Helmet Size issues, Any "better" advice (Newbie)?

[iMark]

Story so far.

When I first got my bike, I borrowed my aunts helmet, which was a nice tight fit, but I heard that was bad, So I went to the local bike shop and bought a helmet which was a Small size at 540mm and a nice snug fit.

Any ways, Not long after wearing it its become really loose, like a bobble head and I now have to wear a beanie hat in my helmet to lessen the wobble.

If I buy a helmet online that is "X Small" at 540mm and it's not a good fit I'm kind of stuck with the same situation again, I'm looking to get a "Flip Up" helmet when I got some spare cash but the shop near me doesn't have any and to be honest they're known for there high prices, I'm in Lockerbie, Dumfries if that's any help.

I've measured my head and its between 550-560mm, I don't know if its the shape of my head, or the helmet but here's a few pictures.

[Mr.Everready]

[iMark]

[Kickstart]

Hi

Lids need to fit well, and stay fitting well. A cheap lid might "wear" to a lose fit fairly rapidly.

However, different makes of lid tend to be for slightly different shape heads, even before you take account of the difference in actual size between 2 lids of the same size from 2 different makers.

Afraid all you can really do (and what you should do) is go and try a load on to find one that fits you properly.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[Mr.Everready]

Remember, just because you've tried them on in the shop it doesn't mean you need to buy from there.
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the undemocratically unelected mod of the Scottish section

[Walloper]

Size doesn't matter in lids.
It is more to do with the shape of your bonce.

You have a really weird shaped noggin so it will be difficult to get a true fit without a load of gaffa tape here and there.



Really you need to try several hats to get the one you like.

A good fit means your scalp should move with the hat as you rock it back and forth with your head in it.
You should just be able to bite the inside of your cheeks too.

Also worth choosing one with a big wide hole in it for looking out of.
This is important for a first helmet as you need to be able to see traffic etc.
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W-ireless A-rtificial L-ifeform L-imited to O-bservation P-eacekeeping and E-fficient R-epair

[iMark]

[Kickstart]

Hi

They shouldn't come lose anything like that quickly. If it fitted when you bought it then I would be dubious about then just taking it back shortly afterwards when to them it is pretty much scrap.

If you mail order it then there are the distance selling rules to rely on. Which is also a bit of an issue as you might land up with a lid that someone has already sent back with no idea of whether it has been bashed.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[Walloper]

If you buy on-line you may have better options for exchange. Normally in shops they tell you to 'get the fuck off'.
Though better to ask.

It is unusual for a shop to sell you a hat that doesn't fit properly.
They are supposed to be trained by the OEM (or the marketing agents for the products).
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W-ireless A-rtificial L-ifeform L-imited to O-bservation P-eacekeeping and E-fficient R-epair

[iMark]

So what kind of things should I look for when actually buying a helmet from the shop?

The one I got was a snug fit.. so if it's just snug, its gonna be loose later right?

I've not had a helmet that fits properly, so I don't know what it is going to feel like

How do you know if a helmet is too tight?

[Kickstart]

Hi

Too tight is painful.

Bit of a problem to define snug. Snug like a duvet or snug like a corset?

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[iMark]

[G]

It's coming up to 'show' time, so get yourself to one of the bike shows if you can and try on every possible model of lid you can find in your size - should give you an idea which offer the best comfort.

As above, cheapers ones tend to be more likely to lose the fit quickly, while I've found Shoei's, for instance, tend to keep their shape really well.

[iMark]

[G]

I generally go for second hand helmets myself.
Some claim they might have been damaged already - I can't find a reasonable way a helmet would have been damaged which wouldn't leave a mark on the outside.

I'd go for a well fitting second hand helmet over a not so good fitting new helmet any day - and have done and have crashed multiple times in said helmets and been fine.
The only time I've had a bad concussion was from a not-perfect fitting new helmet because I couldn't afford the better-fitting make I wanted.

[iMark]

[G]

Ebay is where I normally get mine.

[iMark]

I don't know if its just me, but I forget how big it is when I'm holding it walking around town, so I miss judge some smaller gaps and clip it on a wall or something.

I've yet to hit someone with it though, accidentally or on purpose... Pedestrians drive me nuts walking in town, there is always a minimum of 5 people who annoy you when your in town, Cus theres always atleast 1 idiot who walks to slow somewhere you cant get past, 1 idiot who basically walks into you, and 1 group of girls standing around a blind corner who you basically walk into
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K8 GSXR 1000
"G" : you got him to have a look at a forum which seems to have established a picture of an erect penis in a cat's mouth as it's mascot and thought he might consider it ok?

[crackfinder]

[iMark]