How to choose a Motorcycle Helmet

[Arcane1729]

From my experience- if you get into a accident the paramedics have this way of taking off your helmet after they know you havent lost feeling in your back- one of puts their hands on you and the other lifts the helmet vertically up (or something like that)- anyway in my incident the guy was struggling to do without force and said it was unusually tight- mines an X Small. The guy in the shop was useless! He just said pick one that feels snug and shouldn't wobble- wth does that mean- they all kept wobbling so I just went down to the smallest- how do I know which is the right one for me- not much point being safe but for the wrong person- also how do check whether a helmet is considered safer than another- I am looking for some rating but there doesnt seem to be much info about this in the specs other CE approved or ECE standard or something like that. Thanks.

[6r4h4m]

[NJD]

Further detailed information, if you're interested..

More expensive helmets come with a EQRS (emergency quick release system), oh wait, looks like that's just Shoei from a quick google. But yeah, that's on the higher end of the budget. Just putting out there as an FYI.

Before I write anything further I would like to point out that buying a helmet that is designed for your riding position would be a smart move. So for the most part (I'd assume) that's anything but a sports helmet and one that covers the 3/4 to upright position should be good to go, though you don't mention what bike you ride.

You need to understand that everyone has different head shapes, once you've found what type of head shape you are you can find out what head shape a helmet is made for and then instantly add to the list of maybe's or write it off as an idea all together. Also worth nothing that in the same way that not everyone can wear every helmet ever designed every brand (for the ones that do suit your head shape) will have different sizing and therefore there's no cross brand comparison. One size in another helmet may not be the same in another.

Shop people generally are useless. I asked for advice and relied on it entirely for my first helmet and learnt latter just how horribly wrong a decision I had made. Remember they are happy to take your money but as far as helmets are concerned they are very quick to deny and responsibility for incorrectly fitting helmets once you've paid and walked out the door. I've returned one in all my time and that was a giant long conversation and how I was anything but right about the point I was making and the reason for returning, so as not to go on and story time and confuse if there's any doubt return home and do some more questioning on here and research before buying. Really, it was a 4 v 1 fuck fest "no we can't do that" oh "we'll have to send it off for testing", better to get it right before hand than after.

Also as a consequence of the above situation I ended up exchanging the helmet for a Shark Skwal of which I now discover (despite testing at the time) is too big for me. I mean, I couldn't get one size down on over my head, literally couldn't force it on. Probably just tells me that the Skwal isn't for me, entirely. So just points out that even when you think you know what you're looking for you can still get it wrong.

Also may want to narrow it down between the seatbelt type and the d ring. Once you've done a D-Ring once you'll get the hang. I have both and don't really care to debate or form an opinion on what one is better, both have done their desired job thus far.

this video may be of some use in to what to look out for when looking in the mirror at the bike shop.

You're UK based, right? Pinlock. Internal sun visor also, maybe. Most helmets come with a combination of the two as standard, depends on what money you're investing.

[Arcane1729]

[Arcane1729]

[Rogerborg]

Your helmet should be a snug fit. If it's not pressing uncomfortable on your head, and doesn't rotate easily in any axis, that's perfect.

The fact that it stayed on and you're typing this rather than drooling is a good sign that you picked the right one.

Size and shape are a bit haphazard though, so an x-small in one brand may be a completely different size in another.
____________________
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

[chris-red]

I always go as tight as possible without it hurting.


(Fnar fnar)


Edit: actually that a lie, I try on an XL and buy that as long as it feels OK. But I've been an XL in EVERY lid I've bought over the last 10 years.

But do what I said first.
____________________
Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.

[pompousporcup...]