How do you put a helmet on? Head too big?

[pendulum]

Hi,
I went to Lidl today for the Bike Week thanks to a tip off on this forum. I bought some gear, but not a helmet as I intended, because I could barely fit the XL over my head..

I don't have a massive head, as far as heads go I'd say I had a large but not really an extra large head, and certainly not bigger than XL...

I got it on with a struggle but it felt proper tight. But I could get it on and off, just. Is it supposed to feel tight and would it "bed in"? Or is that totally wrong?

I'm half thinking about going down there tomorrow and trying it on again, I was a bit rushed today, but its going to be tight no matter what. Not sure if I'll wear it in, or whether Lidl helmets are just small, or whether I'm going to struggle to get a helmet big enough if I can't get in to an XL

[Alpha-9]

They're not supposed to be loose so they're wobbling around too much, but they shouldnt be so tight they constrict... I dont see how youre having a problem really
____________________
Fzr-600 1999

[pendulum]

Me neither really, how hard can it be, thought I'd just walk in there, choose either a L or XL and be done with it

But the XL feels chuffing tight. Face squashingly tight. It's difficult because I've never tried on a helmet before and don't know if its supposed to be that tight or not, or whether it'll bed in... the place I'm going for the CBT doesn't loan helmets so I have to get my own beforehand

[Nexus Icon]

Are you putting it on back to front?

Seriously, they do loosen up after a bit but you don't want one that's too tight.
____________________
Greetings from Shitsville!

[Rogerborg]

Get down to a proper shop like Hein Gericke or J&S and try a range of helmets. Pay them for their time.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[_Iain_]

You would genuinely trust a helmet purchased in LIDL's with nobody to help fit it, or check sizing etc to save your life in the event of an accident?

Keep in mind that whoever stacked the shelves that morning probbably diddnt give two shits that the helmet could be damaged if dropped when he was throwing them around the stock room.

And thats before we get into quality issues, shelf life and how the feck lidl's a supermarket ended up with a shit tonne of cut price bike gear in the first place!

Braver than me!
____________________
Please be aware that the above post may be full of complete nonsense.
Riding: '07 KTM Duke II, Baotian BT49QT-20 Driving: '88 Volvo 340

[mike_wall15]

Out of all bike stuff you can buy, I think I'd spend the most time/go to the best shop for a helmet... it can save your life.

When I bought my 1st helmet I had to try a few brands to find one that would suit my head.
It's the only way...

(As for other stuff, saved £100's on clothes/accessories off interweb to make up for it )

Mike

[waffles]

When you put a lid on make sure that you pull the straps apart, when its on your head it should feel snug but not make you look like a hamster. And as others have said, go to a proper bike shop and get someone to help you out.
____________________
Theory test - 19/8/09, CBT - 11/10/09, MOD 1 - 16/8/10, MOD 2 - 27/10/10
Past rides Yamaha XT125X, Triumph TT600, Honda XR250
Current rides Suzuki GSXR 600, Honda MSX125

[_Iain_]

[pendulum]

Thanks for the replies. I think I'll be visiting a proper bike gear shop tomorrow, I agree it's the only way. There is one I have found that's open Saturday. I followed the size guide on Hein Gericke for measuring my head, and came out at just a Large, but perhaps I have a weird shaped head, I don't know. Hopefully I'll find out tomorrow.

Re: Would I trust a Lidl helmet. I was under the impression, that all helmets offer a "similar" level of protection, the more expensive ones, mainly differ in their comfort level, and look a lot better. It comes down to money, at the end of the day, and as much as I would love a £200 or £300+ helmet, I can't afford it, not with the purchase of a bike, lessons, tests, and all the other safety gear, that I am having to buy. I wouldn't buy dangerous kit, or next to useless kit, but I think there is a difference between dangerous kit, and "just reasonable" gear... I will have to settle for reasonable gear at the moment, to get me through the learning stage, but then when I pass my tests, and can carry pillion, I'm sure a better helmet for myself will be a top priority, and I can keep my old helmet to lend to a pillion if they want it (I won't be carrying a pillion, very often).

£80, is about my limit for a helmet, I suppose up to £100, but I wanted to keep it under that, really. But I'll go down there tomorrow with a bit more and I'll see, just in case the perfect helmet comes up, that's a little more!

[janner_10]

[Taught2BCauti...]

All helmets sold legally in the UK for on-road motorcycle use, must conform to a 'minimum' standard - and of course they all do.

Some manufacturers go a bit further to provide additional features and quality, and this is what makes the difference in pricing.

Different brands are made differently, so there will be wide variations in the given size, for a range of brands. Lidl tend to 'buy 'em cheap and stack 'em high' so it's not in their interest to sell over-priced junk, so the helmets they sell are a certain quality for the price.

I went to Lidl near where I work on Thursday lunch, to have a look at their gloves - and found the same problem with sizes, so it's not just their helmets that have this discrepancy.

I suppose we buy protective gear in the hope that it will never be used for it's designed purpose, but this is no reason to scrimp.

If you have a big enough selection to choose from, I'm sure you will find something that fits properly - then it's up to you whether you buy on the spot, or shop around for a better price.
____________________
Honda Varadero XL125(V8)
www.TheFutureIsHere.eu

[ninja_butler]

The helmet should be a little bit tight at first, it'll get more comfortable when it's been worn in. But you know it's too small when it hurts your face regardless of what the claimed size is.

I've got a medium sized head but I have to wear a size L helmet and it's a pain in the ass trying to find a size L to fit because what I really need is a size between M - L (extra medium?) and most large helmets have too much "slop". It's important that the helmet does not move around; if you find yourself constantly pushing it up then it's too big and won't give you best protection in a crash.

[Dilyan]

When you find THE helmet it's like falling in love
You put it on and you KNOW it's the right one.

wtf is wrong with me today!!!
____________________
Current: 2007 VFR800; Ex: 2001 YZF600R Thundercat
Škoda Octavia (yes, a taxi driver)

[waffles]

[fireyphoenix1...]

take your pic litterally dozens in your price range
https://www.ghostbikes.com/categorylist/Helmets-Motorcycle-Helmets/?page=1&SearchSortBy=PLH&searchPrice=
____________________
2014 Aprillia dorsoduro 750 factory.

[Scythe]

[_Iain_]

If you're going hein gerike i'd realy reccomend the HJC range.

Looking at my box i've got a CS-14 in black, and cost 89 quid. However as i bought some other bits in there, they chucked in some visor cleaner and knocked a tenner off.

Fogs up if you're stationary - however get past 20mph and it demists straight away, plenty comfy and availible in black, white, or matte black. I like mine anyway.

IMO the lidl's helmets are dangerous simply because they've been stored, displayed and handled by people who probbably dont have a clue that they can be damaged just by dropping them!
____________________
Please be aware that the above post may be full of complete nonsense.
Riding: '07 KTM Duke II, Baotian BT49QT-20 Driving: '88 Volvo 340

[Louise]

Id rather buy cheap clothing/2nd hand clothing and spend more on a helmet imo... But thats just me.
You need to leave the helmet on for some time, 10-15 mins.
I love shoie but I kept getting headachs too quick.
Nice snug fit, with hampster cheeks - After a few weeks it will fit to your face....Mine did.