Newbie Helmet Advice

[rpsmith79]

Right then, i'm after some advice/recommendations on how best to test helmets for fit, specifically for long oval heads

Having only recently passed my CBT i had one of the trainers helmets on during the day, and didn't have any major issues with it, however on now using my own helmet for anything longer than about an hour i get quite a bit of discomfort across my forehead, it was only yesterday i discovered this having worn it during my CBT plus course (at a different training centre, and i didn't make note of the make/model of helmet i originally wore)

So, what is the best way to tell if a helmet will give you grief over a longer period, i have been told when trying on helmets in shops to wear them for a decent period of time, but i can't realistically sit in a shop for an hour wearing one of their helmets

So are there any recommended helmets for those with longer heads, diameter wise i am 61-62mm, so i know that equates in most cases to XL, but very few helmets seem to mention what head shape they suit

And yes, i know it's difficult to recommend me anything based purely on the above, i'm more after advice on how to know if said helmet will be comfortable over longer periods of time

[JP7]

I have the same head shape, I had an Arai Viper GT for years before replacing it with a Shoei NXR which also fitted perfectly. The current form of the Viper GT is the Quantum ST Pro, which I believe has just been discontinued in favour of the QV Pro. So you might get a deal on a Quantum ST Pro which is designed specifically for the "long oval".

I've also just bought a Shark Spartan, which will be perfect once I have some slightly thicker cheek pads fitted. And I tried on the Shoei GT-Air which also fitted really well. So there's a few things for you to try on.

For me, Nolan/X-Lite, AGV, most HJC were pretty much a no-go, but try them anyway and see how you get on.

If you're trying on helmets in a shop, the best way to check for correct front to back fit will be to see if you can get an index finger between your forehead and the lining. Wear it for a few minutes in the shop and see if there are any pressure marks on your forehead when you take it off.

Hope that helps!

[rpsmith79]

Cheers JP, certainly some food for thought, and some makes to try out

[NJD]

Common sense and experience apply when trying on lids. It's a pain in the arse to be honest and out of all the gear the thing I buy the least because walking out the shop with one thinking it's right for you takes seconds but returning it is a whole different ball game and one I hope not to ever need repeat.

People say, common internet advice, try the helmet on for twenty minutes or so but in truth you should be able to tell straight away if it's for you or not. The only real way you'll know is, as you've found out, riding around in it. The two lids I purchased having only worn for sub ten minutes, probably less, turned out alright. I've a third, a Shark Skwal, but I don't use that because pants imo.

If it gives you pain as soon as you put it on it's not going to get any better. Advice is the helmet needs to bed in but there's a difference between snug fit and pain. I've only experienced pain in one Arai lid while trying on because "yes mate I'd totally spend that amount of money on a lid gis a try of a behind the counter lid."

Look at what's within budget and suitable to your head shape, draw up a short list and go shopping. I found Revzilla videos helpful when wanting to see what's what without leaving the house.

Do keep in mind to get a helmet that suits the seating position of your bike. So don't buy a sports lid if you're on an upright bike and so on.
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[chickenstrip]

[NJD]

[chickenstrip]

[NJD]

[chickenstrip]

[SuperMike]

I have a similar size nugget - 63 here. The box helmets fitted me the best but are cheap. Having said that, they still have to meet the minimum safety standards.

I tried an HJC in the shop for 30 mins and it was ok. The bloke said it would loosen up in a few weeks. It didn't. That was £220 down the drain.

Went to another shop and got the hard sell on a 65cm Schuberth. £400 worth. Yes it fitted but just felt weird and I didn't like the full front flip up element.

Tried on an Arai and fitted like a dream - 61cm max head size (XL) apparently, so 2cms smaller than mine. It is an Axcess 2. £250 worth, but it has been great for two years now.

I think the best advice is to not listen to what the sales advisors tell you. I got sold an absolute kipper by the first bloke - no doubt the HJC is a great helmet but it just didn't fit. Young lad who loved his one but unfortunately not for me.

The Arai by all accounts shouldn't have fitted but it did. The box helmet they had in the store was probably the most comfortable feeling and I fitted a 58cm one of those. Go figure.

In my experience, don't listen to the it should be tight in the shop. Ok, you don't want it spinning round on your head, but the HJC for me was really tight. I thought at the time this can't be right, but had no knowledge. Go to a shop that stocks as many brands as possible and try the lot on - don't accept what they think you should have because Barry the work experience guy has always had an HJC and it is brilliant init.

The other thing that people say is don't spend a fortune on your first one. The problem with this advice is my Arai Axcess was the cheapest Arai in the range an that started at £250. I think it is just one of those rights of passage as a motorcyclist. I know that Arai fits me, but I had to waste some money to find out.

[rpsmith79]

Cheers guys, all good advice

[Kentol750]

I know your problem, have worn many makes (and models) over the years. Shark, a large (rsf,rsr2) is fine. Shoei and arai, I have xl. Nolan don't sit low enough, but my xlite 551 enduro is ok(if a bit noisy on mway)yet same company. Agv tend to sit high too, and push against forehead.
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Some bikes.

[talkToTheHat]

I have a slightly more oval head shape and helmet fitting is a pain.

You should be able to just fit your thumb between forehead and helmet if you press on the back of the lid hard with your other hand. If you can't you're gonna get headaches on hot days. Do the lid up and try to roll it off forwards. If this is remotely possible then it is too big or otherwise an improper fit. Shake your head like a dog sheading water, helmet should return to same position. Helmet should only sit in one position, if it rotates up and down then try a smaller size or a different model.

Check the helmet is right when you are sat in the position you would be on your bike, some helmets suck sat upright and are made to be ridden tucked in, others are really rubbish tucked in, either due to a low eyeport or low top of a pinlock. I'm probably going to take the pinlock out of my K3 and keep it for summer use as I have to keep my neck at an awkward angle on the motorway or otherwise at high speed. Check you can do lifesavers without catching your jacket. (Similarly be aware of this when buying jackets with speed humps and external shouder armour.

There are comfy chairs in my local J&S, the staff do not seem to object to me sitting in a helmet for half an hour reading a book.

Pinlock inserts rule. Pinlock MAX is what you want, they go right to the edge of your visor and don't fall out in a breeze. Original/classic pinlock inserts are better than nothing but aren't as good. The last thing you want is a steamed visor to worry about, particularly taking your test and pinlocks just dont steam up. With a pinlock you can just shut the visor and not open it again until you get off the bike.

Not all helmets from the same manufacturer are the same shape.

With HJC, IS17 Medium is painful, Large is wobbily, FG15 in Medium fit amazingly well (had one), now discontinued. RPHA ST Large fits quite well (have one).

AGVs I find a bit odd as there is quite a large area around the ears where there is no padding. K3SV fits ok (have one), K5 doesn't. Note with cheaper AGVs that they are agressively styled but ride quite upright. I find myself looking through the top edge of the pinlock of my K3SV if im at all tucked in.

Sharks tend to fit oval heads, but beware: the speed R is a great lid (broke one in a fight) with a really tough visor but the lower rear spoiler can catch on bulky jackets (rst tractech evo textile hates flappy bits on the bottom of helmets) and the Autoseal visor on the Skwal (had one, got refund) is prone to both breaking at the prongs when opening the visor on a hot day (happened to me on tour, spend several days with visor duct-taped shut), vibrating and pumping in water (yep, mine did that) and even flying open at high speed (neck injuries are not fun)
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