Buying a Helmet by Mail Order

[Qyburn]

Is this a stupid idea? I was intending to go into the dealer sometime this summer for a new helmet, thinking that you want to try it on first hand. But there are a lot of mail order outfits selling helmets. How have people got on with getting the right size?
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Lord Qyburn

[ThunderGuts]

I guess it's possible but with potentially an awful lot of returns until you find the right fit . . . see if the shop/dealer is happy with that first and who pays the postage (probably you!) which for a helmet is not going to be cheap.
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TG.

[ThatDippyTwat]

Don't.

Unless you already have one of them, or have already tried that helmet, in that size, on in a shop.
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'98 VFR800 (touring) - '12 VFR800 Crosrunner (Commuting) - '01 KDX220 (Big Green Antisocial Machine)

[Ste]

You are intending on ordering one of everything and then once you've tried them on, returning all of them apart from the one which fits the best?

[Analogkid]

[doggone]

Doesn't help but I have three all different makes - conventional full face, enduro style and open face and only one wasn't bought online.
They are all marked same size and all acceptable fit.
But in any case here the nearest bike shop with any sort of choice is about 30 miles away now.

Would you be allowed to try one in the shop due to CV19 anyway just now, I see it's proposed clothes shops won't allow fitting rooms.

[The Shaggy D.A.]

I bought my open face lid off Amazon. Measured my head, read the reviews which indicated that the sizing was accurate, forked out the £35. very happy with it.

Read the reviews, decide on how much you're prepared to be fucked about for if it doesn't match the description, go for it.
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[Bhud]

I've done it. Buying helmets online is increasingly normal (when I decide to do something, it's normalised ), and bike gear shops are few and far between nowadays. If you have a standard shaped head (not everyone does) and you use a tape measure as per the instructions, you'll be fine. Keep all the packaging and leave the stickers on and try it out. If it doesn't fit, return it. If the weight of a helmet matters to you, take note of the given information before you buy. If you're buying something semi-decent, from a good brand, it's likely to be OK. But read all the (Amazon, not motorcycle press) reviews you can, because there are some disadvantages to buying online which aren't apparent from descriptions. Specifically, your nose, your chin, and the space for both inside the helmet, and noise levels. Another thing to look out for: helmet shell sizes. If you have a small or medium cc cranium, you might not want to buy a model of helmet where there are only 2 shell sizes for all the different sizes (XS, S, M, L, XL) you can buy, as the helmet may seem cumbersome.

[Kentol750]

Go to your local shop, try on everything you like, if it's cheaper elsewhere ask them to price match. Simple.
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Some bikes.

[Easy-X]

Probably obvious but I have an odd head. I've spent many an hour in J&S trying on the helmets I like the looks of and then ended up with something entirely unexpected as it was the only thing that fitted!
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Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter

[Qyburn]

[notabikeranym...]

Just ride to the closest SportsBikeShop warehouse and try on any helmet till you find the right size/fit. They have pretty much everything and will let you try on everything.

Then if you don't want to buy it there & then, make a note of helmet sizes/brands that fit you and order them online.

That's how I've bought all my helmets.

J&S can suck a fat one. Their pushy sales tactics pissed me off. Trying to tell me a Shoei is more aero than an AGV and that an AGV is a bad helmet. Why do you stock them then? Piss off with your trade contract and commission driven suggestions- FYI I knew someone who worked there, and she said they push for specific brands regardless of the customers' wants/needs.

[Easy-X]

[ThunderGuts]

[Howling Terror]

When it was in Northwich I had the opposite experience to the pushy salesperson. i.e Complete indifference.
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