+1+1+1+1+1 on the Arai helmets. I recently went shopping and was quite surprised to find out that I was wearing an HJC that was 2 sizes too big! The guy at Moto Liberty took the time to measure my head and found that Arai makes several different shapes that correspond to different head shapes and he found the one for me. Additionally, my guy wound up swapping head liner and cheek pads until it was a perfect fit.
Bottom line is the Arai is the most comfortable helmet I've ever had. It is quiet. The cooling vents actually work! Yes, it was over $500 but well worth it.
Unfortunately, your story is VERY common. Arai does fitment research every so often and they come up with about the same numbers very time.
About 70% of non-professional riders are wearing a helmet that is at least 1 size too large and about 50% are wearing a helmet 2 sizes bigger than they should.
I've told this story many times but it is worth repeating. I worked in the fire service for many years in California. It amazed me how many times a motorcycle rider would lose their helmet in a crash. Sometimes it came off even before the helmet struck anything.
At first I assumed that they did not have the chin strap fastened. But when I started looking I found that chin straps were still in place but the helmet had come off anyway. The reason? Helmet was too big for that rider and some paid dearly for their ignorance.
I knew my head size said Medium but they were SO TIGHT I was wearing a large (for comfort). After seeing those helmets lying around at MC accidents I determined to wear a medium hemlet no matter what.
At first I thought it was torture. But soon I realized that my helmet was staying put on my head. It did not move around in wind buffetting like my Large did. Now that I have trained myself to wear the correct size helmet it does not feel tight at all (though, of course, it is).
I know most riders do not have the benefit of the motivational experiences I've had first hand. But if I can convince even one of you to get the correct size helmet and wear it no matter what, I will have done a good thing.
A helmet that is too big will also be a noisier helmet. A correctly fitted helmet, while tight, is a very comfortable (and quieter) experience.
Most people see a helmet on the shelf that looks cool and buy it. Instead, forget color and find a helmet that FITS properly FIRST. Then start looking for a color that will work for you in that model helmet.
It amazes me how people will put more thought, research and effort into what oil they use than in choosing a helmet.
Arai is an excellent helmet. They make 3 different head shapes (Round, Oval and Intermediate). I've had people tell me "Arai's don't fit my head". I ask them if they tried all 3 head shapes and the response is always "What?"
Typically people try one Arai thinking they all fit the same. Not true. If you can't find an Arai shape that fits you well I would be surprised.
As stated here Arai also has a huge array of liners and cheek pads to custom fit (after you've chosen the correct shell shape for your head).
And you don't need to spend $500 to get an Arai either.
There are a lot of great helmet brands out there. Scorpion makes a good helmet as does Shoei and many others. Also, just about any quality brand helmet will have otional interior padding components to customize fit on their helmets.
Hope this helps someone.
