left in the tightly compressed lining to absorb any shocks & so protect your brain from injury in the event of an accident! A comfortably snugly fitting 'tight when new' helmet, but one that doesn't hurt within 20-60 mins or so, & one that is light enough for you/your head & neck to carry it easily is what you want.... Good Luck finding one that does all those things without trying it on!

Over to you, and Good Luck on your helmet search and on your new Ryker! Welcome aboard!! :cheers:

 

[Navydad]

The helmet shouldn't be uncomfortably tight after twenty minutes or so, but it should be snug enough not to move when you nod or shake your head. Not a vigorous nod, but just a "normal" movement of your head. A new helmet will loosen a bit over time. I've been riding and buying helmets for over 50 years and I still HATE shopping for a new one. A lot of choices and a lot of different prices, but then again variety is a nice thing to have. Most helmets are DOT approved and some are Snell approved. DOT is a very good standard so no worries with one of those. Snell adds a couple of other tests that DOT doesn't, but that doesn't mean the DOT helmets are not up to the job. Have fun and be careful out there.

 

[Huggytree]

I recently bought a modular one too. And had the same issues with my jaw. I was advised from local club members I had 2 options. Wear it for 6 months and it will wear in. Or remove the liner and cut some foam out. I cut 50% of the foam out of mine on the sides. It still fits snug but now no pain. I’ve got an extra large and my head isn’t that big. No way im a 2xl. Some helmets are just tight.

We might have the same helmet!