Properly fitting helmet

[drankin]

I have a question about a properly fitting helmet. My helmet wiggles if I do not wear a bandana under it. However with the bandana it fits great and is comfortable. Wondering if this is safe or should I consider getting a new helmet. The helmet I have is a hand me down from hubby. Just looking for some input.

Dottie

[motochica]

I would start by getting fitted for one first then assess what you already have. I've heard most people think the correct size is too small, so if you're wondering if it's too big, I wouldn't suprized if it is.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqLJRUgoTZ4

[motochica]

here's another link.... there's a comment about dropping helmets that made me feel better about once dropping my helmet :redface1:

http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/video/arai-helmets/283819/

[Cyclone67]

What kind of helmet is it -- full face, ect? If it's just a regular helmet (not full face w/visor) I would really want to make sure it to fits correctly because it seems to me like a poorly fitting helmet in that case would tend to slide back or forward and expose your head. I see that a lot with bicycle helmets, people riding with them cocked back and their forehead exposed -- drives me crazy!!

I have a full face Arai XD-3 and it does not wiggle at all, but is very comfortable.

[Unforgiven]

As asked, what kind of helmet? If full faced, it should not wiggle at all and first impressions will be that it is too tight but no pinpoint pressure anywhere or the shape is wrong. As said, if it feels like it fits, it is probably too big.

[Lion_Lady]

I have a question about a properly fitting helmet. My helmet wiggles if I do not wear a bandana under it. However with the bandana it fits great and is comfortable. Wondering if this is safe or should I consider getting a new helmet. The helmet I have is a hand me down from hubby. Just looking for some input.

Dottie

How old is the helmet? There should be a month/date stamped somewhere inside. On one of the chin straps or inside, maybe under the padding.

If that helmet is more than 5 years old, do yourself a favor and go buy a new helmet for yourself. You deserve it. Newer helmets are lighter in weight, and more comfortable. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. It will give you a chance to get a better fit.

P

[hellcat]

You might also be able to swap part of the lining out for thicker lining?

Hellcat

[Luna Tique]

Excellent thought hellcat. I had to swap pads to fine tune my helmet. Sometimes that is all you need.

[drankin]

It is a half helmet, it was my hubby's and a size XL. From what I have been fitted for they are suggesting a size small so I am thinking that I just need to get one of my own. The new ones I am looking at are a lot lighter, prettier and fit better. I just don't know for sure where to get one at. The ones at Harley Davidson are wonderful but to be honest they are quite pricey and I am wondering if I really have to pay a premium for a quality helmet? I have a sneaking hunch that as a lot of things, I am paying a premium for the HD logo, not that that is a bad thing, I am just trying to not spend all I have saved up for gear when quite possibly I could get just as good of a helmet somewhere else? I also want a mesh riding jacket, lighter weight than the one I have, so I am wanting to spend my money wisely.

Dottie

[drankin]

Oh and it is two years old.......

[hellcat]

Recommend getting your own new helmet, even if your head was the same size as your hubby's its a different shape so the lining gets compressed in different areas meaning a second hand helmet won't fit as well. Don't buy a second hand helmet from anywhere, you don't know its history, it may look fine but the inside polycarbonate may be smashed, in which case you have zero protection.

You can use sharp.direct.gov.uk (http://sharp.direct.gov.uk) to look at the safety rating of some helmets and prices (GBP) for different type of impacts (alas they don't do chin impact) . My advice would be to go for fit + safety + full face and ignore the logo

[ridingAK]

:iagree: Definitely at least consider a full face helmet. They may not be as stylish, but a half helmet doesn't offer protection where you need it.

Consider this information, first posted here by I think it was Unforgiven.

http://alaskadualsport.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Two-Wheel-Female-attachments/i-F7K65t6/0/L/Screen-shot-2011-08-26-at-L.png

Notice how unlikely it is to land on the top of your head (protected by a half helmet) as it is to land in some other fashion (unprotected by a half helmet). A half helmet is better than nothing, but doesn't your head deserve better than that?

Here is a link to the full article (http://www.health.state.ny.us/prevention/injury_prevention/children/toolkits/motorcycles/motorcycle_helmets.htm) on helmet safety.

[drankin]

They went over that same graphic with us, quite extensively I might add, in MSF class. It is hard to argue with the statistics, graphics and common sense. I am considering a full face helmet and going to get a helmet soon.

Dottie

[hellcat]

:wootrock:They went over that same graphic with us, quite extensively I might add, in MSF class. It is hard to argue with the statistics, graphics and common sense. I am considering a full face helmet and going to get a helmet soon.

Dottie:wootrock:

[Cyclone67]

It is a half helmet, it was my hubby's and a size XL. From what I have been fitted for they are suggesting a size small so I am thinking that I just need to get one of my own. The new ones I am looking at are a lot lighter, prettier and fit better. I just don't know for sure where to get one at. The ones at Harley Davidson are wonderful but to be honest they are quite pricey and I am wondering if I really have to pay a premium for a quality helmet? I have a sneaking hunch that as a lot of things, I am paying a premium for the HD logo, not that that is a bad thing, I am just trying to not spend all I have saved up for gear when quite possibly I could get just as good of a helmet somewhere else? I also want a mesh riding jacket, lighter weight than the one I have, so I am wanting to spend my money wisely.

Dottie

I would say you definitely need a new helmet. With a XL half helmet and you being fitted for a size Small, I suspect that if you crashed it would get pushed back or forward and would offer little to no protection. I think, in particular with the half helmets that proper sizing is vital to make sure it doesn't shift and expose the head.

I would really recommend a full faced helmet -- I have seen many "face plant" reports where the person slid down the road and they show the helmet and it usually has severe road rash marks on the jaw line/cheek area. Look at your face now, and then imagine how it would look after a slide like that........ I know that they are not popular with the cruiser crowd; but -- be a rebel!

[Luna Tique]

They went over that same graphic with us, quite extensively I might add, in MSF class. It is hard to argue with the statistics, graphics and common sense. I am considering a full face helmet and going to get a helmet soon.

Dottie

I do hope we can influence you to buy a full faced or modular helmet for all of the reasons you are already aware of.
Why? Because we really do care :thumbup:

[drankin]

I know you guys care and your opinion counts with me, otherwise I wouldn't even ask. I rode dirt bikes growing up and lived through one nasty crash, so after being off bikes for 30+ years I want to do it right this time. I tempted fate once, not about to do it again.....
Thanks so much for the advice, and for caring.

Dottie

[zukilady]

Sometimes motorcycle retailers of makes other than HD carry helmets/jackets/gloves/etc. Maybe check your yellow pages and call around to a few dealers to see if they do, or can tell you where in your area there is a gear store.

[Unforgiven]

I did post the H.U.R.T. report graphic a couple of times. And I will point out again that when almost 35% of the impacts occur to the face bar, it's a pretty easy choice in my book.

[Lion_Lady]

Dottie, where are you located? East Coast? West Coast? Somewhere in between? If you fill in your city and state, I bet someone here can recommend a local shop that has a good selection of helmets (and gear).

Since your helmet can be the most expensive single piece of protective gear, I always suggest new rider buy that first. You may find that a mid-priced helmet fits you perfectly.Or you may find a good $99 one. Keep in mind that your helmet should last 5 years if taken care of. Sure $300 is a fair amount of money, but that's only $60 a year, to prevent brain damage and facial reconstruction. Is it worth that to you? You decide.

A while back, I posted a helmet fit guide. I just bumped it. Check it out before you go helmet shopping.

Pam

[drankin]

I did get a helmet, it was here when we got home from vacation. I got a Bell full face helmet. It fits perfectly and is comfortable. The only issue I am having is I cannot put it on with my glasses on. I also cannot wear my silhouette glasses with it, they are not sturdy enough, in fact i cannot even get them on when I have the helmet on. I had to dig out a pair of old glasses to wear with it. It has a clear visor so I am anxiously awaiting my prescription sunglasses, which are supposed to be here by Wednesday. They have solid sturdy frames and should work fine under it. I never even considered that I would not be able to get these glasses on with the helmet on, so that disappoints me a bit but thankfully I still have several pair of old glasses that I can see fine out of.

[sweptwingnut]

Congrats on your new full face helmet! You should never be able to put a helmet on while wearing glasses. The helmet would have to be too big for that to happen. So you are on the right path! :thumbsup:

Silhouette's did not work for rAK and I either. rAK found Oakley frames worked well for her while my preference turned out to be Flexform frames. That should give you some more options. :cheers:

[drankin]

Well that is good information to know. Cause I definitely cannot get the helmet on with my glasses on. I almost always wear sunglasses while riding and they will be a rigid frame, now if they would just get here. I am also wondering if a full face helmet is going to take some getting used to, I am used to the half helmet and it seems there will be some trial time with a full face helmet.

Dottie

[ridingAK]

I suspect that wearing the full face helmet will feel strange at first while you are stopped, but that as soon as you start moving you will not notice it. My new helmet is that way. I'm not used to how it feels when I am thinking about it, but as soon as I start the bike and think about riding, the only thing I notice about the helmet is how much I like it. :):