the important thing is to wear an approved helmet that fits properly! From there on it is still mostly a matter of personal choice.
Well said!
I've been selling MC helmets now for over 10 years. I like to get into whatever I do and the helmet thing is no different.
Arai has done several studies in the area of fit and they have found that correct helmet fit is actually more important than helmet design and quality in the full face realm (to a point).
Of course a wll fit, well made, high quality helmet offers the ultimate in function and protection, don't get me wrong.
The disturbing news is that in every study Arai has done, about 70% of the non-professional riders choose a helmet at least 1 size too large for them. And many are wearing a helmet 2 sizes too large for a proper, safe fit.
There are many reasons for this including head shape. But the biggest reason seems to be an uninformed idea of how a properly fitted helmet should feel.
The most expensive helmet made is of little value if your head is rattling around inside like a marble in a cage.
My head size was a Medium by the sizing chart but I always wore a Large because the medium was just TOO TIGHT!
Working for the fire department and going to MC accidents where the rider lost their helmet during the crash caused me to look more closely at the whole issue.
Once I got used to wearing the proper size helmet (a Medium in my case) I was amazed at how much better the whole helmet experience and function became.
It took a bit of determination, on my part, as the proper size helmet seemed way too tight, hard to get on and off, etc. But it was all a matter of doing it right and changing my concept of what "Felt" right on my head.
Improper head shape is not uncommon. The terms 'Shoei Head', 'HJC Head', etc., come from people who understand proper head shape fit. The idea is to get the same amount of pressure (padding contact) for all areas of the head.
If you get the wrong head shape you'll get pressure points that will be very uncomfortable. The solution is NOT to get the next size bigger helmet to eliminate the pressure points! That's were most of us go wrong. The answer is to get a helmet that fits our head shape properly.
Arai is rare in that they make 3 different head shaped helmet (Round, Long Oval and Intermediate) so it is possible to find an Arai helmet that will fit you properly. This is not true of every helmet manufacturer.
But there are many great helmets out there and if you find a brand that fits you properly then you're on the right track.
I get customers all the time wanting an Arai helmet with a particular paint scheme. A customer may want a paint schemet that only comes in the Round shapped helmet but they need the Long Oval to fit properly.
What do they do? Do they get the correct helmet shape? NO! They opt for a larger size in the wrong helmet shape, just to get the paint scheme they like.
Now I'm no different than the next person. I want a good looking helmet. But you have to put your priorities in the right place.
Most people put more effort into deciding which windshield or muffler to put on their ride than they do into which helmet to wear. I am convinced that this is due not to a lack of concern but because people just do not understand what is required.
Many retailers are (unfortunately) more interested in selling the customer what they have than in getting the customer what they need. And many are no more knowledgable than the customer about what makes a good, safe helmet. It's more than price and a good paint job.
Just my 2 Cents.
