Big melons... finding a helmet for them.

[Big Dog]

What helmets are there for the larger head?

It's nearing time to retire another helmet.
Sadly, the Caberg Sintesi I'm currently wearing doesn't seem to be up to the job of daily use with excessive signs of wear after only 2 years of service.
Excellent, versatile helmet, I recommend it for lower mileage users but I want to know what else would people recommend for larger domes.

[SaferRides]

Arai would be the usual recommendation for a large head, but they are expensive and I don't know the availability of their extra large sizes in NZ. You could try Motomail if you're in Auckland.

[jim.cox]

I like Bell helmets

Maybe my head has been molded by years of use - but their 2XL size fits really nicely

Because I know they fit, I usually purchase online

[Laava]

I like a little head.

[Madness]

I’ve seen your melon, big is an understatement!

Shoei would be my starting point. A recent foray into trying other brands confirmed that Shoei is one of the very few brands that suit by big noggin.

[Danger Dave]

How big are you after? 2XL, 3XL or bigger?

[Big Dog]

How big are you after? 2XL, 3XL or bigger?66cm.
65 for some models.
Previously I've had HJC 4XL models, CLSP & FG15
SHOEI 4 XL in a s1000 but my chin stuck out the bottom.
Caberg Sintesi 3XL.

[SaferRides]

"Unlike many other manufacturers Arai provides one size outer shell for each two helmet sizes for most models, adding up to four outer shell sizes within limited models. Starting with XXXS (49-50) for really small heads up to XXXL (65-66) for really large heads."

[Big Dog]

"Unlike many other manufacturers Arai provides one size outer shell for each two helmet sizes for most models, adding up to four outer shell sizes within limited models. Starting with XXXS (49-50) for really small heads up to XXXL (65-66) for really large heads."While I am still in the "all ideas are good ideas" stages of looking for recommendations from other gentlemen of generous cranial proportions I can confirm most of my jaw is not inside the 3xl Arai I have tried.

[Big Dog]

A pic of some big melons.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190326/195ac405f30b02959d041a4370c935b8.jpg

[sidecar bob]

A pic of some big melons.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190326/195ac405f30b02959d041a4370c935b8.jpg

Click bait;)

[merv]

A pic of some big melons.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190326/195ac405f30b02959d041a4370c935b8.jpg

No wonder it is hard finding a helmet if your melon is that elongated shape.

[Big Dog]

No wonder it is hard finding a helmet if your melon is that elongated shape.Can't blame a man for titillating.

This feller is probably closer to shape. Just add hair and a beard. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190329/ba7abd09ecdd9fd31502bd12fd46bb89.jpg

[AllanB]

I hope you wear better pants than him

[Big Dog]

TL:DR version. I bought another CL-SP and hate it.
Still on the hunt for a good system helmet. HJC do a few but no one seems to have one in stock.

I was forced into buying what was available same day Because my Caberg Sintesi fell apart.
Just riding down the road and a chunk of trim just fell off. Sure it's only trim, but golly it's loud without it.
Frankly that meant buying an HJC CL-SP.
Most stores have one, spare parts visors etc are easy to get and in stock. Plus they are not a bad design and I have retired a couple because they lasted longer than the recommended interval due to then being so well made.

Why didn't I want another then?
They are heavy for a basic Helmet. This latest one is 250 grams lighter than my previous ones if the sticker is to be believed but is still the heavier end of basic.
On a bike with a fairing they have great aerodynamics but on my naked CB1300 the helmet steers the bike quite a bit. Very tiring on trips longer than 30 mins.
I had gotten used to a flip and miss the convenience.
No accommodation for the speakers of a comms unit.


So why didn't I buy another Sintesi?

It was a great helmet until it got wet the first time, when I found less water came in with the visor up and the lining just won't dry unless I direct a dehumidifier into the helmet.
Sent it back, new gaskets and the visor issue is fixed but I just have to put up with the lining issue.
Lots of the bits just didn't line up anymore after 1500 KMs.
By 34,000 KMs or 20 months later she's dead Jim.
The lining is rotten, the metal fixtures are rusting, the black plastics are misshapen, brittle or both.
For context, my first CL-SP and FG-15 (fibreglass version of CL-SP) both got retired after 7 years and over 100,000 KMs of all weather riding.

She's a hard road finding the perfect helmet.