How Should A Motorcycle Helmet Fit
A motorcycle helmet is the single most important piece of equipment a rider will wear, so ensuring it fits correctly is not only important but could save your life. An ill-fitting helmet undoes all of the safety aspects of the helmet; the safety rating of the helmet is only applicable if it actually fits you.
A helmet absorbs the force of an impact and spreads it out around the head instead of concentrating it in one spot. If the helmet is too big, you may hit your head against the inside of it, ouch.
How do I find the right size helmet?
The easiest way to size yourself up for a helmet is to wrap a tape measure around the circumference of your head, just above your eyebrows. Measure this a number of times to ensure you have an accurate number, then check this number against a fitment chart to find which size suits you best.
It’s also worth checking out the shape of your head; some helmets suit different head types, so it’s best to try on a few before taking the plunge.
Putting on a helmet
After finding a size, brand, type of helmet, and colour scheme you like, it’s now time to try on the helmet.
To put on a helmet, grab the chinstraps and pull them apart to widen the opening of the helmet, then slip it over your head. You may need to adjust your ears if they’ve folded themselves over; this is very normal.
The helmet should feel snug but comfortable to wear and not too tight. The inner lining should feel cushioned against your head, with the cheek pads touching your cheeks without too much pressure; the top pad must also press against the top of your head.
If you feel any pressure points where there is too much pressure on your head, it may be worth going up a size; alternatively, if it feels loose, it may be worth dropping a size.
Tips to determine if the helmet is a good fit
Move your hands around the helmet; you should feel it pulling around, and it should not move too much from side to side. You won’t be able to pull it too far down your face either.
Grab the back and bottom of the helmet and push upwards. Then try doing the same with the helmet pushed from beneath the chin guard. Try the same from the back of the helmet also, and if the helmet begins to fall off, a smaller size is required.
It may also be worthwhile to wear the helmet for a while in the shop to ensure you don’t develop any pressure points over time; some can take 20-30 minutes to appear and be quite painful.
Satisfied?
If satisfied, continue with the purchase of your new helmet.
It’s worth noting that it may be difficult to return a helmet after it has left the store, purely for safety purposes; therefore, it’s important to ensure you are patient and that the helmet you purchase is the correct one.