Helmet headache, get next size or keep it?

[Marius Elvenwood]

I got a brand new helmet today, a Bell M1 helmet size M for a 57-58cm head ordered over the internet. I measured my head before purchase, i'm a size 57.
I tried it on and wore it for an hour or so, to see if it was the right size. I noticed that it pushed into my forehead, left a small pressure mark when I took it off, and it gave me a small headache.
I can still return it, but I'm just concerned that if i get a size L it will be too big. Should I keep the size M or ask for a size L?

[puddytat]

Get a haircut....


Problem is that Americans have weird heads. Really.
Try a large. Its a bit like their shoe size....their 11 is like a 9.:rolleyes:

[slofox]

Every helmet I have ever owned has grown looser after wearing for some time.

I bought a large Shoei because the medium felt tight. Six months later the Shoei was too loose to be safe and I had to go buy an Arai.

So there ya go.

[nerrrd]

Sounds to me like it might be the wrong shape for your head, if it's only pressing on your forehead.

You'd probably swim in a large if you're a 57.

I've had to modify helmets in the past to get them to fit comfortably by removing the inner liner and sanding the polystyrene gently in the affected area - will void your warranty/ability to return it though. Also can't yet vouch for how this affects the helmet in a crash.

[Akzle]

get an extra medium

[jellywrestler]

I got a brand new helmet today, a Bell M1 helmet size M for a 57-58cm head ordered over the internet. I measured my head before purchase, i'm a size 57.
I tried it on and wore it for an hour or so, to see if it was the right size. I noticed that it pushed into my forehead, left a small pressure mark when I took it off, and it gave me a small headache.
I can still return it, but I'm just concerned that if i get a size L it will be too big. Should I keep the size M or ask for a size L?

there's different cuts of helmets too, Helmets are too important to order on line, simple as that

[Scruffygit]

Agree with Nerrrd.

If it was the correct shape but just too small, it would be tight all round your head.

You say it leaves a mark on your forehead but does it press anywhere else, ie does it fit/press on the back of your head as well but feel relatively loose on the sides? If so then the helmet shape is wrong for you, it's too round for your relatively oval head.

The attached link is to a (old) video on the US Arai site. It's aimed at dealers and is very dry but aims to teach/remind them how to fit helmets and which helmet in the then Arai range fits what head shape. Jump to 4 minutes in to avoid a lot of rubbish:

http://www.araiamericas.com/default.aspx?pageid=92

Also an American review list of helmets listed by head shape. According to that Bell helmets cover five different head shapes, where does your Bell fit?

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

[Marius Elvenwood]

ouddytat

My hair is already half an inch short, and I don't want to go bald.
I'm still having trouble with shoe sizes at the moment, looking for motorbike boots I can afford!

slofox

But what if this helmet doesn't grow looser? Can I take the risk?
Why can't helmets be simpler?! WHY!?!?

nerrrd

Do helmets come in different shapes for different heads? I certainly don't want a too large helmet, but above all I really don't want to void any helmets waranty.

Akzle

M1 doesn't come in EM

jellywrestler

If there were a helmet supplier in Dunedin that sells 5 star SHARP helmets i'd use them, but my primary financiers (parents) only want to buy the best.

Scruffygit

It only hurts my forehead, the back and sides are comfortably snug.
I will watch those movies the next time i'm in the library. Internet is costly where I live *firstworldproblems

[jellywrestler]

jellywrestler

If there were a helmet supplier in Dunedin that sells 5 star SHARP helmets i'd use them, but my primary financiers (parents) only want to buy the best.


time you learn't there's more to fitting a helmet than one measurement then.

[Marius Elvenwood]

time you learn't there's more to fitting a helmet than one measurement then.

That's why i'm asking for professional help. Plus whatever you guys have got to say. Which is useful at least.

[SPP]

Yes, helmets come in different shapes to suit different heads. See here (http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-helmets/motorcycle-helmet-faq.htm)
<img src="http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-helmets/helmet-photos/head-shapes.jpg">

skip to 2:55. You're welcome.

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/oZVQLku4x4k?feature=player_detailpage" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[nerrrd]

nerrrd

Do helmets come in different shapes for different heads? I certainly don't want a too large helmet, but above all I really don't want to void any helmets waranty.



I think it's more that heads come in many many more different shapes than helmets. I personally have only ever found one or two that fit my XL noggin without using the aforementioned modification technique, and I've tried on lots and lots.

If you're unfortunate enough to have a non-average shaped head, you may never find one...either way trying on before buying is a better idea.

[neels]

Different helmets fit different heads.

I went shopping thinking I should buy a flash helmet, in the end I bought a cheaper one because that's the one that was actually comfortable on my head.

A more cynical person than myself might suggest wasting a bike shop's time trying on helmets, then buy the one that fits online for less money, of course the downside of this is that if everyone did it there wouldn't be anywhere to try helmets on and there would be no alternative to the buying online lottery.

[Gremlin]

Depending on brand and model, for some helmets you can get alternate pads for inside the helmet to adjust the fit. Worth asking wherever you bought it from.

I don't think I've ever come across a helmet that stayed the same size, they all get a bit looser as the lining compresses over time. However, it's not a good idea to put up with headaches in the meantime.

Helmet sizing is not simple because heads are not simple. Different races have different shaped heads. Since your head is rather important (and can't currently be replaced) manufacturers work hard to make shapes that suit every head.

[wasiler]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8v4qzB5HLY&feature=related

[Spuds1234]

If its only one spot on your forehead thats causing problems, get a spoon and use the back of that to compress the polystyrene a bit thats causing the marks on your forehead.

Its worked for me before and it seems a lot less destructive than taking sand paper to your new helmet.

[nerrrd]

If its only one spot on your forehead thats causing problems, get a spoon and use the back of that to compress the polystyrene a bit thats causing the marks on your forehead.

Its worked for me before and it seems a lot less destructive than taking sand paper to your new helmet.

Done this too, also works, although I felt a bit uncomfortable about pre-compressing the liner, but then if it's a snug fit it will compress a little over time as you wear it anyway.

The way I look at it, the variation in sizes only comes down to a centimetre or so, which is a tiny amount in the overall circumference of your head (i.e. 1 or 2cm is a tiny percentage of 62cm and is often the only difference between L and XL), so small amounts can make a big difference.

[p.dath]

Sounds to me like it might be the wrong shape for your head, if it's only pressing on your forehead.

+1. You probably need to try a different brand of helmet.



jellywrestler

If there were a helmet supplier in Dunedin that sells 5 star SHARP helmets i'd use them, but my primary financiers (parents) only want to buy the best.


I think you would be far better off served getting a 4 star helmet that you can try on that fits perfectly, than to order a 5 star helmet online that doesn't.

Check out my BLOG on motorcycle helmets, and you find find your choosing your helmet for the wrong reasons.
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/entry.php/1562-Choosing-a-Motorcycle-Helmet

[awayatc]

Helmets need to be comfortable.
Every brand fits differently
They will loosen and mould to YOUR head....
.....within limits.
A lot of the star crap is just that....
...crap
Find a helmet that fits and suits YOU
I buy lots of stuff online...NOT helmets though
Helmets you buy in a shop............

[slofox]

slofox

But what if this helmet doesn't grow looser? Can I take the risk?
Why can't helmets be simpler?! WHY!?!?




I have heard it said that people have either a Shoei shaped head or an Arai shaped head. No doubt this is a gross over-simplification of reality but I have to say that my Arai fits better than any Shoei I have tried on. So there may be an element of truth in it. Really, you need to try on lots until you find one that is comfortable. Fit is more important than brand name.

[Marius Elvenwood]

I'll try on a large size helmet, to see how well it fits. If it's too loose then i'll stop buying helmets over the internet. If there's one thing i've learnt from this post, it's that nobody can skip the essential process of try-before-you-buy when it comes to motorbike helmets.
Thanks everyone for your insight.

[blonky]

I actually found this same problem when shopping for a new lid last year; the Bell seemed to tick all the boxes but put a lot of pressure on my forehead so unfortunately was a no go.

I did find that I have a Shoei head which meant a lot of HJC helmets fit good too. I ended up with an HJC FG15 which I believe is 4 stars Sharp and also Snell approved and as they said above, it's better to have a helmet with a good fit than one with a higher rating

[SPP]

I'll try on a large size helmet, to see how well it fits. If it's too loose then i'll stop buying helmets over the internet. If there's one thing i've learnt from this post, it's that nobody can skip the essential process of try-before-you-buy when it comes to motorbike helmets.
Thanks everyone for your insight.

At 57cm you are a Med in just about every manufacturer and model. Replacing with a Large sized helmet is probably gonna be two fails in a row.

The internal shape of the Bell M1 (Italian made) is restrictive in the forehead and doesn't suit your head shape (watch the youtube vid I posted - 2:55).

Better to try neutral shaped helmets in the right size.

[Ratti]

I have a high, square forehead( or possibly incipient horns ) . Everything except Shoei squeezes my head. Im inclined to agree with the Shoei/Arai head shape comment earlier.

A bigger size wont help. it will just get baggy and loose at the back of your head.

[mc4aregreat]

The wife had the same problem with a small Nolen , but we couldnt find a small size that fitted without the annoying pressure on her forehead. Every meduim size helmet we looked at was too big until finally we found a med SHOEI Raid II was quite tight, and is now so wrapped she has no more forehead rubbing.
Funnily i had a similar problem finding a helmet that doesnt hit my nose and spent ages trying to find a good fitting medium helmet. I eventually bought a large loose Nolen only to later find that an AVG that i tried on to be the perfect fit.

[cdw]

I got a brand new helmet today, a Bell M1 helmet size M for a 57-58cm head ordered over the internet. I measured my head before purchase, i'm a size 57.
I tried it on and wore it for an hour or so, to see if it was the right size. I noticed that it pushed into my forehead, left a small pressure mark when I took it off, and it gave me a small headache.
I can still return it, but I'm just concerned that if i get a size L it will be too big. Should I keep the size M or ask for a size L?

I literally just swapped my Bell M1 for a Shoei XR1100 today for the same reason - way too tight across the forehead for me. I had a splitting headache after riding with it for an hour, which isn't how a good fitting helmet is meant to feel.

Unfortunately the M1 is a really weird shape, and the guy at Motomail here in Auckland reckons they get a lot of returns. I don't think a large is going to fit you any better, it'll be too loose elsewhere.

If you're after a 5 star SHARP helmet, you're gonna have to pay a little more, but look out for a Shoei Qwest, Shoei Qwest XR1100, Caberg V2 407 or a Bell M5X (since your stockist seems to have Bell). Your parents are right, your helmet is worth the investment.

[tbs]

My new helmet just arrived this morning. I spent considerable time trying on a bunch of helmets from three different shops and I couldn't get the ideal fit. The top of my head fits Shoei perfectly, but from bitter experience the cheek pads bed in too much for my narrow jaw line and so it moves around in the wind, even with the largest size cheek pads fitted.

I was keen on Bell, but the European Bell helmets we get have a weird shape, which is exactly why you need to send it back and buy something different.

So after considerable reading and watching of helmet reviews online, and checking with Jason at Sportbike Track Gear via e-mail, I took the chance on an American spec Bell RS-1. Very similar to Shoei, around the top but much better fitting (for me anyway) around the cheeks and collar. Interestingly, a lot of AMA racers are wearing these instead of the higher spec Star, as the Star has a rounder fit. The RS-1 is a narrow fit. And as an added bonus, I was able to get a Transitions auto-tinting visor with it, so I never need to change visors, no matter what the conditions.

Now I was definitely taking a chance on fit, but I'm happy to say it is the best fitting and most comfortable helmet I've tried, and the features and price point are awesome!

I know the design I chose will polarize opinion, but I like the Evil Kineval motif and I want to be seen without wearing high viz.

[sootie]

A couple of my helmets have proven uncomfortable after wearing for a few hours. The problem has largely been my own fault. I have fitted speakers either side & covering my ears. These are slim and as soft as I can make them, but they did initially squeeze the side (not the forehead sorry) of my head slightly after first fitting. (Tendancy for headaches etc)`

In both cases I have solved the problem completely with a bit of stretching (inspired by noting the same old time idea sometimes used with tight shoes!)

Make up 3 pieces of wood (or similar) as follows:
- two thinnish eliptically shaped pieces about 60mm major dimension (for the sides).
- one thicker rectanguar piece measured for a tight fit between the side pieces.
Leave all these in place when you are not using the helmet. After a month or so the tight spots in the helmet ease, perhaps as they would with a year or two of use.
My Arai helmet (particularly) is now very comfortable to wear for hours (I just wish it were a bit newer!)

Maybe this idea will help someone else. Obviously adjustments are limited to small easings.

[Viking01]

Hi,
Took me quite a while to find a good helmet that suited me (both shape and weight). Ended up with a Shoei Qwest which was great from both weight and shape viewpoints. The padding was a little tight for a week or two, but has since loosened up enough to be comfortable.

Found three weblinks that were useful when searching:
Sharp website - For safety rating
http://sharp.direct.gov.uk/

Webbike links - One for head shape and one for helmet weights.
http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-helmets/motorcycle-helmet-shapes.htm
http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-helmets/motorcycle-helmet-weights.htm

Your problem sounds like the helmet shape may not be that well suited to your head shape.
But some pressure applied to the foam in the particular area of pressure might help.
Cheers

[wasiler]

This appears to work for feet. I don't see why it could not work for your head.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foot_binding

[oneofsix]

This appears to work for feet. I don't see why it could not work for your head.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foot_binding

it does
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artificial_cranial_deformation

[wasiler]

it does
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artificial_cranial_deformation

There ya go, problem solved.