Helmet saga of a little head...

[Riff Raff]

Well after my off 7 weeks ago, I needed to get a new helmet. Previous helmet was an HJC size XS. Since I didn't have much in the way of spare cash for a helmet, I figured I would just get another HJC since they are quite cheap. But no..... this years batch of XS HJC helmets are huge on my head. :weird:
After trying all brands of helmets in several shops I discovered that the only brand that fits me is Shoei (at 3 times the cost of an HJC). Do I have an abnormal head or do others have this problem? Interestingly the one brand that WT can't wear is Shoei because they don't fit his head shape.

Anyway I'm not complaining about having to get a Shoei - they are a far superior helmet to the HJC, and about half the weight, I just find it strange that there's only one brand out there that will fit me.

[Sniper]

I was under the impression that all brands of helmets would cater for all sorts of heads. Maybe I am wrong. Although Riff, if you have gotten smarter after the accident, maybe your brain grew that little bit :bleh:

[Slipstream]

Well since you bought it up, yes, I do think you have a freakishly small head :nya:

Hey WT, didn't you use to wear your mum's Shoei helmet??? I know you used to wear her Shoei jacket and leather pants :whistle:

I have one of them new HJC helmets and I tell ya, it's the best helmet I have ever owned, since the Nitro that WT found for me.

[Timetogo]

Helmet manufacturers make different size padding for the cheeks so you could ask the HJC dealer if they could order some ?? My girlfriend got some for her Arai that made a huge differnce

[SPman]

That, of course, is why you have to try them all on.
I find it interesting, that even same brand helmets can change their sizing and shell shape, often oh so subtely, from year to year, so that, what was a perfect fit one year, will not fit well, a couple of years down the track. After years of not being able to wear Arais', Ive actually found one that's a reasonable fit.
And whats wrong with HJCs? My AC10 was fine. :baby:

[dawnrazor]

Well since you bought it up, yes, I do think you have a freakishly small head :nya:

Hey WT, didn't you use to wear your mum's Shoei helmet??? I know you used to wear her Shoei jacket and leather pants :whistle:

I have one of them new HJC helmets and I tell ya, it's the best helmet I have ever owned, since the Nitro that WT found for me.

same thought flicked past on my radar, but i'm too polite to mention it, oops anyways, think yourself licky, arais are the ONLY helmet I can waer, and i've tried them all (well the good ones at least, it is me head after all - don't believe in penny pinching when it comes to me noggin), had an AGV for awhile but it gave me serious headaches after long trips, but the arai is the business, bloody pricy though (didn't even get one with graphics).

[White trash]

Arai is the only way to go, followed closely by Shoei.

Arai helmets have the most rigourus testing standards.

So you plebs stick with your HJC helmets if you wish, I prefer something comfortable and well made.

[Keystone19]

After trying all brands of helmets in several shops I discovered that the only brand that fits me is Shoei (at 3 times the cost of an HJC). Do I have an abnormal head or do others have this problem? Interestingly the one brand that WT can't wear is Shoei because they don't fit his head shape.


Hey Sue, I found exactly the same problem. Tried every helmet in existance, even junior shell sizes! The only one that fits is the Shoei XS.

Of course, the size of the head is not in any way reflective of the capabilities of the wearer...!

Great to hear you've got your bike back!

[Sparky Bills]

Arai is the only way to go, followed closely by Shoei.

Arai helmets have the most rigourus testing standards.

So you plebs stick with your HJC helmets if you wish, I prefer something comfortable and well made.


DAMN STARIGHT!!!

Riff... Why dont you go down to a kids HJC???
They will have your size. Same helmet, just smaller outer shell etc.

[dawnrazor]

[QUOTE=
Of course, the size of the head is not in any way reflective of the capabilities of the wearer...!
[/QUOTE]
Probably inversely proportional the chances of having a limping mother! :confused:

[Hitcher]

I just find it strange that there's only one brand out there that will fit me.
Ahh. A kindred soul. But at the other end of the head-size continuum...

[Lou Girardin]

Try the previous model Raid, they are a much smaller fit than other helmets. And we just happen to have a special priced Shogun medium left at AMPS. It's about the same as an HJC XS.

[crashe]

I too have tried on many brands of xs helmets... so many don't fit properly....
I ended up with a CMS helmet...

Yep I even tried a kiddies helmet on.... thats was too damn tight.

Riff Raff, thanks for the info re them changing the helmets sizing/mould each year thou..

[John]

despite my size I must have a fat head I seem to fit all Medium helmets 57-58cm(??).

[Beemer]

Snap! My first helmet was a Shoei RXR, size XXS (51-52cm) and it fitted perfectly. Seven years on, I decided it was time for a new helmet and tried a Shoei Raid with the Shogun graphics at WMCC - size small (55-56cm). I wasn't expecting it to fit, but it was very comfortable. They didn't have any XXS but I tried a XS in another colour and found it very tight and uncomfortable, so there is no way an XXS would have fitted. I ummed and ahhed over it and eventually decided to buy it as it was only $399 and felt great on. I may need to get a little extra padding in the cheek area, but by no means is it too large.

So what gives? I haven't changed my hairstyle or had a head injury in seven years, so why has my helmet size changed - in the same brand? All I can think of is that my brain has grown since I started motorcycling :woohoo:

I have tried Nolan (my adventure helmet was cheap but it's so uncomfortable I hate wearing it!) and a few others, but not many places stock small helmets in all brands. I did try an HJC one that felt okay, but it wasn't as nice as the Shoei. I bought my husband an Arai helmet last year and he constantly raves over it. He had an old Yamaha helmet before that and he can't get over the difference in comfort and noise reduction. He doesn't get a big dent on his forehead any more either!

[jrandom]

funny about the shoeis isnt it. I have the same issue. tg for shoei.

at least they come in black for the properley style conscious biker.

[InDeSkyz]

I found that the HJC helmets felt just a tiny bit too big (small) for me.
Since it was all I could afford, I just do it up tigther.

[vifferman]

Same with the vifferbabe. SHe tried on all sorts of helmets, all of D'Auckland, and the only one which fit well was the Shoei. We bought the Raid (just because it was less expensive), but don't regret it one bit, as the vifferbabe raves (to me, at least) about how comfy it is.

[Hitcher]

funny about the shoeis isnt it. I have the same issue. tg for shoei.

at least they come in black for the properley style conscious biker.
And "style" is, after all, an important consideration...

[Sniper]

And "style" is, after all, an important consideration...

Followed closely by the sheen value.

[Lou Girardin]

And "style" is, after all, an important consideration...

For some, the only consideration. Which is why we sell cheap matt black helmets.

[Beemer]

My Shoei RXR is black - I wanted one with graphics but couldn't afford one as they were about $799 and it was expensive enough at $500-odd. The reason I went for black is because I had a purple RG150 and the only other choices were cherry red (a sort of metallic plum colour) or white. My rally helmet is white and it makes my head look HUGE, which is why black was the only option. It looks cool with the Goose though, as it has a gold irridium visor that matches the forks...

[SlowHand]

My heads a little wierd shape too. I only tried on HJC's because of my budget. In the end the american model fit, but not the NZ ones. another top point is that its matt finish! hoorah

[Slipstream]

in the end...doesn't it just matter that we're wearing helmets? I like my helmet, you like yours, he likes his and she like hers....meh...same with bikes really innit... cos we all know that 2002 R1's are MINT!!! :yeah:

[Riff Raff]

in the end...doesn't it just matter that we're wearing helmets? I like my helmet, you like yours, he likes his and she like hers....meh...same with bikes really innit... cos we all know that 2002 R1's are MINT!!! :yeah:
Errr.... this thread is about helmet sizing, but whatever.

[Riff Raff]

Just been reading the two instruction books that come with my new helmet... Under the header "Never modify your helmet" it has two piccies of things you should not do to your helmet: the first is someone firing a gun into the helmet, and the second one is slashing the helmet with a big knife. So there you go people, these things are a big no-no as apparently they weaken the helmet. Go figure!

[crashe]

Just been reading the two instruction books that come with my new helmet... Under the header "Never modify your helmet" it has two piccies of things you should not do to your helmet: the first is someone firing a gun into the helmet, and the second one is slashing the helmet with a big knife. So there you go people, these things are a big no-no as apparently they weaken the helmet. Go figure!

What! You GOT two instruction books with your helmet...?

I didn't even get one book with mine... :weep: :cry: :spudwhat:

[dawnrazor]

Just been reading the two instruction books that come with my new helmet... Under the header "Never modify your helmet" it has two piccies of things you should not do to your helmet: the first is someone firing a gun into the helmet, and the second one is slashing the helmet with a big knife. So there you go people, these things are a big no-no as apparently they weaken the helmet. Go figure!
but persumably sliding down the road, head butting cats eyes and wot not is within the working limits of your new helmet. What happens if you crash into a knife welding butcher, hmm beggs the question though doesn't it.

[Hitcher]

Instructions or guidelines? Helmet should go on head, with visor facing forwards...

[Ixion]

What! You GOT two instruction books with your helmet...?

I didn't even get one book with mine... :weep: :cry: :spudwhat:

So, you're asking for help to figure out how you use it ? :devil2:

[yungatart]

Umm, grow your hair longer, ZAc's helmet doesn't fit like it used to, since he had the long blond locks shorn off...

[crashe]

So, you're asking for help to figure out how you use it ? :devil2:

NO, you cheeky buggar...... :motu: :nya: :moon:

[Phurrball]

funny about the shoeis isnt it. I have the same issue. tg for shoei. (snip)

Hmmm, maybe Mr Shoei knows something about women's heads the others don't. I wish I knew more about the workings of women's heads :devil2: Mrs Phurrball was the same - she only fits XS sized Shoei helmets. She wound up with a shiny silver XR1000 (Nice for some is it not? She could justify the expense for such a fancy helmet at least. Muggins here couldn't, and ended up with a Nitro - which is actually pretty fine for my noggin.)

[What?]

Maybe you could just trade up to a <insert brand of bike here, but a certain American one comes to mind> then you will get a big head, then the available helmets will fit. :2thumbsup

[zadok]

My current helmet is a KBC. It is XS. Best feel of the ones I was trying on at the time. Come in great colour schemes and reasonably priced. Don't know whether they are available in N.Z but.

[NC]

Best go with a Shoi, Riff :) Least you know you have a great helmet and a awesome fit for you nugget.